Weekly Legal Education Roundup

Lead story: The ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Education has issued a new report on the future of legal education: Principles For Legal Education and Licensure in the 21st Century: Principles and Commentary.   This report is probably the most important statement on Legal Education since the "Carnegie Report" and "Best Practices" appeared in 2007.  It contains a bold plan, which urges legal education reform now.

The report states, "There is positive change already underway; passionate innovators in every sector of legal education and licensure strive for progress every day. To build on that work, we need systemic change—and we need it now."  It continues, ""The Commission believes that systemic change is possible. The Foundational and Operational Principles provide a platform for structured change. Individuals and institutions can use these Principles to assess current practices and fashion new ones."  The plan concludes, "Although continued study is critical, we must move forward purposefully with aligned, transparent, and meaningful change. It is past time to shift collectively from study into action."

In other words, the future of legal education is now.

Other legal education news:

• Paul Caron (Dean, Pepperdine), Graduate Law Degrees Soar Online
• Ronald J. Columbo (Hofstra), Teaching a Synchronous Online Business Organizations Course to J.D. Students: A Case Study

Kris Franklin (NYLS), Method Lawyering: Immersion Teaching Illustrated

E. Scott Fruehwald, ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Education, Principles For Legal Education and Licensure in the 21st Century: Principles and Commentary: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV

E. Scott Fruehwald, How to Teach Lawyers, Judges, and Law Students Critical Thinking: Chapter Two: Understanding Critical Thinking

Law School Transparency, LST's 2025 Vision

Peter Nemerovsky (UNC), Help Wanted: An Empirical Study of LRW Hiring

U.S.  News Law Specialty Rankings, Business/Corporate Law, Clinical Training, Contracts/ Commercial Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law, Health Care Law, Tax Law

Coronavirus and legal education:

• Jonathan H. Adler (Case Western), Grading in the Time of Coronavirus
• Claudia Angelos (NYU), et.al., The Bar Exam And The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Need For Immediate Action
• Josh Blackman (South Texas), Law Professors Quietly Agree With My Post on Pass/Fail Grading
• Josh Blackman (South Texas), Law Schools Should Not Abandon Standard Grading Policies For All Students
• Josh Blackman (South Texas), Law Students Quietly Agree With My Post on Pass/Fail Grading
• Paul Caron (Dean, Pepperdine), The New Normal At Pepperdine Caruso Law Online
• Paul Caron (Dean, Pepperdine), Test-At-Home Option During Coronavirus May Be Attractive To Applicants At 50+ Law Schools That Accept The GRE
• John Lande (Missouri), Resources About Transitioned Classes and Online Simulations
• C.S. Lewis: Studying Law In The Age Of Coronavirus
• NALP, Perspectives on 2019 Law Student Recruiting
• National Conference of Bar Examiners, NCBE To Decide By May 5 Whether It Will Provide MBE For July Bar Examinations
• National Law Journal, Sen. Klobuchar's Husband, a Baltimore Law Prof, Tests Positive for COVID-19
• Nat'l Jurist, The Coronavirus Survival Guide
• PhilOnEdTech, US Higher Ed Set to Go Fully Online in Just Four Weeks Due to COVID-19
• Michele Pistone (Villanova), Top 5 Tips for Synchronous Learning for Law Students
• Karen Sloan (Law.com), 'People Are Pissed': Pass/Fail Grading Controversy Roils Law Schools