University of Windsor President J.J. McMurtry addressed delegates at the Global Law Deans Forum, hosted for the first time in Canada by Windsor Law.
Delegates from more than 35 law faculties across 18 countries gathered at Windsor Law on May 4 for the Global Law Deans Forum, hosted for the first time in Canada by the University of Windsor.
By Julie Freer
Legal News
Since 2013, the International Association of Law Schools has hosted a biannual Global Law Deans Forum that brings together law school leaders from around the world to address major issues in legal education.
This year marked the first time the forum was held in Canada. Hosted at Windsor Law, the event brought together faculty members from 35 law schools across 18 countries to discuss the future of legal education.
Windsor Law Dean Reem Bahdi, who serves on the IALS board, said the forum’s location changes across regions to reflect international diversity and accessibility. In past years, the forum has been held in Singapore, Spain, India, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.
“The rotation ensures a broad range of regional participation and inclusivity, which is incredibly important to the IALS,” said Bahdi. “Hosting the forum was particularly significant for Windsor Law because it marked the first time the event had been held in Canada. It elevated the profile of both the law school and the University of Windsor on the global stage, while also showcasing the City of Windsor.
“Delegates were highly impressed by the university, Windsor Law's facilities, and the city's waterfront location along the Detroit River,” Bahdi remarked. “The event also created valuable opportunities to strengthen international relationships, with several discussions initiated around potential student and faculty exchanges, collaborative teaching, and other academic partnerships.”
Over the years, the forum’s themes have focused on topics such as creating a common language for legal education across global systems, improving legal education globally, implementing global institutional standards, teaching controversial or politically sensitive legal subjects, and evaluating how law schools adapted to remote environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the 2026 forum, key topics included the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the future of the rule of law.
J.J. McMurtry, president of the University of Windsor, gave a keynote address at the forum, while Dr. Kristen Thomasen, associate professor and chair in Law, Robotics, and Society at Windsor Law, presented a program on AI in legal education.
“Participants shared different ideas about how to use AI in legal education, when and why AI use might be restricted or limited, and some of the complex societal considerations connected to expanded use of AI, like environmental impact and the ways in which different tools have been built, some potentially in violation of the very laws that we teach in law schools,” said Thomasen.
Bahdi said forum participants discussed how the rule of law is under strain globally, facing challenges arising from political instability, democratic backsliding, and technological disruption.
“There were discussions emerging on issues that affect legal systems, including risks to fairness, accountability, and labor and social protections,” said Bahdi. “We as deans recognize a shared global reality: Despite different legal systems, countries are facing similar pressures on legal institutions and norms.”
Bahdi added that law schools play a critical role in upholding the rule of law.
“This responsibility is obvious in how we train lawyers to respond to complex global challenges, and not just apply doctrine,” said Bahdi. “There is a need for legal professionals to understand technology (including AI), appreciate social, economic, and environmental impacts, and all while acting with ethical judgement. Law schools must help students turn into responsible legal professionals that will ultimately defend legal values. We have to promote independence of the judiciary, reinforce respect for legal norms and process, and educate students on the importance of accountability and justice.”
The forum, Bahdi said, is an important way for law schools all over the world to collaborate on a global level by sharing best practices and building collective responses to global legal threats.
“It is also a tool to advance access to justice and social responsibility,” said Bahdi. “Law schools have a duty to address inequality in access to justice. We must engage with societal changes. And we must ensure that legal education contributes to public good, not just professional training. That is what this forum aims to do and why it is so important.”
Legal News
Since 2013, the International Association of Law Schools has hosted a biannual Global Law Deans Forum that brings together law school leaders from around the world to address major issues in legal education.
This year marked the first time the forum was held in Canada. Hosted at Windsor Law, the event brought together faculty members from 35 law schools across 18 countries to discuss the future of legal education.
Windsor Law Dean Reem Bahdi, who serves on the IALS board, said the forum’s location changes across regions to reflect international diversity and accessibility. In past years, the forum has been held in Singapore, Spain, India, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.
“The rotation ensures a broad range of regional participation and inclusivity, which is incredibly important to the IALS,” said Bahdi. “Hosting the forum was particularly significant for Windsor Law because it marked the first time the event had been held in Canada. It elevated the profile of both the law school and the University of Windsor on the global stage, while also showcasing the City of Windsor.
“Delegates were highly impressed by the university, Windsor Law's facilities, and the city's waterfront location along the Detroit River,” Bahdi remarked. “The event also created valuable opportunities to strengthen international relationships, with several discussions initiated around potential student and faculty exchanges, collaborative teaching, and other academic partnerships.”
Over the years, the forum’s themes have focused on topics such as creating a common language for legal education across global systems, improving legal education globally, implementing global institutional standards, teaching controversial or politically sensitive legal subjects, and evaluating how law schools adapted to remote environments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the 2026 forum, key topics included the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the future of the rule of law.
J.J. McMurtry, president of the University of Windsor, gave a keynote address at the forum, while Dr. Kristen Thomasen, associate professor and chair in Law, Robotics, and Society at Windsor Law, presented a program on AI in legal education.
“Participants shared different ideas about how to use AI in legal education, when and why AI use might be restricted or limited, and some of the complex societal considerations connected to expanded use of AI, like environmental impact and the ways in which different tools have been built, some potentially in violation of the very laws that we teach in law schools,” said Thomasen.
Bahdi said forum participants discussed how the rule of law is under strain globally, facing challenges arising from political instability, democratic backsliding, and technological disruption.
“There were discussions emerging on issues that affect legal systems, including risks to fairness, accountability, and labor and social protections,” said Bahdi. “We as deans recognize a shared global reality: Despite different legal systems, countries are facing similar pressures on legal institutions and norms.”
Bahdi added that law schools play a critical role in upholding the rule of law.
“This responsibility is obvious in how we train lawyers to respond to complex global challenges, and not just apply doctrine,” said Bahdi. “There is a need for legal professionals to understand technology (including AI), appreciate social, economic, and environmental impacts, and all while acting with ethical judgement. Law schools must help students turn into responsible legal professionals that will ultimately defend legal values. We have to promote independence of the judiciary, reinforce respect for legal norms and process, and educate students on the importance of accountability and justice.”
The forum, Bahdi said, is an important way for law schools all over the world to collaborate on a global level by sharing best practices and building collective responses to global legal threats.
“It is also a tool to advance access to justice and social responsibility,” said Bahdi. “Law schools have a duty to address inequality in access to justice. We must engage with societal changes. And we must ensure that legal education contributes to public good, not just professional training. That is what this forum aims to do and why it is so important.”
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