2026 AALS Section on Women in Legal Education Conference
by Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Women in Legal Education (WILE)
The 2026 AALS Section on Women in Legal Education Conference is a pivotal gathering organized by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on Women in Legal Education (WILE). This section is dedicated to integrating women's concerns into the legal profession and law, promoting communication among its members, and making recommendations on matters concerning the administration of law schools and the status of women in legal education. The conference aims to continue the important conversation concerning the opportunities for, and status and position of, women in the legal academy and in the legal profession.
Key topics at the conference include the pivotal role of women in the legal academy, how gender identity influences participation in the legal academic sphere, and the state of women in legal practice and business. The event features a special evening program honoring Professor Penny Andrews of New York Law School, followed by a panel discussion with women lawyer-leaders on the state of women in legal practice and business. Sessions will also cover themes such as gender and status in the legal academy and profession, and gender and well-being in the legal academy and profession.
The conference offers practical details like networking opportunities, an opening dinner with a celebration and roundtable, and a luncheon keynote address. Notable speakers include Angela Onwuachi-Willig, Dean and Ryan Roth Gallo Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law; Danielle Conway, President of the Association of American Law Schools and Dean at Penn State Dickinson Law; and Professor Meera Deo, The Honorable Vaino Spencer Chair and Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School.
This conference is ideal for legal educators, practitioners, and students interested in the integration of women's concerns into the legal profession and law. Attendees will gain insights into the status of women in legal education, engage in meaningful discussions, and network with peers and leaders in the field.
Categories
Speakers(35)
Abigail Soriano
Co-President at BU Law Women of Color Collaborative
Abigail Soriano is Co-President of the BU Law Women of Color Collaborative, dedicated to empowering women of color in law.
Adrien Wing
Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law Programs & Bessie Dutton Murray Professor of Law at University of Iowa College of Law
Adrien Wing is the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law Programs at the University of Iowa College of Law.
Alice Setrini
Clinical Teaching Fellow, Health Justice Project at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Alice Setrini is a Clinical Teaching Fellow with the Health Justice Project at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Angela Onwuachi-Willig
Dean and Ryan Roth Gallo Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law
Angela Onwuachi-Willig is the Dean and Ryan Roth Gallo Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law, serving as the 2025 Chair of the AALS Section on Women in Legal Education.
Anne Tuttle Cappel
Former General Counsel at Coursera
Anne Tuttle Cappel previously served as the General Counsel for Coursera, overseeing legal affairs.
Anthony Crowell
Dean and President, Professor of Law, & Faculty Director for the Center for New York City and State Law at New York Law School
Anthony Crowell serves as the Dean and President of New York Law School, also directing the Center for New York City and State Law.
Camesha Little
Assistant Professor of Law at Detroit-Mercy Law College of Law
Camesha Little is an Assistant Professor of Law at Detroit-Mercy Law College of Law.
Camille deJorna
Former Deputy for Legal and Global Higher Education at Law School Admission Council
Camille deJorna previously held the position of Deputy for Legal and Global Higher Education at the Law School Admission Council.
Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez
Chief Justice at Fourth Court of Appeals in Texas
Rebeca Martinez is the Chief Justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals in Texas, presiding over appellate cases.
Claire Abely
Senior Lecturer & Director of the Lawyering Program at Boston University School of Law
Claire Abely is a Senior Lecturer and directs the Lawyering Program at Boston University School of Law.
Danielle M. Conway
President of the Association of American Law Schools & Dean, Donald J. Farage Professor of Law, and Antiracist Development Institute Executive Director at Penn State Dickinson Law
Danielle Conway is the President of the Association of American Law Schools and Dean at Penn State Dickinson Law, leading initiatives in antiracist development.
Darren Rosenblum
Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law
Darren Rosenblum is a Professor of Law at St. John’s University School of Law.
Elizabeth Y. McCuskey
Professor & Director, Center for Health Law, Ethics, & Human Rights at Boston University School of Public Health and School of Law
Elizabeth Y. McCuskey is a Professor and directs the Center for Health Law, Ethics, & Human Rights at Boston University.
Erika George
Professor of Law, Ernest Haddad Faculty Scholar, and Associate Dean for Equity, Justice, & Engagement at Boston University School of Law
Erika George is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean at Boston University School of Law, focusing on equity and justice.
Gerry Muir
Associate Dean for Academic Engagement at Boston University School of Law
Gerry Muir is the Associate Dean for Academic Engagement at Boston University School of Law.
Hannah Lynch
President at BU Law Women’s Law Association
Hannah Lynch is the President of the BU Law Women’s Law Association, representing the interests of women law students at Boston University.
Heidi Alexander
Executive Director of Lawyer Well-Being at Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Heidi Alexander is the Executive Director of Lawyer Well-Being at the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Jane Goldstein
Former Women’s Advancement Leader & Former Managing Partner at Ropes & Gray Boston Office
Jane Goldstein previously served as the Women’s Advancement Leader and Managing Partner at Ropes & Gray's Boston Office.
Kat Macfarlane
Professor of Law and Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse College of Law
Kat Macfarlane is a Professor of Law and directs the Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse College of Law.
Kimberly Mohabeer
Co-President at BU Law Women of Color Collaborative
Kimberly Mohabeer serves as Co-President of the BU Law Women of Color Collaborative, focusing on supporting women of color in the legal field.
Linda C. McClain
Robert Kent Professor of Law & Co-Director, BU Law Program in Reproductive Justice at Boston University School of Law
Linda McClain is the Robert Kent Professor of Law and Co-Director of the BU Law Program in Reproductive Justice.
Lolita Buckner Inniss
Dean and Provost’s Professor of Law at University of Colorado Law School
Lolita Buckner Inniss is the Dean and Provost’s Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Law School.
Margaret Hahn-DuPont
Lawyering Program Director and Professor at Northeastern University School of Law
Margaret Hahn-DuPont is the Lawyering Program Director and Professor at Northeastern University School of Law.
Mary Lu Bilek
Secretary, ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar; Former Dean and Professor of Law at CUNY School of Law (Retired); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law
Mary Lu Bilek is the Secretary of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, with a history of deanship at CUNY School of Law and UMass Dartmouth School of Law.
Meera E. Deo
The Honorable Vaino Spencer Chair | Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School
Meera Deo holds the Honorable Vaino Spencer Chair and is a Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School.
Nicky Boothe
Dean & Professor of Law at University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Nicky Boothe serves as the Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Penny Andrews
John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law and Director of the Racial Justice Project at New York Law School
Penny Andrews is the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law at New York Law School, directing the Racial Justice Project.
Rebecca E. Zietlow
Dean, Distinguished University Professor, and Charles W. Fornoff Professor of Law and Values at University of Toledo College of Law
Rebecca E. Zietlow serves as the Dean and Distinguished University Professor at the University of Toledo College of Law.
Renee Nicole Allen
Associate Professor of Law & Faculty Director for the Center of Race and Law at St. John’s University School of Law
Renee Nicole Allen is an Associate Professor of Law and directs the Center of Race and Law at St. John’s University School of Law.
Robin A. Walker
Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Areteia Therapeutics
Robin A. Walker serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Areteia Therapeutics.
Ryan Roth Gallo
Founder at Law for All
Ryan Roth Gallo is the Founder of Law for All and a former attorney at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky, & Walker LLP.
Sudha Setty
President at Law School Admission Council
Sudha Setty is the President of the Law School Admission Council, leading initiatives in legal education admissions.
Susan Yashar
Former Deloitte Global Deputy CEO at Deloitte
Susan Yashar held the position of Deloitte Global Deputy CEO, contributing to the firm's global strategy.
Tiffany Graham
Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Campus Engagement at Touro Law Center
Tiffany Graham is an Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean at Touro Law Center.
Vicki Schultz
Ford Foundation Professor of Law and Social Sciences at Yale Law School
Vicki Schultz is the Ford Foundation Professor of Law and Social Sciences at Yale Law School.
Event Details
- Date
- February 12-13, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Boston, United States
- Boston University School of Law
- Audience
- Legal educators, practitioners, and students interested in women's issues in the legal profession.