Federal Judge Dismisses Antitrust Lawsuit Over Veterinary School Accreditation

September 19, 2026

A Federal judge has dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed on June 18, 2025 by Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), on behalf of its two veterinary colleges, against the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “Claims by Lincoln Memorial University that it was harmed by decisions of the AVMA Council on Education were held to be not ripe for adjudication” according to the AVMA.

LMU had claimed in its complaint that the AVMA, through the AVMA COE, had engaged in “anticompetitive accreditation practices” that restricted the number of accredited veterinary colleges, and thus, the number of veterinarians in the U.S.

In addition, LMU sought an order that would have required separation of the veterinary accrediting body (the AVMA Council on Education) from the trade association (the AVMA) in which it operates.

RELATED:

  • Lincoln Memorial Sues AVMA Over Accreditation (6.18.25)
    https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&catId=611&Id=12718954

    • The school says “the AVMA decided to suddenly take issue with the research programs” at LMU “at the same time that the AVMA began making public comments about the threat to the veterinary services market presented by the anticipated increase in the number of veterinary schools” according to the VIN News Service.