Is Charlotte destined to repeat its legal education nightmare, or is this a fresh start? The city’s troubled history with law schools is hard to ignore, but Elon University is betting big on a new beginning. Let’s rewind: Back in 2017, the Charlotte School of Law—a for-profit institution run by InfiLaw—collapsed spectacularly. The fallout was ugly: probation, abysmal bar passage rates, federal financial aid chaos, and even a food bank set up to support struggling students. It was a disaster that left many wondering if Charlotte was simply cursed when it came to legal education. But here’s where it gets interesting: Elon University is now stepping in, announcing plans to open a full-time law school on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte by fall 2027, starting with 75 students. This move expands Elon’s existing part-time program in the city, but it’s not without skepticism.
And this is the part most people miss: When Elon first hinted at this expansion in 2023, red flags were raised. While Elon’s academic credentials outshine the ill-fated InfiLaw system, its own history wasn’t spotless. Just a few years earlier, Elon’s main campus had reported a jaw-dropping 0.00 percent first-time bar passage rate in North Carolina—though it improved to around 46 percent when including other jurisdictions. This left many questioning whether Charlotte was simply trading one troubled school for another. But fast forward to today, and Elon has made strides. Its employment figures have climbed steadily, with nearly 87 percent of graduates securing long-term, full-time jobs. The underemployment rate—often a legal education blind spot—is a mere 2.9 percent. Bar passage rates have also rebounded, consistently exceeding the 75 percent threshold required for accreditation. With Elon’s merger with Queens University of Charlotte on the horizon, the timing for a full-time law school feels more plausible.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Charlotte truly ready for another law school? The city, America’s ninth-largest, is the largest U.S. metropolis without one. Its metro population is projected to grow 21 percent by 2034, and there’s a documented shortage of lawyers. Elon’s approach is innovative: a 2.5-year curriculum designed to get students into the workforce faster and, presumably, at a lower cost. But will it work? Bar passage rates could slip, the legal market could shift, and—let’s be honest—the specter of Charlotte’s past failures still looms. What if the curse strikes again? Imagine the new campus elevators opening to a scene straight out of The Shining.
Yet, for now, optimism reigns. University President Connie Ledoux Book framed the move as a “natural next step” for Elon Law, citing Charlotte’s booming growth and the need for legal professionals. But is this a calculated risk or a leap of faith? What do you think? Is Elon’s new law school a bold innovation or a recipe for déjà vu? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’re all ears. And while you’re at it, let’s not forget the bigger question: Can legal education ever truly break free from its troubled past, or are some cities just not meant for law schools?
