ABA Considers Accrediting Exclusively Online Law Schools

Online law schools could win ABA blessing in major policy shift (Karen Sloan, Reuters, November 20, 2023)

 

I am waiting for Harvard University's Extension School (HES) offers online LLB (J.D).

 

HES closed the Legal Studies program in the Master of Liberal Arts within the past several years (but largely the same courses can still be taken toward an ALM, Government).

 

This has always been the barrier to online law. B&M law schools have used the ABA as a shield to keep distance law competition out. If anything good came of Covid-19, it was that it forced traditional law schools to have to look at distance learning as a viable alternative. They just couldn't afford to keep losing tuition monies, so they had to appeal to those prospective law students that wouldn't or couldn't attend in person. They've always lost those that couldn't afford the high tuition or the opportunity cost of older students wanting to study law but having family obligations that couldn't support the steep tuition.

We'll see if there is significant change. I hope to be surprised. But I can't help but be cynical. It's amazing that they've opened Pandora's box enough to let it get to this point.

One thing that one of my contemporaries is currently working on, with the California bar, is the ability to offer the bar exam fully online. Now that may pass muster, if done correctly. But again, with the ABA, we must wait and see.

 

ABA will do anything to try to keep its monopoly on accrediting law schools. In reality, it is an outdated political lobbying organization that does nothing for lawyers. ABA has missed the boat on multijurisdictional and virtual practice except to try to tell lawyers not do it. If there is a way to mess up online law schools, the ABA will find it. It is the year 2023, a lawyer can practice from anywhere within their area of licensure and competence. The ABA still deals in outdated bricks and mortor law libraries no one uses and ignores the reality that Zoom and similar products are rendering physical law offices and tribunals obsolete for many commerical, administrative and civil matters. My last three court appearences were all virtual in three different jurisidictions, that is the direction of the future of law. Clients increasingly expect a Zoom conference with their lawyer.

 

jonlevy, I really have to agree with you. ABA measures inputs and not outputs except for the school's Bar exam pass rate. I don't think professional legal training needs to be undertaken by universities at all.

 

JD is a totally unnecessary degree that is for sure, the net result of a functioning lawyer is better accomplished in a LLB program with a one year apprenticeship contract.