Stakeholders gather to map future of legal education
March 19, 2025 -- As it gears up to finalize recommendations, the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State
Court Administrators (CCJ/COSCA) Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR) held a National Convening on the Future of Legal Education and Admissions last week at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
The convening was in partnership with the American Bar Association (ABA) Council on Legal Education and Admissions, the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), AccessLex Institute, the Law School Admission Council, the Law School Survey of Student Engagement, the National Conference of Bar Examiners, and the National Association of Law Placement.
“To be an attorney in our system founded on the rule of law is indeed a privilege,” stated Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald of New Hampshire, chair of CLEAR, in his opening remarks. “We each have different roles, but we are all integral parts of one justice system, and that shared purpose is what unites us in our collective obligation to advance justice for all.”
CLEAR background
Established by an August 2023 joint resolution of CCJ/COSCA, CLEAR has a broad mandate to assess the current state of legal education, define standards for minimum competence to practice law and the skills necessary to be practice-ready upon graduation, and identify ways to prepare and incentivize public interest lawyering.
The March 14 national convening brought together a diverse array of stakeholders from law school deans, bar educators, bar admissions, the courts, and the practicing bar to tackle the evolving challenges confronting the legal profession and to brainstorm innovative solutions for legal education and bar admissions.
Access challenges
The urgency of these discussions cannot be underestimated: over 19 out of every 20 cases are filed in state courts; more than 80% of defendants in criminal cases struggle to afford legal representation, with public defenders facing workloads that exceed double the reasonable capacity for effective advocacy. Furthermore, the Legal Services Corporation reports that a staggering 92% of low-income individuals lack access to adequate legal assistance for civil issues, while the ABA reports that over half of rural counties in the United States qualify as "legal deserts," with less than one lawyer available per 1,000 residents.
Cincinnati served as the final stop in an 18-month series of listening sessions. CLEAR members also participated in targeted listening sessions with the ABA, access-to-justice commissions, and AALS over the past year. Each listening session had between 30-75 stakeholders, including current law students, young and more experienced lawyers, clinical and doctrinal law faculty, law school deans, bar admissions leaders, public service lawyers, and judges. In each of these listening conferences, participants engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing insights and feedback that will help shape the future of legal education and bar admissions.
“State supreme courts are the primary regulators of the legal profession, and it is essential that we understand the current landscape of legal education and bar admissions. The CLEAR Committee's listening conferences have been invaluable,” said Justice C. Shannon Bacon of New Mexico, vice-chair of CLEAR.
Pictured above, from left: Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald (Chair), New Hampshire, and Justice C. Shannon Bacon, New Mexico (Vice Chair).
Responses needed for AI workforce readiness survey
The Thomson Reuters Institute/NCSC AI Consortium for Law and Courts has launched a workforce readiness survey to better understand court processes and the use of technology – including AI.
Judges and court staff are invited to participate in the survey, which delves into areas like hearings, digital court tools, backlogs, caseloads, and caseflow. Respondents will be asked about their participation in and experience with these activities, along with their opinions on public impact. The survey also queries respondents about court technology and training.
Responses are for informational purposes only and will be used to inform future consortium AI guidance and recommendations. The survey can be accessed online, and the deadline to respond is Wednesday, April 9.
Call for Nominations: Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award
Nominations are now open for the Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award, recognizing a current or former Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) member who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and excellence in judicial administration or made significant contributions to public trust in the courts, access to justice, judicial independence, or the effective administration of justice.
Nominations are accepted from COSCA members, the Conference of Chief Justices, the American Judges Association, and the National Association for Court Management.
For nomination details, visit the COSCA website.
Deadline: May 1.