Date Chartered: 5/24/2025
Purpose
The Section on Legal Master’s Programs of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) is dedicated to fostering the professional development of educators, administrators, and practitioners engaged in graduate legal education. Recognizing the evolving landscape of the legal profession, the Section seeks to advance innovative and inclusive approaches to legal master’s programs that address the needs of diverse student populations, respond to emerging trends in legal practice, and expand opportunities to promote access to law. Specifically, the Section aims to: Facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and research to enhance the quality and relevance of legal master’s education. Support the professional growth of faculty and administrators through workshops, symposia, and collaborative initiatives. Promote the development of curricula and programs that prepare students for leadership roles in compliance, public service, business, health care, and other fields intersecting with the law. Advocate for graduate law programs as vehicles to address access to justice by equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge to serve unmet legal needs. Foster a collaborative network within the AALS community to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifts in the legal services market. Through these efforts, the Section on Legal Master’s Programs seeks to advance the mission of the AALS by promoting excellence in legal education, cultivating inclusivity and innovation, and contributing to the broader accessibility of legal knowledge and services.