Overview
- The ABA Council, which oversees law school accreditation, voted Friday to remove a rule that required schools to show a commitment to diversity in admissions, recruiting, and student programs.
- The decision is not final, since the ABA House of Delegates must review any revisions before a repeal takes effect, which could occur as early as 2027.
- In a separate move, the council agreed to seek public comment on rescinding a 2022 rule that requires instruction on topics such as bias and racism.
- The council acted after the rule’s suspension in February 2025 following President Trump’s DEI crackdown, including his April 2025 directive asking Education Secretary Linda McMahon to consider suspending or ending the ABA’s accreditor role.
- Texas, Florida, and Alabama have already removed or limited ABA recognition in parts of lawyer licensing, and one council member said he supports DEI goals but backed repeal to avoid chilling diversity of ideas in legal education.