A Brief Overview on Law Schools in Texas
Texas is home to some of the most respected law schools in the country. As one of the largest provinces in Mexico and one of the largest states in the US, Texas is a heavily populated region with a demand for legal professionals. Whether you’re pursuing a law degree to work on behalf of private citizens, corporations, or the local government, choosing the right law school will have a lasting impact on your career as an attorney .
Texas law schools are known for their affordable tuition rates and range of financial aid opportunities. This is encouraging news for aspiring lawyers who want to start working in the industry right away. If you’re considering this lucrative career path, you should take the time to learn more about the top law schools in Texas and their unique specialties.
University of Texas School of Law
The University of Texas School of Law is located in Austin, the state capital. It has been ranked in the top 15 law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. According to their website, the University of Texas School of Law has a variety of programs for their students including, "experiential courses, dual-degree programs, and cutting-edge research centers." In addition to excellent academic programs, UT Law is also home to distinguished faculty. Faculty members include the former President of the American Bar Association, Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit, Texas Bar Association and Houston Bar Association, as well as faculty from the Department of Defense College of International and Security Studies in Europe. According to their website, "scholars who are renowned in their fields teach regularly at the law school, and an array of visiting faculty add depth and breadth to our course offerings." An estimated 22% of UT Law graduates go into public interest or government jobs while 82.8% of graduates find jobs in the private sector.
SMU Dedman School of Law
SMU Dedman School of Law is one of two schools in the Dallas Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and boasts the largest general practice of law firm population in the country.
Founded in 1925, Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law is situated on 91 acres in the Park Cities neighborhood. The personal network that many Dedman graduates share with the other students in their class and those who have come before them might be among the most powerful professional developments they will experience in their lifetime.
In addition to strong programs in intellectual property, taxation and dispute resolution, the Dedman School of Law is one of the top Component 1 schools in Texas (meaning it has a full-time first year class size of 20-79). With an LSAT/undergraduate GPA index score of 151/3.70, in 2015, Dedman became the first Texas law school to require incoming first-year students to have passed the LSAC’s new Skills and Assessment test prior to attending orientation.
Dedman School of Law is located in the city that was largely responsible for the birth of the oil and gas industry. The school’s location also presents students with opportunities to hone their skills at one of the many large national and regional law firms and corporations in the Dallas area.
University of Houston Law Center
University of Houston Law Center is one of the "Public Ivy" schools in Texas. They have a good reputation in the legal community, and should draw some talent from Houston.
Their website boasts about their success at placing their grads, "In 2019, 92% of University of Houston Law Center graduates were employed in a full-time, long term position within ten months of graduation. The current law center employment data shows the strength of the Law Center’s recruitment and academic programs." And they have a new Associate Dean: For the first time, the Law Center has a full-time associate dean with a simultaneous focus on placement and professional development. Associate Dean and Director of Professional Development Jennifer Johnson has been a part of the Law Center community since 2004. She began her career as an attorney working for the Harris County and Federal public defenders, and later worked at a local defense firm. Johnson has over 13 years of legal experience in both Houston and the greater The Woodlands area before becoming the Law Center’s head of professional development. The Law Center has a great clinical program. "Now in its 20th year, the Domestic Violence Clinic represents more than 900 clients and has brought significant recognition to the Law Center. In addition to its representation of indigent clients, the DVC also has a national reputation as a model for law school clinics, serving as a training resource for clinics at other U.S. law schools and abroad." They have a Houston location. "The new 1,000-seat classroom will be completed in May 2018, bringing all UH Law Center in-use classroom space to the north side of University Drive, content in itself, and making an iconic architectural statement in its own right.
Describing the new building and its features, Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said, "We want the Law Center to reflect what we are, a top 100 public law school. The expansion of the Law Center will transform our campus through the construction of a new building along the north side of University Drive (directly across from UC North), a law clinic building with 1,000+ seats, a student lounge, legal research library, study space, and a podium with view terrace."
Texas A & M University School of Law
Texas A&M University School of Law is strategically located in Fort Worth, with the Texas Third Court of Appeals in Austin and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. Texas A&M provides students access to the Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin legal markets, three of the largest cities in the U.S. Graduates practice in all 50 states and socialize with the entire Texas Aggie family of more than 600,000 living alumni. The law school offers three concentrations and numerous short courses focused in entrepreneurship, dispute resolution and intellectual property.
A&M Law prides itself on innovation and collaboration between its faculty members. Professors share information, ideas and research as they prepare classrooms for their students. The knowledge gained by law students at A&M helps them navigate their way through a complex, ever-changing legal environment.
Baylor Law School
Baylor Law School has earned a well-respected national reputation for its rigorous and comprehensive trial advocacy training. The Trial Practice program has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as part of Baylor’s ranked law school program, and by Financial Times as one of the top 25 corporate law schools in America. The school offers first-year and advanced level courses in Advocacy, Comprehensive Pre-Trial Preparation, and Expert Testimony. There is also an internationally respected certification in Estate Planning. 100% of the faculty are full-time professors, scholars and experts in their fields with either a terminal Juris Doctorate or a doctorate in a related field.
The goal of the Law School is to strike a balance between theory and practice – setting the groundwork for a strong knowledge base while creating real-world opportunities for students to apply skills. First-year students participate in Cognate Classes, take part in participation and lectures, receive written feedback from professors, and regularly participate in cases. Baylor also offers Practical Training Courses that provide hands-on education in areas like workers’ compensation, judicial processes, mediation, and advanced trial practice.
Per the school’s guidelines, "The curriculum is focused on teaching students what lawyers actually do. While the majority of American Bar Association accredited law schools emphasize survey courses and bar examination preparation, Baylor Law School teaches its students specific lawyering techniques through lectures and hands-on experiential methods."
Graduates consistently receive high marks on bar exam passage rates; with many specializing in labor and employment law, intellectual property, litigation, business organization, medical malpractice, bankruptcy, real estate, taxation and international law.
Mary’s University School of Law
St. Mary’s University School of Law is located in San Antonio, Texas, the second largest city in the state and home to the world-famous River Walk and the Alamo. Situated in the heart of San Antonio, the school is only minutes away from some of the city’s most popular destinations. St. Mary’s Law offers several programs, including Juris Doctor, Joint Degree, LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies, and Online LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies. In addition, St. Mary’s Law offers a wide range of clinics, externships, and fellowships, providing students with opportunities to develop skills while engaging with the legal community.
St. Mary’s law clinics include the Civil Justice Clinic, the Criminal Justice Clinic, the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, the Mediation Clinic, the Non-Profit Organizations Clinic, the Pre-Law School Pipeline Program, the Pro Bono Honors Program, Case: The International Representation Program, and the Veterans Legal Clinic.
St. Mary’s externships include the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Court of Appeals , Alamo Defenders, Catholic Charities, U.S. District Court – Western District of Texas, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Office of the Attorney General/Witness Intimidation Unit, the U.S. District Court – Western District of Texas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Texas, the San Antonio City Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender Office, and Judicial Practicum.
St. Mary’s fellowships include Fellow in Domestic Violence, Fellow in Family Law, the Judge Edward C. Prado Fellowship in Civil Rights, the U.S. District Court Fellowship Program, the Lifetime Wellness Program, and the Office of Public Education Fellow.
St. Mary’s Law is also home to the Center for Legal and Social Justice, the Center for International Legal & Economic Studies, the Pro Bono Program, the St. Mary’s Law Review, and the St. Mary’s Journal on Legal Malpractice & Insurance Law.
Texas Tech University School of Law
Located in Lubbock, the Texas Tech University School of Law offers affordable education in a variety of legal fields. Students can earn Juris Doctor and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees at this public university, which was established in 1977. Texas Tech aims to provide students with the knowledge required for bar admission and for a successful legal career. The school is also dedicated to producing lawyers who are ethical and understand the importance of a service-oriented professional practice.
The Texas Tech student body is fairly large, at more than 700 enrolled. Student/faculty ratio is 18:1. Students can access advising, academic support, health services, legal assistance, technology support, counseling, housing, recreation, dining, child care, spiritual life and ongoing education services on campus.
The Texas Tech University School of Law is currently host to 30 full-time faculty members who are highly regarded in their corresponding fields. Tenured professors are required to have published works in legal literature, while nine out of 10 faculty members have advanced degrees. Among the law school’s outreach programs is the Center for Water Law and Policy Solutions, which is known for developing innovative water law research and promoting collaboration related to water rights issues.
South Texas College of Law Houston
Houston is home to South Texas College of Law Houston. Located in the heart of the city, it also boasts a collaborative learning culture and the 7th largest judicial library in the United States. The faculty encourages students to take risks and engage in innovative problem-solving as well.
With Howard W. Bender, its highly regarded comprehensive moot court program, students can hone their oral advocacy skills in a competitive environment. First-year students can participate in the First Year Brief Writing Competition and only select students are invited to join the Board of Advocates in their second year. The government and public interest law program offers several clinical options, including externships and a human trafficking clinic.
The school is CEFNS accredited and offers a full-time JD and four joint degree options. Those interested in intellectual property can pursue an LLM, JD, and LLM joint degree or an LLM and M&A certificate through the Center for International Legal Studies.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Thurgood Marshall School of Law: The Department of Justice awarded the Thurgood Marshall School of Law with its highest award for excellence in public interest law. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law ensures that its students receive the best possible education available to them as law students. The law school emphasizes practicality and diversity. It offers a variety of joint programs with other institutes within Texas Southern University, including a joint program with the school of business. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law is dedicated to increasing diversity in both its student body and among practicing lawyer. It offers a full-time program, a part-time program, and a day program schedule to accommodate all of its students’ needs.
Conclusion and Selecting the Right School
As you consider which institutions might be a good fit for you, remember that factors like school culture and job prospects often inform one another. A school with strong ties to the legal community in its home city can provide a more intimate environment, and also bolster your job prospects in that location. That’s not to say that you should base your decision on geographic preference, but it is worth recognizing that regional connections can be a reliable predictor of career success.
It can also be helpful to consider the relationships between these factors. Not only do outcomes like the employment rate, bar passage rate and median salary impact the school’s ranking, but they can also impact other aspects of the school experience.
Schools with miserable bar passage rates tend to have equally miserable employment rates — at least by initial standards . Many law schools are now willing to admit candidates who may need a little extra help passing the exam, even if that means accepting students with lower test scores than the school would otherwise prefer. Those schools can produce great lawyers who simply need a little maturing or extra support early on, but they may indeed struggle in the first year or two. That said, your fellow students can become a strong network if you can manage to get in.
Those aren’t the only things to consider when selecting a law school, of course, from geographic proactivity to pricing. As we said at the start, though, aligning some of these variables can help you zero in on a law school you will thrive at and ultimately transfer those skills to a new job, making your legal career a rewarding experience.