AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education

The AALS Conference on Clinical Legal Education is an annual event organized by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), dedicated to advancing excellence in legal education. The 2026 conference, themed "Holding the Line: Clinical Education in Defense of Democracy," will take place from May 1 to May 5, 2026, at the Hilton Portland Downtown in Portland, Oregon. This gathering aims to address the challenges posed by intense polarization, retrenchment of rights, and government intrusion into academic institutions, focusing on the role of clinical legal education in upholding democratic values and legal integrity.

The conference will explore four key subthemes: Anchoring Democracy, which examines how law schools can function as stabilizing institutions; Pedagogies of Resistance, focusing on equipping students to resist authoritarianism; Reclaiming Critical Inquiry, addressing the challenges to critical inquiry in the context of emerging technologies like AI; and Global Perspectives, incorporating comparative insights on democracy and academic freedom into clinical pedagogy. These themes will be discussed through various formats, including concurrent sessions, lightning sessions, poster presentations, and workshops.

In addition to structured sessions, the conference will offer informal opportunities for attendees to connect with colleagues, such as community gatherings without formal programs or agendas. The biennial Workshop for New Law School Teachers will also be held on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, providing a platform for new educators to engage with experienced faculty and develop their teaching skills.

This conference is ideal for clinical legal educators, law school faculty, and legal professionals interested in the intersection of clinical education and democratic values. Attendees will gain insights into innovative teaching methods, engage in critical discussions on current challenges, and network with peers committed to using the law as a tool for equity and social change.