Association of American Law Schools

The AALS was formed in 1900 to elevate the standards of legal education in an era when it was still possible to become a lawyer through apprenticeship or self-study as Abraham Lincoln did. The 32 charter members were exemplars of the academic model for studying the law. Affiliated with leading public and private universities, they already enrolled half the nation?s law students. The AALS membership roster grew apace with the country?s population and the need for more lawyers to represent citizens, businesses, government and the public interest. The Association was nearly 100 schools strong by 1940 and by its centennial represented more than 160. The growth continues to this day, with the newest member, University of California, Irvine School of Law, admitted in January 2016. The 178 AALS schools enroll and graduate most of the nation?s lawyers. Mission:?The mission of AALS is to uphold and advance excellence in legal education. In support of this mission, AALS promotes the core values of excellence in teaching and scholarship, academic freedom, and diversity, including diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints, while seeking to improve the legal profession, to foster justice, and to serve its many communities?local, national and international.