Dean April Barton co-presented “Defending Democracy through Effective Leadership Education” at the 2024 Association of America Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., from January 3-6. She presented alongside Panel Moderator Dean Lee Fisher, Cleveland State University Law School, Chair-Elect of the AALS Leadership Section; Congressman Jamie Raskin, U.S. House of Representatives, MD; Deborah Enix-Ross, Immediate past ABA President; Mark Alexander, AALS President; and Kellye Testy, CEO and President LSAC.
“We had a remarkable line up of panelists, all of whom are an inspiration to me through their selfless service, their dedication to our profession, their brilliance, and the example they set by leading with compassion, courage, and integrity,” said Dean Barton.
The panel explored the role of the lawyer–leader in defending and protecting democracy and the role of law schools in educating students about the traits, values, and skills of effective leaders.
“Our democracy needs leaders who display character, create collaborative cultures, model respectful debate, and foster inclusive environments that uplift and inspire. Most importantly, leaders must be motivated by a higher good – democracy, civility, justice, and the rule of law,” said Dean Barton, who chaired the AALS section on leadership.
Dean Barton is additionally responsible for the inception of Duquesne Kline’s Leadership Fellows Program for law students and teaches a component for an upper-level course on law in leadership. She thinks leadership—both ethical and effective—is imperative to the legal profession.
“Leadership development in law school is an outgrowth of professional responsibility, a critical part of professional identity formation and a lawyer’s greater duty to advance justice in our society,” said Dean Barton.
Other Duquesne Kline faculty also attended and presented at AALS under the overarching theme of “Defending Democracy.” Professor Ashley London additionally received an award from AALS at the annual meeting.
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