Welcoming the Class of 2026 Alabama Law is proud to welcome the Class of 2026. This year’s 1L Class consists of 126 students—drawn from a competitive pool of over 1,600 applicants. Students from this class represent 23 states and 2 foreign countries (China and Greece), and they have studied at 51 different colleges and universities. Forty-nine percent of the 1L students are women and 19.5% of the class identify as students of color. In total, members of the 1L class speak 13 different languages and dialects from around the world and have studied, lived, or worked in 14 countries outside of the United States. Simultaneously, 76% of the 1L students are Alabama residents or have significant ties to the state.
The Class of 2026 poses on the front steps of the Law School during Fall Orientation.
“We had more than 1,600 people to choose from to fill this room, and we chose you,” said Dean Bill Brewbaker in an introduction to the incoming 1L students during orientation. “We didn’t choose you because you couldn’t succeed, but because we believed you could. And we know you can.”
The Supreme Court of Alabama Conducts Oral Arguments at Alabama Law Last Spring, before a large audience of law students and faculty members, The Alabama Supreme Court held a special session—an oral argument hearing—at The University of Alabama School of Law. “The Supreme Court of Alabama was delighted to take our Court proceedings out of Montgomery and to Tuscaloosa to show the future lawyers at The University of Alabama School of Law our oral argument hearings in action,” said Chief Justice Tom Parker. “The Preamble of our Alabama Constitution identifies that the first purpose of the Constitution is to ‘establish justice.’ As we sought to establish justice in the case that was before our Court, our hope was that Alabama Law students would be educated by seeing our courts in action, and hopefully, also inspired to pursue and walk in the paths of justice in their forthcoming legal careers.”
Before the case began, observers were welcomed by (former) Dean Mark E. Brandon, and the case was introduced by Alabama Law 3L, Govin Kaggal. The experience offered a unique opportunity for Alabama Law students to observe a hearing in front of the highest Court in the State of Alabama. Following the hearing and a lunch reception with Alabama Law students, several members of the Court took the time to serve as Judges for a practice round with members of the Alabama Law Carol Andrews ABA National Moot Court Team—providing the team encouragement and valuable advice before they left for the national finals of the elite ABA Competition in Washington D.C.
TOP: Students observe the Alabama Supreme Court Oral Arguments hosted at the Law School. BOTTOM: Associate Justice Sellers and Associate Justice Cook meet with members of the Carol Andrews ABA National Moot Court Team in the newly updated Bedsole Moot Court Room.
