The Texas Supreme Court’s move to cut the American Bar Association from law school accreditation has triggered a seismic shift in legal education, sparking fierce debate about who gets to decide the standards for the next generation of lawyers.
Story Snapshot
- Texas could become the first state to remove the ABA’s authority over law school accreditation
- The decision may redefine how legal training and professional standards are set nationwide
- Critics question whether removing the ABA will lower educational standards or boost local control
- This shift could influence other states’ approaches to legal education oversight
Texas Challenges the ABA’s Gatekeeper Role
The Texas Supreme Court’s plan to end the American Bar Association’s (ABA) oversight of law school accreditation could mark a turning point in the power struggle over legal education. The ABA has long held sway as the national gatekeeper, setting the benchmarks for law schools and, by extension, the legal profession. For decades, aspiring attorneys have relied on ABA-accredited schools to ensure their degrees are recognized and their careers viable. Texas’s challenge puts this entire system under the microscope and asks whether local control should trump national standards.
Texas’s move comes at a moment when the ABA faces criticism for its approach to diversity, curriculum, and cost. Some see the association as out of touch, arguing that its rigid standards inflate tuition and limit innovation in legal education. Others warn that removing the ABA risks a race to the bottom, with schools cutting corners to attract students and reduce expenses. The Supreme Court’s decision is not just administrative—it’s a referendum on who gets to decide what makes a competent lawyer.
The Texas Supreme Court said it’s their “tentative opinion” that the American Bar Association should no longer decide which Texas law schools can send graduates to sit for the state bar exam. https://t.co/wOPngi61Ax
— Bloomberg Law (@BLaw) September 29, 2025
Local Control Versus National Standards
Proponents of Texas’s plan argue that state oversight will allow for more responsive, tailored legal education. They believe local control can better address the unique needs of Texas’s legal market, focusing on areas like oil and gas law, border issues, and state legislation. Critics counter that a fragmented accreditation system could harm students, making it harder for graduates to practice outside Texas and undermining the portability of law degrees. The ABA’s standards, they say, ensure a baseline level of competence and ethical training that benefits clients and courts alike.
The debate echoes broader tensions in professional education: Who sets the standards, and whose interests do those standards serve? Some Texas lawmakers and educators see the ABA as an entrenched bureaucracy, more interested in maintaining its own power than in fostering innovation or serving local communities. Others insist that national oversight protects students from predatory schools and guarantees the integrity of the profession.
Potential Ripple Effects Beyond Texas
If Texas successfully removes the ABA from its accreditation process, other states may follow suit. This could lead to a patchwork of regulatory regimes, with each state setting its own rules for law schools. Supporters say this could spark healthy competition and encourage experimentation in teaching methods and curricula. Detractors warn of chaos, with students facing confusion about which degrees are recognized and employers questioning the value of non-ABA credentials.
The move also raises questions about federal student loans and bar exam eligibility. The Department of Education currently relies on ABA accreditation to approve law schools for federal aid, and many states require graduation from an ABA-accredited school to sit for the bar. Texas’s decision could force changes in these policies, reshaping the landscape for legal education nationwide. The outcome will be closely watched by law schools, students, and regulators across the country, as the implications stretch far beyond the Lone Star State.
Sources:
Reuters: Texas plans to end ABA’s role in state’s law school oversight
