LSAC President Kellye Testy Reflects On Challenges Facing Legal Ed As She Shifts To Lead AALS

ABA Journal, LSAC President Reflects on Challenges Facing Legal Ed as She Shifts to Lead Association of American Law Schools:

When Kellye Testy joined the Law School Admission Council in 2017 as president and CEO, she came as a dean known for advocating for access and diversity. During her tenure at the LSAC, she oversaw many changes, including the sudden shift to the game-changing online LSAT exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she fought for diversity in the profession by attracting a diverse group of LSAT examinees.

As the 2022 ABA Journal Legal Rebel prepares to leave her post June 30 and start the very next day as executive director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools, she talked with the Journal about the changes and the challenges facing legal education. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ...

What are your thoughts about law schools using the JD-Next, a new admissions test?
I’m never going to be wedded to any one product, but I am wedded to evidence about what really works for diversity and equity. The LSAT is the one assessment with high correlation with success in law school and enhancing equity. But schools also should look at a broad array of other things, including tools we’re developing to understand the social context of someone’s application. So we find ourselves in the ironic place of saying, “It’s our test,” but we’re like, “Whoa, don’t overuse it.” ...

What are the differences and similarities between the two jobs?
They’re such nice complementary organizations. LSAC has always said, “Let us get the great students,” and AALS has said, “Let us help you get the great faculty, staff and deans that can then do the most with them.” You need both to be excellent. But they are vastly different. LSAC is a heavily operational organization. We have 400 employees. We build and deploy technology. AALS has its big annual meeting in January, but it has only 24 employees. AALS depends upon 350 volunteers who lead the various sections. I’m going to be more of a hub for a big volunteer organization than an employee-driven organization.