Do you have interest in studying in Pennsylvania but worried because you don’t know which of the law schools situated in the state with being the best for you?
Worry no more, because we get your back. We will be talking about the best law schools in Pennsylvania in this article to assist you in making the right school of choice decision.
Overview
Lawyers act as advocates for clients by representing them in trials and arguing in courts to represent their clients.
They also counsel individuals about their legal rights. As the legal system impacts nearly every aspect of society, becoming a lawyer promises good job security and the potential to affect many people positively.
To become a lawyer, students must complete four years of undergraduate study and three years of law school.
A rigorous curriculum will prepare graduates to pass the bar exam and become practicing attorneys.
This is accomplished through an education that develops legal knowledge along with communication, research, and critical thinking skills. See Transferring Law Schools.
Many law schools also have clinical or externship programs where students gain hands-on legal experience under the supervision of an experienced attorney.
There are nine (9) well known law schools in the state, and with these schools, it is significant that Pennsylvania is a great place to practice law and attend school.
Litigation, finance, and corporate law are the well known fields the schools, although there are many other options that future students can go for.
Pennsylvania is home to over 50,000 active lawyers, with an 8.5% growth over the past decade.
Here are the Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law
- Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
- Penn State Law
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Duquesne University School of Law
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School
1. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
As an Ivy League school, the University of Pennsylvania has the resources and recognition for preparing students for a successful career in law.
It has consistently been ranked among the T14 law schools since the US News began publishing rankings.
As a top school, the University of Pennsylvania is one of the top feeders to top 100 law firms. 95.3% of the class of 2020 obtained full-time jobs after graduation, with a median salary of $180,000.
Law students are responsible for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, the oldest law review in the country founded in 1852.
As a forum for high-quality legal research, the organization evaluates around 2,000 submissions annually and narrows it down to 18 articles for each volume.
University of Pennsylvania’s multidisciplinary focus is behind its success. The school believes that the next generation of lawyers will be trained in law and related fields that complement and enhance their legal expertise.
Nearly 50% of the law school courses are interdisciplinary, and the school offers over 20 joint and dual degree programs to meet this goal.
2. Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law
Temple University’s broad legal education allows students to succeed in any field. This can be seen in their program’s rankings in US News, placing #1 in Trial Advocacy and #7 in Legal Writing nationwide.
The university trains both law students and practitioners alike in the art of trial advocacy. Graduates from Temple are courtroom-ready as they have received a cutting-edge education.
Law students at Temple are well-prepared for their future careers as lawyers. First-time test-takers in 2020 passed the bar at a rate of 83.6% compared to the average of 78%.
Temple has also found great success in moot court competitions. The team has recently earned the right to represent the country at the International Criminal Moot Court Competition held at the Hague for the fourth consecutive year.
The team is led by faculty with appellate advocacy expertise and practicing attorneys as coaches. Law students are invited to join the team based on their success in appellate advocacy briefs and oral arguments.
3. Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Villanova is renowned for preparing students with academic, professional, and practical skills. The university’s “Where Law Meets Business” philosophy is seen through the six in-house clinics and over 275 externships tailored to specific career interests.
Students can also gain hands-on experience through the Lawyering Together program, which brings together law students, attorneys, and pro bono organizations in an innovative partnership.
Villanova prides itself in recruiting law students committed to public service and teaches them the skills required to help the disadvantaged.
Those who hope to devote their career to public service are matched with practicing attorneys to provide free legal aid to those in need.
Thanks to the practical experience that Villanova provides, the school has a wide range of accomplished alumni, including federal and state judges, professors, entrepreneurs, and many of the top lawyers nationwide.
This network, from senators to general counsels, is committed to helping all Villanova Law students succeed. See UCLA Law School Acceptance Rate.
4. Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law
As a result of Dickinson Law’s rigorous curriculum and opportunities for involvement, graduates find success across the board. 95% of law graduates in the class of 2019 were employed in positions requiring bar passage or a JD degree nine months after graduation.
One popular extracurricular activity is the Dickinson Law Review, one of the oldest continuously published law school journals nationwide.
Law students are responsible for publishing articles and commentary on relevant legal topics.
The collection of articles, essays, reviews, and commentary are often cited from courts to treatises. The organization also hosts symposia and scholarly dialogues with highly-regarded legal authors.
Outside of publications, Dickinson law students have their choice of a wide variety of organizations to get involved with the campus community.
The groups help law students develop personally and professionally. The Student Bar Association forms new groups and holds events that align with student interests.
5. Penn State Law
Pennsylvania State University graduates enter the workforce as part of a network of over 700,000 alumni worldwide who work in all areas.
Law students gain critical knowledge of the law along with communication, legal practice skills, and confidence to achieve their professional goals.
Law students at Pennsylvania State University have many integrated learning opportunities, such as the business startup accelerator program. See Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate.
The Entrepreneur Assistance and Intellectual Property clinics allow students to learn the basic legal skills required to attract and interview potential clinics.
Law students have the opportunity to represent entrepreneurs, startups, and non-profits in a similar setting to a small law firm.
In the IP clinic, participants prepare Patent & Trademark Office documents under the supervision of practicing attorneys.
The Externships Everywhere program at Penn State allows law students to spend a semester working in a legal office anywhere in the world.
They can earn credits and gain valuable experience with judges, government agencies, non-profits, businesses, or law firms that best fit their professional goals.
Conclusion
That was all on The Best Law Schools in Pennsylvania. Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section.
Last Updated on May 7, 2023 by Admin
