John White Appointed to the AALS Executive Committee

Professor John Valery White, Ralph Denton Professor of Law, was recently appointed as a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Executive Committee. Founded in 1900, 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."

After his nomination was ratified during January's annual AALS meeting, Professor White's three-year term on the Executive Committee began. He pointed out that the association is the learned society for law professors; AALS supports 200 sections—or volunteer groups—of law professors around scholarship and legal issues related to those interests. The Executive Committee runs the organization, helps guide the theme for the annual meeting, and supports included organizations. 

"It's an honor to be selected to serve on the Executive Committee," said Professor White. "These are challenging times for legal education, as well as higher education. I am honored to be able to participate in ensuring that academic freedom and the rule of law are promoted in legal education." As a member organization for law schools, Professor White commented that the AALS helps to make sure law schools are healthy and vibrant, supporting the vital mission that law schools have.