AALS programs are a variety of formats, selected by the AALS Program Committee from calls for papers:
- Discussion Groups are unique programs in which a small group of discussants selected in advance by the Annual Meeting Program Committee (by invitation or selected from a call for participation) conduct focused discussion on a specific topic.
- Hot Topic Programs are programs with late-breaking issues of general interest.
- Open Source Programs are traditional scholarly programs that do not fit into any of the other program categories.
- Symposia are half-day or day-long opportunities to examine a specific issue topic in greater depth than is possible during a regular panel program.