Baylor Law Rises Two Spots Within the Top 50 in 2019 U.S. News Law School Rankings & Three Spots to #2 in Trial Advocacy

WACO, Texas -

Baylor Law is now ranked at #48 within the “Top 50” in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” This marks the second consecutive year of ascent for Baylor Law, the only Texas law school to achieve this goal. In 2018, Baylor Law ranked #50 in the same ranking. There are 203 ABA-accredited law schools in the nation.

U.S. News collects several statistics to compile its annual law school rankings, including law school peer assessment, assessment by the bench and bar, student credentials, employment rate, student-faculty ratio, and bar passage rate.

U.S. News also ranks specialty areas in legal education based on evaluations by professors who teach in the specific field. In 2019, Baylor Law now ranks #2 for trial advocacy, rising three spots from #5 in 2018. For the first time ever, Baylor Law has ranked #52 for its legal writing program.

Baylor Law’s Dean Brad Toben stated, “Our rise in the U.S. News rankings and our high national rankings in specialty areas is wonderful news. We are happy to see Baylor Law continue to be recognized for its rigor and dedication to preparing practice-ready lawyers who will be leaders in the private and public sectors.” He added, “These rankings are, however, just one measure of our continued vitality. Our dedication to student success has led us to have the highest ultimate bar passage rate and one of the highest JD-required job placement rates in the country.”

Baylor is joined by only four other Texas law schools in the Top 100 list -- the University of Texas (UT), in 16th place, Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 52nd place, the University of Houston in 59th, and Texas A&M Law School, tied for 83rd.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ed Nelson, Director of Marketing & Communications
EMAIL: Ed_Nelson@Baylor.edu
PHONE: 254-710-6681

ABOUT BAYLOR LAW
Established in 1857, Baylor Law was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,400 living alumni. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Baylor Law boasts two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature among its notable alumni. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as one of the top 5 in the nation. Baylor Law School is also ranked #50 in the magazine’s 2019 edition of "America’s Best Graduate Schools." The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the "Best School for Practical Training," and #4 in the nation in its most recent "Best Law School Facilities" listing. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law School received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since the award's inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu