Section on Law School Administration and Finance

Administrative Excellence Award (recognizing a non-faculty administrator from a member school, even if not a section member)

The AALS Section on Law School Administration and Finance will recognize outstanding non-faculty Administrators via the Annual AALS Administrative Excellence Award. The inaugural Administrative Excellence Award will be presented at the AALS Annual Meeting in January 2027. The award will recognize an individual who has provided outstanding service to their law school and has positively impacted their school’s financial health, strategic initiatives, or operational effectiveness. To be eligible for the award, Nominees must:

1) Be a full-time employee of an AALS-member law school;
2) Serve in a role primarily focused on administrative responsibilities. Individuals whose responsibilities are primarily academic (like those with a faculty appointment or who teach more than one course per academic year) are not eligible; AND
3) Hold a senior-level staff or administrative role with significant responsibility for administrative or financial functions, such as assistant/associate dean, executive director, finance officer, director of administration, or chief of staff.

Nominators must be a member of an AALS Section. Self-nominations are invited. The deadline to submit nominations is November 1.

Nominations must include a brief statement describing the nominee’s contributions and impact. Nominations should include a copy of the Nominee’s resume or a link to their LinkedIn page.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Administration and Finance Executive Committee (or Nominating Committee if one is formed by the Section), and up to three finalists will be voted on by Section members in attendance at the November Open Forum meeting. The award winner will receive a plaque and certificate of recognition at the AALS annual meeting in January.

Administrative Excellence Award Nomination Form

Section Member of the Year Award (recognizing a member of the AALS Section on Finance and Administration)

The Section on Law School Administration and Finance will recognize outstanding contributions of its members through the Section Member of the Year Award (SMOY). The SMOY Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional engagement, leadership, and service to the Section. Recipients will exemplify the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and generosity, and help to enhance the professional development and connection of the Section’s members.

All Administration and Finance Section members are eligible for the SMOY Award. Candidates may be nominated by another section member or self-nominate. Nominations must be submitted by November 1.

All nominations will be sent to the full Section membership for voting via an online survey. The award winner will receive a plaque and certificate of recognition at the AALS annual meeting in January.

Section Member of the Year Nomination Form

Friend of the Section Award (recognizing a non-member of the Section or Section member)

The Section on Law School Administration and Finance will recognize excellent nonmember contributors to the Section through the Friend of the Section Award (FOS). Recipients will have made a significant contribution to the Section as a presenter, panelist, collaborator, co-coordinator or other partner to the Section and its members.

All contributors are eligible for the FOS Award. Candidates must be nominated by a member of the Administration and Finance Section. Nominations must be submitted by November 1. Nominations will be reviewed by the Administration and Finance Executive Committee (or a Nominating Committee if one is formed by the Section), and up to three finalists will be voted on by Section members in attendance at the November Open Forum meeting. The award winner will receive a certificate of recognition at the AALS annual meeting in January.

Friend of the Section Award Nomination Form