Elon Law seeks ABA approval for Charlotte J.D. campus

Elon University announced on Jan. 13, 2026 that Elon Law has applied to the American Bar Association to launch an additional full-time J.D. program in Charlotte, with classes planned to start in fall 2027 pending ABA approval. The proposed program would supplement Elon Law’s existing offerings by adding a second full-time option outside Greensboro and joining the part-time Elon Law Flex program already operating in Charlotte.

The Charlotte program is designed as a full-time, 2.5-year juris doctor curriculum that mirrors Elon Law’s experiential model. University leaders framed the expansion as a response to Charlotte’s rapid growth and a regional need for more lawyers trained through hands-on clinical work, simulations and practical placements. Elon Law plans to enroll an initial class of roughly 75 students and to operate from Queens University of Charlotte facilities, contingent on the institutions’ planned merger or by leasing space if needed.

Applications are expected to open in August 2026, subject to ABA approval. That timeline means prospective applicants and local legal employers will watch the ABA review closely over the coming months, since an approved approval process will determine whether Elon can meet its fall 2027 start target.

For Alamance County residents the proposal matters on several fronts. The new Charlotte campus could expand capacity for in-state students seeking shorter, practice-focused pathways to the bar through a 2.5-year curriculum. It may also deepen ties between local law students and Charlotte’s legal market, potentially increasing internship and placement opportunities in the Queen City while offering an alternative to traveling to Greensboro or other law schools.

Institutionally, the move signals Elon’s continued strategy of regional expansion and program diversification. Operating from Queens University facilities highlights shifting partnerships in higher education as institutions explore mergers and shared campus arrangements. For local law firms, public agencies and legal service providers, a steady stream of graduates trained in experiential settings could affect hiring patterns and the availability of legal aid clinics serving low-income clients.

The proposal also raises questions communities should track: how quickly graduates will enter the local workforce, how the additional cohort will influence tuition and financial aid dynamics, and whether the ABA review will impose conditions that shape the program’s scope.

Our two cents? If you or a family member are thinking about law school, keep an eye on the ABA decision and the August 2026 application opening. This could be a faster, more practical route into law practice for regional students, and it will reshape where Charlotte-area legal talent can train and work.