DOJ: Berkeley Law Title VI Admissions Investigation Finds Discrimination

• The Department of Justice and Department of Education announced findings that Berkeley Law discriminated against white and Asian applicants.
• Berkeley Law allegedly used "race, essay prompts, and other tactics" to favor Black candidates, violating Title VI and the 2023 *Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard* ruling.
• Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon described Berkeley Law's actions as "a complete disregard for the rule of law."
• For its October 2025 enrollment, Berkeley Law had 1,128 students, including 516 white, 293 Asian, and 51 Black students.
• This federal action highlights increased scrutiny on race-conscious admissions policies for all educational institutions post-*Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard*.

Compliance officers and legal counsel at educational institutions must critically assess their admissions policies, especially those involving race-conscious criteria, to avoid similar federal scrutiny.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Education (DOE) recently announced a significant finding regarding the University of California, Berkeley School of Law's admissions practices. Federal authorities concluded that Berkeley Law engaged in discriminatory practices against white and Asian applicants over several years. The investigation revealed that the institution allegedly utilized "race, essay prompts, and other tactics" to disproportionately favor Black candidates in its admissions process.

This alleged conduct is deemed a violation of both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the landmark 2023 Supreme Court decision in *Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard*. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon characterized Berkeley Law's actions as "a complete disregard for the rule of law," underscoring the federal government's serious view of the matter. The announcement highlights an active stance by federal agencies in enforcing anti-discrimination statutes within higher education admissions.

The federal government's intervention in the DOJ Berkeley Law Title VI admissions investigation stems directly from established legal precedents concerning race in university admissions. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This foundational statute has long guided policies for Title VI university admissions across the United States.

The landscape for race-conscious admissions was significantly reshaped by the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in *Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard*. This pivotal decision curtailed the ability of universities to consider race as a factor in admissions, emphasizing that such practices often lead to unconstitutional discrimination. The current allegations against Berkeley Law are being evaluated within this stringent post-*Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard impact* legal environment, signaling a heightened scrutiny of institutional admissions policies.

Despite the federal allegations of Berkeley Law admissions discrimination aimed at favoring Black applicants, the reported enrollment figures for the October 2025 class provide a specific demographic context. The total student body for that period at Berkeley Law comprised 1,128 individuals. Within this cohort, 516 students were identified as white, and 293 students were identified as Asian.

Notably, the number of Black students enrolled in the October 2025 class was 51. These figures are central to the ongoing discussion surrounding the alleged UC Berkeley race-conscious admissions practices and the extent of their impact. The data presents a factual snapshot of the student composition at the time the alleged discriminatory practices were in effect, offering a quantitative perspective on the outcomes of the admissions process under federal review.

The DOJ Berkeley Law Title VI admissions investigation carries substantial implications for higher education institutions nationwide. This action by the Department of Justice education discrimination enforcement arm underscores the imperative for all universities to meticulously review their admissions criteria and processes. The federal government's clear stance, particularly in the wake of the *Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard* decision, mandates that institutions ensure full compliance with Title VI.

Compliance officers and legal counsel at educational institutions must critically assess their admissions policies, especially those involving race-conscious criteria, to avoid similar federal scrutiny. The ongoing enforcement efforts signal a new era where any perceived deviation from non-discriminatory admissions standards will likely face swift and decisive action from federal agencies, making proactive legal review an essential component of institutional governance.

Compliance officers and legal counsel at educational institutions must review admissions policies for Title VI compliance, particularly regarding race-conscious criteria, given active federal enforcement post-Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

Source: Reporting based on federal investigation findings