August 08, 2026
Legal Education Leadership 2026: Distinguished Professor of Law Conway's Monthly AALS Presidential Update for July
Continues schedule of speeches, board meetings, and appearances
A monthly look at Distinguished Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway’s year of intellectual inquiry as president of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
CARLISLE AND UNIVERSITY PARK—AALS President Danielle M. Conway continued with her enriching schedule of speeches, board meetings, and appearances during July. She attended several AALS-sponsored events and joined the AccessLex Board for a meeting and retreat.
Additionally, Conway penned a President’s Message shared by AALS midway through July, based on a presentation she gave while visiting South Korea in June.
Additionally, she continued early planning for her presidential program and keynote address at the AALS Annual Meeting, being held January 5 to January 8 in New York City.
AALS President’s Message
Conway published her latest AALS President’s Message on July 14, based on her presentation at “The Future and Vision of Legal Education: A Perspective Based on Implementation of the Bar Exam System and the Experiences of Candidates Subject to Restrictions,” organized by the Association of Korean Law Schools, The Yulchon Law Firm, and the Seoul National University Law School and held in Seoul, South Korea, on June 9, 2026.
Her message focused on the shared responsibility for the future of legal education and is available to read by clicking here.
ABA/AALS New Deans’ and Continuing Deans’ Workshop in Chicago, July 14-15
On July 14 and 15, Conway attended the ABA AALS New Deans’ and Continuing Deans’ Workshops in Chicago, hosted by Deans Michèle Alexandre (Loyola University, Chicago, School of Law), Nicky Boothe (University of Illinois Chicago School of Law), and Cassandra Hill (Northern Illinois University College of Law). The event brings together both new and experienced deans to share knowledge and lessons learned while also offering opportunities to socialize in more informal settings.
2026 Saratoga Meeting for Legal Education and Allied Organizations
On July 16, still in Chicago, Conway attended the Saratoga Meeting for Legal Education and Allied Organizations, sponsored by AALS, which brought together leaders in legal education and other fields.
AALS Workshop for Adjunct Faculty
Conway delivered a welcome and accompanying remarks for the AALS Workshop for Adjunct Faculty on July 22. She spoke during the webinar, titled “Best Practices (and Common Pitfalls) in Law School Pedagogy,” where experienced instructors provided tips on class preparation, conducting class sessions, assessing student performance, and learning from student feedback.
AccessLex Board Meeting and Retreat
Conway has been a member of the AccessLex Board of Directors since 2020. She attended and participated during the board’s annual meeting and retreat via Zoom on July 29–30.
AALS Appointments Committees Workshop
Conway wrapped up the month by delivering a welcome and remarks during the AALS Appointments Committees Workshop webinar, held on July 30. The workshop addressed key issues and best practices for faculty hiring, including committee structure, screening interviews, and on-campus call-back interviews for candidates.
Forthcoming Boston University Law Review Essay
Between July 5 and August 1, Conway worked on the second-round edits of her latest draft essay, titled, “The Power of 'We': The Indispensability of Women in Law and Society, From the Declaration of Sentiments through the Reconstruction and Nineteenth Amendments to the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” which will be published at 106 B.U. L. Rev. ___ (2026). The editors of the Boston University Law Review approved the use of the first draft essay in the course materials for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s and Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Civil Litigation Section Retreat.