DOJ Accuses UCLA Law of Illegal Race-Based Admissions

The United States Department of Justice alleged on October 2, 2026, that the UCLA School of Law illegally discriminated against white and Asian applicants during its 2023, 2024, and 2025 admissions cycles. Following a review of seven years of data, federal investigators found that Black applicants had roughly seven times the odds of admission compared to equivalent white applicants, with admitted Black students often possessing lower LSAT scores than rejected white and Asian candidates.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated the school operated a two-tiered admissions system that violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. The DOJ is currently seeking a voluntary settlement to bring the institution into compliance or will otherwise file a lawsuit.

The UCLA School of Law denied the allegations, asserting that its admissions process is merit-based and complies with all applicable laws, including the U.S. Constitution and California's Proposition 209. The investigation highlighted comments from Assistant Dean of Admissions Robert Schwartz, who allegedly wrote that Supreme Court rulings on the matter would not change practices at the school.