Here are a few of the most important news stories you need to know from the past week.
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 October 3, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending October 3, 2025
Top stories from the past two weeks include:
- The Utah Supreme Court approved a program allowing law graduates to obtain law licenses after completing 240 hours of practice under supervision. The new license aims to reduce the financial burden of taking the bar exam and allow a more accessible pathway to licensure. Utah joins Oregon, Washington and Arizona in offering alternative licensure programs through practice. (Reuters)
- The Arizona Supreme Court has rejected a proposal that would have allowed graduates of a special one-year program to prosecute or represent criminal defendants. The proposal would have created a master of legal studies degree focused on criminal law and aimed to address attorney shortages in rural areas. (ABA Journal)
- University of Michigan Law and University of Miami Law have both incorporated optional essay questions requiring the use of artificial intelligence on their applications this year. The implementation of these questions is meant to address the growing use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession, and is part of school’s efforts to prepare students for changes in technology. (Reuters)
Higher Education
- The government has shut down after Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding federal agencies affecting higher education agencies. While student aid will still be disbursed, the department will cease grant-making activities and pause civil rights investigations. The shutdown is expected to be more impactful the longer it lasts as government education employees are unable to work. (Inside Higher Ed)
- An order from the US Court of Appeals has stated that the US Department of Education can move forward with plans to cut half of its Office for Civil Rights staff. The decision overturned a decision from a lower court that ordered the department to restore employment to those laid-off. The layoffs largely impact the Office of Civil Rights which was responsible for investigating civil rights complaints. (Higher Ed Dive)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- Arizona State University Law expands admissions options to address Arizona attorney shortage. (ASU News)
- Boston University Law partners with Harvey AI to provide students, faculty and staff with AI tools. (Boston University School of Law)
- Mississippi College Law adopts mandatory artificial intelligence certification for first-year students. (Law.com)