American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) had a strong and visible presence at the Association of American Law Schools 2026 Annual Meeting, with faculty and senior leadership participating in a wide range of panel discussions that reflected both the conference theme, “The Enduring Contributions of Legal Education,” and the most pressing challenges facing law schools today.

AUWCL scholars contributed expertise across civil rights, clinical education, economic development, intellectual property, taxation, mental health, European law, and commercial law, underscoring the school’s interdisciplinary reach and national leadership.

Professor Priya Baskaran participated in a timely program examining academic freedom and clinical legal education. Her panel explored how political interference and shifting legal and cultural norms are reshaping higher education, with clinical programs serving as early indicators of broader challenges to academic independence, professional responsibility, and legal ethics.

Professor Chaz Brooks appeared on two panels. One focused on the future of community economic development amid policy uncertainty, federal funding disruptions, and ideological debates over infrastructure investment. A second session addressed the lived experiences of minoritized law faculty teaching in majority classrooms, exploring issues of authority, identity, emotional labor, and the transformative potential of inclusive pedagogy.

Professor Charles Duan contributed to a pedagogy-focused intellectual property panel that examined how legal theory—from consequentialist and deontological approaches to critical and interdisciplinary frameworks—can deepen student understanding of IP doctrine and its underlying purposes.

AUWCL’s commitment to student and community well-being was represented by David Jaffe, associate dean of student affairs, who participated in a session on law and mental disability. The interactive discussion brought together voices from across legal education to identify best practices for supporting mental health among students, faculty, and staff, with an eye toward long-term cultural change in the profession.

International and comparative perspectives were highlighted by Professor Fernanda Nicola, whose panel examined the evolving legal relationship between the United States and Europe. The session addressed the role of legal education and scholarship in navigating trade, migration, and transatlantic cooperation during a period of heightened global volatility.

Professor David Snyder participated in a session honoring the late Juliet Moringiello, celebrating her scholarly contributions, law reform efforts, and lasting influence on the commercial law community through works-in-progress presentations and personal reflections.

Tax policy and economic equity were the focus of Professor Christine Speidel, whose panel examined the regressive effects of shifting revenue sources from income taxes to tariffs, alongside the implications of reduced IRS enforcement. The discussion highlighted how these developments may affect poverty, tax compliance, and statutory limits on executive power.

In addition to scholarly engagement, AUWCL faculty were recognized for excellence in teaching and social justice at the Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) 2026 Annual Celebration. Professor Brenda Smith received the SALT Great Teacher Award, and Professor Angi Porter received the Junior Faculty Award. Interim Dean Heather Hughes introduced both honorees during the ceremony.

AUWCL’s participation and recognition reflected a wide range of scholarly, pedagogical, and professional contributions to legal education.

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