National Center for State Courts - Recommendations from the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform

Program: Directed Grants Program
Grantee: National Center for State Courts
Grant Amount: $300,000

Summary of Grant Outcomes

This grant supported the work of the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR), created by the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators, in examining the current legal education, licensing, and practice landscape, and recommending reforms. To develop their recommendations, the Committee formed three working groups focused on Practice Readiness, Bar Admissions, and Public Service. The Committee also surveyed hundreds of lawyers, judges, and law students, held a dozen listening sessions across the country, and conducted interviews with diverse stakeholders in the legal profession. CLEAR’s final report made nine primary recommendations: Lead collaborative efforts to realign legal education, bar admissions, and new lawyers’ readiness to practice with public needs.

1. Implement state-level strategies to improve practice readiness.
2. Encourage law school accreditation that serves the public.
3. Reduce reliance on external law school rankings.
4. Encourage experiential learning that involves client responsibility.
5. Reform bar admissions processes to better meet public needs.
6. Support public service attorneys.
7. Encourage rural practice.
8. Continue the work of CLEAR.

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