Conservative Group Challenges ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
April 17, 2025, 12:36 pm CDT
A lawsuit filed by a conservative-led group alleges that the ABA’s scholarship program violates federal anti-discrimination laws. (Image from Shutterstock)
The Lawsuit Details
On April 12, 2025, the American Alliance for Equal Rights, spearheaded by conservative activist Edward Blum, initiated legal action against the American Bar Association (ABA). The lawsuit claims that the ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund engages in “blatant discrimination” by imposing restrictions that, according to the group, violate Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in contracts.
The scholarships, valued at $15,000 each, are specifically designed for incoming law students who belong to underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, including Black/African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Allegations and Objectives
Blum’s organization argues that even in cases where the scholarship criteria may not explicitly exclude white applicants, the program still discriminates against them through its design and application process. The lawsuit seeks:
- A judicial declaration that the scholarship criteria violate Section 1981.
- An injunction to prevent the ABA from considering race or ethnicity in future scholarship decisions.
- Reinstatement of the application process based on neutral and non-discriminatory criteria.
- Nominal damages for the alleged violations.
The Legal Context
This case follows a significant ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2023, where Blum’s previous organization, Students for Fair Admissions, succeeded in abolishing race-conscious admissions practices in higher education. The current lawsuit reflects a continued push against affirmative action policies in various spheres, including legal education.
ABA’s Response and Legal Representation
The ABA is being represented by Jenner & Block, a law firm that has faced its own challenges, including a punitive executive order from former President Donald Trump. In response to the ongoing litigation, Jim Walsh, the ABA’s chief communications officer, stated that the organization does not comment on active legal matters.
Future Implications
In a statement, Blum expressed that the aim of the lawsuit is not to eliminate the ABA’s scholarship program entirely but to reformulate it so that awards are based on merit or financial need rather than race. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for scholarship programs and diversity initiatives across the legal field and potentially other areas of higher education.
For additional reporting and coverage of the lawsuit, see publications such as Law.com, Law360, Reuters, and Bloomberg Law.
