UC Law SF Programs Rank Among Nation’s Best
A recent analysis shows that UC Law SF moved up from #23 to #18 in the nation when it comes to the reputation and quality of fields of study – or “specialty programs” – ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
The analysis, which gives equal weight to each of the 13 subject areas ranked by U.S. News and World Report, reflects the view of peers with expertise in each specialty field, said Provost and Academic Dean Morris Ratner. In other words, they are a proxy for reputation among informed educators. The specialty ranks cover, among other subjects, business/corporate law, clinical law, constitutional law, contracts/commercial law, criminal law, dispute resolution, environmental law, health care law, IP law, international law, and tax law.
“What the specialty rankings indicate is that those who are best positioned to know of our excellence as a law school appreciate and acknowledge that excellence in a wide range of fields,” Ratner said, “putting us on par with peer schools like Columbia and Yale, which are clustered with us in the average of all the specialty rankings.”
Four of UC Law SF’ programs rank among the nation’s 20 best this year: dispute resolution, health law, tax law, and clinical education.
- Ranked #8, the alternative dispute resolution program boasts an award-winning negotiation and dispute resolution team, a top-tier mediation clinic, and a holistic approach to providing students with the skills they need to be successful in the workplace. Read more.
- Ranked #13, the health law program is distinctive for its collaboration with leading academic health centers, strong clinical offering, and stellar faculty. Read more.
- Ranked #16, the tax law program offers a unique tax law concentration, a broad offering of clinical and doctrinal courses, and a distinguished faculty. Read more.
- Ranked #19, the clinical program features deep partnerships within the local community, nationally prominent faculty members, and broad student offerings. Read more.
In his March 30 annual message, Dean David Faigman said UC Law SF’ academic program rankings are particularly meaningful because they derive from surveys of faculty in the respective areas of expertise. He noted that—in addition to the school’s four top-20 specialty fields—six other programs made the top-30 cut: trial advocacy (#21), environmental law (#24), international law (#26), business/corporate law (#28), intellectual property law (#30), and criminal law (#30).
“Our success to date is attributable to a community-wide effort,” he said. “Students, staff, and faculty have gone above and beyond to create a first-class institution of higher education.”