Call for Papers: AALS Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education Program

From a recent email message:

Call for Papers for the

AALS Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education Program

at the AALS 2025 Annual Meeting, January 7^th through January 11^th 2025.

The AALS Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education will be hosting up to four sessions at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco, January 7 – 11. There will be two programs introducing a variety of issues involving the intersection of technology and law, one program on the pedagogical opportunities to integrate technology into legal education, and one program to offer a works-in-progress experience for individuals to share the development of their works.

The topics can be far-ranging, including the integration of artificial intelligence into legal practice, the implications of technology on access to justice, the digital divide, privacy and surveillance, national security, antitrust regulation, intellectual property policies, and much more. The suggested program will have programs that feature discussion on the impact of law and technology on society; law and technology on the legal profession; and law and technology with the legal academy.

We seek participants for a pedagogical panel in which participants would explain – and ideally demonstrate – the technology they are using in their courses.  Then we seek proposals for two other sessions on topics related to technology and legal education.

1. The Pedagogy Session. Typically, pedagogical sessions are aimed at entry level teachers.  This session will be aimed at introducing law professors at every stage of their careers to ways in which they can integrate technology into their existing class, create new classes, or find ways to partner their classes with technology classes being offered by others.   This will be an extended session – three hours – in which panelists will talk about tools they have integrated into a class and the new classes they have created.   Those attending the program will be strongly encouraged to bring laptops and panelists will have the chance to send apps or code to attendees who register for the session in advance.   Opportunities will be provided in the program for attendees to play with the tools the panelists described.  We are interested in panelists for this session who: (1) integrate GPT or other language generating AI into a class; (2) teach students to use software designed for lawyers; (3) integrate technology such as virtual reality into a class; (4) or teach students to write code to solve legal issues.  

2. The Impact of Technology on Law and Society. How are the rapid adoption and expansion of new technologies impacting the local, regional, and international communities? Do the benefits of innovation outweigh the disruptions? In every field, the potential of cryptocurrencies, AI systems, mobile apps are transforming the workplace and disrupting the global economy. What policies should the U.S. adopt to address these transformations, and how should the U.S. respond to efforts in the EU, China, and other countries to lead or harness these transformations?

3. The Role of New Technologies on the Legal Profession. Since at least 2012, lawyers have had an express obligation to understand the risks and benefits of technology regarding their legal practice and the guidance they provide to clients. Although these obligations are not new, the expansion of generative AI, an increase in cybersecurity risks, new disclosure and management obligations on corporate clients, and the potential for algorithmic bias in employment, housing, and other critical fields has made the need for attorney competence to be greater than ever before. This program focuses on the lawyer’s role in understanding, managing, and guiding these changes in the lawyer’s own practice and in the guidance provided to clients and the courts.

4. Works in Progress. The Section will issuing a call for works in progress both for development throughout the upcoming year and for presentation at the annual meeting. Stay tuned for more information on this opportunity.

The names of the panels/sessions are subject to change.

In addition, please consider opportunities to connect with this year’s theme, Courage in Action, as provided by 2024 AALS President, Melanie D. Wilson. Dean Wilson introduces the topic with this:

Lawyers are, and have always been, courageous advocates who exercise a steadfast commitment to justice in the face of unpopular views and controversy. We represent minoritized clients against oppression. We represent those without means and those who are bullied. We pursue positive social change. Law professors similarly display and model courage every day in an ever-changing classroom that reflects the tensions and schisms in society outside the walls of learning. Professors hold immense influence. We facilitate opportunities for the next generation of great lawyers. As law teachers, we open minds and prepare change makers. …

Please submit an abstract of your proposed topic to Wesley Oliver at [email protected], on or before Friday, March 29, 2024 for initial consideration.  Interested speakers should include their name and contact information.

If you would like to become involved in the Section or to learn more about the work of the Section. Please contact its chairperson, Jon Garon at [email protected]. Volunteers are always welcome.