The Journal of Legal Education is hosting an AALS Annual Meeting session on Wednesday, January 7 (1 pm – 2:15 pm). Editors will provide a brief update on Journal activities followed by a panel of experts selected from a call for papers.
Call for Papers – The Access Imperative: A Special Issue of the Journal of Legal Education
On September 18-19, AccessLex Institute and the Association of American Law Schools held a national convening in Philadelphia on “The Access Imperative: Strengthening Legal Education Amid Challenges.” The convening was rooted in the belief that access is a core responsibility of legal education and necessary to meet the needs of the profession. The convening was designed to respond to challenges posed by growing skepticism about the value of providing broad access to the benefits of legal education.
The Journal of Legal Education seeks to complement and continue these discussions at the 2026 AALS Annual Meeting in New Orleans. This Call for Papers seeks essays or articles to be presented in draft form at the Annual Meeting, with the aim of having those papers published in a special issue of the journal. JLE editors expect to select at least 4-6 presenters who will present draft papers at the Annual Meeting session.
Papers and topics should critically engage with the theme of access and inclusion in legal education. Editors welcome papers and presentations from a broad range of perspectives, including empirical research, doctrinal analysis, theoretical or historical explorations, or pieces related to pedagogy or practice. Topics could include discussions of financial and economic barriers or changes to student aid policy; pipeline initiatives, admissions policies, and student recruiting processes; the effects of the SFFA decision, including federal actions, state laws, and administrative policies; inclusive curriculum, pedagogy, or academic freedom; recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion and responses to those attacks; structural or systemic inequities; the role of technology; or others topics related to access to legal education or the profession.
To be considered, please submit: (1) a short abstract (250-500 words); (2) a CV; and (3) a brief cover letter highlighting the focus of your paper and your intended contribution, and your commitment to completing the paper by March 2026. All submissions must be original and JLE editors will make the selection decisions. Submissions are due Friday, October 24, 2025.
Those selected to present at the Annual Meeting will be notified by Friday, November 7, 2025. Selected presenters will be responsible for paying their registration fee and hotel and travel expenses to the Annual Meeting. Final papers will be due March 1, 2026, and should be between 10,000-25,000 words in length.
Publication acceptance decisions will be made in mid-March. Citation style should conform to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. While the goal is to have all papers presented at the Annual Meeting published, formal publication decisions will not occur until after the final paper is submitted and meets the journal’s publication requirements.
To be considered to present your paper at the Annual Meeting, please email your submission to [email protected]. Please title your email: “Call for Papers: AALS Annual Meeting (Your Name).” Questions can be directed to the editors at [email protected].
AALS Annual Meeting: January 6-9, 2026
Location: New Orleans, LA
Session Date and Time: Wednesday, January 7, 1 pm – 2:15 pm
CFP Submission Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025
Presenter Notification: Friday, November 7, 2025