Top 25 Law Schools in US (Vault Survey)

Stanford Law School has consistently been ranked as one of the top law schools in the United States, often securing the coveted position of second place behind Yale University in the annual US News & World Report rankings. In the Vault Survey, a respected ranking of law schools based on peer assessments, Stanford is recognized as the highest-ranked law school nationally. This distinction reflects the university’s outstanding academic reputation, exceptional faculty, and its commitment to producing graduates who are leaders in the legal profession. Alongside Stanford, the University of Michigan Law School and New York University (NYU) Law School also hold prominent positions, with Michigan in second place and NYU in third.

Stanford Law School’s rise to prominence has been propelled by its rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and the unique opportunities it offers to students. The law school has built a reputation for fostering an intellectual environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a deep commitment to public service. With a focus on providing a comprehensive legal education that spans both theoretical and practical dimensions, Stanford Law School offers students a diverse range of opportunities to excel in various areas of law.

Stanford offers three one-year master's degree programs designed for foreign graduate students who have already earned a law degree from their home country. These programs—Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of the Science of Law (JSM), and Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)—are intended for international students who wish to deepen their knowledge of U.S. law and develop expertise in specialized areas such as international law, business law, or intellectual property. These advanced programs provide foreign-trained lawyers with the legal skills and knowledge needed to practice law in the U.S. or work in international legal contexts. The JSD program, which is the highest level of graduate education in law at Stanford, is tailored to students who aspire to become legal scholars or academic leaders. This doctoral program emphasizes research and independent scholarship, preparing students for careers in law teaching, legal research, or policymaking.

Stanford Law School's position at the forefront of legal education is further solidified by its faculty, which includes renowned legal scholars, former judges, and leading practitioners in various fields of law. Many faculty members have expertise in cutting-edge areas such as intellectual property, environmental law, international law, and corporate law. The faculty's commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship is also evident in Stanford’s law school’s collaborations with other disciplines, such as economics, political science, and technology studies. These interdisciplinary opportunities allow students to engage with complex, real-world issues and to develop the kind of critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in the legal profession.

In addition to its strong academic offerings, Stanford Law School also boasts a diverse array of extracurricular activities that enrich students' legal education. The law school is home to a number of student-run organizations and journals, such as the Stanford Law Review, the Stanford Journal of International Law, and the Stanford Environmental Law Journal. These organizations offer students opportunities to engage with current legal issues, publish scholarly work, and develop leadership and communication skills. The school’s extensive clinical programs provide students with practical experience by allowing them to represent clients in various legal settings under the supervision of faculty members. Students can participate in clinics that focus on civil rights, criminal defense, environmental law, and intellectual property law, among other areas. These clinics allow students to gain hands-on experience and apply their classroom knowledge to real-world legal challenges.

Stanford Law School’s emphasis on public service is another hallmark of its programs. The school has a long-standing commitment to social justice, and many of its students pursue careers in public interest law, working for organizations that focus on civil rights, environmental protection, and access to justice. The law school has a Public Interest Law Program (PILP) that provides funding and resources for students who wish to work in public service jobs during their time in law school and after graduation. PILP offers stipends for students who pursue internships and clerkships with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other public interest employers. Additionally, the Stanford Law School offers various fellowships and grants to support students who wish to work in underserved communities or engage in pro bono work. This focus on public service reflects Stanford’s broader commitment to making a positive impact on society and the world through the legal profession.

Beyond the rigorous academic curriculum and the commitment to public service, Stanford Law School’s location in Silicon Valley also offers students unique opportunities in the field of technology law. As the heart of the global technology industry, Silicon Valley is home to some of the world’s leading tech companies, and many Stanford Law graduates go on to work in this dynamic sector. The school’s proximity to these companies provides students with opportunities for internships, clerkships, and networking that are not available at other law schools. Stanford Law School has a strong emphasis on emerging areas of law such as intellectual property, privacy law, and technology law, making it an ideal place for students interested in these fields. The school also offers specialized courses on topics such as cyber law, data privacy, and technology entrepreneurship, allowing students to gain the legal expertise needed to navigate the complex issues at the intersection of law and technology.

The University of Michigan Law School, ranked second in the Vault Survey, also enjoys a stellar reputation for its rigorous academic programs and the diversity of its student body. Michigan Law provides a comprehensive legal education with a strong focus on legal theory, practical skills, and public service. Its law school offers a variety of opportunities for students to engage with real-world legal issues through its clinics, externships, and student organizations. Michigan Law’s commitment to public service is evident in its many programs aimed at providing students with the opportunity to work with underserved communities and advocate for social justice.

New York University Law School, ranked third in the Vault Survey, is another top-tier institution that offers students a world-class legal education. NYU Law is particularly known for its strength in areas such as international law, tax law, and corporate law. The law school’s location in New York City provides students with access to an unmatched network of legal professionals and opportunities for internships, clerkships, and career placements.

While Stanford, Michigan, and NYU dominate the Vault Survey rankings, other law schools such as Harvard, Columbia, and Chicago also maintain consistently high positions in national rankings. These schools, along with Stanford, Michigan, and NYU, represent the very best in legal education and continue to produce some of the most successful and influential lawyers in the world.

The Top 25 list:
1. Stanford University
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
3. New York University
4. University of Virginia
5. University of Chicago
6. Harvard
7. Columbia
8. University of California, Berkeley - Boalt Hall School of Law
9. Northwestern University
10. Yale Law School
11. Vanderbilt Uni
12. Duke Uni
13. Uni of Pennsylvania
14. Indiana Uni School of Law - Bloomington
15. Cornell Uni
16. Univ of Minnesota - Twin Cities
17. Georgetown Univ Law Center
18. Univ of California, Los Angeles
19. Univ of Iowa College of Law
20. George Washington Univ
21. Boston Univ
22. Univ of Texas at Austin
23. Univ of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
24. Emory Univ
25. Univ of Wisconsin

Source: Vault 2008 Top 25 Law Schools Survey