Legal Ed council broadens proposed accreditation standard addressing diversity

The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has proposed reframing a contentious law school accreditation standard that encourages diversity to instead focus on achieving “access to legal education and the profession” for all qualified aspiring lawyers.

Aug 16, 2024 4:35 PM CDT

Is the National Conference of Bar Examiners losing power?

As the National Conference of Bar Examiners sunsets the Uniform Bar Exam in 2028, other pathways to practice outside of its exam offerings are emerging, leaving some to question the NCBE’s hold on controlling licensure.

Aug 13, 2024 9:35 AM CDT

Class of 2020 moves jobs, has less debt and is concerned about mental health, study says

The study from the National Association for Law Placement and the NALP Foundation, released Wednesday, showed 70% of all graduates have held two or more jobs in the three years since graduation, up from 69% of the class of 2019 surveyed a year earlier.

Jul 25, 2024 10:29 AM CDT

Online law grad has ‘truly extraordinary’ case meriting waiver of Utah admission rules, top state court says

Updated: A graduate of an unaccredited online law school may take the bar exam in Utah, even though she did not satisfy a requirement for 10 years of experience in another jurisdiction before admission, the Utah Supreme Court has ruled in a 3-2 decision.

Jul 23, 2024 10:17 AM CDT

New Paths for Licensure: California confirms Kaplan bar exam, Arizona launches second chance program

As California grapples with budget issues and Arizona faces a shortage of lawyers, both states announced shifts to their licensure protocols, with ripples potentially impacting other jurisdictions.

Jul 19, 2024 2:16 PM CDT

Purdue Global will add full-time JD program, while 2 small California law schools will close

The State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners approved several policy changes regarding its state-accredited and unaccredited law schools, along with unveiling a new report detailing their outcomes at its June 21 meeting.

Jun 26, 2024 11:20 AM CDT

19 state AGs fire back after others demand ABA diversity standards change

Nineteen state attorneys general signed a letter calling on the American Bar Association, Fortune 100 CEOs and other organizations to retain “their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Jun 20, 2024 3:58 PM CDT

5 more law schools now approved to use JD-Next for admissions

Five law schools joined the ranks of 52 others that allow applicants to take the JD-Next alternative admissions program instead of traditional standardized tests.

Jun 14, 2024 12:15 PM CDT

Oregon’s alternative pathway to the bar proves popular

Updated: Oregon’s new Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination that allows ABA-accredited law school graduates to join the state’s bar by working closely with a supervising attorney instead of taking the bar exam is gaining traction with candidates and potential employers.

Jun 13, 2024 9:54 AM CDT

21 state AGs sign letter demanding changes to ABA diversity standard for law schools

The attorneys general of 21 states are urging the council for the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar to change a law school accreditation standard that encourages diversity in admissions and hiring.

Jun 5, 2024 9:00 AM CDT

Meet Jennifer Rosato Perea, who’ll lead ABA accreditation and legal ed as managing director

At the ABA, she will be the first woman and Latina in the managing director role.

May 29, 2024 2:40 PM CDT

Journey toward fully online law schools inches forward after ABA Legal Ed council vote

After receiving pushback from law school deans and with many logistical questions looming, the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar voted to continue developing a proposal to start fully accrediting online-only law schools at its May 17 meeting in Chicago.

May 20, 2024 2:34 PM CDT

Shake-up in US News’ 2024 law school rankings

Updated: The 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools rankings is riddled with ties, including three ties in the top tier, and a few unusual jumps. As predicted by rankings watchers, Stanford Law School and Yale Law School came out on top—but in a tie for first that those experts didn’t expect.

Apr 9, 2024 12:30 PM CDT

ABA proposal to accredit online law schools faces opposition from law deans

A proposal to accredit fully online law schools has met pushback from 26 law school deans, saying more information is needed regarding bar pass and employment rates of online law school graduates.

Apr 3, 2024 12:25 PM CDT

Academic freedom standards are now part of ABA’s accreditation process for law schools

Apr 1, 2024 12:15 AM CDT