AALS LENS Now - September 25, 2026

Legal Education News

A U.S. Department of Education committee delayed action on whether to renew or revoke the ABA’s role as the federally recognized accreditor of U.S. law schools after two deadlocked votes. The review stems from a DOE staff report questioning the council’s independence and pace of diversity‑rule revisions. (Reuters)
US law schools are grappling with how to approach AI use in classrooms as they try to balance teaching effective use of AI while emphasizing independent thinking and problem solving. Many schools are banning the use of laptops in phones in class, while others are requiring AI courses for students. (Reuters)
Bar examinees affected by the troubled rollout of the February 2025 California Bar Exam have reached a settlement with the tech company responsible for administering the test. Examinees are expected to receive financial compensation for widespread technical disruptions. (ABA Journal)
Other legal education stories from the week include:
- Penn State Dickinson Law faculty contribute to book series from the school’s Antiracist Development Institute. (Penn State Dickinson Law)
- Opinion: Why the ABA should retain the right to accredit law schools. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
- An interview with an expert in law school admissions. (Above the Law)
- Advice for law students on how to answer challenging interview questions. (The National Jurist)

How universities are affected by AI increasing access to knowledge. (Brookings)
Opinion: Why graduate students and postdoctoral researchers should view themselves as leaders. (Inside Higher Ed)
Report finds few legal options for donors whose gift agreements were broken by universities. (Inside Higher Ed)
University of Pittsburgh faculty and staff unions seek AI protections for their contracts. (Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

Judges state that “AI slop” is hindering the courts’ ability to function. (ABA Journal)
Opinion: The real issue with AI could be lawyers’ ability to adapt. (Law.com)
Opinion: Lawyers and judges must take accountability when AI errors end up in their work. (Law.com)

University of Arkansas Law celebrates fifth anniversary of Delta Initiative which brings legal access to rural communities. (Arkansas News)
UC Berkeley Law plans to launch certificate focused on AI and the law. (Law360)
Cooley Law celebrates 25th anniversary of the school’s Innocence Project. (WILX)
NYU Law First Generation Initiative helps students adjust to life in law school. (NYU Law)
Northeastern Law Spatial Justice Lab launches Neighborhood Eviction Defense Project. (Northeastern University School of Law)