UC Davis School of Law Rises in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
UC Davis School of Law rose two places in the latest U.S. News & World Report law school rankings to 36th overall while receiving its highest-ever ratings from legal educators. King Hall was ranked 22nd in the nation based on survey responses from law school deans and faculty. The School of Law also placed 24th in the assessment by participating lawyers and judges, tying the high mark it has achieved on three other occasions.
King Hall also placed at 26th in the U.S. News "Most Diverse Law Schools" ranking, one of the few law schools to be ranked in the top 40 overall and also in the top 40 diversity rankings.
"While it is important not to place too much emphasis on rankings, the latest U.S. News & World Report assessment serves as a welcome recognition of the excellence and diversity that we see on a daily basis at UC Davis School of Law," said Dean Kevin R. Johnson. "Although we believe we deserve to be placed even higher, it is gratifying that we continue to rank so highly, particularly in the reputational assessments by law faculty, deans, and practicing lawyers."
The high rankings by legal educators, judges, and attorneys in the U.S. News & World Report survey correlates closely with the ranking of 23rd given to the King Hall faculty in the 2012 assessment by law professor Brian Leiter of the University of Chicago; Leiter's ranking of law faculties is regarded by many as best evaluation of American law school quality.
UC Davis School of Law also is regularly rated highly by other publications. The Princeton Review ranked King Hall 9th in faculty diversity. In recent years, PreLaw magazine ranked UC Davis 16th among "Best Law Schools for Public Interest," and National Jurist ranked UC Davis among the Best Value Law Schools.
UC Davis School of Law has in recent years made impressive gains that have contributed and will continue to contribute to a growing national reputation. Several distinguished faculty have moved to the School of Law from other outstanding universities and, along with stellar new entry-level hires, have bolstered the School's already strong faculty and reputation. The Law School recently completed the expansion and renovation of its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall, launched new initiatives including the California Supreme Court Clinic and the Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies, and strengthened its Academic Success and Career Services programs.
"UC Davis School of Law is making incredible strides," said Johnson. "We have an outstanding and incredibly diverse faculty, beautiful new building, and increasing national and international prominence. In just a little more than 40 years, UC Davis has become firmly established among the very best of American law schools, and we are determined to continue our upward trajectory for years to come."