Introduction: Conservative Law Schools
In their vast majority, universities tend to shy away from any formal, official declaration of political alignment and stance – as nonprofits, they require to keep a relatively fluid profile to keep attract students from diverse backgrounds. Naturally, however, even though polyphony is to be expected in the university’s given student body, there are variations on where leans on the political spectrum.
When it comes to Law practitioners, according to a study published by Harvard’s Kennedy School called in August 2015, “The Political Ideologies of American Lawyers”, lawyers lean towards the left of the ideological spectrum. When it comes to schools and firms, data suggests that even though there are some considered to be conservative relative to others, the majority is likewise liberal.
The following article will present the most conservative Law schools in the United States today, ranked on the amount of conservative graduates they had for the first four entries in our list. For the final two, their ranking is based on their prowess and high rankings, according to Business Insider, coupled with their considerably high chunk of conservative alumni. This is an introduction to the following schools. Further research is encouraged before committing to a particular university.
Brigham Young University
Founded in 1973, the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University is fully accredited by the American Bar Association, offering students a varied and rich learning experience to adequately prepare them for becoming experts in the practice of law. Its curriculum is designed to enable them to master legal reasoning and the American Law and develop all the necessary skills of advocacy. Grades are typically based on a single, final examination – except in seminars and problem solving, clinical courses. There is a Moot Court, to which giving an oral argument is obligatory for all first-year students, and there are three main programs for students to develop their practical skills from: Internships, LAWHELP seminars and simulation courses.
Ave Maria School of Law
The Ave Maria School of Law strives to incorporate a holistic understanding of interrelated concepts of religion, ethics and law. Thus, the following courses are mandatory for all students: Moral Foundations of the Law, Jurisprudence, Professional Responsibility and Law, Ethics and Public Policy. Lectures and programs are often hosted by the Law school in order to expose students to opportunities and practical experiences in Law. It is a Catholic Law school, with a dedicated Chapel located on campus. Notably, students of all faiths are welcomed inside for counseling services. Most of the school’s conferences concern topics of relevance to the Catholic Community.
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming College of Law is one of he smallest in the nation, sporting an amazing eleven to one student to faculty ratio. Obviously, this allows for much more personal contact with the teaching staff and far easier access to more in-depth depth learning, guiding students all the way through the complex and intricate practice of law. Evidently, since the school includes former Ambassadors, governors and federal judges amongst its alumni, the students are putting this opportunity to good use. Students are also heavily prompted to take part in various organizations to broaden their horizons and gain first hand, practical, real world experience.
The University of Mississippi School of Law
Home to 363 total students and 28 full time faculties, the University holds a 13 to 1 student faculty ratio, which is lower than the average and enhances chances for students to enjoy personalized assistance. The ABA accredited Law School is the only one in the nation to offer a dedicated aerospace law curriculum. It has a very high number of notable alumni that include Senators for Mississippi, like Thad Cochran and former Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour among many others. A rough estimate of attendance was estimated to be around $29.000 per academic year for residents back in 2014. According to the university’s own disclosures, 60.3% graduates of 2016 obtained full time long term JD-required employment within nine months of graduation.
Duke Law University
Duke Law is one of the most coveted and elite law school’s in the world, widely renowned for its stellar academic programs yet down to earth profile. Even though courses are intense, with professors having high expectations from all program participants, students are still encouraged to pursue their personal interests and passions. Facilities are excellent at Duke, with the university employing state of the art technology and sound teaching methods. For example, all professors maintain and open door policy after class hours. According to Business Insider, it has the highest percentage of graduates securing full-time jobs at law firms with 251 to 500 employees.
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law enjoys a very strong academic reputation, ranked 9th on Business Insider’s list of the 50 best Law schools. Having been founded all the way back in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia School of Law has a strong background in teaching Law and instilling the principles of integrity, community service and leadership in aspiring lawyers. Most interestingly, however, there is another aspect which distinguishes the school other than its academic prowess: It has the highest rate of alumni giving of all Law schools – a sign of satisfied and happy graduates. It has an impressive 97.3% of graduates leaving school with jobs already lined up, with a 68% of past graduates holding highly coveted positions.
Conclusion
As was mentioned earlier, the majority of elite, top law schools in the United States lean more towards the liberal side of the spectrum. If your strong political beliefs prohibit you from attending one of them, you need not worry. The previously listed Universities are all sound choices for the conservatively minded individual and offer great opportunities for future employment and a pleasant student experience. Since committing to either one should not be an easy choice, however, we heavily encourage you to further research the schools individually, along with their respective communities, to gain a better grasp of their culture, values, and faculties.
