September 24, 2024

Dean Stacy Leeds unveils vision to reimagine legal education at ASU Law

Under the bold leadership of Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law Stacy Leeds, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is embarking on an ambitious journey to reimagine legal education. 

“We are not just preparing for the future, we are creating it,” Leeds said. “At ASU Law, we are empowering our ASU Law community to shape the future through unparalleled support, world-class faculty and innovative programs.”

Leeds, who brings a wealth of leadership and visionary thinking to the role, gathered great minds across the college and community, including staff, students, faculty and external stakeholders, to brainstorm and craft a comprehensive strategic plan through 2028 and beyond. This collaborative effort defined four key priority areas that will guide the future of ASU Law: specific student success outcomes, deliberate community building, integration of cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive online strategy for an inclusive legal education.

At the core of the plan is an enhanced focus on student success, ensuring that every student is equipped to excel both during their time at ASU Law and throughout their careers. This goes beyond academic achievement integrating wellness, top-notch career support and an unparalleled student experience to ensure our graduates can thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“We are advancing a comprehensive approach to student success,” Leeds explained. “This includes designing academic success strategies that incorporate wellness, implementing a holistic bar pass strategy and developing career pathways that equip students with the skills they need to succeed.”

The college has already laid a strong foundation for these initiatives by combining academic rigor with comprehensive student support, complemented by the creation of the new director of bar exam success role. Through career counseling, practical legal experience and wellness initiatives, ASU Law is committed to ensuring that its graduates enter the profession not just as skilled attorneys, but as compassionate advocates and leaders.

The second pillar of ASU Law’s strategic plan focuses on creating deliberate communities to foster deeper connections, empathy, learning and inclusion. The college’s vision includes expanding cohorts around substantive legal areas within the school and building impactful communities that bring together scholars, students and practitioners.

“Our goal is to transcend geographical boundaries and utilize technology to connect our students and faculty in meaningful ways,” Leeds said. “We want to create communities that optimize experiences and relationships while advancing legal scholarship.”

With locations in Phoenix, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., ASU Law already has a significant presence across diverse legal environments. These communities allow for a rich exchange of ideas and experiences that benefit both students and the broader legal profession.

As the legal landscape becomes increasingly digital, ASU Law is embracing technology to enhance education and scholarship. Leeds sees the integration of AI and other advanced tools as essential to preparing students for the future of law. This is exemplified through ASU Law’s newest AI emphasis across all degree programs.

“From leveraging AI-driven innovations to enhance the student journey before they even step into the classroom, to exploring the intersection of technology and justice, we are incorporating technology to better prepare our students in their careers,” she said.

Recognizing the growing demand for flexible and accessible learning options, ASU Law is leading the charge in creating a robust online legal education experience. The strategic plan outlines initiatives to design comprehensive online programs across all degree offerings and deliver exceptional remote learning opportunities.

“Our comprehensive online strategy ensures that legal education is inclusive and accessible to more students,” Leeds explained. “We’re also creating non-degree certificate programs that help professionals advance their careers.”

Driven by flexibility, innovation and inclusion, ASU Law’s online strategy aims to broaden the reach of legal education and open doors to a larger population of learners. This will, in turn, help address legal deserts and expand access to justice. As part of this mission, ASU Law is making a significant impact in communities far beyond its campuses, including its partnerships with the Navajo Nation and Diné College to create the world’s first tribally affiliated legal education. 

ASU Law’s dedication to public service is deeply rooted in the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the college’s namesake and the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. With 39% of recent graduates pursuing public service careers, ASU Law demonstrates a strong dedication to making a societal impact.

U.S. News & World Report ranks ASU Law among the nation’s top law schools. The college boasts five nationally ranked specialty programs and is leading in areas such as business and corporate law, advancing democracy, sustainability, Indigenous futures, science and technology innovations and health and wellbeing. ASU Law’s strategic plan continues this legacy of excellence while adapting to the needs of an ever-changing world.

“Our strategic plan provides a clear, ambitious path forward,” Leeds said. “Together, we are advancing justice as we shape the future of law to make a lasting difference.”

Written by Kourtney Kelley