The Southeastern Association of Law Schools just held its 2016 Annual Conference at Amelia Island, Florida. Academic support educators sometimes overlook SEALS as a conference to attend. Over the last few years, SEALS has made a concerted effort to include more programs that would appeal to academic support educators and legal writing professors.
The Workshops on Legal Education and Discussion Groups especially covered a number of ASPish topics (with ASP or prior ASP colleagues presenting on some of these panels). Just a few examples in an extensive 7-day conference were: Incorporating Mindfulness into Legal Education (Jane Grise and Courtney Lee); Formative Assessment and Learning Outcomes (Barbara Gleisner-Fines); Adapting to New Realities in Legal Education (Amy Jarmon); Preparing Students for Solo and Small Firm Practice (Cynthia Fontaine); The Art and Science of Mentoring Law Students (our long-time friend at LSAC Kent Lollis and Laurie Zimet).
In addition, there were many sessions on teaching methods, scholarship and getting published, the changes in ABA standards, and more that would interest ASP professionals. Next year's conference will be held in Boca Raton, FL during July 30 – August 6. Keep it in mind if your travel funds provide for a regional conference (though you do not have to be from the region to attend or present).
