Origins and Evolution of the Academy
From August 7-11, 2024, the Academy held its Centennial Conference in Washington, marking the Academy’s 100th anniversary. Since its inception, the Academy and its members focus on faculty teaching, research in legal studies within business schools, and inclusive membership. Founded in 1924 during the annual meeting of the American Association of Law Schools at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago, the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) has been a cornerstone in advancing the study and teaching of legal issues within the domain of business. The ALSB encompasses a diverse network of members spanning all fifty states and several other nations, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and England.
Centennial Conference: Celebrating a Century of Advancing Legal Scholarship
1974 ALSB President Barbara George raises a heartfelt toast to a century of academic innovation at the Centennial Conference, held at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Hon. Judge Michelle Childs engages with participants during the opening speech and sets the stage for the centennial conference.
The conference commenced with a keynote address by Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit in July 2022. Judge Childs, President of the Federal Judges Association and a distinguished member of the American Bar Association’s Administrative Law Council, is a fellow in the Litigation Section and a member of the Committee on the American Judicial System. Her participation highlighted the intersection of law and business within a broader judicial context. In 2022, she also joined the class of Rodel Judicial Fellows.
The Pivotal Role of ALSB in Business Education
The ALSB plays a crucial role in shaping legal education within the contemporary pedagogy of business schools. The ALSB offers a dynamic environment for legal studies faculty to thoroughly comprehend, navigate and exchange the legal complexities of business operations. The field of business law transcends a number of academic legal disciplines, and the topics taught by legal studies faculty help business professionals manage legal challenges, thereby contributing to the overall stability and growth of a business.
Business law has long been a cornerstone of business education. Recognizing the significance of business law, Joseph Wharton established the world’s first collegiate business school at the University of Pennsylvania, and emphasized the essential role of legal education in preparing business professionals to face the challenges of the modern corporate world.
United in leadership and celebration: 2024 ALSB President, Leigh Anenson, Executive Secretary, Dan Herron and 2025 ALSB President, Alex Reed.
As law teachers in business schools, ALSB members hold important positions within schools of business. In addition to teaching generally about how legal rules govern business conduct, legal studies faculty educate students on a variety of topics including employment law, intellectual property, securities law, and dispute resolution. Legal studies instructors also teach about the ethical implications of business decision making, the importance of corporate responsibility and how to promote sustainable practices. Students that complete legal studies not only understand the legal environment of business, but also appreciate the ethical and social implications of their decision making and how to manage legal risks.
Key Themes
The Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) has ten specific interest groups that sponsor panels, workshops, and papers at the annual ALSB Conference. They are the Black Faculty Section, Employment Law Section, Ethics Section, Environmental Law and Sustainability Section, Interdisciplinary Section, International Section, Law for Accountants Section, Sports and Entertainment Law Section, Teaching and Pedagogy Section, and Technology Section. The annual conference explored the above mentioned themes in its many panels and discussions. These discourses were moderated by leading academics from universities across the country.
Notable sessions included “Critical Thought Taught by JDs: Strategies to Infuse Critical Thinking Skills into Any Course” moderated by Luisa Rosen-Artze. It discussed the various strategies employed by the university’s Business Law Department Faculty to help its students identify logical gaps, assumptions, and generalizations. Discussions about Corporate Law, Governance and Compliance, moderated by Shawna Eikenberry, Christina Benson, and Katayoon Beshkardana, enlightened the audience. Susanne Reardon, Dawn Swink, Mike Essien, from University of Wisconsin-Stout, and Todd Phillips, moderated discussions about Employment, Labor Law and Agency Law.
The role of ethics in corporate social responsibility was explored by Paul Becker and John Ferguson moderated by Joseph Schwerha from Pennsylvania Western University. Other panels discussed specialized legal fields. Moderated by Kabrina Chang, Artificial Intelligence was discussed by Jason Eostein and Joseph Scherwha. An insightful discourse on “Environment, Energy & Sustainability Law” was taken up by Bonnie Persons and John Bagby, moderated by Larry Menter. In the panel, “Innovative Pedagogy: Active Learning in Legal Studies at UGA”, moderated by Marissa Pagnattaro, integration of active learning methodologies, undertaken by Legal Studies professors, to better equip students with the critical thinking and practical skills necessary for success in their careers was explored.
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Blue Ribbon Report
Professor Robert Bird engages the Blue Ribbon Committee Panel in discussion of the future of the ALSB
In 2022, the ALSB Executive Committee assembled a Blue Ribbon Committee to produce a “White Paper on the Next Century of the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.” With the purpose to showcase its significance and relevance, the committee’s mandate included:
- Reflecting on the 100 years of accomplishments, challenges and evolution to inform a forward-looking analysis for the next century.
- Recommending actions to ensure the continued commitment and recognition of the ALSB and its contribution to academia, practitioners, and the broader community.
The final report, presented at the Centennial Meeting, showcased past achievements and offered strategic guidance for future growth.
Dan Herron captivating the audience with an inspiring valedictory address.
Looking Forward: The Future of ALSB
Closing the centennial conference with gratitude and a strong vision for the future
As the ALSB celebrates its centennial, it remains dedicated to promoting innovation and excellence in legal education. The Academy continues to foster innovative research and teaching opportunities, all while upholding its high standards and commitment to ethics, collaboration and scholarly excellence.
Authors Robert Bird and Sameer Somal share smiles at the ALSB Gala Dinner.
For those who share the Academy’s vision and seek to be a part of our community – whether by attending its events or becoming a valued member –we encourage you to join the ALSB and participate in a dynamic and supporting community of scholars!
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