Best Law Schools In the World

When analyzing the best law schools in the world, you will see that they all have their own peculiar characteristics that make each standout.

With an outstanding academic background, a virtually flawless LSAT score and undergraduate GPA, and exceptional critical thinking abilities, being admitted to a highly selective, highly regarded law school demonstrates that you are among the top law students in the world.

There is a general relationship between law school rankings and employment outcomes, even if prestige should not be the main consideration when choosing a law school.

Hence, this article will look at the top 10 best law schools in the world and their peculiarities, among other legal tips you should know.

You may also like to read about Top 15 Law Schools in the US: How To Get In.

1. Harvard University Law School (Cambridge, MA)

One of the best law schools in the world is Harvard University Law School, which is well-known for this distinction.

The emphasis on liberal arts and sciences education at the school enables students to make use of the top-notch programs, research centers, and faculty mentoring available throughout Harvard to follow their passions, pose challenging questions, and produce ground-breaking research.

About 560 students register each year in the three-year J.D. program at Harvard. Harvard typically graduates a substantial number of prominent lawyers, members of the legal profession, and well-known scholars thanks to the school’s large class numbers and demanding academic atmosphere.

Barack and Michelle Obama, a past president and first lady of the United States, are notable Harvard alumni.

Furthermore, since 1960, Harvard has produced an incredible 491 graduates who have gone on to fill these prestigious positions, holding the record for sending the most graduates to US Supreme Court Clerkships.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No. 4 in the best law schools. Furthermore, the tuition and fees at this law school are $68,962.

To be admitted into this school, you need a GPA of at least 3.92, and an LSAT score of at least 172.

2. University of Oxford Faculty of Law (Oxford, EN)

The Institution of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest university still in existence worldwide. There is evidence to imply that the teaching and study of law there began as early as 1096.

Over the course of its more than 800-year history as a provider of legal education, the University of Oxford Faculty of Law has established itself as a global leader in law, positioning itself as a learning center and a place that fosters robust intellectual discourse.

The University of Oxford has been named the top university in the world for six years in a row by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2017 to 2022).

The “Oxonians,” or notable graduates, include 28 British Prime Ministers, 55 Nobel Prize laureates, 120 Olympic medalists, and more than 30 heads of state from other countries.

To be admitted into this school, you need a GPA of at least 3.7, and an LSAT score of at least 161.

3. University of Cambridge Faculty of Law (Cambridge, EN)

The Institution of Cambridge is the fourth-oldest university in the world, having been founded in 1209. The school has been providing legal education since the thirteenth century.

For generations, the institution has retained a tradition of excellence. The first documented law reports in the US commune (Latin for common law) tradition was written by early Faculty of Law students, making the institution a pioneer in the legal profession globally.

The university, which is situated in Cambridge, a center of innovation and technology worldwide, stresses the meeting point of business and academia.

Nearly 300,000 graduates from all over the world are part of Cambridge’s network of living alumni, with a sizable portion living in the United States, Canada, China, and various parts of Europe. Over 100 Nobel Prize winners, nearly 200 Olympic medalists, and 47 Heads of State are among these graduates.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No. 4 in the best law schools. Furthermore, the tuition and fee at this law school are $120,198.

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4. Yale Law School (New Haven, CT)

Yale Law School has kept the top spot on the US News and World Report’s yearly ranked list of the nation’s top law schools ever since it started publishing the list.

The university is renowned for its outstanding professors, its impressive record of putting graduates in distinguished positions, and its cutting-edge research facilities.

Several well-known public individuals have attended Yale Law School, including former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and US presidents Bill and Gerald Clinton.

With a 4% admittance rate for the 2020–2021 academic year, Yale Law is the nation’s most exclusive law school.

Few students would decline an invitation to attend Yale Law, which has the highest yield rate of any law school in the country at 87%. Yale Law admissions are extremely difficult.

The nearly perfect 99% bar clearance rate at the institution is proof of the excellent education Yale Law provides its students.

5. Stanford Law School (Stanford, CA)

Since US News and World Report started publishing its annual school rankings in 1992, Stanford Law School has consistently been ranked among the top three law schools in the country.

With an almost perfect 3.93 average, SLS is ranked top in terms of the median undergraduate GPA of accepted applicants who enroll at the school.

The school provides students with unmatched opportunities, like the ability to establish special, tailored joint degree programs or develop new courses depending on the interests of the particular student.

Because of the small student-to-faculty ratio at Stanford, where many of the faculty members are among the top legal scholars and authorities in the world, students have close interactions with them.

SLS provides its students with easy access to Silicon Valley, a hub for the technology sector and innovation, which is close to Palo Alto, California. At the time of graduation, an amazing 88.8% of the Stanford law students in the class of 2017 had jobs; ten months later, that number had increased to 90.4%.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No. 7 in the best law schools. 

6. London School of Economics and Political Science Law School (London, EN)

The London School of Economics and Political Science Law School was established more than a century ago, and it first offered legal instruction in 1895. LSE Law has developed into one of the top law schools in the world throughout the course of its lengthy existence.

According to the most recent Research Excellence Framework, the school is at the top in the UK for research outputs (REF).

The LSE Law School places a strong emphasis on the value of an interdisciplinary, global viewpoint when studying law. The institution values inclusivity as a crucial aspect of both its identity and method of providing legal education.

London, the hub of legal activity in the United Kingdom, is where the school is situated. Its campus is located next to the Royal Courts of Justice and Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court that all UK barristers are required to belong to.

Additionally, LSE Law students can easily walk to the House of Parliament. It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No.10 for best law schools. 

7. Columbia Law School (New York, NY)

Leading the way in the domains of law and legal education is Columbia Law School. The school has a variety of strong and enduring connections with some of the top legal firms, Fortune 500 companies, social justice organizations, and other important professional bodies.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of only 5.2:1, Columbia Law students are able to study closely with these esteemed legal academics while receiving plenty of direct attention from professors.

The intellectual rigor and fierce competition for admissions at the school are well-known.

The entering first-year class of 2021 is no exception to Columbia’s objective of only accepting students of the greatest level, with a median LSAT score of 174 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.84.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No. 9 in the best law schools. 

8. New York University School of Law (New York, NY)

The New York University School of Law, which was established in 1835, is both the oldest remaining law school in the state of New York and the oldest in New York City.

NYU Law’s location in the center of the most populous metropolis in the country affords students access to a huge variety of firms, prestigious employers, and humming commercial and political activity.

For students to obtain real experience representing clients, creating case briefs, and collaborating with practicing attorneys, NYU Law provides more than 40 different clinical programs.

With 16 distinct areas of study, more than 300-course options, and more than 100 highly regarded faculty members, NYU offers its students a multitude of resources.

Additionally, there are over 30 centers and 80 student organizations on campus, providing students with even more opportunities to enhance their time at law school by getting active and taking advantage of these resources.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No.11 for best law schools. 

9. University of California – Berkeley Law School (Berkeley, CA)

The University of California Berkeley Law School consistently receives top ten rankings in the United States and is ranked among the top three public law schools in the country.

The university is renowned for taking an unusual approach to law education. There are no letter grades, GPAs, or student comparison rankings at UC Berkeley Law.

Berkeley Law also provides distinctive, specialized survey courses, such as one called Wine Law. Additionally, students can create their own elective courses.

Students have the option to tailor their programs of study to best meet their unique academic and professional goals after finishing a first semester that consists mostly of mandatory courses.

Berkeley Law also provides L.L.M., master’s, and several alternatives for concurrent degree programs in addition to J.D. degree programs.

It is one of the best law schools in the world and is ranked No. 14 among the best law schools. 

Asides from having good law schools, the top medical schools in California are outstanding among other medical schools in the world too

10. National University of Singapore Faculty of Law (Singapore, Singapore)

One of the top law schools in Asia is well-known to be the Faculty of Law at the National University of Singapore.

The school is situated in Singapore, smack dab in the middle of burgeoning global trade and other business activities.

Singapore is also referred to as the junction between the East and the West, which makes NUS Law a great place to study law.

NUS Law frequently welcomes a number of staff and students on exchange from other universities, adding to the school’s already global environment.

NUS Law has worked to develop an interdisciplinary, inclusive of many views, and globally focused curriculum since its founding in 1957.

By providing a wide choice of courses on numerous diverse subjects, including Asian legal studies, jurisprudence, and intellectual property law, they highlight the value of diversity.

What is the least stressful type of law to practice?

The least stressful type of law to practice is real estate law, Intellectual property law, High Street family law, Government lawyers, and Working In-House.

Real estate law

If you study in the best law schools world for real estate, you will be able to negotiate rental agreements, the purchase and sale of real estate, and the settlement of land ownership issues. 

The work can be quite diverse, ranging from buying a sizable store in the heart of London to negotiating land rights for cottages out in the country. 

Because rigid deadlines are uncommon, you have greater freedom to choose when you finish your work and how many hours you spend at the office.

Is law part of the best paying jobs in real estate?

Intellectual property law

Brands and trademarks are safeguarded from plagiarism by intellectual property law (IP). Businesses will consult with intellectual property attorneys to acquire a license if they wish to create their own logo or trademark particular words. 

In order to obtain a patent, which prevents others from using their design ideas, inventors also consult with IP attorneys. 

IP attorneys will help a business to reach a resolution if they believe their trademark or design has been violated.

Recently, this industry has seen increased demand as a result of the extensive use of IP lawyers by numerous pharmaceutical and technical businesses to safeguard the protection of their products. 

Even so, there are not as many late nights and busy times as in the business and corporate worlds.

The best law schools for intellectual property study is a good start for anyone who intends taking up a job as an intellectual property lawyer.

High street family law

Family lawyers typically work with clients going through a divorce to determine how to distribute their assets and child custody. 

High street businesses typically have fewer employees and are smaller than their city-based rivals. They are intended for someone to walk in off the street and seek advice because of their handy placement.

Because of their tiny size, there will be less work for lawyers to do and fewer deadlines, which will reduce tension and overwhelm employees. 

One thing to keep in mind is that clients of family lawyers will likely be going through a highly stressful period in their lives, and attorneys may find it difficult to deal with the emotional toll of cases.

Government lawyers

Government attorneys offer legal counsel to department members on matters including taxation, discrimination, and the environment. 

Working long hours won’t feel too repetitive because there is a wide range of jobs, making it impossible to grow bored.

Furthermore, it can be incredibly satisfying to see your work affect the public. Due to the demanding nature of their clients, lawyers frequently perceive their work as stressful; nevertheless, government work is typically more flexible.

Working In-House

In-house attorneys work for a specific organization and offer them legal counsel, as opposed to attorneys in private practice. 

The job can range from narrowly focused legal work (for example, privacy and defamation issues for a television corporation) to more general work like employment and tax law. 

Due to the fact that you are just working for one company, there are fewer client demands, less stringent deadlines, and a more personal atmosphere because legal teams are typically smaller.

There are still many different sectors to choose from if maintaining a work-life balance is vital to you.

Despite the fact that huge, corporate firms in the city are more common among students, it’s crucial to pick the kind of firm that best meets your requirements.

Conclusion

No matter what area of law you want to practice, where you want to base your career, or any other circumstances that often affect your chances of landing a top job, graduating from a well-regarded law school is almost certain to lead you to a successful legal career.

Frequently asked questions about the best law schools in the world.

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