Best 50 Law Schools in US

In 2007, Thomas E. Brennan, a well-respected legal educator and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice, published a list of the "Best 50 Law Schools," which garnered significant attention within the legal academic community. His rankings placed Harvard Law School at the top, followed by Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Texas School of Law. These rankings reflect Brennan’s unique criteria for evaluating law schools, which emphasized not only academic rigor but also the overall influence and long-term success of their graduates.

Harvard Law, ranked first, has long been recognized as a powerhouse in legal education, with its vast resources, prestigious faculty, and impressive alumni network. It is a school where intellectual prowess and influence are central to its identity, producing generations of successful lawyers, judges, and policymakers. Close behind Harvard, Georgetown University Law Center earned the second spot, reflecting its strong reputation, particularly in the fields of public law, international law, and its proximity to the U.S. Capitol, which offers students unrivaled opportunities for internships and networking in government and policy.

Brennan's list also ranked University of Texas School of Law in third, highlighting its status as one of the top public law schools in the country. Known for its rigorous academic programs, excellent faculty, and its significant role in shaping legal practice in Texas, the University of Texas is highly regarded for both its academic excellence and its commitment to public service. University of Virginia School of Law, ranked fourth, has consistently been recognized for its strong academic curriculum and its prestigious law faculty, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields of law. The university's emphasis on fostering an intellectually vibrant community contributes to its position near the top of the rankings.

Northwestern University School of Law ranked fifth in Brennan’s list, underscoring its reputation for providing an innovative legal education, with a focus on practical skills and interdisciplinary studies. New York University School of Law, ranked sixth, remains a highly influential law school, particularly renowned for its strength in fields such as international law, tax law, and human rights. Columbia Law School, ranked seventh, maintains a prestigious position thanks to its rigorous academic standards and the strength of its legal scholarship. Yale Law School, placed eighth, may be lower than expected in this particular ranking, but it still commands significant respect for its elite faculty and its commitment to producing legal scholars and policymakers.

Brennan’s rankings, while perhaps differing from other rankings such as those compiled by U.S. News & World Report, reflect a broader understanding of what constitutes legal excellence. His list places an emphasis on the long-term success and influence of law schools, not merely academic factors. Through this, Brennan highlights schools that balance academic rigor with practical training, access to influential legal networks, and strong records of placing graduates into prestigious legal positions.

Thomas E. Brennan: Judging the Law Schools 2007

Best 50 Law Schools list:

1 Harvard
2 Georgetown University
3 University of Texas
4 University of Virginia
5 Northwestern University
6 New York University
7 Columbia University
8 Yale
9 University of Michigan
10 University of Minnesota
11 George Washington University
12 University of Pennsylvania
13 UCLA
14 American University Washington
15 Fordham University
16 Thomas M. Cooley Law School
17 UC Berkeley Boalt Hall
18 UC Hastings College of the Law
19 Stanford
20 Brooklyn
21 University of Wisconsin
22 Boston University
23 Loyola Law School Los Angeles
24 Duke University
25 Temple University Beasley
26 University of Houston Law Center
27 University of Miami
28 Chicago-Kent College of Law
29 University of Maryland
30 Washington University in St. Louis
31 Boston College
32 Univ of Iowa
33 Ohio State Univ Moritz
34 Cornell
35 Seton Hall Univ
36 Univ of Connecticut
37 Indiana Univ Maurer School of Law–Bloomington
38 Univ of Chicago
39 Suffolk Univ
40 SMU Dedman School of Law
41 Uni of Illinois
42 Tulane Uni
43 Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
44 Emory Uni
45 Rutgers School of Law–Newark
46 St. John’s Uni
47 Uni at Buffalo
48 Uni of North Carolina
49 Uni of San Diego
50 New York

Source: Thomas M. Cooley Law School