Dean Mark Alexander Inducted as President of Association of American Law Schools
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, was inducted as President of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) on Saturday, January 7, 2023, after delivering his inaugural address at the AALS' Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Dean Alexander was named President-Elect in January of 2022 after three years of service on the Executive Committee. He succeeds Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California Berkeley School of Law.
"I am grateful to have this time with my AALS colleagues to engage in thoughtful discussions about the importance and relevance of law schools at a time when the strength of our democracy is being tested," said Dean Alexander. "I always look forward to the chance to learn from others as well as share the good work that takes place here at Villanova Law every day. As President, I am energized just thinking about the possibilities of how we will work together this year and beyond."
The Association of American Law Schools (AALS), founded in 1900, is a nonprofit association of 176 member and 19 fee-paid law schools. Its members enroll most of the nation’s law students and produce the majority of the country’s lawyers and judges, as well as many of its lawmakers. The mission of AALS is to uphold and advance excellence in legal education. In support of this mission, AALS promotes the core values of excellence in teaching and scholarship, academic freedom, and diversity, including diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints, while seeking to improve the legal profession, to foster justice, and to serve its many communities—local, national and international.
About Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law: Founded in 1953, the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law provides broad-based legal education that is grounded in academic rigor, practical hands-on training and a foundation in business that prepares graduates for diverse and rewarding legal careers. The Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association, offers six in-house clinics and more than 250 externship opportunities that immerse students in the real-world application of their legal skills. Villanova is home to Centers of Excellence—the Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy; the David F. and Constance B. Girard-diCarlo Center for Ethics, Integrity and Compliance; the John F. Scarpa Center for Law and Entrepreneurship; and the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law—which provide students the opportunity to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary legal fields through study, practical experience and mentorship.