Chances are if you're planning to study law, you don't know which law schools offer the best legal education, research opportunities, and mentorship programs. Don't worry. We have compiled a list of the top 5 law schools in Georgia.
Emory University Law School
Emory is a highly rated school of law in Georgia. It's been instrumental in nurturing some of the top legal minds in the state and the country. Since Emory's founding, it's offered legal education to more than 12,000, many of whom are accomplished practitioners of law within and outside the state. The college sits at position 26 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Students who enroll in this school enjoy an all-inclusive academic environment, where they learn from experienced, knowledgeable legal scholars. What sets this institution apart is they offer students a range of degree programs designed to turn their passion for law into successful lawyers and legal professionals. Some of their programs include Juris Doctor, Juris Master, LL.M, MCL, various joint degrees, and doctor of juridical science (SJD).
At this school, students get the opportunity to interact and learn from legal scholars with extensive experience in policy and research. They also have the chance to participate in professional seminars, conferences, and symposia, moderated by top legal practitioners. Emory also has legal clinics that advocate for the needs and rights of clients, equipping students with the foundational skills, ethics, and values necessary to practice law.
University of Georgia Law School
Established in 1859, the Law School at the University of Georgia is the second-oldest school or college in the institution. The law faculty boasts of a qualified and experienced team of scholars, many of whom have received UGA's highest award for excellence. Some have worked as law clerks at federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. They've also worked for corporate lawyers, trial lawyers, and editors of various law reviews.
According to U.S. News & World Report, this law school ranks No. 27 countrywide. Students can select from three degree programs and eight dual-degree programs, including J.D. and MBS. Nearly 95 percent of Georgia law students who sit bar exams pass within 12 months of graduation. The school has a vibrant and talented student body, with outstanding GPAs and LSAT scores. Test-takers score in the top 10 percent nationwide.
UGA boasts of 17 experiential offerings, including two semesters in practice. In the 2019 academic year, 90 of its students participated in summer fellowships. The school provides mentorship programs to students, connecting them with career advisers and legal experts to guide them. The school is close to Atlanta and provides its students with access to local, national, and global law firms as well as Fortune 500 companies with attractive job prospects.
Georgia State University Law School
GSU law school is an attractive choice for students looking for affordable tuition and good prospects of employment when they graduate. The National Jurist and PreLaw magazines have recognized this law school as one of the top 10 law schools where graduates receive salaries that are higher than their loan debt. Sitting at No. 67 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, GSU law school is also one of the top-ranked schools in terms of diversity.
It offers students many excellent academic opportunities. Available degree programs include Juris Doctor (J.D.) Master of Laws (LL.M), and Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.). Seven joint degree programs are also on offer in this school of law. The bar passage rate for graduates is pretty high.
The school has 73 full-time faculty members who prepare the next generation of lawyers to impact the world positively. Some of the faculty members lead 18 national research centers and clinics.
Students get exposure and the chance to work with experienced tutors with real-world experience. They are also assigned personal librarians upon enrollment. But the icing on the cake is the plenty of independent research opportunities and the freedom to choose what majors to take.
Studying law is hard, but GSU law school makes every effort to ensure its students gain sufficient skills and tools to help them in honing their skills in the legal field. What sets them apart is they offer practical learning opportunities and engage students through mentorship and personalized career services.
Since it's Atlanta – Georgia's capital – students get government-sponsored externships and work placement. The school also offers various clinics, such as a veterans' advocacy clinic, tax clinics, and medico-clinic partnerships for children from low-income families. Full-time and part-time J.D. programs are available for non-resident students who have varying schedules.
Mercer University Law School
Ranked 138th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, Mercer School of Law is a leading institution that provides high-quality legal education to students in Georgia and the neighboring states. It was established in 1893 and is one of the pioneer law schools in the country. The school has a rich heritage and a reputation for offering thorough legal education and training.
The law school's faculty boasts of 32 full-time professors and 33 adjunct professors. An open-door policy enables students to find professors and establish meaningful relationships. The majority of the faculty members lead active professional lives within their fields, writing and publishing papers and giving talks and presentations at various levels.
Because it's a private institution, class sizes are somewhat small. Students and members are like a family and have plenty of opportunities to interact. The curriculum aims to impart students with theoretical knowledge and strong ethics. For its commitment to excellence and consistency in nurturing legal professionals, Mercer Law School was honored with the Gambrell Professionalism Award by the American Bar Association.
John Marshall Law School
Founded in 1933, John Marshall Law School, along with its Savannah Law School branch, offers students the opportunity to enroll for degree programs that will help them launch their careers in the legal field. U.S. News & World Report puts it between Nos. 146 and 192 in their law school ranking.
It caters to both traditional and non-traditional students who want to make positive contributions in their professional careers and society at large, including the under-served segments of Georgia's population.
Each year, this law school admits roughly 450 students in various law programs. The school offers students the option to control their pace of learning. Their degree programs are in a diverse environment and are designed to prepare and impart students with the skills and ethics they need to succeed. Education takes place in a supportive environment.