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 – Two Weeks Ending December 19, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Two Weeks Ending December 19, 2025
Top stories from the past week include:
- An ABA report found that law school enrollment has increased 13% since 2023. Experts explain that economic concerns and political turmoil could be the motivation for more students applying to and enrolling in law school. AALS President Austen Parrish discussed how the increase in applicants is creating a highly competitive environment and cautioned that admissions officers need to be careful not to over-admit. (Law.com)(Law.com)
- The ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has released their annual report on law school data. The report tracks law school data including admissions, tuition and living costs, financial aid, class and faculty demographics and more. The study found an overall increase in applicants, but a decrease in diversity, which could be explained by the elimination of many inclusion programs. (American Bar Association)(ABA Journal)
- An ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence has released a report on the challenges and opportunities of using artificial intelligence in the legal profession. The report examines how the increase in AI use has impacted the legal profession and legal education. It also provides predictions for the ongoing risks of AI as well as opportunities for using it effectively. (ABA Journal)
Higher Education
- University graduate programs are preparing for new federal student loan caps which will affect the amount that their students can borrow. The loan caps will limit graduate students to borrowing $100,000 in federal student loans, which may not cover the cost of education for many students. Graduate schools are examining how they can help students fill the gap, whether that means providing financial aid and scholarships or helping connect them to other loan servicers. (Inside Higher Ed)
- A US House of Representatives education panel voted to advance two bills aimed at providing financial transparency to university students. The bills would require the Education Department to create a universal net price calculator to help students estimate the cost of a particular program or institution. The other bill would create a standardized format for college financial aid offers so it is easier for students to tell the cost of their education. (Inside Higher Ed)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- Case Western Reserve Law launches cybersecurity and data privacy specialization. (CWRU Newsroom)
- Drexel Law Community Law School educates local citizens on the law. (Drexel University)
- Pace Law students get ten motions adopted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (Pace University)
- Washington University in St. Louis Law announces global AI partnership. (National Law Review)