Texas Supreme Court Reassesses ABA Accreditation for Law Schools
April 8, 2025, 3:54 pm CDT
The Texas Supreme Court has announced a call for public comments related to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) accreditation requirements for law graduates.
The Texas Supreme Court is currently seeking input regarding the stipulation that candidates for the state’s bar exam must graduate from law schools accredited by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. This inquiry follows an order issued on April 4, where the court suggested it may “reduce or end” its reliance on the ABA as an accrediting body.
Call for Feedback
The court’s order invites feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including the Texas Board of Law Examiners, deans from Texas law schools, members of the legal profession, and the general public.
Reason for Reevaluation
While the Texas Supreme Court has not publicly specified reasons for its request, Chief Justice James D. Blacklock previously criticized the ABA during his February State of the Judiciary address. He expressed concern over what he viewed as the ABA’s political actions in the context of national debates surrounding presidential executive powers.
Responses from Legal Community
In contrast, ABA President Bill Bay reacted to previous remarks about the ABA’s activities, criticizing the Trump administration for actions he believes undermine legal protections and established governmental structures.
This move by the Texas Supreme Court mirrors actions taken recently by the Florida Supreme Court, which has also initiated the formation of a subgroup to reassess the ABA accreditation requirement for law graduates. Florida’s court cited growing concerns regarding the ABA’s standards on diversity and its involvement in political issues as motivations for their review.
Arguments for National Accreditation
In an open letter dated April 8, the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) has advocated for a national system of accreditation for law schools. The AALS argues that national accreditation is essential for ensuring quality in legal education and that differing state requirements could complicate the legal profession and deny access to licensed lawyers in certain regions.
The AALS letter highlighted that many law schools lacking ABA accreditation—particularly those concentrated in California—exhibit low bar exam passing rates, poor job placement outcomes, and high student attrition. The letter contends that a cohesive, national accreditation framework would safeguard quality educational standards without imposing excessive costs on law schools and students.
Notably, the AALS clarified that while the ABA plays a significant role, it is the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar that holds the accreditation authority—separate from the broader bar association.
Ongoing Commitment to Legal Education Quality
In response to these developments, Jennifer L. Rosato Perea, managing director of accreditation and legal education at the ABA, reaffirmed the Section’s dedication to ensuring that its accreditation process continues to contribute positively to the training of competent and ethical legal professionals. The section remains open to dialogue to better align accreditation with admission requirements across states.
