Here are a few of the most important news stories you need to know from the past two weeks.
For the last decade, AALS has kept the legal academy and supporters informed with our weekly Legal Education News Digest and Blogs Digest. These digests track important developments in legal education, the legal profession, and higher education on the federal level. They also highlight new programs, collaborations between schools, milestones, faculty accomplishments, awards, clinical activities, and special events. Sign up to receive these digests by email.
Law schools can share news and updates with the editors of the weekly digest here.
AALS Legal Education News Digest – Two Weeks Ending August 29, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Two Weeks Ending August 29, 2025
Top stories from the past two weeks include:
- The ABA council that oversees US law school accreditation recently adopted a new set of core principles and values. The statement defines and defends the ABA’s role in accrediting law schools. It comes as a response to investigations into ABA accreditation from federal and state governments as they seek alternative methods of accreditation. (Reuters)
- The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar announced that they would delay their proposal to increase hands-on learning requirements at law schools. The proposal faced opposition from many law school leaders as they argued that the change was an overreach and would restrict law school’s abilities to set their own standards. (ABA Journal) (Reuters)
- The ABA extended the deadline for law schools to apply for variances that would allow them to admit up to 100% of students without an admissions test score. The deadline has been pushed to next April, allowing schools more time to pursue alternative admissions options. (Law.com)
- AccessLex released their 2025 Legal Education Data Deck tracking access, affordability, and value at US law schools. The data demonstrated continued racial disparities in admissions, enrollment, and bar passage rates. The report comes as law schools continue to navigate the federal government’s targeting of universities and diversity programs, causing concerns over the future of diversity at law schools. (Diverse Issues in Higher Education)
Higher Education
- A US News survey found that 61 percent of college students were directly impacted by changes to the federal student loan system. More than one third of respondents said that they would have to take out private loans to counteract the new laws or that they may not be able to finish college at all. (Inside Higher Ed)
- A National Foundation for American Policy report found that many US colleges and universities could be forced to close if they’re not able to enroll as many immigrants and international students. The report states that without immigrants and international students, the undergraduate student population would become just two-thirds of its current size by 2037. This report comes as the federal government aims to implement restrictions on foreign student visas, raising concerns for many US universities who rely on international student attendance. (Forbes)
- The Department of Justice said they will not defend against a legal challenge to the definition of Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The lawsuit alleges that the requirement that a university’s undergraduate population must be at least a quarter Hispanic is unconstitutional. If the lawsuit were to win, hundreds of Hispanic-serving institutions would be in danger of losing millions in federal funding. (Inside Higher Ed)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- UC Berkeley Law Name, Image and Likeness Initiative aids student athletes at the school. (UC Berkeley Law)
- UIC Law Rising Attorneys Inclusive Summer Experience supports incoming and prospective students. (University of Illinois Chicago)
- LSU Law Small Business and Community Development Clinic offers free legal assistance to community. (West Monroe Chamber of Commerce)
- Northeastern Law Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project releases digital archive on anti-Black violence. (Northeastern University School of Law)
- Stanford Law students launch space law and policy journal. (Orbital Today)
- Yale Law Media Freedom and Information Access files amicus brief on the right to film in public. (Yale Law School)
Law School Dean Moves and Hires
- Law professor Emily Hammond appointed interim vice provost of George Washington University. (The GW Hatchet)