In case you missed it on AALS LENS:

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 – Week Ending February 6, 2025
AALS Legal Education Blogs Digest – Week Ending February 6, 2025   

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

•  After University of Arkansas Law rescinded a dean offer to a candidate for her prior signing of an amicus brief supporting transgender rights, more than 175 law professors from across the country have signed a letter protesting the decision. (Law.com) 
• The Utah legislature is conducting a study to find the feasibility of opening a third law school in the state to make sure there are enough lawyers to support its growing population. Lawmakers are currently eyeing Utah Valley University to host the third law school. (ABA Journal) 
• Other legal education stories:
  • Jacksonville University Law dean Nick Allard discusses experience at the 2026 AALS Annual Meeting (Jacksonville Daily Record)
  • A look at law firms’ accelerated law student recruiting timeline (The National Jurist)
  • Study shows that law firms expect students to know about generative AI (Bloomberg Law)
  • A look at changes coming to the NextGen Bar Exam (The National Jurist)

Higher Education

•  A study by the Postsecondary Education and Economics Research Center has found that only 62% of graduate students earned a degree within six years or less. While graduate completion rates are rising, experts worry that the rate could decrease with financial burdens due to changes in federal loans as well as cuts to university funding. (Inside Higher Ed) 
• The Trump Administration has signed an education bill into law fully funding the US Department of Education. The bill will provide support to research grants and critical resources in public education. Some advocates are celebrating this bill as it will secure funding for programs (and the agency itself) that were previously under the threat of cuts. (Higher Ed Dive)  
• State and federal agencies are pressuring universities and increasing the surveillance and monitoring of professors as part of political attacks on higher education. Some states are requiring professors to post their course outlines publicly in searchable databases. Educational experts warn that requiring the public posting of syllabi will only bring more political attacks to schools. (The New York Times) 

Law School Programs, Clinics and Milestones

• Baylor Law to host People’s Law School event to teach the public about legal education. (Baylor University) 
• University of Hawai’i Law wellness fund aims to help students access basic needs. (Hawai’i Public Radio) 
• Michigan State University Law clinic aims to address rural legal shortage. (Keweenaw Report)  
• USC Gould Law Housing Law and Policy Clinic win federal court ruling to preserve tenant protections. (USC Gould School of Law)