The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expressed support for the Ohio Supreme Court’s proposal to reduce the American Bar Association’s (ABA) exclusive authority over law school accreditation within the state. This initiative aims to lower legal education costs and increase access to legal services by introducing competition into the accreditation process.
In a letter to the Ohio Supreme Court, the directors of the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning and Bureau of Competition highlighted the competitive risks associated with granting a single trade association the power to set policies that limit entry into the legal profession. They noted that restricting the supply of lawyers might increase compensation for ABA members but imposes significant burdens on Ohioans seeking legal representation. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-endorses-ohio-supreme-court-proposal-weaken-abas-law-school-accreditation-monopoly?utm_source=openai))
The FTC’s endorsement aligns with similar actions in other states. In December 2025, the FTC supported the Texas Supreme Court’s proposed amendment to eliminate the ABA’s authority over educational requirements for bar admission. The FTC argued that the current rule raised serious competitive risks by giving the ABA the ability to restrict entry into the profession. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-endorses-texas-supreme-courts-proposed-rule-change-eliminating-abas-monopoly-control-over-bar?utm_source=openai))
In March 2026, the FTC endorsed the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate the ABA’s status as the sole accrediting agency for law schools. The FTC’s letter concurred with the court’s conclusion that the prior rule was not in Floridians’ best interest. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-endorses-florida-supreme-court-action-eliminating-abas-bar-admission-monopoly?utm_source=openai))
Similarly, in May 2026, the FTC urged the Tennessee Supreme Court to reduce its reliance on the ABA for law school accreditation. The letter recommended reforms to the current process, emphasizing the competitive harms of granting professional associations the authority to restrict competition. ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/05/ftc-urges-tennessee-supreme-court-oppose-abas-law-school-accreditation-monopoly?utm_source=openai))
These developments reflect a broader trend of states reconsidering the ABA’s role in law school accreditation. The FTC’s involvement underscores the importance of competition in the legal education sector to promote affordability and accessibility of legal services.