Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The American Bar Association Needn’t Accredit Law Schools
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | July 29, 2025 | George Leef

Posted on 07/29/2025 7:16:49 AM PDT by karpov

A number of “sacred cow” beliefs regarding higher education are (finally!) coming under scrutiny. One of them is that it is important for the American Bar Association (ABA) to oversee law schools via its power of accreditation. In all but a few states, any individual who wants to enter the legal profession must graduate from an ABA-accredited law school before being allowed to sit for the state’s bar exam. That restriction has long been defended as a measure to protect consumers, both students (who might otherwise attend an inferior law school) and people in the community (who might take their legal business to an incompetent practitioner).

So, is the ABA just looking out for the good of the people? No—it’s looking out for its own interests, with government doing its dirty work by imposing regulations that needlessly interfere with competition and the market’s search for efficiency. The good news is that the ABA’s position is starting to crumble. Let’s focus on events in Texas.

In April, the Supreme Court of Texas published an order inviting comments on the role that the ABA should play in accrediting law schools in the state. That order no doubt caused consternation in the legal establishment. For the Supreme Court of one of our biggest states to be thinking about changing the status quo with a diminution or elimination of the ABA’s power is a chilling prospect for an organization not used to being challenged.

Among the comments the Court received was one from Professor Josh Blackman, who teaches at the South Texas College of Law Houston. In his comment, Prof. Blackman argued that the Court should end the ABA’s accreditation power in the state since there is “no demonstrable connection between the ABA’s onerous regulations and promoting high-quality … legal education.”

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: aba; itsthemarxismstupid; lawfare; lawschool; triallawyers

1 posted on 07/29/2025 7:16:49 AM PDT by karpov
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: karpov

They took care of that little problem in Oregon, you don’t have to take the bar exam. DEI


2 posted on 07/29/2025 7:18:29 AM PDT by Cold Heart (BP S GW)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Let the ABA and law schools do whatever they wish but state licensure should be open to all with minimal requirements. Law and medicine are trades and should require internships and practice in addition to testing. But formal education as a requirement should not be required. Ditto for accountants.


3 posted on 07/29/2025 7:44:30 AM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

Lawyers protecting a monopoly. Sounds about right.


4 posted on 07/29/2025 8:14:52 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: karpov

These supposed oversight organizations like the ABA or AMA are complete scams.

Most practicing attorneys should be disbarred outright for ethical reasons and conflicts of interest.

Same for judges.


5 posted on 07/29/2025 11:20:54 AM PDT by SpaceBar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SpaceBar

Frankly, there should be 2 track legal education. One for judges and one for practicing lawyers.


6 posted on 07/29/2025 11:31:06 AM PDT by Valpal1 (Not even the police are safe from the police!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: karpov

This is good


7 posted on 07/29/2025 12:27:21 PM PDT by Colorado Doug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Colorado Doug

Get rid of the American Bar Association. They are corrupt and self serving.


8 posted on 07/29/2025 12:29:26 PM PDT by Colorado Doug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson