AALS is proud to announce Herma Hill Kay, University of California, Berkeley School of Law as the 2015 recipient of the AALS Triennial Award for Lifetime Service to Legal Education and to the Law. This award recognizes the service of individuals who have devoted their careers to legal education and to the law. Professor Kay’s career at UC Berkeley has been defined by her enormous contributions to teaching, scholarship, and leadership.
By Kathryn Fanlund
The Journal of Legal Education (JLE) addresses issues confronting legal educators, including curriculum development, teaching methods, and scholarship. AALS spoke to the new co-editors about the importance of the JLE and what lies ahead for the journal.
By Melinda Price
With the addition of the new Section for Associate Deans for Academic Affairs and Research, there are now 100 AALS sections, each focused on a different subject matter, affinity group, or administrative area. For a new feature, “Spotlight on Sections,” AALS sat down with the co-chairs of the new Section on Associate Deans for Academic Affairs and Research to discuss the section’s activities.
By Melinda Price
AALS sat down with the chair and chair-elect of the Section on Administrative Law to discuss the work that their section is undertaking and the value of becoming involved in an AALS Section.
By Kathryn Fanlund
Peter Edelman, Georgetown University Law Center, is a leader in the discussion on how law schools and the law can positively affect major societal issues. He is the faculty director for Georgetown’s Center on Poverty and Inequality and founder of a nonprofit “low bono” law firm dedicated to providing affordable legal representation. Professor Edelman spoke to AALS about the need for law schools and the legal profession to focus on access to justice for vulnerable populations.
Speakers at the AALS Annual Meeting bring a wide range of experiences and insights about the law, legal systems, and legal education. This year’s meeting includes a rich variety of influential scholars, elected officials, and members of the bench and bar, including the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, ABA President Paulette Brown, and Senator Charles E. Schumer.
In 2014, AALS created the Director of Communications position to lead outreach efforts and to oversee content for the association’s website, publications and social media platforms. Last year, Jim Greif joined the organization in this role with 16 years of communications experience at non-profit and higher education related institutions. He shares his thoughts on this role and the future of communications at AALS.
View photos from the AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education, the AALS Workshop for New Law School Teachers, and other spring meetings.
AALS returns to New York City in 2016 for its 110th Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting, “From Challenge to Innovation: Legal Education in 2016,” boasts a vibrant schedule and will provide an unparalleled opportunity for legal educators and administrators to connect with colleagues from law schools around the nation, as well as the world, on matters of common interest at this crucial moment for legal education as well as the legal profession.
Blake D. Morant, AALS President and The George Washington University Law School Dean
“The current challenging times for legal education have prompted us to think more creatively about pedagogy and curriculum. The academy’s continued evolution has led to more dynamic programs that produce adroit professionals who can better function in a complex, more diverse market.”
“Law schools and faculties should work to foster the dynamism that comes from the academy’s continual evolution. Although the challenges confronting law schools are significant, the resolve to meet them has never been stronger.”
The 2016 AALS Annual Meeting will have several new features. For the first time, the meeting will begin with a session aimed at attendees who are new to the Annual Meeting. Other new additions include Arc of Career Programs, aimed at helping faculty and administrators with professional development over the course of their careers, and Discussion Groups, which will allow small groups of faculty the opportunity to engage in a sustained conversation on topics of interest.
New law school teachers are the future of the legal academy. To encourage these new legal educators to take advantage of the networking and professional development opportunities, AALS is offering a 50 percent discounted registration rate for the Annual Meeting. There will be many sessions focusing on the issues and concerns shared by new law faculty, including special programs that bring together junior and senior law faculty to help newer faculty develop their scholarship and teaching skills and connect with their more experienced colleagues.
