Brooklyn Law Scholars Lead National Conversations at the 2026 AALS Annual Meeting
Brooklyn Law School scholars—including faculty and one student—are contributing their expertise to a wide range of timely legal and academic discussions at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), taking place January 6–9 in New Orleans.
This year’s annual meeting is themed “Impact. Excellence. Resilience: The Enduring Contributions of Legal Education,” and Brooklyn Law’s participation reflects the breadth of the Law School’s scholarship, teaching, and public engagement across disciplines.
Below is a look at members of the Brooklyn Law community participating in the conference, listed chronologically.
Tuesday, January 6
Dean’s Research Scholar and Professor Ryan Williams, who teaches and writes in the areas of constitutional law, federal courts, civil procedure, and the conflict of laws, spoke on a panel titled, “Legal History: The Declaration of Independence at 250.”
Wednesday, January 7
Professor Aissatou Barry, director of the Housing Justice Clinic and a civil rights attorney dedicated to advocating on behalf of traditionally marginalized communities through social justice initiatives, spoke on a panel titled, “Property Rights & Racial Dispossession.”
Sheridan Albert ’48 Professor of Law Sarah Haan spoke on a panel titled, “Challenges to Academic Freedom.” She writes at the intersection of corporate law and democracy, on subjects such as corporate governance, shareholder voting rights, and disclosure.
David Dinkins '56 Professor Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, who teaches and writes in criminal law and procedure, evidence, and abolition, and Dean’s Research Scholar and Professor Anna Roberts, a scholar of criminal procedure and evidence, both spoke on a panel titled, “Critical Engagement with Criminal Law: Scholarship & Teaching.”
In addition, Hoag-Fordjour, co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice, participated in the AALS workshop for “Pretenured Law School Teachers - Session Two: Getting to Yes: Navigating the Path to Tenure, Promotion, and Renewal.”
Professor Joy Kanwar, who teaches legal writing and is co-author of the latest edition of the standard-bearing textbook Writing and Analysis in the Law, spoke on a panel titled, “Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research: State of the Discipline.”
Professor Christina Mulligan, who teaches Internet law, intellectual property law, and trusts & estates, participated in the Federalist Society Annual Faculty Conference Panel on “Abundance and the Law.”
Professor Michael Haber, the director of the Community Development & Movement Infrastructure Clinic who also teaches property, real estate, and corporate and transactional law, spoke on a panel titled, “The Future of Community Development.”
Professor Irene Ten Cate, who is co-director of the Dennis J. Block Center for the Study of International Business Law and teaches legal writing, participated in a “Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research: Works-in-Progress” panel.
Thursday, January 8
Professor Shirley Lin, who researches and teaches critical race theory, work law, and contracts, is speaking on a panel titled, “Labor & Democracy in Crisis.”
Herman Badillo ’54 Professor Jocelyn Simonson, who is co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice and student Nick Lindsey ’26, will speak on a panel titled, “Incorporating Lived Experiences with the Criminal Legal System in the Classroom.” Simonson writes and teaches about criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, and social change.
Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Scholarship, Dean’s Research Scholar, and Professor Cynthia Godsoe will speak on one panel titled, “Private Lives, Public Powers: Family Law Across Governmental Levels,” and will serve as a commentator on “Family and Juvenile Law Section Works-in-Progress.” She writes about and teaches courses in family law, criminal law, children and the law, legal profession, and sex crimes.
Friday, January 9
Professor Liz Chen, who teaches legal writing and focuses her research on anti-discrimination law, reproductive justice, and relationships and the law, will speak on a panel titled, “New Voices in Critical Legal Theory.”
Professor Alberto Rodriguez, who teaches legal writing, joins a panel discussion on “Technology, Law, and Legal Education Works-in-Progress.”