Since 2015, AALS has kept the legal academy and supporters informed with a weekly Legal Education News Digest and Blogs Digest. These digests track important developments in legal education, the legal profession, and higher education. 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.  

AALS Legal Education News Digest – Two Weeks Ending January 30, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Two Weeks Ending January 30, 2025 

While many of the top stories are also being covered in daily TaxProf Blog posts, here are a few highlights from the past week:

• Independent law schools are working to find back-up accreditors as the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar’s role as an accreditor is reviewed by the US Department of Education. Most law schools can rely on their university’s accreditation to be sure their students are eligible to receive federal student aid and loans. (ABA Journal)  
• Legal experts are warning that legal employment may become more competitive over the next few years. As law school applications increase, it is likely that the legal profession will see an influx of job candidates in the next few years. This, accompanied with the possibility of AI automation eliminating jobs, could create job competition for recent law school graduates. (Yahoo! Finance) 

Higher Education

• As the federal government makes changes to graduate student lending caps, states are aiming to provide greater financial support. Studies have found that one-third of graduate students are likely to borrow more than the cap on student loans. (EdSource) 
• Yale University has announced that it plans to offer free tuition for any accepted students coming from a family making less than $200,000 a year. Many schools have pushed to make school more affordable as surveys report that high school graduates are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree. (CBS News) 

Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones

• Arizona State University Law launches online, part-time JD program. (ABA Journal) 
• UC Law San Francisco establishes AI advisory board. (UC Law San Francisco) 
• Case Western Reserve Law Human Trafficking Clinic expands efforts to help survivors. (CWRU Newsroom)  
• Northeastern Law Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project helps prove innocence of wrongfully convicted client. (Northeastern University School of Law)  
• Tulane Law Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps community during tax season. (Tulane Law School)