Law students may be required to gain more practical experience before graduation if a proposal from the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions is approved. The Standards Committee released a memo on May 2 recommending an increase in experiential learning credit hours from 6 to 12, affecting Standards 303, 304, and 311. The council voted to send the proposal out for notice and comment during its quarterly meeting in Chicago. This change, if approved, is aimed at enhancing the practical skills and professional readiness of law students, thereby better preparing them for the legal profession.

“Three of the twelve credit hours must come from clinics or field placements with real clients, allowing students to learn about the attorney-client relationship,” said Carla L. Pratt, chair of the Standards Committee.

The existing six-credit requirement, established in 2014, did not significantly affect bar exam pass rates, according to the memo.  A recent survey indicated that over half of law schools could meet nine experiential learning credit hours without expanding offerings, while almost 20% believed they could meet additional requirements.

The anticipated NextGen UBE Bar Exam, which evaluates practical lawyering skills, could address some of these concerns.  “Our recommendations align to prepare new lawyers for the profession,” Pratt added, reassuring that the changes are not just for the sake of change, but to better equip future lawyers for the demands of the legal profession.

If approved, the changes would require compliance three years after review by the House, with implementation expected by 2030. The section's council, recognized by the Department of Education as the sole accrediting body for U.S. law schools, ensures that most states require bar applicants to graduate from an ABA-accredited institution. This careful planning and consideration should instill confidence in the audience about the thoroughness of the process.