Law Schools

Cooley Law School will close another campus; ‘not really enough students to make it work,’ dean says

The Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School announced Monday that it is closing its Grand Rapids, Michigan, campus and consolidating operations in the state at its Lansing, Michigan, location.

Aug 19, 2020 9:46 AM CDT

Software provider pulls out of remotely proctored bar exams because of technology concerns

The National Conference of Bar Examiners has a remote proctoring requirement for states using its testing materials in October online bar exams. However, according to one of three bar exam software providers that recently pulled out of the online exam, the mandate may not be possible to carry out.

Aug 18, 2020 2:41 PM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council addresses reporting requirements amid law schools’ COVID-19 concerns

Going forward, the ABA's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar will review fewer law school files with individual student information for purposes of employment outcomes reporting.

Aug 17, 2020 1:25 PM CDT

In lieu of an in-person UBE, some jurisdictions with online bar have reciprocity agreements

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the October online bar exam planned by the NCBE has been described as an “emergency remote testing option.” Additionally, it will not offer a portable score because it’s shorter than the Uniform Bar Exam. But that hasn’t stopped some jurisdictions from making their own reciprocity agreements with each other.

Aug 13, 2020 2:40 PM CDT

Top tips to successfully finish the first year of law school in a pandemic

As guinea pigs of Zoom law school classes, we learned—the hard way—what it’s like to be first-year law students in a world battling COVID-19. As 1L section mates, we supported each other through an unprecedented finale to our first spring semester at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in Chicago.

Aug 13, 2020 9:13 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Progressive groups mull judicial possibilities; 2 law deans each donate $125K to help law students

Progressive groups mull judicial recommendations Progressive groups are considering lawyers they would like to see named to the federal bench if presumptive 2020 Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden becomes the next U.S. president. One group, Demand Justice, is calling for no more corporate law partners as judicial…

Aug 11, 2020 4:56 PM CDT

With scholarship ruse, law school assistant dean of admissions is accused of stealing $74K

Edward Rene, the former assistant dean of admissions at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, was charged Monday with theft by a public servant, for allegedly stealing almost $74,000 from the school.

Aug 11, 2020 2:00 PM CDT

Previous bar examinees won’t get benefit of new California cut score, state supreme court says

A lowered cut score on the California bar exam is permanent, but it will not be applied retroactively to earlier exams, the California Supreme Court announced Monday.

Aug 10, 2020 5:15 PM CDT

Law prof sues over N-word suspension and says being white led to different treatment

A professor at the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, who was suspended over his use of the N-word, alleges in a lawsuit that he was treated differently because he was white.

Aug 10, 2020 2:14 PM CDT

Test-takers express safety concerns, fears from in-person bar exam—including lack of masks, unclean bathrooms

Following an in-person July bar exam, some test-takers claim that public health measures were not handled properly during the administration of the test amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, one bar candidate found out that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus shortly after the exam ended.

Aug 10, 2020 8:57 AM CDT

States should postpone in-person bar exams during COVID-19 pandemic, ABA House says

A resolution urging state courts of last resort to defer in-person bar exams during the COVID-19 pandemic and develop alternate plans to license candidates was adopted Tuesday by the ABA.

Aug 4, 2020 3:45 PM CDT

Law schools should have flexibility in responding to ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ ABA House of Delegates says

Resolutions regarding distance-education programs, the adoption of emergency policies by law schools, teach-out plans and provisional program approval were approved this week by the American Bar Association's House of Delegates.

Aug 3, 2020 4:18 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: District attorney hints of broader Trump probe; ex-ABA president is new dean

DA may be investigating Trump for possible bank fraud A legal filing suggests that President Donald Trump and his company could be under investigation for possible bank and insurance fraud. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance filed the memorandum of law Monday in Trump’s fight against a subpoena for financial records…

Aug 3, 2020 3:49 PM CDT

Search for lost LSAT answers continues; LSAC says those affected will see exam fee refunded

A technical issue with the July Law School Admission Test, which was administered remotely, has led to a “small number” of candidates’ test answers being lost.

Jul 30, 2020 3:12 PM CDT

Indiana changes online bar exam again after ‘repeated and unforeseen technical complications’

Following “repeated and unforeseen technical complications,” the Indiana Supreme Court released an order Wednesday stating that its online bar exam has been rescheduled for Aug. 4, and it will now be an open-book test with questions and answers exchanged by email.

Jul 29, 2020 2:37 PM CDT