University of Florida
Just The News: “Florida has become the latest state to end the American Bar Association’s role as the exclusive accrediting body for law schools.
Under the change, announced this week, Florida will allow graduates of law schools accredited by other recognized entities to sit for the state bar exam, rather than limiting eligibility to ABA-accredited institutions.
In an order issued by the Supreme Court of Florida, the court explained that it convened a work group in March 2025 to study the issue. The work group submitted its final report in October, and the court voted to adopt the recommended rule changes at its December conference.”
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Reuters: “The Texas Supreme Court has finalized a plan to end its reliance on the American Bar Association for law school accreditation and instead establish its own list of law schools whose graduates may practice in the state.
The decision makes Texas the first state to break with the ABA’s law school oversight, amid mounting pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration over the organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts and criticism from those who believe its requirements increase student costs.
The supreme courts of Florida, Ohio and Tennessee have launched similar reviews of their own ABA requirements in recent months.
The Texas high court’s order did not clarify its reasons for replacing ABA accreditation, which has been its standard since 1983, but said it aims to provide “stability, certainty and flexibility” to currently approved law schools by satisfying a “set of simple, objective, and ideologically neutral criteria.” A court spokesperson declined to comment.”
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Professor Katharine “Kate” Silbaugh lectures on family law
Photo by Cydney Scott for Boston University Photography
Boston University Adds AI Certificate In Law School
The Daily Free Press: “Boston University’s School of Law is set to launch an artificial intelligence certificate program in fall 2026 as a part of their initiative to train law students in the ethical use of AI.
LAW launched the initiative last summer and is now developing courses for students to get the certification, LAW Vice Dean Steven Marks said.
Timothy Duncan, director of the AI program, said the initiative and certification addresses the growing use of AI and prepares students to work in law firms that use platforms including Westlaw and Lexis+ AI.
“Lawyers are going to have to be able to use AI very proficiently,” Duncan said in an interview. “They’re going to have to be able to use AI to do the work that they do much more quickly and efficiently.”
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