Newswise — Academics, business leaders, members of the judiciary and a key watchdog group will come together to discuss the future of legal education at “The Law School in the New Legal Environment Symposium” at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law Friday, Oct. 26.
The symposium will examine issues such as affordability and access to legal education; the future of law faculty; preparation for practice; job placement; and the possibilities for online legal education and how it will change traditional law schools.
“Lawyers and law students are facing serious challenges with employment, debt and career satisfaction,” says Kent D. Syverud, JD, dean of the law school.
“The predominant view shared by students, practicing attorneys and lawmakers is that law schools are in denial about these challenges, and it’s time for law schools to make some serious changes to adjust to the new realities facing law graduates.
“This symposium will address how American law schools can embrace needed change rather than avoiding it.”
After an introduction by Syverud, chair of the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, the day includes panel discussions featuring academic leaders, the president of the Association of American Law Schools and other noted speakers such as:
• Andrew F. Puzder, JD, chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands);• Lauren Robel, JD, president, Association of American Law Schools (AALS); Val Nolan Professor of Law, interim provost and executive vice president, Indiana University-Bloomington;• Brian Tamanaha, JD, author of Failing Law Schools and the William Gardiner Hammond Professor of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.• Kyle McEntee, JD, executive director of Law School Transparency; and• Chip Paucek, chief executive of 2tor Inc.;
“In my view, the changes we have seen thus far pale in comparison to the transformation in legal education that will be necessary in the coming years to help our students, the profession and the clients they serve,” Syverud says.
The symposium is co-sponsored by the Access Group, Inc., and offers 5 MCLE credit hours in Missouri.
For a complete agenda and symposium registration information visit https://law.wustl.edu/becker50/pages.aspx?id=8931 or contact Bethany Friedrich, Symposium Coordinator at (314) 935-3387 or [email protected] .
————————————————————————————-In addition to the plenary session presenters, speakers and commentators also include:
• Mary Beth Beazley, JD, associate professor, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University• Daniel Bernstine, JD, president, Law School Admission Council• Chris Chapman, JD, president and CEO, Access Group Inc.• Chief Justice Christine Durham, JD, Utah Supreme Court• Michael Fitts, JD, dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law• William D. Henderson, JD, director, Center on the Global Legal Profession, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University• Retired Chief Justice Ruth McGregor, JD, Arizona Supreme Court• Leo P. Martinez, JD, Albert Abramson Professor of Law, Hastings College of Law at the University of California, and President-Elect, Association of American Law Schools• Deborah Jones Merritt, JD, John Deaver Drinko-Baker & Hostetler Chair in Law, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University• Cynthia Nance, JD, dean emeritus and Nathan G. Gordon Professor, University of Arkansas School of Law• John F. O’Brien, JD, dean and professor, New England Law School• Michael A. Olivas, JD, William B. Bates Distinguished Chair of Law and Director, Institute of Higher Education Law & Governance, University of Houston Law Center• Jerry Organ, JD, professor, University of St. Thomas School of Law• Roy Stuckey, JD, Webster Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Clinical Legal Education, University of South Carolina School of Law• Ian Weinstein, JD, immediate past president, Clinical Legal Education Association, and associate dean for Clinical and Experiential Programs, Fordham University School of Law• Steve Willborn, JD, chair of the board of trustees, Law School Admission Council, and former dean and professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law
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