Legal Education News
- AALS recently announced the formation of a National Task Force on the Regulation of American Legal Education, which will examine the quality of legal education, law school accreditation, bar admission pathways, and other emerging issues. The Task Force is intended to provide an independent perspective, separate from regulators, to provide well-rounded perspectives and recommendations. The group will analyze information from across the legal education landscape and issue a final report by the end of the year. (ABA Journal)
- The ABA House of Delegates voted against repealing a standard for law school accreditation addressing diversity and inclusion. The ABA Council, which is independently responsible for accreditation decisions, can repeal the standard despite the results of the vote. This comes as the ABA has faced political and legal pushback for supporting and promoting diversity initiatives in law schools. (ABA Journal)
- Columbia Law has adopted a new AI policy that prohibits students from using artificial intelligence for written work involving exams, legal analysis, and argument development. The new policy reflects how law schools are working to combat the rise of AI use to encourage students to think independently yet allow flexibility for students to gain experience with emerging tools. (ABA Journal)
- Other legal education stories from the week include:
- AALS Director of Research and Data Analytics Katie Kempner discusses study on why law school deanship tenures are becoming shorter with co-author and St. Mary’s Law Dean Patty Roberts. (Aspen Leading Edge Podcast)
- Opinion: Issues with new bar exam rollout does not mean states should revert to the old test. (Bloomberg Law)
- Blog: How law professors can work backwards from assessment to improve learning outcomes. (Law:Fully)
- How law schools are preparing students to use AI in their careers. (JD Journal)
- Brian Kane appointed dean of University of Idaho Law. (Idaho Ed News)
- A look at the law schools with a median LSAT score over 170 for the incoming class. (ABA Journal)
- Education advocates ask Missouri Supreme Court to drop the pass score after disruptions with bar exam rollout. (ABA Journal)
- Law firms offer more options for summer training programs for law students. (ABA Journal)
Higher Education News
- How HBCUs are redefining student success to increase student enrollment and graduation rates. (Inside Higher Ed)
- How to talk to graduate students about career paths they cannot predict. (Inside Higher Ed)
- Education Department clarifies how current students can access uncapped loans. (Inside Higher Ed)
Legal Profession News
- US law firms experience high demand leading to potential for profit boost. (Reuters)
- A look at Ohio’s rural attorney shortage. (WOUB Public Media)
Law School News
- Case Western Reserve Law Community Development Clinic expands financial access for Cleveland for cooperative workers. (CWRU Newsroom)
- University of Iowa Law Environmental Law Initiative launches tool to help localities examine proposed data centers. (Route Fifty)
- University of Michigan Law appoints professor Patrick Barry to serve as inaugural Director of AI Initiatives. (Michigan Law)
- Stanford Law Rhode Center and Legal Design Lab win grant to modernize courts and expand access to justice. (Stanford Law School)
- A look at the Washington University in St. Louis Law Clerkship Program. (WashU The Source)
TaxProf Blog
- Most Improved Law Schools for Employment by Austen Parrish. (TaxProf Blog)
- More on the AALS Task Force on Regulation of American Legal Education by Austen Parrish. (TaxProf Blog)
- From the Bookshelves: An AI Policy Primer for Students by Matthew Sag by Kevin R. Johnson. (TaxProf Blog)
- New Law Review Submission Analytics Tool from Georgetown Law by Michael Madison. (TaxProf Blog)
- Does Legal Education Ignore Class? by Sloan Speck. (TaxProf Blog)
- Teaching Tidbit of the Week: Fears and Nightmares for Our Fall 2026 Classes by Michael Hunter Schwartz. (TaxProf Blog)