Leila Lawlor Receives National Impact Award from Academic Support Educators Association The award honors AASE members whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a meaningful difference to the organization and the academic support and bar success profession.

By Law Communications
June 11, 2026

Washington and Lee law professor Leila Lawlor, director of academic excellence and professor of practice at Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been recognized with the Impact Award from the Association of Academic Support Educators (AASE), a national organization dedicated to supporting professionals who help law students develop the academic skills and bar preparation strategies necessary for success in law school and the legal profession.

The Impact Award honors AASE members whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a meaningful difference to the organization and the academic support and bar success profession. Lawlor was selected from among nearly 450 active members in recognition of her sustained contributions to the field, her national leadership, and her commitment to supporting colleagues and students throughout legal education.

“[Professor Lawlor’s] leadership has helped advance AASE’s mission, build community among academic support and bar success professionals, and elevate the work of those serving students at every stage of legal education,” said Nachman N. Gutowski, president of AASE. “Her impact nationally cannot be overstated.

A longtime leader within AASE, Lawlor has served in numerous leadership roles and has chaired and co-chaired several committees. Most notably, she has served as co-chair of the organization’s Scholarship Committee, helping to foster engagement with research, writing, and scholarly development among academic support professionals. Through that work, she has encouraged colleagues to pursue scholarship, supported members developing research projects, and helped strengthen the intellectual foundations of the profession.

Lawlor’s contributions were also highlighted at AASE’s recent annual conference, where she organized and led multiple scholarship-focused sessions designed to provide colleagues with dedicated time and support for scholarly work. She also presented a session titled “Good Delivery of Bad News,” which addressed challenging aspects of working with students and contributed to the practical and professional development of conference attendees.

According to AASE leadership, Lawlor’s influence extends well beyond her formal roles within the organization. The association cited her significant and lasting contributions to the academic support community through leadership, service, and a sustained commitment to advancing the profession. Her work has helped strengthen the organization, support colleagues nationwide, and elevate the importance of scholarship, skills instruction, and student success within legal education.

If you know a W&L faculty member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.