American Bar Association Suspends DEI Accreditation Standards for Law Schools

The association said continuing to enforce diversity, equity, and inclusion standards could expose law schools to potential legal violations.

Two models from the American Bar Association have the potential to disproportionately affect conservative attorneys, according to law professor Margaret Tarkington. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The American Bar Association (ABA) is suspending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards for accredited law schools in response to mounting pressure from the Trump administration to dismantle such initiatives.

On Feb. 21, the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar—the sole accrediting body for most American law schools—voted to suspend enforcement of its “Diversity and Inclusion” standard through August as it considers permanent policy changes.