Just tell your friend not to waste his/her money going to the lowest ABA accredited school. Don't go to law school if you can't handle the LSAT, sure.
More importantly, don't go to any school that isn't going to guarantee you some sort a job as a consequence of attendance.
It should be T-14 or bust. Certainly Tier 1 or bust if that's a bit extreme for you and your friend. Don't hate me for being blunt, this my candid opinion.
This is a terrible post. I'm not commenting on the ABA part, just the "Tier 1 or bust". I understand it's just your opinion, but I find that to be complete BS. Why would you decide to not go to law school because you can't get into what a news agency terms "Tier 1"? I just completed a courthouse internship where I met at least 50 attorneys, probably closer to 75 or 100. I live in a major west coast market. I cant tell you how many people I met from Tier 3/4 that were very busy, successful attorneys. AND, a number of the judges and D.A.s in the building were from "bust" law schools as well.
I was constantly surprised at where people went to school. After being on this board for so long I had taken on the INCORRECT opinion that unless you went to a certain school, your employment prospects are forever doomed.
If you have the ability to be a good lawyer, you will find work. I don't care what school you went to, as long as you are a member of the bar, and you want to practice. Your post is terribly misguided.
Law school curriculums are very similar, and I think a school's name will only get you so far. I know people from T14's that hate their professors and their schools. Your abilities end up fueling your career, not your school's name.