Kellye Testy will take over as executive director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) on July 1, 2024, replacing Judy Areen, who is retiring after serving in the role for the past 10 years.
Testy, recently named the second most influential person in legal education by The National Jurist, is currently the president and CEO of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
Under Testy’s leadership at LSAC since 2017, she strategically positioned the organization for the future, navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing online testing and fostering innovations. LSAC, under Testy’s guidance, has become a proactive hub for legal education, collaborating with AALS on various research projects aimed at supporting law candidates, schools, and faculty. She shepherded the organization through change and launched new ventures, including LawHub and a pathways program.
“Kellye stood out for her deep and ongoing engagement nationally with legal education and the AALS as well as her successful record achieving ambitious goals with an inclusive and humble leadership style,” said Kevin Washburn, dean of the University of Iowa College of Law, AALS executive committee member, and chair of the search committee.
Melanie Wilson, 2024 AALS president and dean of Washington and Lee University School of Law, said Testy brings vision, experience, optimism and a deep commitment to inclusion and equity to the position at a time when legal education and the AALS need a capable leader of her caliber.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as Judy Areen’s successor and am committed to advancing excellence in legal education at a time of heightened challenges and changes in law and higher education,” Testy said. “The long-standing collaboration between LSAC and AALS and the impressive histories and strengths of both organizations will ensure a smooth transition in July.”
Prior to leading LSAC, Testy served as a law school dean and faculty member for 25 years, including Seattle University School of Law from 2004 to 2009 and as the first woman dean at the University of Washington School of Law from 2009 to 2017.
She served as AALS president in 2016 and has served AALS in many ways over the years. She was a member of the AALS Executive Committee from 2012 to 2017 and served on the Committee on Recruitment and Retention of Minority Law Teachers and Students from 2007 to 2009. She also chaired the planning committee for the AALS Workshop for New Law School Teachers in 2010.
Until her new appointment begins, Testy said she will continue building the future of justice at LSAC alongside its devoted board, engaged member schools and prelaw community members, talented management team and staff.
