Concord Law School and COBE/ABA review

I read on the website for the American Bar Association they are reviewing the restrictions on distance education (Standard 306). The final review is set for publication in fall of 2010. This rule currently eliminates the possibility of ABA accreditation for on-line schools such as Concord Law.

There have been several comments from the ABA about the changing nature of the legal education, particularly with regard to the Internet. Several of these comments have indicated a slight softening against a total bar to on-line learning.

Recent graduates have also successfully petitioned (in Georgia) or sued (in Massachusetts) to gain entrance to the Bar in states outside California. In Georgia, the standard of proof requires the applicant to show their school met the level of instruction comparable to an ABA school. In the Mass case, the justices stated Concord's course of study was sound/sufficient.

Given all of this, should one believe ABA accreditation is forthcoming for schools like Concord? Even if the ABA rules out distance learning, is it possible Concord will gain state-level accreditation from the Committee of Bar Examiners for the State of California (COBE)? If Concord gains accreditation from the COBE, their students will be exempt from the dreaded FLYSE (First Year Law Students Exam).

I am curious to hear from current/former Concord students and those familiar with the on-going battle to gain accreditation. Any insider rumors or leaks from the ABA or COBE out there?

TL007

 

Any links to the info?

 

Related links

Here are links to a stories containing all of the references:

http://abovethelaw.com/2009/07/distance_learning_schools_and_accreditation.php

http://www.socialaw.com/slip.htm?cid=18620&sid=120

Here is a letter of correspondence from a Concord Law grad who received a Georgia Bar waiver. This is in response to the first article requesting stories from successful graduates:

From: Bryan Tyson
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 5:28 PM
To: Stretch, Charlotte (Becky)
Subject: RE: Comments on ABA Review of Distance Learning Legal Education



I read on the Above the Law blog about the ABA’s efforts to review Standard 306 relating to distance legal education. The blog mentioned that an ABA spokesperson had requested individuals send their stories and comments to you regarding distance learning education.

I fall into the category of an attendee of California-authorized distance learning program who received my J.D., passed the California bar examination, and then was able to successfully obtain a waiver of the Georgia legal education requirements to sit for the Georgia Bar Examination. I also testified before the Georgia Supreme Court’s Committee on Legal Education in the Fall of 2007. I am now admitted to practice in both California and Georgia and work full-time for a firm in Atlanta.

Distance learning legal education fills a gap for those of us who are unable to attend a traditional ABA-accredited program. During my legal education, my job hours were so unpredictable that I was unable to attend specific class times. As a result, the use of taped lectures and asynchronous legal education allowed me to obtain my legal education without the rigorous schedule of traditional class attendance. In addition, my family was from a middle-class background and had no history in the legal field. The price differential between distance learning legal education and a traditional ABA-accredited education made the field of law accessible to me.

I hope this information is helpful to the ABA and I would be happy to provide any additional information that would assist in the analysis of distance learning legal education.


Bryan P. Tyson
Strickland Brockington Lewis LLP