Education Law

St. Thomas College of Law found out of ABA accreditation compliance

The St. Thomas University College of Law has fallen out of compliance with a core accreditation standard titled “Nondiscrimination and Equality of Opportunity,” according to a memo from the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Sep 23, 2025 12:44 PM CDT

Harvard judge blasts Justice Gorsuch’s ‘unhelpful’ criticism

The U.S. judge in Boston who blocked the Trump administration from cutting off billions in federal research funding from Harvard University had a message for Justice Neil Gorsuch: Back off.

Sep 4, 2025 10:29 AM CDT

Texas Showdown: Legal battle looming over Ten Commandments in schools

With a new state law set to kick in Monday requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom in Texas, many school districts this week are scrambling to figure out what to do. Some are holding off following a federal judge’s recent ruling against the mandate. Others are racing to fundraise for donated posters of the commandments.

Aug 27, 2025 8:43 AM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council defines accreditation goals and values

Facing threats from the Trump administration and proposed alternative accreditors, the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar adopted a set of core principles that sharpen the definition of its mission.

Aug 25, 2025 3:31 PM CDT

ABA Legal Ed council holds off on experiential learning recommendations

After pushback from many law school deans, the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar decided that it would take more time to reconsider tweaks to its proposed mandate to increase the number of hands-on learning credits from six to 12 at its quarterly meeting Friday in Chicago.

Aug 22, 2025 4:09 PM CDT

After striking deal with Trump, this BigLaw firm worked with liberal groups to secure pro bono wins in 2 cases

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is one of nine law firms that reached deals with President Donald Trump to provide pro bono hours to causes they support. But that didn’t stop the firm from working with the American Civil Liberties Union and other liberal organizations to secure recent wins in two cases.

Aug 21, 2025 3:27 PM CDT

First Amendment likely protects student drag show at West Texas A&M, 5th Circuit says

A federal appeals court has ruled for an LGBTQ+ student group and two of its leaders who contended that their First Amendment rights were violated when officials at West Texas A&M University canceled a charity drag performance show on campus.

Aug 21, 2025 11:04 AM CDT

‘Early decision conspiracy’ among top colleges is an antitrust violation, suit alleges

A prospective class action lawsuit accuses 32 top colleges and universities of violating antitrust laws by an "early decision conspiracy” that essentially forces applicants to be bound to a school that makes an early offer through a competitor agreement not to compete.

Aug 20, 2025 2:52 PM CDT

Meet May Mailman, the lawyer leading Trump administration’s pursuit of universities

A 37-year old lawyer known for her “ruthless efficiency and engaging personality” is leading the Trump administration’s effort to “root out perceived liberal bias from colleges and deter the use of race in admissions,” according to a profile in the New York Times.

Aug 20, 2025 9:38 AM CDT

Fewer will qualify for student loan forgiveness under proposed new guidelines; will sanctuary jurisdictions be disqualified?

Proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program published Monday would revoke eligibility for borrowers working for nonprofit and government organizations deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose,” a term with a broad definition.

Aug 19, 2025 12:05 PM CDT

Law schools scramble to react to shifts in financial aid rules

“This could shut down many law schools,” says University of Washington School of Law Dean Tamara Lawson. “We’re under 200 law schools now. Maybe we become 100 law schools.”

Aug 14, 2025 3:13 PM CDT

‘No further explanation is warranted’ for TRO opinion with made-up allegations, parties, federal judge says

A federal judge who issued an opinion referring to nonexistent allegations, parties and declarations has refused to provide an explanation other than to attribute the problems to “clerical errors.”

Aug 5, 2025 9:32 AM CDT

As book ban litigation increases, arguments often involve discrimination versus parental rights

At least 130 state bills regarding the removal of books from public schools and libraries were introduced in the latest legislative session, according to the American Library Association. Anti-censorship groups and publishers are challenging various states’ bills in court.

Aug 1, 2025 12:30 AM CDT

After second federal judge withdraws error-riddled ruling, litigants seek explanation

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has asked a federal judge to explain “significant substantive errors” in a withdrawn opinion and to put the ruling back on the docket.

Jul 30, 2025 11:28 AM CDT

Federal law gives Congress power over funding, yet White House has a different view, some say

After bipartisan pressure, the Trump administration on Friday said it would release to the states billions of dollars in federal funds for education programs that it had previously frozen pending “review.”

Jul 28, 2025 1:32 PM CDT