CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2025 — The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is currently in the process of reviewing and amending Standard 206 to ensure that it complies with federal law, while still achieving the goal of ensuring access to legal education for all persons. During its February meeting, the Council reviewed the latest draft and considered potential changes to ensure compliance with the recent Executive Orders and the Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025. The Council intends to submit this draft with revisions to the ABA House of Delegates in August, as previously planned, after which it anticipates the new standard will be in full force and effect.
In the meantime, the Council decided to suspend the existing version of Standard 206 until August 31, 2025, when the adoption of the revised standard is anticipated.
These decisions by the Council help to ensure that the revision of Standard 206 continues moving forward, while allowing the Council to integrate legal developments and forthcoming guidance from the Department of Education. The Council’s commitment to ensuring access to legal education to all people, including those who have been historically excluded from the legal profession, has not changed. However, the Council intends to ensure that the schools can comply with this standard consistent with applicable law.
The Council is recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED) as the accrediting agency for programs that lead to the J.D. degree. In this function, the Council and the Section are separate and independent from the ABA, as required by ED regulations.
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