For those who did not closely follow the California State Bar debate on the requirement of 15 credits of competency training for bar admission (the work of the Task Force on Admissions Regulation Reform, or “TFARR”), I summarize the current status. (Although I am currently co-prez of the Clinical Legal Education Association, known as CLEA, this post is not written with that hat on.) This is my own thinking, albeit, informed by the excellent work of the CLEA Advocacy committee.
The TFARR process was two-staged, over a three year period, with opportunities for public comment throughout. CLEA participated in that process and submitted five separate comments on the proposals that are available at http://www.cleaweb.org/advocacy under “Briefs and Other Advocacy” (documents 4-8).
In the end, TFARR recommended 15 credits of competency training which can be achieved in a variety of ways (in addition to how experiential credits can be earned under the new ABA regulations), and which include six credits of summer work. You can read the TFARR Phase II Final Report at: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/AboutUs/PublicComment/Archives/2014PublicComment/201411.aspx
The process was complete in November, 2014, with final TFARR recommendations to the State Bar Board of Trustees (that responded to public comments) and unanimous adoption by the Board: http://board.calbar.ca.gov/Agenda.aspx?id=10891&tid=0&show=100008800&s=true#10013881 (agenda item 113). The TFARR Phase II FInal Report represents a compromise based on extensive input.
Lately, some confusion has arisen because of a letter posted to the AALS website authored by a non-standing committee of Deans. The confusion arises because:
- Neither AALS nor this special Dean’s committee ever participated in the two stage TFARR process and so appear to be sort of “johnny come latelys, ” and
- The letter mistakenly focuses on an earlier draft of the final proposal failing to recognize the compromises already reached in the final proposal.
I understand that there are efforts underway to correct the confusion which makes me happy since the Deans’ letter is signed by two people whom I have long admired in a variety of contexts.
Other blogs are already exploring the 15 credit proposal and its interesting and creative approach. For example, “Kudos to California” What do our readers think?
Filed under: Best Practices, Best Practices & Curriculum, Best Practices & Externships, Best Practices & Setting Goals, Best Practices and Clinics, Best Practices for Institutional Effectiveness, Catalysts For Change | Tagged: #reformlegaled, Best Practices and Curriculum; Catalysts for Change, California Bar, CLEA, law school, law school deans, legaled | 9 Comments »
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