Are you interested in studying law at Michigan, but you don’t know the law school that is right for you?
This article contains the best law schools that are in the state. We encourage you to read the article to the end because it will guide you to knowing the exact law school that will be the best for you.
Overview
Michigan is the tenth most populous state in the United States and home to one of the most populous and most significant economies in the nation, Detroit. See the best law school in the world.
When people think of law school, Michigan probably is not the first state to come to mind. Our minds tend to go to Ivies such as Harvard and Yale.
But although Michigan’s top law schools are not ranked as highly as, say, Stanford or Columbia, they are still well respected regionally and nationally and offer a top-notch education in law, particularly for prospective attorneys who want to practice in the Peach State.
After all, lawyers need to pass a separate bar exam in the state (or states) where they intend to practice, so going to law school in Georgia provides extensive opportunities to not only prepare for the bar but also network with law firms and other legal enterprises in the area.
What makes a law school “good”? What does a publication like US News and World Report look for when assigning national rankings to law schools?
Some of the key metrics to consider when assessing the strength of a law school are ABA accreditation, percentage of students who pass the bar the first time, school resources, job placement success, and quality of student-faculty interactions. All of these elements are part of US News’ ranking process.
There are at least five (5) accredited law schools in Michigan, and two of the schools on this list are in this city, providing students access to countless opportunities for externships, clinical placements, and jobs.
Here Are The Best Law Schools In Michigan
1. University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is a formidable rival to Harvard and Stanford Law. With its picturesque quads and gothic-style architecture, the school is an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for serious study and training.
Beyond aesthetics, its curriculum, faculty, and programs are stellar, and its acceptance rate hovers around 27%, making it the most competitive law school on this list.
The school offers a rigorous and diverse curriculum, encompassing many areas in law, from Antitrust to Public Interest Law, Japanese Law, Legal Theory and Philosophy, to Writing and Drafting.
World-class scholars and practitioners teach courses in these areas. Julian Mortenson, for instance, is an award-winning teacher, a prolific scholar, and an active litigator. See best law schools in North Carolina.
He has published in numerous top law journals and reviews and has worked on the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia and clerked for Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter.
2. Wayne State University School of Law
Of the schools on this list so far, Wayne State University School of Law has garnered the greatest number of accolades.
Within the last three years alone, it has made it on the list of “Best Value Schools,” “Best Law Schools” and “Part-Time Law Schools” according to the 2022 US News & World Report rankings, and second best law school in Michigan.
The school has the winning combination of being the most affordable law school in Michigan and one of the best law schools in the country. However, there is more to this school than its impressive rankings.
Wayne State University School of Law has become a powerhouse of practical legal training and advocacy.
It is home to the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, Levin Center, and Program for International Legal Studies. See Best Law Schools in Louisiana.
The Keith Center prepares graduates to become “agents of change” by addressing the social, political, and economic needs of underrepresented communities in Southeast Michigan.
The Levin Center also empowers students to take leading roles in ensuring the transparency, accountability, and integrity of public and private institutions by providing neutral and fact-based oversight. The Levin Center has launched a podcast series on legislative oversight.
Students have opportunities to study abroad and learn about the legal systems of other nations through the International Legal Studies program.
This is just a small sample of the plethora of experiential and professional opportunities available to students, as they become versed in theory and excel at practice, with a passion for serving the community.
More than 85% of its graduates landed full-time positions within a year of graduating, with an overall employment rate of almost 90%.
3. Michigan State University College of Law
Founded in 1891, the Michigan State University College of Law, formerly known as the Detroit College of Law, is the second oldest law school in the state.
As with many well-established law schools, the school has earned its rank within the top 100 law schools in the country, according to the latest US News & World Report.
Even at first glance, it should be no surprise that getting into the school of law can be quite competitive; less than half of the applicants are admitted each year.
Notable faculty of the Detroit College of Law include Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the Larry Nassar case and is already mentioned as a famous alum of another school on this list.
In addition to notable faculty, the school boasts accomplished alumni, including the current governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice, Dennis Archer.
Besides notable faculty and alumni, Michigan State University College of Law’s prestige has enabled its graduates to work and make a difference in all 50 states.
Many work in the legal profession, landing prominent positions such as National Appeals Attorney for the Vietnam Veterans of America and as attorneys at established and reputable law firms throughout the country.
Detroit College of Law students train with expert faculty who are luminaries in business and regulatory law.
In addition to receiving guidance from stellar faculty, students hone their lawyering skills and gain valuable experience, including the unique and impactful Indian Law Clinic, which prepares those who wish to work in Indian Country.
Last but not least, students can practice their skills and bond with like-minded students through exceptional teamwork by participating in the award-winning Moot Court.
4. University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is located at the heart of the legal district in downtown Detroit.
Without a doubt, being at the center of the legal district provides Mercy School of Law students strategic access to myriad opportunities for experiential learning, such as internships and externships.
For this reason and many others, this school is a top choice among aspiring legal practitioners across the country.
Want proof of Detroit Mercy Law’s greatness? For starters, over 80% of graduates from recent years obtained full-time employment in a J.D.-required position within a year of graduation.
This puts Detroit Mercy Law above the national average for post-graduation employment prospects alone.
Recent graduates are not landing just any kind of job; many have secured positions at top national law firms, and government offices, such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, top judicial clerkships in the state, and more.
No law school is worth mentioning unless it can boast top-notch clinical programs. As early as year one, students get hands-on lawyering experience through mini-clinics such as the Greening of Detroit Clinic and the Wayne County Tax Foreclosure Hearing.
Students are trained and supervised by community attorneys. Upper-level students are guaranteed hands-on training through a wide variety of clinics.
The school has a bit of history to boast about here. It opened one of the first law clinics in the entire country, the Urban Law Clinic.
For some prospective students, the culture and values of a school matter as much as its employment statistics.
Conclusion
This is the end of the article. Were you able to read to this point? If you were, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us via the comment box, you can also drop your questions there, and they will be attended by us via the same medium.
Last Updated on May 7, 2023 by Admin
