As an organization made up of staff, expert consultants, and volunteers, AALS is committed to working collectively toward a shared vision of the future. In 2025, under the guidance of new executive leadership, AALS set a multi-year organizational strategic plan that will guide staff and volunteer work through 2028, and committed to increased transparency and reporting.

We are pleased to share the Association’s first-ever public Annual Report. This report provides an overview of AALS activities and accomplishments throughout 2025, and reflects on our progress toward the 2025-2028 Strategic Goals.

Download the 2025 AALS Annual Report here.

Mission

Through its service, leadership, and advocacy, AALS advances excellence in legal education through its dual mission as the learned society for law faculty and as the premier membership association representing law schools committed to its core values.  

Vision

To encourage and support our member schools in maintaining American legal education as the most effective and respected system in the world.  

Strategic Goals 2025-2028  

  1. Increase revenue to expand service capacity and support strategic goals.   
  2. Become an indispensable resource for deans, faculty, and staff at our member schools throughout the arc of their careers.  
  3. Strengthen the future of the legal academy by increasing support of candidates and schools in the faculty appointments process.  
  4. Increase AALS staff capacity to expand member services and improve member experience.  
  5. Amplify AALS voice as an expert on and advocate for American legal education. 

Core Values

  • Creating and supporting a self-governing intellectual community engaged in the creation and dissemination of knowledge about law, legal processes and legal systems, and devoted to upholding the rule of law and fostering justice and public service;  
  • Protecting academic freedom and fostering a climate of support for diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences;  
  • Promoting excellence in scholarship and teaching;  
  • Delivering a rigorous academic program in the context of a dynamic curriculum that is both broad and deep;  
  • Hiring and retaining competent and professional faculty and staff in accordance with principles of non-discrimination to support the mission of the law school;  
  • Employing non-discriminatory processes that produce a broad and inclusive legal profession, including selecting students based upon their ability and capacity to succeed in the study and practice of law through a holistic admission process; and  
  • Demonstrating honesty, integrity and professionalism in dealing with students, staff, faculty, administrators, the public, and the Association.