Synopsis
The Florida Supreme Court has ended its exclusive reliance on the American Bar Association (ABA) to determine which law school graduates may sit for Florida’s bar exam. Beginning October 1, Florida will recognize additional accrediting bodies while continuing to accept graduates of ABA-accredited law schools.
The court stated that relying on a single accreditor no longer serves Florida’s long-term interests. The change is intended to broaden access to the legal profession without altering existing bar exam standards or invalidating current credentials.
Why This Matters to Investors and Business Owners
1. Easier Access to Legal Services
As more law graduates become eligible to practice in Florida, the pool of licensed attorneys is likely to expand over time.
Investor impact: Fewer bottlenecks when securing legal help for commercial real estate closings, zoning reviews, lease negotiations, and business formation.
2. Potentially Lower Legal Costs
An increase in attorney supply typically leads to greater competition, especially for routine transactional work.
Investor impact: More competitive pricing for entity setup, contract drafting, due diligence, and ongoing compliance—improving deal margins and startup efficiency.
3. Stronger Support in Growth Markets
Many commercial opportunities are in fast-growing or secondary markets that historically have fewer local attorneys.
Investor impact: Better access to local counsel familiar with county-level regulations, permitting, and development requirements—reducing reliance on higher-cost metro firms.
4. Smoother Business Formation & Scaling
Investors starting or expanding businesses need ongoing legal support beyond the initial transaction.
Investor impact: More choice when selecting long-term legal partners, improving responsiveness as operations grow or additional properties are added.
Bottom Line for Investors
This change does not alter property laws, zoning rules, or licensing requirements. Instead, it improves the availability and competitiveness of legal services, a critical but often overlooked factor in commercial real estate and business investment decisions.
For investors, the shift signals a business environment focused on flexibility, efficiency, and long-term growth—conditions that can reduce friction, control costs, and support stronger returns when buying commercial property or launching a business in Florida.
Primary Source:
Florida Supreme Court ends three-decade reliance on ABA, handing win to DeSantis — Florida Phoenix, January 15, 2026 — reporting on the Florida Supreme Court decision to end exclusive reliance on the American Bar Association for law-school accreditation and to allow alternative accreditors effective October 1, 2026. [link]
Additional References:
Reuters coverage of the Florida Supreme Court decision confirming that Florida joins Texas in changing its reliance on the ABA and plans to allow other accrediting agencies while maintaining ABA-accredited graduates’ eligibility for the bar exam. [link]
Florida Bar News reporting that the rule change creates a framework for the Florida Supreme Court to recognize additional accrediting agencies and retain eligibility for graduates of ABA-accredited law schools. [link]