AALS News – Summer 2022

President’s Message: Reflecting on How Law Schools Can Make a Difference

By AALS President Erwin Chemerinsky, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

“Every AALS President has the wonderful opportunity to pick a theme for the coming year and the annual conference. My theme for 2022, and the January 2023 conference in San Diego, is how law schools can make a difference. As a new school year begins, at a time when so many are understandably frightened by events in the United States and the world, I urge my fellow deans and faculty members to think about what we can do to make a difference.”

2023 AALS Annual Meeting

Learn more about program highlights, networking events, and speaking opportunities at the upcoming 2023 AALS Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Alena Allen Joins AALS Staff as Deputy Director

As AALS Deputy Director, the professor of law and former interim dean at University of Arkansas School of Law will support the association in its mission to assist law schools in their efforts to develop the next generation of lawyers and leaders.

Spotlight: Section on Art Law

The leadership of the Section on Art Law discussed the art of NFTs, the effects of COVID-19 on art law, and cultural heritage destruction in Ukraine and the repatriation of stolen art.

Spotlight: Section on Trusts and Estates

As part of the ongoing “Spotlight on Sections” series, AALS sat down with the leadership of the Section on Trusts and Estates to discuss the latest in the field and plans for the section.

New AALS Sections and Updates to Section Services

This spring, the AALS Executive Committee approved two new provisional sections: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Professionals; and Firearms Law. In addition, the Section on Criminal Justice has split into the Section on Criminal Law and Section on Criminal Procedure. The introduction of these sections coincides with significant changes and improvements to the online platform for AALS Sections.

Journal of Legal Education Issue Explores Fresh Perspectives on Pro Bono Requirements, Pedagogy, Bar Exams, and More

The recently released issue 70-1 of the Journal of Legal Education issue provides fresh perspectives on long-standing issues within the legal education community. Several authors tackle a wide range of topics from framing faculty pro bono, to developing cultural competency and communications skills in students, and more.

Highlights from the 2022 AALS Workshop for New Law School Teachers

In June, AALS welcomed 112 new law school faculty to the AALS Workshop for New Law School Teachers in Washington, DC. The workshop marked the first in-person AALS meeting since the 2020 AALS Annual Meeting and supported new faculty as they learn to balance and embrace the demands of an academic career.

Highlights from the 2022 AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education

More than 1,150 legal educators registered to attend the virtual 2022 AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education in May. The meeting’s theme, “Lawyering with Creativity and for Equity,” encouraged clinical lawyers to blend subjects to incorporate new teachings and ideas to advance the experiential learning experience.

Update Your Biography in the AALS Directory of Law Teachers

Have you published a new paper, chapter, or book? Won an award or moved to a different law school? Are you looking for colleagues to review your works in progress? Update your biography in the Directory of Law Teachers at any time.