Legal Definitions - Association of American Law Schools

The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) is a leading professional organization in the United States dedicated to upholding and improving the quality of legal education. It functions as a collective body for law schools that have demonstrated a sustained operational history, specifically by having successfully graduated at least three annual classes of students. Membership in the AALS signifies a commitment to high standards in legal scholarship, teaching, and professional development within the academic legal community.

• Example 1: "Pacific Coast Law School," a relatively new institution, has just celebrated the graduation of its third cohort of students. The dean and faculty are now preparing an extensive application package, hoping to secure membership in the Association of American Law Schools.

  Explanation: This illustrates a key membership criterion for the AALS. Pacific Coast Law School has met the fundamental requirement of having graduated at least three annual classes, making it eligible to apply and potentially join the organization of established and recognized law schools.

• Example 2: Professor Elena Rodriguez, a legal writing instructor at "Mid-Atlantic University School of Law," attends a specialized workshop on integrating artificial intelligence tools into legal research curricula. The workshop is hosted and sponsored by the Association of American Law Schools.

  Explanation: This demonstrates the AALS's role in fostering professional development and promoting innovation among faculty at its member institutions. By organizing such events, the AALS supports its member schools in enhancing the quality and relevance of legal education.

• Example 3: A prospective law student, Sarah, is researching various law schools across the country. She notices that many of the institutions she considers to be highly reputable prominently feature their affiliation with the Association of American Law Schools on their official websites and admissions materials.

  Explanation: This highlights how AALS membership is often perceived as a mark of quality and adherence to recognized standards within legal education. For students like Sarah, seeing a school's affiliation with the AALS can be an indicator that the institution is part of a respected academic community and meets certain benchmarks for excellence.