Law Specialty Rankings - US News

U.S. News & World Report offers detailed rankings of law schools based on their specialties, providing a valuable guide for prospective law students who want to specialize in specific areas of law. Among the specialties ranked in the 2009 edition, Healthcare Law, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property Law, and Trial Advocacy are some of the most highly sought-after fields, each with its own set of top-ranking schools. These specialties reflect different aspects of legal practice, with each one providing distinct opportunities for students to focus their studies and career paths.

In the specialty of Healthcare Law, St. Louis University leads the rankings, securing the top position. This reflects the university’s strong emphasis on preparing law students for the complex and evolving field of healthcare law. The healthcare law field deals with the regulations surrounding healthcare providers, patients, and insurers, including issues like medical malpractice, health insurance, and patient rights. St. Louis University’s program is recognized for its rigorous curriculum and faculty who are leaders in the field of healthcare law.

Following closely behind St. Louis University, the University of Houston and the University of Maryland both rank highly in this specialty. The University of Houston offers a comprehensive program that covers topics ranging from healthcare administration to pharmaceutical law, while the University of Maryland’s program is noted for its focus on the legal challenges faced by healthcare organizations and professionals. Both schools prepare students for a variety of roles in the healthcare law arena, including work in government, healthcare organizations, and legal firms that specialize in healthcare-related issues.

Case Western Reserve University and Seton Hall University round out the top five in healthcare law. Both schools have established reputations for providing solid legal training in healthcare, with programs that focus on the intersection of law, ethics, and health policy. Loyola University Chicago and Boston University also receive recognition, ranking sixth and seventh, respectively, for their specialized healthcare law programs. Georgetown University, ranked eighth, provides students with opportunities to explore healthcare issues on a global scale, while Widener University and Georgia State University are also considered strong options for those interested in healthcare law, rounding out the top ten.

When it comes to Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University is the undisputed leader in the field, securing the top position in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law is renowned for its mediation, negotiation, and arbitration programs, providing students with extensive practical experience in resolving legal disputes outside of the courtroom. This program is especially known for its focus on collaborative dispute resolution, preparing students for careers in both the private sector and governmental organizations that deal with conflict resolution.

Close behind Pepperdine, Harvard University and the University of Missouri–Columbia are ranked second and third, respectively. Harvard, a leader in various legal disciplines, offers exceptional courses and clinics in dispute resolution, making it a top choice for students pursuing careers in mediation and arbitration. The University of Missouri–Columbia has a long-standing reputation for its work in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), with a focus on both domestic and international dispute resolution.

Hamline University ranks fourth in the specialty of dispute resolution, and it is particularly well known for its Dispute Resolution Institute, which provides students with access to cutting-edge research, case studies, and resources. Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law takes the fifth spot, offering a well-rounded ADR program that emphasizes negotiation and litigation skills. Marquette University, ranked sixth, is recognized for its commitment to training students to handle conflicts in both legal and business settings. The University of Oregon, Yeshiva University’s Cardozo School of Law, and the University of Nevada–Las Vegas also appear in the top ten, with each offering specialized programs and resources for students interested in dispute resolution. Fordham University ranks tenth, rounding out the list with its focus on international and commercial dispute resolution.

In Intellectual Property (IP) Law, the University of California, Berkeley stands at the top of the rankings, reflecting its unparalleled reputation in the field of IP law. Berkeley’s law school offers a cutting-edge program that covers all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The Berkeley Center for Law & Technology is a leading resource for students seeking to understand the rapidly evolving world of technology law and intellectual property issues.

Stanford University ranks second in this specialty, offering a robust intellectual property program that provides students with the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field. The Stanford Technology Law Review and the university’s proximity to Silicon Valley make it an ideal choice for students pursuing careers in technology and intellectual property law. George Washington University and Columbia University round out the top four, both of which offer exceptional IP law programs. George Washington University is particularly known for its focus on patent law, while Columbia provides students with access to influential faculty members and cutting-edge research on the legal aspects of emerging technologies.

Franklin Pierce Law Center, ranked fifth, is well-regarded for its specialized focus on patent law and its strong connections to the technology and biotech industries. Duke University follows in sixth, offering a comprehensive IP law program that emphasizes the intersection of law and technology. The University of Houston ranks seventh, offering a unique program that integrates IP law with business and entrepreneurship. Santa Clara University, Boston University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago-Kent) also rank highly in IP law, with each offering programs tailored to the evolving demands of the field.

Finally, Trial Advocacy is a specialty where law schools have the opportunity to train students in the art of litigation and courtroom advocacy. Stetson University is ranked first in this area, with its focus on providing practical trial advocacy training and preparing students for a wide range of litigation scenarios. The Stetson University College of Law has one of the best trial advocacy programs in the country, offering courses and mock trial competitions that give students real-world experience in the courtroom.

Temple University’s Beasley School of Law ranks second in trial advocacy, known for its strong emphasis on developing litigation skills through hands-on experience and its dedicated faculty of trial lawyers. Northwestern University, ranked third, also offers an exceptional trial advocacy program, preparing students for careers in high-stakes litigation. Washington University in St. Louis, Georgetown University, Loyola Marymount University, and South Texas College of Law also rank highly for their trial advocacy programs, each offering students the tools and experience necessary for success in the courtroom.

Baylor University, ranked eighth, is well-known for its strong trial advocacy program, as is American University in Washington, D.C., which ranks ninth. New York University and the University of Texas-Austin both share the tenth spot, completing the top ten schools for trial advocacy.

These rankings are just a snapshot of the many law schools that offer specialized programs in various areas of law. Whether students are interested in healthcare law, dispute resolution, intellectual property law, or trial advocacy, these institutions offer top-tier education and practical training that help students excel in their chosen fields. The diversity of specialized programs reflects the breadth of opportunities available in legal practice, and prospective law students can use these rankings to guide their educational decisions as they pursue careers in these specialized areas of law.