American Bar Association repeals law school diversity requirements

The American Bar Association’s Accreditation Council has voted to repeal Standard 206, a diversity requirement for law schools. In a 10-6 vote, the council eliminated the mandate that required schools to demonstrate concrete actions toward diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, and staff to maintain accreditation.

The decision follows significant pressure from the Trump administration. In April 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to evaluate the council’s status as the federal government’s official law school accreditor, citing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements. Additionally, the Department of Education had recommended stripping the council of its recognition, alleging noncompliance with federal criteria.

The repeal comes after years of debate and follows the 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Organizations such as the Equal Protection Project had also pushed for the removal of these standards, arguing for racial neutrality in legal education. The council noted that the move could impact its oversight of nearly 200 juris doctorate programs.