Law schools across the country are quietly shifting away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rhetoric in response to increased legal scrutiny and changing federal policy. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision banning race-based admissions and new enforcement actions by the Trump administration, institutions are scaling back or eliminating DEI-specific programs and messaging.
According to a report by Legal Insurrection, law schools and the Law School Admission Council have removed DEI language from their websites and rebranded scholarships that previously used race-based criteria. Some have gone further, deleting entire DEI webpages or modifying program descriptions to focus on “access” and “outreach” rather than identity-based goals.
The American Bar Association has also responded by pausing enforcement of its DEI accreditation standards through August 2026. This move signals growing caution in legal education amid potential civil rights liability and investigations. At the University of Wisconsin Law School, Dean Dan Tokaji confirmed the school no longer uses race in admissions, citing the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling. Tokaji noted a significant drop in applications from specific racial groups following the decision.
The Biden-era push for DEI is now facing reversal under President Trump’s administration. Federal agencies are pursuing investigations into race-conscious hiring and admissions policies at major institutions. Meanwhile, conservative advocacy groups have filed civil rights complaints, including one targeting Cornell University for alleged discrimination through DEI programs.
Law school deans are now attempting to preserve institutional goals under new legal constraints. While explicit references to race have been scrubbed, many schools continue to promote community engagement and broadened access through less controversial means. However, critics argue that these adjusted policies are still ideologically driven and could reintroduce racial preferences under different terminology.
