Top Legal Writing Programs

Legal writing is a fundamental skill for any law student, and the institutions that excel in teaching this discipline set the stage for their students’ success in the legal profession. According to the 2012 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, several law schools in the United States have been recognized for their outstanding legal writing programs, including Mercer University, Seattle University, and Stetson University. These institutions not only offer top-tier legal writing training but also provide students with a comprehensive legal education that prepares them for success in practice, litigation, and academia.

Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, founded in 1873, is one of the oldest law schools in the nation, and it has earned a distinguished place in the legal community, particularly for its legal writing program. As the first law school in Georgia to be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), Mercer has long been at the forefront of legal education. The school’s Legal Writing Program has consistently been ranked number one in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, a testament to its excellence and the high regard in which it is held within the academic and professional communities. The program’s success is attributed to a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes practical, hands-on training. Students at Mercer are taught how to craft clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents, a skill that is essential for practicing attorneys in all areas of law. Legal writing is often described as the backbone of the legal profession, and Mercer’s approach to teaching it ensures that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce and succeed in high-stakes legal environments.

In addition to its legal writing curriculum, Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law has earned recognition from The Princeton Review, which ranked the law school in its Best 172 Law Schools edition for 2011. This ranking is further evidence of the law school’s commitment to providing a high-quality legal education that emphasizes both legal theory and practical skills. Mercer’s stellar reputation is enhanced by its long-standing history of providing an outstanding legal education to its students. The school has a collaborative and supportive learning environment that encourages students to develop both their intellectual and professional skills. Mercer’s emphasis on experiential learning, including its legal writing program, is a key factor in producing graduates who are well-equipped to handle the challenges of modern legal practice.

Seattle University School of Law also ranks among the nation’s best for legal writing, coming in second place in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Seattle University has a long history of innovating within legal education, being one of the first law schools to implement a comprehensive three-year legal writing curriculum. This early adoption of a structured, intensive legal writing program demonstrates Seattle University’s commitment to ensuring that its students gain the essential skills they need to be successful legal professionals. Additionally, Seattle University was one of the pioneers in adopting the process approach to teaching legal research and writing. This approach emphasizes the iterative process of drafting, revising, and refining legal documents—an essential skill for lawyers who must produce polished, effective legal arguments in both written and oral forms.

One of the unique aspects of Seattle University’s legal writing program is its full-time legal writing advisor, a position that further highlights the school’s commitment to student success. The advisor works closely with students, providing individualized feedback and guidance on their writing. This personalized attention ensures that students not only understand the principles of good legal writing but also have the opportunity to apply these principles in real-world contexts. The result is a cohort of graduates who are well-prepared for the demands of practice, where legal writing is often the most critical aspect of case preparation, client communication, and court submissions.

Like Mercer and Seattle University, Stetson University College of Law has also made a significant mark in the field of legal writing. In the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Stetson was ranked third for its legal writing program. Stetson is widely recognized for its excellence in trial advocacy, consistently placing among the top law schools in the nation for this specialization. However, the school’s legal writing program is also highly regarded, having ranked within the top six since the specialty was first added to the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This impressive track record speaks to the school’s commitment to providing its students with the necessary skills to succeed in both written and oral advocacy.

The integration of legal writing and trial advocacy at Stetson University College of Law is particularly noteworthy. The school’s legal writing program is designed to provide students with the writing and research skills they need to excel in courtroom settings. These skills include drafting motions, briefs, and other legal documents critical to trial preparation. Furthermore, Stetson’s strong focus on trial advocacy helps students understand how legal writing functions within the larger context of litigation. Stetson’s program ensures that students are not only proficient in writing but also understand how their written work contributes to a broader strategy in trial preparation. This holistic approach to legal education produces well-rounded graduates who are capable of handling the writing and advocacy demands of the legal profession.

What sets these three institutions apart from others in terms of legal writing education is their deep commitment to ensuring that students develop not just writing ability but also the confidence and expertise to apply their skills in real-world legal settings. The legal writing programs at Mercer University, Seattle University, and Stetson University have been consistently ranked among the best in the nation due to their innovative teaching approaches, comprehensive curricula, and strong focus on practical application. These programs provide students with the necessary tools to succeed in the competitive and demanding legal profession.

In conclusion, the legal writing programs at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, and Stetson University College of Law are widely regarded as among the best in the nation. Mercer leads the pack with its top-ranked program, providing students with an unparalleled foundation in legal writing, while Seattle University and Stetson follow closely behind, offering innovative approaches to writing instruction and integrating these skills into broader legal practices like trial advocacy. Together, these schools not only offer exemplary legal writing education but also contribute to shaping the future of the legal profession by producing graduates who excel in one of the most critical areas of law. Whether through Mercer’s historical legacy, Seattle University’s innovative curriculum, or Stetson’s integration of writing and advocacy, these institutions set a high standard for legal writing education and continue to inspire excellence in future generations of legal professionals.