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 17, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending October 17, 2025
Top stories from the past two weeks include:
- AALS President Austen Parrish and CEO Kellye Testy penned an op-ed discussing the importance of pro bono legal services, which many organizations are struggling to provide after recent cuts to federal funding and attacks on law firms. Parrish and Testy argue that pro bono legal services are an integral part of the US legal system as they provide access to justice for economically disadvantaged and rural communities. (Bloomberg Law)
- The 2026 law school admissions cycle is experiencing a 33% increase in applicants compared to this time last year according to data from the Law School Admission Council. Admissions officers expect another highly competitive year as law school applications were already up by 18% for the fall 2025 admissions season. LSAC president Sudha Setty cites a dynamic political environment and economic uncertainty as major factors in the increase of applications. (Reuters)
Higher Education
- A majority of Americans oppose recent cuts to higher education funding according to an American Higher Education Barometer survey. The survey found that 54% of Americans disapprove of freezing federal research grants to universities. The survey comes in response to the federal government freezing billions in research funds over opposition to university actions. (Inside Higher Ed)
- The Trump Administration recently requested that nine high-profile universities sign a compact promising to not use race or gender-based admissions methods. The agreement states that institutions would need to make sweeping changes or risk losing federal funding. One of the recipients of the compact, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, publicly declined to sign. Faculty and staff from the other eight schools are hoping their universities also refuse to sign, concerned that it will hinder academic freedom. (Inside Higher Ed)
- Last week, Harvard University officially recouped most of the funding it lost when the federal government froze its access to grants. After a federal judge sided with Harvard, the university CFO confirmed that they received reinstatements of the majority of their direct federal awards. Despite the promising news, some faculty still worry about the uncertainty of funding as the administration could continue to attack universities that refuse to comply with their demands. (Inside Higher Ed)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- A look at University at Buffalo Law’s commitment to preventing domestic violence. (University at Buffalo School of Law)
- UC Law San Francisco Startup Legal Garage aids 18 clients with their startups. (UC Law San Francisco)
- Cornell Law Veterans Law Practicum secures victories for survivors of military sexual assault. (Cornell Law School)
- University of Miami Law to host Civil Discourse Program for first-year students. (University of Miami School of Law)
- University of Oregon Law Sports Law Institute celebrates 12th anniversary. (University of Oregon School of Law)
- AccessLex Institute grant to Seattle University Law to help launch Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative. (PR Newswire)