With engaging programming and industry insights, the annual Southern Association of Pre-Law Advisors’ conference brought higher education professionals from across the Southeastern US to Stetson Law.
Comprising a broad range of backgrounds – from law professors to career counselors, all of whom play numerous roles within their home institutions – more than 100 attendees heard sharp insights about law school admissions, updates on recent student loan policy changes, and strategies for avoiding burnout. Many were first-time conference attendees; others had never before set foot on the Stetson Law campus.
Advisors had the chance to speak with law schools from across the region as well as test-prep companies and other non-law-school exhibitors – all while getting a close-up view of the stunning Stetson Law campus and learning about its unique offerings for prospective law students.
The June 2026 event marked the first time the event took place at the College, and the first time it occurred in Florida in recent memory – if ever.
“It was very important for us to address what is currently going on in the everchanging landscape of law school admissions,” said Marcya Burden, current president of SAPLA and, among other roles, pre-law director at Oakville University in Huntsville, Alabama. “And what better way to do that than meeting at such a historic law school whose mission and purpose has always been to strive for excellence and to advocate for others?”
A changing & competitive landscape
Even as federal student loans for graduate-level students become more challenging to obtain, student interest in attending law school has never been higher. Yet the number of spots available at many law schools has remained somewhat static. Student GPAs and median LSAT scores have soared as a result, making for stiff competition at law schools across the country.
Those advising undergraduates who are considering a career in law strive to stay on top of these changes as well as how law schools are preparing students for sustainable careers when factors like generative AI pose seismic changes to the field.
“The work you all do is so important,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros in his remarks to conference attendees. “I think more than ever that prospective students and their parents want to see sustainable career pathways.”
The conference invites attendees to learn from each other while building their professional networks. Networking sessions have led to collaborations on law school fairs and other events – all with the goal of connecting undergraduate students with a law school that will be the right fit and lead to a fulfilling future.
Guiding students in an uncertain future can add a layer of stress for advisors who usually have numerous other roles at their schools but often aren’t compensated for the extra work of advising.
“Most of the prelaw advisors in our region serve in dual roles,” Burden said. “They’re either on the staff side or the faculty side.”
That’s why, in addition to programming specific to pre-law advising, SAPLA leadership includes sessions about strategies for avoiding burnout and other wellness-focused insights. This year’s conference also featured an update from the Law School Admissions Council, which administers the LSAT, on how to navigate changes to how the test is administered.
“It has been an honor to host so many important conversations about the changing legal education landscape and what it means for the professionals we entrust with helping students find the right career path,” said Stetson Law Director of Admissions and Recruitment Darren Kettles. “Our team worked hard to provide an environment where attendees could have open conversations, gain sharp insights, and make important professional connections on our beautiful campus – just as we do for our students.”
Exploring Stetson’s offerings
When choosing a site for the annual conference, SAPLA looks for law schools that have signature programs that prelaw advisors will want to share with their students.
With its focus on career readiness, nation-leading advocacy and legal writing programs, community-focused culture, and breathtaking grounds, Stetson Law gave previously unfamiliar attendees food for thought.
“It’s a bit different when you’re viewing it on a webpage versus when you’ve had a connection to the place,” said SAPLA Vice President and Conference Co-Chair Carol Riddock, director of prelaw advisory at Emory University in Atlanta. “Seeing a law school in person gives me a sense of their ethos and their community.”
View the full SAPLA 2026 program.
