Posted on 12/07/2025 5:32:03 PM PST by EnderWiggin1970
This week, the Federal Trade Commission issued a little-noticed letter to the Texas Supreme Court that could have a significant impact on the legal profession. The state justices are exploring a radical change in bar admissions, seeking alternatives to the American Bar Association.
In their letter, FTC officials indicated that they view the ABA as an effective monopoly in bar admissions. The potential state change itself may be less important than how the ABA itself has changed in bringing about these growing calls for separation from the roughly 150-year-old organization.
In the fall, the Texas Supreme Court issued a tentative opinion that declared that the ABA “should no longer have the final say on whether a law school’s graduates are eligible to sit for the Texas bar exam and become licensed to practice law.”
After the court invited public comment, two FTC officials, Clarke Edwards and Daniel Guarnera, signaled support for potentially moving away from ABA accreditation in a nine-page letter. They not only objected to the possible monopoly but also to the “rigid and costly requirements” imposed by law schools that often reinforce an “elitist model of legal education.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Now take down the APA.
Always felt it strange that the ABA was given such power.
Now that would be a kick in nuts to the Deep State.
My grandfather was president of the Arizona Bar Association in the early 60’s. When he finished his term, he warned them that if they didn’t adhere to strict ethics in the legal profession, they would lose all credibility.
The ABA is the house organ for the demorat law business.
It amazes me that a private organization can decide who can practice law.
In 1990 one of my partners and I became embroiled in a business lawsuit. Our attorney, instead of filing a counter suit, insisted on trying to negotiate an out of court settlement. My partners agreed but I didn’t. So instead of citing a conflict of interest and severing representation from me he continued on and in the process he missed Court conference meetings, document production deadlines etc. I worked at the time at a major California University so after work I would use their law library which opened my eyes. I sought representation to sue this no good but was told that my former attorney had transferred all of his assets to his wife and I couldn’t touch him even though I would have had a good case against him. I lost and settled out of court on my original complaint. Seeking justice I went to the local office of the ABA only to learn that it was no longer viable since there weren’t enough local attorneys willing to pay dues to keep it open. The ABA is a self serving good old boys club at best.
Please excuse my ignorance in this matter, but what is the APA.
The APA is the Administrative Procedures Act. It is the structural basis for agencies issuing regulations that have the force of law.
Thank you kind sir; at my age with so many alphabet agencies I don’t even try to keep up any more.
Thanks again.
(Even at my age, I do remember what the 5th MEB is).
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