American Bar Association votes to reduce law school diversity requirements

The American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation council has voted to reduce or remove several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements for the 198 law schools it accredits. The changes include repealing a requirement for schools to teach students about bias, racism, and cross-cultural competency, as well as removing mentions of race, color, and ethnicity from nondiscrimination rules.

The council also voted to repeal a requirement for schools to demonstrate a commitment to diversity in recruitment and admissions. While the council has voted on these measures, the final repeal of the admissions requirement must be approved by the ABA’s main policymaking body, with a vote scheduled for September 8.

The decision follows pressure from the Trump administration and an executive order regarding higher education accreditation reform. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Education has recommended stripping the ABA council of its federal recognition. The ABA noted that the previous diversity requirements could jeopardize its role as an accreditor for nearly 200 juris doctorate programs.