Subject: Adoption and Implementation of New Standards and Rules for Approval of Law Schools
From: ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar <[email-masked]>
To: John D Podesta <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:19:43 -0500

American Bar Association

Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar

MEMORANDUM

DATE:        September 24, 2014

TO:              Deans of ABA-Approved Law Schools

University Presidents

Chief Justices of State Supreme Courts

Bar Admissions Authorities

Deans of Unapproved Law Schools

Leaders of Other Organizations Interested in ABA Standards

Student Bar Association Presidents

FROM:        Barry A. Currier, Managing Director of Accreditation and Legal Education

SUBJECT:  Adoption and Implementation of New Standards and Rules for Approval of Law Schools

The Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar (Council) concluded its comprehensive review of the ABA Standards and Rules for Approval of Law Schools by adopting new and restated Standards and Rules at its meetings in March and June 2014.

As required by the governance rules of the American Bar Association, those Standards and Rules were considered by the ABA House of Delegates at its meeting on August 11, 2014. With one exception, the Council’s actions were concurred in by that body.

The revised Standards and Rules concurred in are legally effective as of the end of the ABA Annual Meeting on August 12, 2014. However, cognizant that law schools will need time to do the work that some of the changed Standards will require, the Council and the Managing Director’s Office have established a transition and implementation plan. The revised Rules do not require a delay for implementation and are effective immediately.

For more information, including clean and redlined drafts, an overview and explanation of the changes, and the transition and implementation plan mentioned above, visit: www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/committees/standards_review.html.