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 conferences/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 April 3, 2026
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending April 3, 2026
Top stories from the past week include:
- The Federal Trade Commission praised Florida’s decision to end the ABA’s role as the state’s sole law school accreditor. The FTC sent a letter to the Florida Supreme Court to praise an amendment that would eliminate the rule that students need to graduate from an ABA-accredited law school before taking the bar exam. Florida is one of several states that are reevaluating the ABA’s role as accreditor in its state. (ABA Journal)
- Thomson Reuters and learning platform Hotshot announced a partnership that will allow more than 120,000 law students to gain practical, skills-based training in AI to better prepare them for modern legal practice. Students will be able to put substantive concepts learned on Hotshot into practice in the Thomson Reuters product CoCounsel Legal. (Thomson Reuters)
- Other legal education stories:
- Jonathan Marcantel named dean of Charleston Law. (Moultrie News)
- Society for the Rule of Law Executive Director Gregg Nunziata to speak in AALS webinar series. (Society for the Rule of Law)
Higher Education
- The Trump administration has proposed new federal funding certification requirements aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Many higher education groups argue that the new requirements are vague and demonstrate an overreach from the federal government that will hinder academic freedom. (Inside Higher Ed)
- A study from Protect Borrowers found that roughly 40% of Americans wouldn’t qualify for most private student loans based on income and credit-score requirements. This raises concerns due to the newly implemented caps on federal student loans causing many students to seek private loans to make up the difference. (Market Watch)
Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones
- Baylor Law HEAL supports victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. (Baylor Lariat)
- California Western Law celebrates relaunch of Innocence and Justice Clinic. (California Western School of Law)
- A look at University of Kansas Law Legal Education Accelerated Degree Program. (KU Law Blog)
- University of Louisville Law establishes Center in Intimate Partner Violence. (Kentucky Today)