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 10, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending October 10, 2025
Top stories from the past two weeks include:
- California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill last week requiring the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners to reconsider the pros and cons of a state-specific bar exam. The rollout of California’s state-specific exam this February was troubled by issues with exam proctors, use of AI, and technical failures. The bill requires the Committee of Bar Examiners to provide a report to determine if a state-specific bar exam is more efficient and less costly than administering the Uniform Bar Exam. California also passed bills requiring the California State Bar to give two years’ notice before switching from in-person to online testing and requiring them to disclose if AI is used to write the exam. (ABA Journal) (Reuters)
- The Florida State Bar Workgroup on the Role of the ABA in Bar Admission Requirements recently heard public comments on their proposal to research alternatives to the ABA. The workgroup received more than 20 comments from students, professors, and experienced lawyers expressing a diverse range of perspectives. Many argued that a national accreditor is necessary for the portability and uniformity of legal degrees, while others argued that the ABA accreditation standard hinders accessibility to the legal profession. (The Florida Bar)
- A Kaplan survey found that law school admissions officers expect the 2025-2026 admissions cycle to be highly competitive. Last year, law schools saw a significant increase in applications which led to record-high first year enrollment at many schools. Around 90% of admissions officers believe that this year will be at least as competitive with 13% saying that they believe this year will be much more competitive. (Nasdaq)
Higher Education
- Recent changes to graduate school loans have impacted students’ perception of the value of a degree. After a federal spending bill capped graduate student loans, students worry that the value of a graduate degree is not worth the risk, especially as unemployment rates rise. The change will likely also affect universities which are already facing financial hardship as students are less inclined to attend graduate programs if their tuition is not covered by federal loans. (AOL) (Business Insider)
- Changes to the H-1B visa requiring a $100,000 fee for each new visa recipient could negatively impact universities. The new requirements also include a proposal to shift the rules of the visa lottery to favor older applicants. This could cause younger students from foreign countries to attend university in their home country. Higher education groups are suing the Trump administration over these changes, alleging that the fee will cause catastrophic setbacks to research in the US as international researchers will be dissuaded from attending American universities. (Forbes) (Higher Ed Dive)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- University of Arkansas Law offers name, image and likeness advice for football players. (University of Arkansas)
- Charleston Law launches Public Policy Institute to find data-driven community solutions. (South Carolina Lawyers)
- George Washington Law Intellectual Property & Technology Law Clinic aids in US Supreme Court amicus brief filing. (GW Law)
- University of Miami Law Innocence Clinic helps free client after 18 years in prison. (University of Miami)
- University of San Diego Law establishes Innocence Clinic. (University of San Diego)
Law School Dean Moves and Hires
- Horace E. Anderson Jr. reappointed as dean of Pace Law. (Pace University)