The Association of
American Law Schools’ mission is "to uphold and advance excellence in
legal education." To further this purpose, AALS "promotes the core
values of excellence in teaching and scholarship, academic freedom, and
diversity, including diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints, while seeking to
improve the legal profession, to foster justice, and to serve our many
communities-–local, national, and international." Legal academics have
regularly engaged in debate over whether AALS serves as a trade association or
as a learned society. One critical facet of this debate concerns the importance
of scholarship and scholarly engagement within the organization's general scope
of activities. This panel will explore the ways
in which AALS currently promotes scholarship. It will consider whether an
expanded role would be appropriate and, if so, potential avenues for expansion.
After remarks from our panelists, we look forward to a discussion amongst
panelists and audience members over the topic's larger themes as well as
practical concerns and possibilities.
Business
meeting at program conclusion.