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Diversity

Conservative group sues ABA over Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund program

By Debra Cassens Weiss

April 17, 2025, 12:36 pm CDT

A group led by a conservative activist has filed a lawsuit alleging that an ABA scholarship program engages in “blatant discrimination” in violation of federal law.

The April 12 suit filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a nonprofit organization, says the scholarships are contractual in nature, and their restrictions on eligibility violate Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination in contracting.

The ABA is represented by Jenner & Block, one of the law firms targeted in a punitive executive order by President Donald Trump, Bloomberg Law reports. Jenner & Block has filed a suit challenging the order against it.

The suit by conservative activist Edward Blum’s group targets the ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, which awards $15,000 scholarships to select incoming law students. Applicants must be members of underrepresented racial or ethnic minorities, such as Black/African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian/Pacific Islanders, according to the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

“Even if the scholarship did not flatly exclude whites on its face,” the suit says, “the scholarship discriminates against whites in application and by design.”

The suit seeks a declaration that the scholarships violate Section 1981, an injunction barring the ABA from considering race or ethnicity in the program, an order to reopen the application process using neutral criteria, and nominal damages.

Another organization that Blum created, Students for Fair Admissions, won a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2023 that struck down race-conscious admissions programs in higher education.

The American Alliance for Equal Rights is represented by Lawfair and Consovoy McCarthy.

The goal of the new suit, Blum said in a statement, “is not to eliminate ABA’s scholarships but to ensure they are based on legitimate criteria, such as financial need or merit, rather than race.”

The ABA does not comment on active litigation, according to Jim Walsh, the chief communications officer and associate executive director of the ABA.

Publications covering the suit include Law.com, Law360, Reuters and Bloomberg Law.

See also:

Activist who succeeded in ending affirmative action targets law firms’ diversity efforts

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ABA Techshow is celebrating 40 years of showcasing the newest and hottest in legal technology with its biggest blowout ever, a record-breaking show in its first year at the McCormick Place Convention Center on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

The sprawling exhibit hall drew swarms of attendees visiting vendors of all shapes and sizes. This year’s attendees once again were able to pick up some cool swag, which we’re highlighting here with this photo gallery.

For a look at some of the previous years’ offerings, check out the photo galleries from 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Also, be sure to check out our full coverage of the ABA Techshow 2025.

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3. After Texas chief justice criticizes ABA,…

Law Schools

After Texas chief justice criticizes ABA, state supreme court reconsiders ABA accreditation for law schools

By Debra Cassens Weiss

April 8, 2025, 3:54 pm CDT

The Texas Supreme Court is inviting comments on a requirement that law grads seeking bar admission in the state must have graduated from a law school accredited by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

In an April 4 order, the Texas Supreme Court requested feedback on whether to “reduce or end” reliance on the ABA as an accrediting agency and “alternatives the court should consider.”

The state supreme court is inviting comments from the Texas Board of Law Examiners, Texas law school deans, the bar and the public, the order said.

Law360 covered the story.

The Texas Supreme Court did not comment on the reason for its order. But Chief Justice James D. Blacklock criticized the ABA in his February State of the Judiciary address for “aggressively taking sides in the fight going on in Washington about the scope of the president’s executive power.”

ABA President Bill Bay has criticized the Trump administration’s “wholesale dismantling of departments and entities created by Congress,” as well as “efforts to dismiss employees with little regard for the law and protections they merit.”

The Texas Supreme Court’s order follows a similar move last month by Florida’s top court. It has created a subgroup to reconsider the requirement that law grads taking the Florida bar exam must have graduated from an ABA-accredited law school.

The Florida Supreme Court took action because of “reasonable questions” about an accreditation standard on diversity and “the ABA’s active political engagement,” according to a press release. The Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has suspended enforcement of its diversity standard as it works on revisions.

The Association of American Law Schools is making the case for national accreditation of law schools in an April 8 open letter that has also been submitted to working groups considering the accreditation issue in Texas and Florida.

Thirty-three law schools, most of them in California, don’t have ABA accreditation. Most have “extremely low bar exam pass rates, poor job outcomes and high attrition rates,” the letter said.

The letter said national accreditation is critical for ensuring “a minimum baseline of quality in legal education and practice.” Most states don’t have the resources to sufficiently evaluate law schools, and “piecemeal, fragmented or overlapping regulation would increase costs on law schools, their students and the profession,” the letter said.

Creating different barriers to a law license that vary by state would also hamper lawyer mobility and add to lawyer deserts, the letter said.

The letter also clarified that the ABA does not accredit law schools. Instead, that job is handled by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, “a national accrediting entity that is separate and independent from the bar association.”

Jennifer L. Rosato Perea, the managing director accreditation and legal education for the ABA, issued a statement to the ABA Journal.

The council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar “understands the [Texas] Supreme Court’s need to thoughtfully consider the council’s continued role in accreditation and hear from a variety of perspectives to ensure that this accreditation continues to serve its admission requirements,” the statement said.

“The council’s primary purpose in accreditation has been and continues to be contributing meaningfully to the production of effective and ethical lawyers, as well as serving the interests of the public in Texas and all other states throughout the United States.”

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3. ABA Day 2025: Your voice, your advocacy,…

Report from Governmental Affairs

April 9, 2025, 6:00 am CDT

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For decades, ABA Day has brought together legal professionals from across the country to advocate for critical issues affecting the legal profession and access to justice. In 2025, we are expanding this tradition to ensure that every lawyer—whether in Washington, online, or at home—can play an active role in shaping the future of the law.

This year, ABA Day 2025 will include three components:

ABA Day in Washington (April 8–10): The traditional cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, where ABA members meet face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss key legislative issues.

ABA Day Online (April 9): A live-streamed, interactive event featuring policy discussions, training sessions, and real-time advocacy opportunities, allowing participants from across the country to engage with Congress digitally.

ABA Day at Home (April 11–27): An in-district advocacy effort empowering ABA members to meet with their elected officials in their home districts, ensuring that our voices are heard at the local level.

As technology continues to shape the legal profession, it’s also transforming how we advocate. While the tradition of in-person meetings on Capitol Hill remains essential and continues to be the most effective way to move the needle on issues in Congress, we recognize that not every lawyer can travel to Washington, D.C. That’s why we are making ABA Day Online and ABA Day at Home a central part of our 2025 efforts. Click here to register today.

ABA Day Online: Advocacy at your fingertips

For those unable to attend in person, ABA Day Online provides a powerful opportunity to participate. This two-hour live broadcast on April 9 will feature:

• Messages from key members of Congress leading legislative efforts on our advocacy issues.

• Keynote speakers and panels on major legislative issues impacting the legal profession.

• Live training sessions to help advocates learn how to effectively engage with their representatives.

• Real-time advocacy opportunities using ABA’s digital tools to contact Congress instantly.

• Breakout sessions hosted by ABA Sections, Divisions, and Forums, providing targeted advocacy discussions on critical legal topics.

With the ability to watch from anywhere, participants can take immediate action while engaging with fellow advocates nationwide.

ABA Day At Home: Bringing advocacy to your community

Following ABA Day in Washington, we’re taking advocacy directly to lawmakers’ home districts. From April 11–27, ABA members are encouraged to meet with their representatives and senators in their local offices. These meetings will mirror those held in Washington but will focus on building long-term relationships with congressional staff and officials.

To assist with in-district meetings, ABA will provide:

• One-pagers and talking points on key advocacy issues.

• Guidance on scheduling and conducting meetings with congressional offices.

• Opportunities to invite lawmakers to visit legal aid organizations and pro bono clinics.

Why your participation matters

The legal profession plays a unique role in protecting democracy and ensuring equal access to justice. Through ABA Day 2025, we have an opportunity to unite as one voice—whether in-person, online, or at home—to advocate for policies that strengthen the profession and benefit the public.

This year’s key issues include:

• Access to legal services and disaster aid funding for LSC

• Judicial security and the JUDGES Act

• Tax fairness for law firms and professional service businesses

• Defending Public Service Loan Forgiveness

By participating in ABA Day 2025, you are making an impact, regardless of where you are.

How can you get involved?

• Register for ABA Day to participate and learn more.

• Plan an in-district meeting with your lawmakers between April 11–27.

• Spread the word—encourage your colleagues to get involved and share ABA Day resources on social media.

Join us and make your voice heard. Advocacy is stronger when we stand together.

To learn more and register, visit ambar.org/ABADay today.

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This column is written by the ABA Governmental Affairs Office and discusses advocacy efforts by the ABA relating to issues being addressed by Congress and the executive branch of the U.S. government.

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3. ABA, more than 50 bar associations condemn…

Bar Associations

ABA, more than 50 bar associations condemn ‘government actions that seek to twist the scales of justice’

By Debra Cassens Weiss

March 26, 2025, 9:43 am CDT

More than 50 state, local and specialty bar associations have joined with the ABA to “defend the rule of law and reject efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession.”

A March 26 statement released by the groups does not mention President Donald Trump, but it follows his punitive attacks on disfavored law firms and calls to impeach judges he perceives as antagonistic.

“We support the right of people to advance their interests in courts of law when they have been wronged,” the statement said. “We reject the notion that the U.S. government can punish lawyers and law firms who represent certain clients or punish judges who rule certain ways. We cannot accept government actions that seek to twist the scales of justice in this manner.

“We reject efforts to undermine the courts and the profession. We will not stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not.”

The statement calls upon “the entire profession, including lawyers in private practice from Main Street to Wall Street, as well as those in corporations and who serve in elected positions, to speak out against intimidation.”

The statement is signed by these bar associations:

  • The American Bar Association

  • The Alameda County (California) Bar Association

  • The Alexandria (Virginia) Bar Association

  • The Allegheny County Bar Association (Pennsylvania)

  • The Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers

  • The Bar Association of Erie County (New York)

  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

  • The Berks County (Pennsylvania) Bar Association

  • The Boston Bar Association

  • The Boulder County (Colorado) Bar Association

  • The Chicago Bar Association

  • The Chicago Council of Lawyers

  • The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

  • The Columbus (Ohio) Bar Association

  • The Connecticut Bar Association

  • The Contra Costa (California) County Bar Association

  • The Detroit Bar Association and Foundation

  • The Erie County (Pennsylvania) Bar Association

  • The First Judicial District Bar Association (Colorado)

  • The Hennepin County (Minnesota) Bar Association

  • The Hispanic National Bar Association

  • The Hudson County (New Jersey) Bar Association

  • The Illinois State Bar Association

  • The Kansas Bar Association

  • The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

  • The Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation

  • The Lawyers Club of San Diego

  • The Long Beach (California) Bar Association

  • The Louisville Bar Association

  • The Maine State Bar Association

  • The Middlesex County (New Jersey) Bar Association

  • The Milwaukee Bar Association

  • The Minnesota State Bar Association

  • The Monroe County (New York) Bar Association

  • The eNassau County (New York) Bar Association

  • The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

  • The National Association of Women Lawyers

  • The National Conference of Bar Presidents

  • The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

  • The National Native American Bar Association

  • The New Jersey Women Lawyers Association

  • The New Mexico Black Lawyers Association

  • The New York City Bar Association

  • The New York County Lawyers Association

  • The North County (California) Bar Association

  • The board of governors of the Oregon State Bar

  • The Passaic County (New Jersey) Bar Association

  • The Philadelphia Bar Association

  • The Queens County (New York) Bar Association

  • The Ramsey County (Minnesota) Bar Association

  • The San Diego County Bar Association

  • The San Fernando Valley (California) Bar Association

  • The Santa Clara County Bar Association (California)

  • The South Asian Bar Association of North America

  • The State Bar of New Mexico

  • The Virgin Islands Bar Association

  • The board of governors of the Washington State Bar Association

  • Worcester County (Massachusetts) Bar Association

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3. Trump order blocks public service loan forgiveness…

Education Law

Trump order blocks public service loan forgiveness for employees of ‘activist organizations’

By Debra Cassens Weiss

March 10, 2025, 11:18 am CDT

Employees of “activist organizations” that support activities with a “substantial illegal purpose” should no longer be eligible for a student loan forgiveness program for borrowers in public service jobs, according to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.

The order and a White House fact sheet say illegal purposes include:

  • Aiding and abetting violations of immigration laws

  • Supporting gender-affirming care for minors (deemed to be “child abuse” in the order) or the transporting of minors “to so-called transgender sanctuary states”

  • Engaging in a pattern of aiding and abetting illegal discrimination

  • Supporting terrorism, including engaging in violence to influence the federal government

  • Engaging in a pattern of “public disruptions” that violate state tort laws, such as trespassing

According to the fact sheet, the executive order refocuses the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program “on its original intent of encouraging Americans to enter essential public service roles, such as nursing, rather than activist groups.”

The order directs the secretary of the U.S. Department of Education to carry out the directive, report the New York Times, NPR, USA Today, the Hill and the Washington Post.

The New York Times pointed out that the Trump administration has previously described diversity and inclusion initiatives as illegal discrimination and has described anti-Israel protests as terrorism.

“The Trump administration has taken a broad view of what it considers to be support of illegal activities,” the newspaper reports.

The ABA’s full time-employees are currently allowed to participate in the program, which offers loan forgiveness for those who make monthly payments on direct federal student loans for 10 years while working full time in qualified public service jobs.

The ABA was deemed to be a qualified public service organization, which entitled its employees to participate in the program, as a result of a 2020 settlement in a lawsuit by the ABA and four lawyers. The ABA had sued after the Education Department decided in 2016 that its employees were no longer eligible to participate in the program that began in 2007.

Before former President Joe Biden took office, the PSLF program had forgiven debt to just 7,000 borrowers, according to the White House fact sheet. While Biden was in office, the program “ballooned” to wipe out student debt for more than 1 million borrowers, the fact sheet says.

The Washington Post noted that the loan forgiveness order may not take effect immediately.

“Education Secretary Linda McMahon may need to convene a panel of experts for a negotiated rulemaking to change the criteria for qualifying employers and then invite the public to comment on any proposed revision,” the article says.

Or maybe not. Although such changes typically are enacted through a rulemaking process, the New York Times says, “the Trump administration has frequently acted in defiance of apparent legal limits—which is likely to set off waves of anxiety for those relying on the complex program.”

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It’s that time of year again. This year’s ABA Techshow 2025 will be a historic one for a couple of reasons.

For one thing, it marks the 40th annual iteration of the show. For another, it promises to be the biggest of all time—emanating for the first time from the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

In this episode of the Legal Rebels Podcast, Techshow co-chair Stephen Embry talks to the ABA Journal’s Victor Li about what to expect from this year’s show.

Embry is the editor-in-chief of TechLaw Crossroads, a blog devoted to legal technology and innovation, and a regular panelist on “Legaltech Week,” a weekly round table discussion featuring the leading legal tech journalists from around the world.