Professor Yonathan Arbel co-authored an article titled, Contracts in the Age of Smart Readers, in the George Washington Law Review.
The review provides a framework for evaluating the legal and policy implications of employing language models as ‘Smart Readers’—tools that read, analyze, and assess contracts, disclosures, and privacy policies.
#1 for Lowest Average Graduate Debt-Load Among Top 25 Public Institutions
March 29, 2022 — The University of Alabama School of Law ranked 25th among the nation’s top law schools—ninth among publicly supported institutions—according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Law School Rankings” for 2023. The rankings, which measured 192 law schools fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), evaluated each institution on successful placement of graduates, faculty resources, academic achievement of entering students, and the opinions of academic peers, lawyers and judges on overall program quality.
According to the report, Alabama Law J.D. grads, who incurred law school debt, graduated with the lowest average debt-load among 2021 graduates from any public institution in the Top 25. Overall, Alabama Law’s average student debt-load ranked second-best among all Law Schools in the Top 50.
“The combination of academic prestige and affordability makes Alabama Law a premier school for students interested in studying law,” said Dean Mark E. Brandon. “We offer a top-tier education while limiting the financial burden our graduates carry. This ensures that, as our students enter the profession, they can pursue the types of employment they desire to engage in without being limited by heavy financial obligations.”
Additionally, the Alabama Law Class of 2020 ranked fifth—among the Top 25—based on the percentage of recent graduates meaningfully employed 10 months after graduation. This datum pulled from the report represents the percentage of all graduates, at any given institution, who had a full-time job* lasting at least a year for which bar passage was required or a J.D. degree was an advantage.
“Each year, I’m amazed by the students who come through our office,” said Megan Walsh, Assistant Dean for Career Services & Director of the D.C. Externship Program. “They are ambitious and doing the hard work necessary to ensure they are prepared to excel in the workforce. We collaborate with each student on a one-on-one basis to make sure they have the skills, resources, and connections needed to work in whatever field they desire to enter post-graduation.”
To learn more about the data and see the full U.S. News “Best Law School Rankings” visit: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/the-university-of-alabama-03001
About The University of Alabama School of Law
For 150 years, the University of Alabama School of Law has produced attorneys who become leaders locally, nationally and globally. Alabama Law provides a top-rate education that produces enviable bar passage and employment rates, all within a supportive and diverse environment. Our low student-to-faculty ratio, paired with robust curricular offerings, draws students to study under faculty who are skilled teachers as well as leading scholars.
* Excluding jobs funded by the associated school or university
Last week, Tax Moot Court team members Tanner Ary, Emily Ellis, and Curtis Graves—coached by Clay Staggs (’96)—were named the overall champions at the Florida State Bar’s National Tax Moot Court competition in Miami. In addition to winning the competition, the team was awarded runner-up for best brief, and Curtis Graves finished as the runner-up for the best individual oralist.
Professor Tara Leigh Grove was interviewed on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power, where she previewed the judiciary confirmation hearings for Kentanji Brown Jackson. The segment can be watched online at Bloomberg.com (starting at 36:05).
Professor Grove also talked about statutory and constitutional interpretation, the legitimacy dilemma facing the Supreme Court, and her work on the Supreme Court Reform Commission during an episode of George State University’s podcast titled Supreme Myths. The entire episode can be listened to on Apple Podcasts.
Professor William (Bill) Andreen was featured as a clean water expert in a Bham Now article titled Key to Clean Water in Alabama? Involve the public. Here is how you can make a difference.
Learn more about Professor Andreen’s expertise and read the full article on BhamNow.com.
On Thursday, March 31, Professors Shalini Bhargava Ray (moderator) and Daiquiri Steele (panelist) will be participating in a virtual discussion titled Understanding Agency Self-Regulation hosted by the ABA Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice section. Registration is free and open to all. More information is below:
Virtual Live Webinar
Thursday, March 31, 2022
12 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern Time Via Zoom
Christopher Curtis, Principal Deputy General Counsel (Retired), Federal Housing Finance Agency, Washington, DC
Richard F. Griffin, Of Counsel, Bredhoff & Kaiser PLLC, Washington, DC
Lynden Melmed, Partner, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, Washington, DC
Daiquiri Steele, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, AL
Moderator: Shalini Bhargava Ray, Associate Professor of Law, University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, AL
This webinar will explore the phenomenon of agency “self-regulation,” understood as measures an agency takes voluntarily to limit its own discretion. Over a decade ago, in the George Washington Law Review, then- Professor Elizabeth Magill identified agency self-regulation as a distinct area worthy of inquiry and analysis. In recent years, interest in agency self-regulatory measures such as enforcement priorities and supervisory guidance has grown, making the topic even more salient. Featuring speakers from a wide range of regulatory backgrounds, this webinar will consider questions including: 1) What forms of procedural and substantive agency self-regulation are found across the administrative state today? 2) Why do some agencies engage in robust self-regulation and others hardly ever adopt self-regulatory measures? 3) What do agencies, regulated parties, and the public stand to gain or lose through agency self-regulation?
The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating. Registration is limited and will close when capacity is reached. Deadline for Registration is Wednesday, March 30 at 11:30 am ET. Advance registration is required for all participants – Register at the LINK BELOW to obtain the Webinar Link. Open to ABA Members and the General Public.
REGISTER HERE TO OBTAIN THE WEBINAR LINK:
https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l72SZTQWRiq-ISYlj8L4NA
Questions?
Please e-mail Anne.Kiefer@americanbar.org
Professor Montré Carodine was featured on WVTM 13’s Project Community titled ‘Working Toward Change’ as one of Alabama’s women who broke barriers.
Named one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Law Professors Under 50, Professor Carodine was highlighted for choosing to challenge what was once considered normal through her studies of race and gender and how they both affect the law.
Professor Deepa Das Acevedo was quoted in a BBC article titled Karnataka bandh: Should courts decide if hijab is essential in Islam. The full piece can be viewed online at BBC.com.
Professor Das Acevedo also recently published an op-ed titled Hijab ban: How courts have weaponised the Essential Religious Practices doctrine. Read the full article on Scroll.in.
Professor Adam Steinman’s article Beyond Bristol-Myers: Personal Jurisdiction over Class Actions has been accepted for publication in N.Y.U. Law Review. Download and read the full piece now on SSRN.
The Bruce Siegal Intellectual Property Moot Court Team consisting of Marcus Armband, Cole Chessar, Sam Renshaw and Adam Williams took third place at the Southeastern Regional of the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition. The team is coached by Vice Dean Alana Durham.
