ABA Moves to Repeal DEI Rule for Law Schools

The American Bar Association (ABA) has voted to begin the process of rescinding its longstanding requirement for law schools to meet diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards.

This decision means law schools in the U.S. will no longer need to adhere to what the ABA termed a “diversity commitment,” which impacted areas like admissions, hiring, and student programming. This policy shift appears aligned with the broader agenda of the Trump administration, which has been focusing on DEI practices across both federal institutions and educational settings.

The rule had been suspended since February 2025, part of the early initiatives from President Trump’s administration targeting DEI. David Brennen, a council member and former dean at the University of Kentucky School of Law, expressed his thoughts on this topic, saying, “I think it’s appropriate for the accrediting body to eliminate that standard so that we don’t inhibit the diversity of ideas in different types of legal education settings.”

It’s important to note that this change isn’t finalized yet. The Board of Regents, which oversees law school accreditation, has initiated the repeal, but the ABA’s House of Delegates will need to review this measure in early August. Any final adjustments could come into effect by next year.

This reconsideration by the ABA arose from pressures exerted by the Trump administration. In April 2025, an executive order was signed by President Trump that required the Secretary of Education to examine potential changes to existing DEI policies, labeling them as “unlawful” requirements.