The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) has a mission: to uphold and advance excellence in legal education. Each year, the AALS hosts a variety of awards to members who take that mission to heart—now a Georgia State University College of Law professor has been added to the Section of the Year recipients list.
Chaired by Jonathan Todres, the Section on Children and the Law won the 2026 AALS Section of the Year Award (SOTY).
Todres, a Distinguished University Professor and Catherine C. Henson Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law, has served in various leadership roles with AALS since 2011.
“I am grateful that the AALS chose to recognize our Section and the work we did this year. However, I am most excited that we received this award because it highlights the importance of addressing issues affecting children,” Todres said.
The SOTY Award recognizes dedication in member support and activities that promote AALS’s core values. The Section on Children and the Law demonstrated this commitment by launching two new workshop series, identifying and supporting new scholars.
“Children are facing a myriad of challenges and threats to their rights and healthy development,” Todres said. “Many faculty in the Section do important work in the field in support of—and in partnership with—children and youth. That work can be difficult, so it is vital that we all have a supportive space to return to. That is what we tried to build this year.”
This is Todres’s second time serving as chair of the Section on Children and the Law since 2013. He also served as chair of the AALS Section on International Human Rights in 2015 and on the Executive Committee of both sections for many years.
“It is an honor to recognize the important work of the Section on Children and the Law this year,” said Jill Engle, chair of the selection committee and clinical professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law, in an AALS article. “Our committee received several outstanding nominations, and our decision was difficult. The Section of the Year Award is an honor that recognizes exceptional efforts by section leaders and members to promote AALS values through collegial connections, educational enrichment, and innovative programs and activities over the course of the year.”
- Written by Genny Toddy