Discussion Groups for the 2026 Annual Meeting are now accepting abstracts for participation.
Discussion Group sessions do not feature formal presentations; rather, the objective is to facilitate a lively and engaging scholarly discussion. Participants consist of a mix of the invitees identified in the original proposal along with additional individuals selected from this call for participation.
The submission deadline for all discussion groups is October 3.
Cultivating Resilience for Lawyers and Law Students During Crisis and Disaster
As public citizens, civic leaders, and advocates, lawyers have expertise, skills, insights, and capacities that are essential to sound preparation, emergency response, organizing, long-term advocacy, and policy reform. Many lawyers who practice in the field of disaster law are experienced in community building and crisis lawyering that incorporate resilience strategies. Lawyers, law schools, and bar associations have increasing need and opportunity to respond and serve, often even while they are affected themselves. This discussion group will explore resilience as an integral practice and virtue for disaster lawyers and how other areas of law may utilize these strategies in their other crisis contexts.
Read the full description here.
Leaning into GenAI to Elevate Teaching Legal Skills
This discussion group will explore how we can better use GenAI in skills-based courses, including legal writing, contract drafting, negotiations, and clinics. To be discussed:
- Different platforms to consider depending on the skills and activities one is focused on teaching;
- How to become more knowledgeable about which large language model is best for the type of prompt you want to run or information you want to secure;
- How to best approach prompt generation; and
- Examples of different assignments for different skills-based courses that incorporate GenAI effectively with clear learning objectives outlined, etc.
Read the full description here.
State and Local Courts in the Age of Trump
In recent years, a small but growing group of scholars has begun researching and writing about state and local court systems. Some have approached these courts from a criminal justice perspective. Others have taken an access to civil justice perspective. Others have applied clinical experience. Still others have examined the legal and political structures that shape these courts. This is a burgeoning and important field, just beginning to cohere. The goal of our discussion group is to hear from scholars and advocates who study state and local courts about this underexplored dual function of these courts.
Read the full description here.
Unwinding Mass Incarceration Through Law School Second Chance Advocacy
Law school clinics have pioneered parole, compassionate release, habeas, and other second- chance advocacy that secures the release of people serving excessive sentences. As new resentencing opportunities become available, law school clinics are also setting the standard for second-chance resentencing advocacy nationwide and helping to educate policymakers. Their work both serves as a model for other advocates and trains the next generation of lawyers in second-chance advocacy. Law school clinics’ resources and expertise are especially necessary now when legal aid and public defender offices face funding cuts. This discussion group will bring together clinical law professors teaching state and federal post- conviction strategies for clients’ release from incarceration.
Read the full description here.
Working Toward Wellbeing
Lawyers are among the most anxious and depressed workers in the U.S. Job stress often leads to substance abuse and self-harm. These challenges begin in law school, where students are expected to master volumes of content while undergoing an intense process of professionalization. Despite growing attention to these issues, there are few coordinated efforts to promote wellbeing for students or attorneys. This discussion group gathers scholars and advocates from various perspectives, using differing methods, all seeking to improve student and lawyer wellbeing.