SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California law school has filed a suit over the proposed new accredited law school rules and guidelines for accredited law school rules to the Committee of Bar Examiners.
Lincoln Law School of San Jose filed a complaint on March 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division against The State Bar of California, John F. Kennedy University, National University, et al. for alleged violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Act and Cartwright Act.
According to the complaint, "(John F. Kennedy University's) bachelors, masters and non-juris doctor doctoral degree programs are not accredited by the (Committee of Bar Examiners), but are imbued with the imprimatur of the State Bar because they are conferred by a (California Accredit Law School). Giving JFKU and (National University) students the ability to advance seamlessly from their NU undergraduate and master's studies to a JFKUCOL juris doctor by combining programs at NU's existing facilities will provide a significant marketing advantage to JFKU and NU's unaccredited programs."
The plaintiff alleges there have been restraints on its right to petition at every State Bar meting.
"As a result of these restraints on the right to petition for redress, Lincoln and others have been prevented from presenting their views and from participating meaningfully in the creation of the rules and guidelines which the defendants now seek to use against Lincoln to destroy its business," the suit states.
The plaintiff seeks a temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunction, interest, costs, attorney's fees and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. It is represented by Laura Palazzolo in San Jose, California.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division case number 4:18-cv-01748-DMR