CSU Law Faculty Co-Author Study Examining Alternative Pathways to the Legal Profession

A new study co-authored by Cleveland State University College of Law Assistant Professor Lorenzo Luisetto, Visiting Scholar Guilia Guisy Cusenza, and several others examines the effectiveness of alternative pathways into the legal profession; an increasingly relevant topic as states explore options beyond traditional legal education models. 

 

The research examines historical data across multiple decades to evaluate outcomes for individuals who enter the profession through non-traditional routes, such as attending non-ABA-accredited law schools or completing supervised legal study in lieu of a formal degree from an ABA-approved institution. 

 

While alternative pathways have existed in nearly all states at some point, the study indicates that individuals pursuing these routes experience significantly lower bar passage rates compared to graduates of ABA-accredited law schools. The data also suggests that attorneys with alternative legal training experience have more limited career outcomes and may raise concerns about public protection, prompting questions about the effectiveness and oversight of these pathways. 

 

The findings come at a time of active discussion on attorney licensing, including the Ohio Supreme Court's evaluation of law school accreditation models.