Legal Education

Bar pass rates increased in 2025, new ABA data shows

Bar pass rates for first-time bar candidates increased to 84.1% in 2025 from 83.02% a year earlier, according to data released Wednesday from the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Mar 11, 2026 1:58 PM CDT

DOJ’s Ed Martin faces ethics probe by District of Columbia Bar

The District of Columbia Bar's disciplinary arm has filed ethics charges against Ed Martin, a senior U.S. Department of Justice official in the Trump administration, accusing him of sending a threatening letter to the Georgetown University Law Center.

Mar 11, 2026 10:38 AM CDT

Berkeley Law 1Ls offered class to help handle early recruiting efforts

As the recruiting time for summer jobs moves ever earlier, the University of California at Berkeley School of Law has launched new course aimed at preparing first-year students for the application process and mapping out their careers.

Mar 11, 2026 10:13 AM CDT

University of Tulsa picks Arizona State University law dean as next president

Stacy Leeds, the dean of the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, has been named the next president of the University of Tulsa, effective July 1.

Mar 10, 2026 9:34 AM CDT

Jeffrey Epstein paid Berkeley Law student’s tuition in exchange for ‘girls’

Jeffrey Epstein paid for a University of California Berkeley School of Law student’s degree in exchange for referrals for “girls” to serve as “assistants” for the convicted sex offender, the Daily Californian reports. According to a March 22, 2016, American Express credit card statement, the story says, Epstein paid a…

Mar 6, 2026 8:06 AM CST

Law schools beef up artificial intelligence skills training

Artificial intelligence is gaining prominence in law school curricula, with more courses offering AI skills that aim to prep aspiring attorneys for their future careers.

Mar 5, 2026 9:52 AM CST

Rise in judicial complaints related to more public criticism of judges, court watchers say

Judicial misconduct complaints against federal judges are on the rise, with about 23% more filed during the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30 than in the same period the previous year.

Mar 4, 2026 10:38 AM CST

New organization launches with focus on increasing awareness of legal master’s programs

A new organization focused on increasing awareness of legal master’s degrees will conduct surveys, interviews and focus groups, as well as examine program designs, graduate outcomes and employer engagement related to these programs to help law schools, students and employers who rely on them.

Mar 4, 2026 9:26 AM CST

3 generations of Vince Lombardi go to law school; 1 becomes a famous football coach

In an ABA Journal interview with Vince Lombardi’s son and grandson, they discussed their careers and connections to the Hall of Fame coach. The two are certain of one thing: If Lombardi had been a lawyer, his days would not have been spent parsing the tax code. “He would have commanded the courtroom,” Lombardi Jr. tells columnist Randy Maniloff.

Mar 4, 2026 9:04 AM CST

New Mexico, Connecticut consider new pathways to licensure

New Mexico and Connecticut are the latest states to consider alternative pathways to bar licensure, a move that would potentially expand access to legal services statewide.

Mar 3, 2026 12:39 PM CST

Scalia Law grads most likely to be picked as federal judges by Trump

The George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School is now the go-to school for federal judges in President Donald Trump’s second term, topping even Harvard Law School and Yale Law School, according to Bloomberg Law.

Mar 2, 2026 11:03 AM CST

11 law school deans oppose proposal to speed up approval process for accreditation changes

Deans at 11 law schools have argued the council for the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar should not approve a proposal that would speed up the process of revising or creating new accreditation standards.

Feb 26, 2026 2:26 PM CST

New directory of private lending options created as student loan regulations shift

As federal policy changes shift student loan limits, the AccessLex Institute has launched a directory of private education loan options to help law students navigate lenders and their loan stipulations.

Feb 26, 2026 11:14 AM CST

Snowed out of the NY bar exam? You’ll be withdrawn

Updated: After a major snowstorm crashed into the East Coast, the New York State Board of Law Examiners bumped the test back for one day only for those candidates scheduled to take the test at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan, according to its website.

Feb 23, 2026 1:58 PM CST

Legal Ed council moves forward proposals to end diversity standard, allow alternative bar pathways

The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has voted to move forward and seek public comment on two hot-button topics—one proposal to repeal its diversity, equity and inclusion mandate and another to permit alternative pathways to licensure.

Feb 23, 2026 9:52 AM CST