Press Release for Survey of Law School Faculty 2026: Likely Evolution of Law Instruction
Law faculty anticipate hybrid J.D. growth and expanded instruction in AI
NEW YORK, October 19, 2026 — Primary Research Group has published Survey of Law School Faculty 2026: Likely Evolution of Law Instruction. Based on responses from 68 law school faculty and administrators, the study explores expected changes in program formats, subject areas, experiential education, staffing, and demand for entry-level J.D. graduates.
Selected findings
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More hybrid J.D. programs are expected by 63.24% of respondents; 51.47% anticipate more flexible or part-time schedules and 50.00% foresee more fully online J.D. programs. Multiple selections were allowed.
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Artificial intelligence and law is the leading expected area of substantial instructional expansion, selected by 88.24%. Data privacy and cybersecurity follows at 67.65%, and legal technology and automation at 57.35%.
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Experiential education draws a more mixed forecast: 38.23% expect expansion, 20.59% expect little change, and 20.59% anticipate contraction.
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On staffing, 45.59% foresee a combination of greater use of non-tenure-track faculty, adjuncts, and technology-assisted instruction; 44.12% expect greater reliance on adjunct faculty and practicing attorneys. No respondent selects greater reliance on tenure-track faculty.
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Concern about entry-level hiring is pronounced: 41.18% expect employer demand for new J.D. graduates to decrease in the next five years, while 8.82% expect it to increase. Another 27.94% foresee little change.
The report provides law school deans, faculty, and curriculum planners with benchmarks on how respondents expect programs and teaching roles to develop. Its forward-looking figures describe opinions, not actual future outcomes.
To order or obtain more information, visit www.primaryresearch.com.
About Primary Research Group Inc. Primary Research Group publishes survey-based benchmarking studies for academic libraries, higher education, law libraries, law firms, and related professional markets.
James Moses, Research Director
Primary Research Group Inc.
2585 Broadway #156
NY NY 10025
www.primaryresearch.com
jmoses@primaryresearch.com