Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day.
We are grateful for the Arizona Supreme Court’s willingness to consider an innovative approach to legal education and for the opportunity to demonstrate that a new pathway to licensure can maintain the highest standards of academic excellence, professional preparation and ethical responsibility. We recognize the significance of being the first institution to operate under these standards and the responsibility that comes with it.
— James L. Williams, dean of Grand Canyon University’s College of Law, in comments given after the Arizona Supreme Court unanimously approved the school as the state’s first non-ABA-accredited law school. The approval gives graduates a path to seek admission to the Arizona bar, provided they meet the state’s other licensing requirements. Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer said Arizona faces “a significant shortage of attorneys” and expressed optimism that GCU could help meet the need. GCU President Brian Mueller said the university welcomes the court’s oversight and the chance to show that “innovation in higher education and rigorous professional standards can go hand in hand.” GCU plans to pursue ABA accreditation once eligible; under current rules, its graduates may have limited options to practice outside Arizona.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
