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← ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN LAW SCHOOLS INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN LAW SCHOOLS INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$6,162,402
Total expenses
$6,411,683
Contributions and grants received
$311,631
Grants paid
$5,000
Program service revenue
$5,460,869
Investment income
$371,015
Other revenue
$18,887
Total assets, end of year
$17,212,897
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,069,380
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$13,143,517
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,430,463
Management and general expenses
$846,722
Fundraising expenses
$134,498
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,430,463

Program services were 84.7% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $311,631

  • 2a · Program service revenue: MEMBERSHIP DUES

    total $3,491,385 · related or exempt $3,491,385

  • 2b · Program service revenue: ANNUAL MEETING INCOME

    total $1,067,233 · related or exempt $1,067,233

  • 2c · Program service revenue: WORKSHOPS

    total $339,065 · related or exempt $339,065

  • 2d · Program service revenue: NON-MEMBER SCHOOL FEES

    total $293,940 · related or exempt $293,940

  • 2e · Program service revenue: FACULTY APPT SERVICES

    total $196,580 · related or exempt $196,580

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $72,666 · related or exempt $72,666

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $353,620 · excluded $353,620

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $13,891 · related or exempt $13,891

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $342,274

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $324,879

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $17,395

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $17,395 · excluded $17,395

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $4,996 · excluded $4,996

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $4,996

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $5,000 · program services $5,000

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $854,922 · program services $662,137 · management and general $173,191 · fundraising $19,594

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,079,409 · program services $1,839,160 · management and general $172,844 · fundraising $67,405

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $208,747 · program services $177,941 · management and general $24,617 · fundraising $6,189

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $192,983 · program services $164,503 · management and general $22,758 · fundraising $5,722

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $200,694 · program services $171,077 · management and general $23,667 · fundraising $5,950

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $8,720 · program services $7,433 · management and general $1,028 · fundraising $259

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $31,805 · management and general $31,805

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $30,000 · management and general $30,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $422,705 · program services $323,526 · management and general $94,028 · fundraising $5,151

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $280 · program services $280

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $98,290 · program services $82,386 · management and general $15,217 · fundraising $687

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $335,640 · program services $304,576 · management and general $24,823 · fundraising $6,241

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $230,262 · program services $196,281 · management and general $27,154 · fundraising $6,827

  • 17 · Travel

    total $96,589 · program services $17,587 · management and general $79,002

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,078,590 · program services $1,078,590

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $189,544 · program services $161,572 · management and general $22,352 · fundraising $5,620

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $44,584 · management and general $44,584

  • 24a · Other expenses: SURVEYS

    total $155,000 · program services $155,000

  • 24b · Other expenses: JOURNAL OF LEGAL EDUCAT

    total $68,992 · program services $68,992

  • 24c · Other expenses: HIRING

    total $54,524 · management and general $54,524

  • 24d · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $13,927 · program services $13,927

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $10,476 · program services $495 · management and general $5,128 · fundraising $4,853

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $6,648,220 · end of year $6,367,080

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $46,304 · end of year $15,910

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $128,367 · end of year $116,951

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $7,322,768

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,213,789

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $5,211,040 · end of year $5,108,979

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $4,763,516 · end of year $5,603,977

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $208 · end of year $0

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $858,929 · end of year $940,801

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,849,181 · end of year $1,826,948

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $1,440,332 · end of year $1,301,631

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $12,649,213 · end of year $13,143,517

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN LAW SCHOOLS' MISSION IS TO UPHOLD AND ADVANCE EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL EDUCATION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN LAW SCHOOLS' (AALS) MISSION 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 OUR MANY COMMUNITIES - LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL.

  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC. WITH OVER 2,300 ATTENDEES; IT IS THE LARGEST GATHERING OF LAW FACULTY AND DEANS IN THE WORLD WITH OVER 200 PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. DURING THE MEETING, AALS HELD A WORKSHOP FOR PRETENURED LAW SCHOOL TEACHERS OF COLOR. AALS SECTIONS PLAN MOST PROGRAMS AT THE MEETING. THE 2024 CONFERENCE ON CLINICAL LEGAL EDUCATION WAS HELD IN ST. LOUIS IN MAY; MORE THAN 700 LEGAL EDUCATORS ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE. THE NEW LAW TEACHERS WORKSHOP IN JUNE WAS HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC, WITH 74 FACULTY IN ATTENDANCE. A WEBINAR FOR LAW STUDENTS AND GRADUATES INTERESTED IN LAW TEACHING WAS HELD IN APRIL, AS WAS A SUPREME COURT PREVIEW FOR RETIRED LAW FACULTY. AALS ALSO OFFERED A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR ADJUNCT FACULTY AND LECTURERS IN AUGUST. DURING THE WORKSHOP, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS OFFERED TIPS ON PREPARING A CLASS, CONDUCTING CLASS SESSIONS, ASSESSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE, AND LEARNING FROM STUDENT FEEDBACK.

    Expenses $2,450,997 · Revenue $1,424,208

  • MEMBER SERVICES: AALS IS AN ASSOCIATION OF LAW SCHOOLS WITH 175 MEMBER LAW SCHOOLS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 7,000 FULL-TIME LAW FACULTY IN THE UNITED STATES. MEMBERSHIP IS BASED ON COMPLIANCE WITH CRITERIA BASED ON CORE VALUES: EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP, ACADEMIC FREEDOM, AND DIVERSITY, INCLUDING DIVERSITY OF BACKGROUNDS AND VIEWPOINTS. THE AALS REPRESENTS U.S. LEGAL EDUCATION AND THE LAW PROFESSORIATE TO OTHER ENTITIES. LAW SCHOOL FACULTY APPOINTMENT SERVICES INCLUDE A WEBPAGE ON BECOMING A LAW TEACHER, AN ONLINE REGISTRY OF FACULTY CANDIDATES, AND A PLACEMENT BULLETIN THAT LISTS LAW FACULTY OPENINGS. OVER 100 VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN AALS SECTIONS PROVIDE A FORUM FOR NETWORKING, SHARING IDEAS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SUPPORT FOR TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP FOR LAW SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF.

    Expenses $1,650,979 · Grants $5,000 · Revenue $3,981,905

  • COMMUNICATIONS: AALS SHOWCASES THE INNOVATIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MEMBER SCHOOLS. AALS STAFF REGULARLY UPDATES WEBSITE CONTENT AND SHARES MEMBER SCHOOL NEWS ON SEVERAL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. THE HOMEPAGE ALSO INCLUDES A CALENDAR OF SYMPOSIA AT LAW SCHOOLS AND AN UPDATED LIST OF BOOKS BY LAW FACULTY. THE WEBPAGE ALSO OFFERS RESOURCES FOR LAW DEANS INCLUDING CLEARINGHOUSES ON ANTIRACISISM, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH, AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM/FREE SPEECH. AALS PRODUCES SEVERAL PUBLICATIONS. THE DIRECTORY OF LAW TEACHERS IS A COMPILATION OF LAW SCHOOLS AND LAW FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES. THE JOURNAL OF LEGAL EDUCATION IS EDITED BY FACULTY AT TWO MEMBER SCHOOLS AND HOSTS ARTICLES RELATED TO TEACHING, LEGAL THEORY, SCHOLARSHIP, AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION. AALS NEWS IS A QUARTERLY PRINT AND ONLINE NEWSLETTER THAT KEEPS FACULTY INFORMED ABOUT ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES AND ISSUES. THE HANDBOOK HAS INFORMATION ABOUT AALS BYLAWS, REGULATIONS, AND AALS COMMITTEES.

    Expenses $1,328,487 · Revenue $68,647

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Judith C Areen

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

    Total calculated
    $625,483
    From this org
    $498,711
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $126,772
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $494,036
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,675
    Deferred
    $102,606
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,166
    Filer's total
    $625,483

  • Elena Kukanova-Carpenter

    CFO (FROM JUL '23)

    Total calculated
    $164,971
    From this org
    $155,004
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,967
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,213
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $5,791
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,967
    Filer's total
    $164,971

  • Tracie L Thomas

    DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS

    Total calculated
    $184,104
    From this org
    $148,661
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $35,443
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,530
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $7,131
    Deferred
    $18,600
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,843
    Filer's total
    $184,104

  • Marisa Guevara-Michalski

    CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $174,866
    From this org
    $146,228
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,638
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,455
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $8,773
    Deferred
    $12,580
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,058
    Filer's total
    $174,866

  • Barbara Studenmund

    CFO (TO JUN '23)/MRC CONSULTANT (FROM JUN '23)

    Total calculated
    $156,941
    From this org
    $133,650
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,291
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $133,465
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $185
    Deferred
    $12,480
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,811
    Filer's total
    $156,941

  • James Greif

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $158,391
    From this org
    $128,603
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,788
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $128,026
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $577
    Deferred
    $16,080
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,708
    Filer's total
    $158,391

  • Mary Dillon Kerwin

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $162,259
    From this org
    $128,272
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,987
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $123,752
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $4,520
    Deferred
    $15,840
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,147
    Filer's total
    $162,259

  • Melanie D Wilson

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    8

  • Austen L Parrish

    PRESIDENT-ELECT (FROM JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Mark Alexander

    IMMED. PAST PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Erwin Chemerinsky

    IMMED. PAST PRESIDENT (TO JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Danielle M Conway

    BOARD MEMBER (TO JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Anthony W Crowell

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Daniel M Filler

    BOARD MEMBER (TO JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Risa Goluboff

    BOARD MEMBER (FROM JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Renee Hutchins Laurent

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Eloisa Rodriguez-Dod

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • Kevin Washburn

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • John Valery White

    BOARD MEMBER (FROM JAN '24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
2 February 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202500359349300420

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