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 – Week Ending September 5, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending September 5, 2025
Top stories from the past two weeks include:
- Law school applications surged 18 percent for the fall 2025 admissions season, marking the largest year-over-year increase in applicants since 2002. Experts point to struggles in the current job market and increasing political tensions as potential explanations for the increase. (Reuters)
- The average scores of the July 2025 Multistate Bar Exam continued an upward trend, and states expect to see an increase in overall pass rates. The rise in mean scores could be partially attributed to an increase in first-time test-taker performance. (ABA Journal)
- 62 percent of law schools have incorporated formal artificial intelligence training for students. Law schools believe that students with formal training will have an advantage over others in the job market and will be more prepared for the evolving legal technology landscape as law firms integrate generative AI into practice. (Inside Higher Ed)
Higher Education
- A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully terminated more than $2 billion in grants to Harvard University. The decision is a major victory for the university, which refused to comply with demands from the administration that aimed to influence their academic offerings and instead launched a legal campaign to regain funding and protect academic freedom at the school. (Reuters)
- As states undo legislation allowing non-citizens to access in-state tuition benefits, thousands of students without legal status must choose between paying thousands more in tuition or dropping out of school altogether. Non-citizen students are also voicing concerns about appearing on campus as they fear that increased scrutiny of student immigrants could lead to their deportation. (ABC News)
- Small-budget universities face financial hardship as international students struggle to obtain visas to attend. International students represent at least 20 percent of enrollment at small-budget universities and the loss of their tuition could have serious consequences. International students have faced increased scrutiny and issues obtaining a visa appointment, making it impossible for them to attend their courses in the US. (AP News)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- University of Arkansas Little Rock Law partners with Centenary College for pathway program. (UA Little Rock)
- Campbell Law launches Business Law Clinic in downtown Raleigh. (Campbell)
- Northwestern Law launches Office of Community Engagement and Access. (Northwestern Pritzker School of Law)
Law School Dean Moves and Hires
- Andy Hessick named interim dean of University of North Carolina Law. (UNC School of Law)