Attorney General Kwame Raoul has led a coalition of attorneys general in support of a proposed revision to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) accreditation standards for law schools. The revised standard would require schools to continue efforts to improve access to legal education and the legal profession for all qualified aspiring lawyers.
The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, an independent arm of the ABA and the sole accrediting authority for legal education in the United States, has proposed revisions to its Standard 206, which focuses on equitable access to legal education. In a comment letter submitted today, Raoul and other attorneys general commended the council for maintaining its commitment to diversity with this proposed update.
“The American Bar Association’s continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is crucial to dismantling barriers that have historically excluded many talented individuals from accessing legal educations or opportunities within the legal profession,” Raoul stated. “Ensuring access to the legal profession for all qualified, aspiring lawyers contributes to an equitable and fair justice system and ensures that law schools comply with state and federal civil rights mandates. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to commend the ABA’s efforts, especially at a time when institutions of higher education are subject to baseless attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and initiatives.”
In June, Raoul led a coalition in sending a letter pushing back against claims that the ABA’s commitment violates the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (SFFA). Since this June 2023 ruling, groups seeking to dismantle programs aimed at reducing racial inequities have attempted intimidation efforts and phony legal challenges.
In today's letter, attorneys general voice support for Standard 206 both in its current form and under proposed revisions because it requires law schools to take steps toward improving access within the legal profession. They note that significant disparities persist despite progress over past decades: only 5% of lawyers identified as Black in 2023 while Black individuals account for 13.6% of the U.S. population; similarly, only 6% identified as Latino compared with 19.1% identifying as Latino nationwide.
Raoul and his colleagues also encourage continued demographic data submission by accredited schools annually while monitoring abnormal shifts among historically disadvantaged groups. They argue data collection is critical for increased access to legal education.
Joining Raoul in submitting today's letter are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington.