Attorney General Pam Bondi has now reportedly urged the American Bar Association (ABA) to immediately eliminate its diversity and inclusion mandates for law schools.
In a recent letter to the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Bondi argued that these requirements are illegal and violate a Supreme Court ruling that overturned affirmative action.
Bondi criticized the ABA’s policies, particularly Standard 206, which compels accredited law schools to demonstrate a commitment to diversity in their student bodies and faculty.
She claimed these mandates lead to unlawful race and sex discrimination, asserting that the ABA has subjected law faculties and students to such discrimination under the guise of promoting diversity.
While Bondi welcomed the ABA’s recent suspension of enforcement of these policies until August 2025, she called for a complete repeal of the diversity requirements.
She emphasized that even without explicit mandates, any obligation for law schools to show a commitment to diversity is problematic and could lead to the implementation of race and sex-based preference programs.
Bondi expressed concern over the legality of state bars continuing to require graduates from ABA-accredited schools if the association persists in enforcing such standards.
She made it clear that the Department of Justice is prepared to take necessary actions to address what she views as abuses of power related to these mandates.
The ABA has previously faced scrutiny from conservative law firms regarding its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in internship opportunities.
The current administration has been vocal about eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, advocating for merit-based criteria instead.
Bondi’s stance reflects a broader push to reassess and potentially dismantle these diversity initiatives within legal education.
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