January 7-11 San Francisco, CA
We are happy to be returning to San Francisco for the 2025 Annual Meeting. The meeting will take place in a familiar neighborhood and a familiar venue: the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Parc 55 San Francisco will again host some special programs and additional guest rooms.
Registration opened September 12. Visit am.aals.org for details.
Theme
Courage in Action
Lawyers are, and have always been, courageous advocates who exercise a steadfast commitment to justice in the face of unpopular views and controversy. We represent minoritized clients against oppression. We represent those without means and those who are bullied. We pursue positive social change.
Law professors similarly display and model courage every day in an ever-changing classroom that reflects the tensions and schisms in society outside the walls of learning. Professors hold immense influence. We facilitate opportunities for the next generation of great lawyers. As law teachers, we open minds and prepare change makers.
No matter how we define courage, our roles as law teachers and law scholars demand it.
Each of you is acting with courage in your teaching, scholarly pursuits, and service to law schools and universities, as well as in your communities.
My challenge to all of us is to continue that important work. Let’s continue to build courage in ourselves and to urge others—our colleagues, campus partners, students, staff members, and alumni—to be courageous. Let’s continue to speak with a courageous voice of reason, using our platforms to oppose injustice in our daily lives—when it matters most.
Courage is in all of us. But we have to activate it. We have to practice it and model it for our students.
One of the many reasons I chose Courage in Action for this year’s theme is the many interesting program and presentation possibilities it provides.
Deans might explore when courage requires them to speak publicly and when it dictates silence in the face of demands and pressure to speak. Conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access have always required courage. I can envision ongoing discussions on courage in admissions, as we continue to navigate the law school world since the UNC-Harvard Supreme Court decision.
Every section of the AALS could benefit from a discussion about their work and courage, and I look forward to the creative programming they develop, as well as interesting Hot Topics and other panels and discussions that will flow from our focus on courage.
Propose a Hot Topic
There are two more opportunities to propose a program for January’s meeting, if you have an idea for a Hot Topic. Visit the website for more information.
- General Hot Topic proposals are due October 14. These are traditional-format scholarly sessions about topics that arose too late in the year to be included in other types of programs.
- Hot Topic proposals about the 2024 election that could not be made in time for the October deadline are due November 15.
Many AALS Sections identify their panelists via calls for papers. Deadlines vary, but may be as late as October. Check the Annual Meeting website at am.aals.org/program/proposals/section-calls-for-papers for open CFPs.
Networking
There are plenty of opportunities for you to connect with colleagues new and old throughout the meeting.
General networking
Attend the opening reception and roam the Exhibit Hall offerings, arrange meetings during the extended coffee breaks each day of the meeting, and check out law school receptions each night.
For new faculty
Your first stop should be the session for first-time meeting attendees on Wednesday, January 8, followed immediately that evening by the reception for new law school teachers.
For pretenured teachers of color
The annual Workshop for Pretenured Law School Teachers of Color will take place on Friday, January 10.