Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law became President of the Association of American Law Schools at the AALS Annual Meeting on January 7, 2023. Dean Alexander answered some questions about his background and his vision for AALS and for legal education.

Before we talk about your role as AALS President, tell us a bit about your background and how you first decided to study law.

I was not planning to be a lawyer; I earned an undergraduate degree in architecture. But, I grew up in a Washington, D.C. family that was deeply engaged in government and politics. I worked in government and politics in Washington during and after college which greatly impacted my thinking about the law. Specifically, I once worked on a bill as a Senate staffer—a legislative assistant working on policy. Just before the vote on this bill took place, the senator and members of his staff were debating how he should vote. Because I was the staffer who had drafted the memo to the Senator, he asked me to walk down to the Senate floor with him before the vote. And he asked me, “Mark, how should I vote?” I gave him my opinion, and it turned out he voted that way. It is an experience that has stayed with me through the years because it made me understand the process of making laws and running the country. In addition, the legislative director (my immediate boss) at the time was a lawyer, and I learned so much from him about why the law mattered in what we did on Capitol Hill. Ultimately, I realized that studying the law would further my interests in government, politics, and service in a way nothing else could.

How did you know that you wanted to focus on legal education throughout your career?

I often describe my time at law school as akin to a PhD program in three years. In law school, I probably wrote an average of 50-75 pages of significant research papers each semester. I also had the benefit of having several great mentors along the way. I was drawn to that academic side—the “big thinking” part of law school. By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to become a professor. I had insight into how exciting it is to study the law, to write about the law and to nurture the next generation. In that sense, I look back, and it’s obvious that I would become a professor and want to be a part of AALS. (In an upcoming AALS newsletter, I’ll share more about my thoughts on leadership within legal education today—including my path to leadership roles—and how that has impacted my vision for the future of legal education.)

What motivated you to take on the role of AALS President?

I have been a law professor for more than 25 years. I am in my seventh year as a dean. I care deeply about legal education; to this day, it remains an intellectual pursuit. A few years ago, I was humbled to be asked to consider serving on the AALS Executive Committee. It was an opportunity to make a difference in the world I care about—now, even more so as President. The AALS platform supports all law schools and all law professors. By extension, it also supports all law students and future lawyers. Serving as President allows me to make a more considerable difference to all the schools, all the faculty, all the staff—everyone who makes modern legal education possible. AALS is in a unique position to connect us—there are some 200 schools spread out all over the country. At times, we can be very atomized. But AALS helps to bring us together—and I am thrilled to play a role in that as President.

The theme of your presidency is “Defending Democracy.” How did you choose this theme, and what does it mean to you?

On the professional side: I believe law schools have a critical role to play in the future of our country and our democracy. Lawyers are everywhere in places of prominence, power, and policy. Since nearly the beginning of this country, lawyers have shaped our democracy and will continue to do so. As educators of lawyers, we are the shapers of the shapers, and we have a distinct responsibility to this country to ensure that our democracy endures.

On the personal side: As I mentioned, I grew up in a family deeply involved in government and politics. My parents taught me—as their parents taught them—the importance of service to our communities, local, state and national. To the extent that we, as legal educators, are training the next generation of lawyers, it is paramount to train lawyers who are committed to our country. As a constitutional law professor, I perhaps too often quote the preamble. But what I find so meaningful about that statement is that it is aspirational. As we know, it says “more perfect Union,” but not “perfect.” To me, this says we must always strive to do better. It says that the work of democracy is never done. As lawyers, as legal educators—we must play a role in this great experiment. Our country is imperfect in many ways, yet it is striving—it is hopeful. And that is the kind of person I am. If I can find a way to help ours be a “more perfect Union,” I feel pretty good about what I am doing.

This goes directly to the theme of “Defending Democracy.” We have an obligation and a unique role to play in strengthening and preserving our democracy in a challenging and transformational time. I have asked my colleagues to look at curricula, scholarship, and culture within their law schools. In that sense, what I hope to see this year is that we all engage in self-reflection. And each professor and each school think about and act on at least one way to enhance their curricula, scholarship, and/or culture. To recommit to forming a “more perfect Union.” I am not trying to change every school in some dramatic way, but I believe if every faculty member and every school does one thing to make a positive change, that will make a difference.

Interview conducted by Melissa Nyman, Director of Communication and Marketing, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.