The Supreme Court of Ohio has announced new actions regarding the evaluation and improvement of law school accreditation within the state. Following the recommendation of the Law School Accreditation Advisory Committee, the Court is publishing proposed amendments to the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio for public comment that will create opportunities for graduates of non-ABA-accredited law schools to sit for the Ohio Bar.

The Court has also directed Administrative Director Robert W. Horner, III, to take formal steps to establish an accreditation process administered directly by the State of Ohio. In addition, the Court has instructed the Administrative Director to work with Ohio’s law schools to submit a variance request to the American Bar Association. This request is intended to relieve the schools of outdated processes and associated costs, while also supporting new initiatives to enhance practice readiness.

These developments mark the next phase in the Court’s ongoing effort to review and improve legal education standards and practice preparedness in the state.

“We thank the Law School Accreditation Advisory Committee for their hard work in recommending a new pathway for the admission of attorneys in Ohio,” said Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy. “We remain committed to supporting our law schools and ensuring their perspectives are reflected in this process. This effort took coordination across all levels of government, incorporating essential input from state law schools, state legislators, and federal legislators. It was imperative that all stakeholders had a place in this process.”

The advisory committee was established to review accreditation standards and identify opportunities to align legal education with the evolving landscape of the practice of law. The committee includes representatives from the Ohio State Bar Association, deans of Ohio law schools, as well as Ohio and federal legislative members.

“The committee has delivered remarkably comprehensive work in a short period of time,” said Administrative Director and Committee Chair, Robert W. Horner, III. “Their detailed evaluation and innovative recommendations have provided the Court with a clear framework to modernize our oversight of legal education and better serve the needs of the profession and our citizens.”

The public comment period for the proposed rule amendments will last until July 10, 2026. Comments on the proposed amendments should be submitted in writing to: Zach Holscher, Supreme Court of Ohio, 65 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or RuleAmendments@sc.ohio.gov, not later than July 10, 2026.