Association of American Law Schools

Association of American Law Schools. The Association of American Law Schools is a nonprofit organization of law schools dedicated to improving the quality of legal education in the United States. Founded in the early twentieth century, it serves as a principal membership organization for institutions granting the Juris Doctor degree. Its activities encompass accreditation support, scholarly publication, annual conferences, and advocacy on issues affecting the legal academy and profession.

History

The organization was established in 1900 by a group of 32 charter member schools, including Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, seeking to promote higher standards in legal training. Its formation was part of a broader reform movement responding to critiques from figures like Roscoe Pound and the influential Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Early efforts focused on raising admission requirements and lengthening the course of study, which influenced the eventual accreditation standards developed by the American Bar Association. Throughout the mid-twentieth century, it played a key role in debates over curriculum, faculty diversity, and the integration of clinical education, responding to social changes highlighted by the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty.

Organization and governance

The association is governed by an elected Executive Committee led by a President, who is typically a dean or senior faculty member from a member institution. Day-to-day operations are managed by an Executive Director and a professional staff headquartered in Washington, D.C.. Key governing bodies include the House of Representatives, composed of delegates from each member school, and numerous specialized committees focusing on areas such as professional development, diversity, and academic freedom. Its organizational structure facilitates collaboration with other major legal bodies like the American Bar Association and the Law School Admission Council.

Member schools and accreditation

Membership is voluntary and includes over 170 law schools across the United States and Canada, encompassing a majority of the country's J.D.-granting institutions. While it does not grant accreditation itself, its membership requirements concerning faculty, curriculum, and academic freedom are rigorous and often align with or exceed those of the American Bar Association's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Member schools include prestigious private institutions like Stanford Law School and Columbia Law School, as well as prominent public universities such as the University of Michigan Law School and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Publications and programs

The association publishes several influential scholarly journals, including the Journal of Legal Education and the AALS Directory of Law Teachers. It organizes major annual events like the AALS Annual Meeting, which features hundreds of scholarly panels and workshops for law faculty and administrators. Other significant programs include the AALS Workshop for New Law Teachers, the Clinical Law Conference, and subject-specific scholarly conferences covering fields from constitutional law to international human rights law. These publications and gatherings are central venues for disseminating research and fostering pedagogical innovation.

Advocacy and policy positions

The organization frequently adopts policy statements and engages in advocacy on issues central to legal education and the justice system. Historic positions have supported affirmative action in admissions, as seen in its amicus briefs for Supreme Court cases, and the importance of academic freedom. Contemporary advocacy focuses on federal student loan policies, diversity within the legal profession, support for legal aid funding, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. It often collaborates with entities like the National Association for Law Placement and the AccessLex Institute to advance these positions before Congress and regulatory agencies. Category:Legal education organizations Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.