Journal of Legal Education
Call for Papers
The Access Imperative: A Special Issue of the Journal of Legal Education & Session at the AALS Annual Meeting
AALS Annual Meeting Session
Join the editors of the Journal of Legal Education (Wednesday, January 7, 1 pm - 2:15 pm) for a brief update on Journal activities and then hear from a panel of experts selected from a call for papers. The panel presentation follows a national convening that the AccessLex Institute and AALS hosted in September in Philadelphia (The Access Imperative: Strengthening Legal Education and Challenges). The panelists will critically engage with the theme of access to legal education, and the panel will include presentations from a range of perspectives. This program should be of interest to those wishing to learn more about how access is a core responsibility of legal education and necessary to meet the needs of the profession.
Call for Papers
The Access Imperative: A Special Issue of the Journal of Legal Education
On September 18-19, AccessLex Institute and the Association of American Law Schools held a national convening in Philadelphia on "The Access Imperative: Strengthening Legal Education Amid Challenges.” The convening was rooted in the belief that access is a core responsibility of legal education and necessary to meet the needs of the profession. The convening hopes to help respond to challenges posed by growing skepticism about the value of providing broad access to the benefits of higher education.
The Journal of Legal Education seeks to complement and continue these discussions at the 2026 AALS Annual Meeting in New Orleans. This Call for Papers seeks essays or articles to be presented in draft form at the Annual Meeting, with the aim of having those papers published in a special issue of the Journal. JLE editors expect to select at least 4-6 presenters who will present their draft papers at the Annual Meeting session.
Papers and topics should critically engage with the theme of access and inclusion in legal education. We welcome papers and presentations from a broad range of perspectives, including empirical research, doctrinal analysis, theoretical or historical explorations, or pieces related to pedagogy or practice. Topics could include discussions of financial and economic barriers or changes to student aid policy; pipeline initiatives, admissions policies, and student recruiting processes; the effects of the SFFA decision, including federal actions, state laws, and administrative policies; inclusive curriculum, pedagogy, or academic freedom; recent attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion and responses to those attacks; structural or systemic inequities; the role of technology; or others topics related to access to legal education or the profession.
To be considered, please submit: (1) a short abstract (250-500 words); (2) a CV; and (3) a brief cover letter highlighting the focus of your paper and your intended contribution, and your commitment to completing the paper by March 2026. All submissions must be original. JLE editors will make the selection decisions. Submissions are due Friday, October 24, 2025.
Those selected to present at the Annual Meeting will be notified by Friday, November 7, 2025. Selected presenters will be responsible for paying their registration fee and hotel and travel expenses to the Annual Meeting. Final papers will be due March 1, 2026, and should be between 10,000-25,000 words in length.
Publication acceptance decisions will be made in mid-March. Citation style should conform to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. While the goal is to have all papers presented at the Annual Meeting published, formal publication decisions will not occur until after the final paper is submitted and reviewed, and the final submission must meet the Journal’s publication requirements.
To be considered to present your paper at the Annual Meeting, please email your submission to [email protected]. Please title your email: “Call for Papers: AALS Annual Meeting (Your Name).” Questions can be directed to the editors at [email protected].
Sincerely,
The Editors of the Journal of Legal Education
Kris Franklin, New York Law School
William P. (Bill) LaPiana, New York Law School
Alison Mikkor, University of California, Irvine School of Law
Austen Parrish, University of California, Irvine School of Law
2026 AALS Annual Meeting
Journal of Legal Education
Panel Presentation/Call for Papers
Conference Dates: January 6-9, 2026
Location: New Orleans, LA
Session Date and Time: Wednesday, January 7, 1 pm - 2:15 pm
CFP Submission Deadline: Friday, October 24, 2025
Presenter Notification: Friday, November 7, 2025