U of U ranks 2nd among clinical law schools nationally

U of U ranks 2nd among clinical law schools nationally

(Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Behind only Yale, the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law was ranked second among law schools nationally for clinical opportunities.

The National Jurist recently raised the ranking of the U. of U. due to its emphasis on experiential learning opportunities. According to the Jurist’s sister publication, PreLaw, in which the rankings were published, 86 percent of law students at the U. of U. have participated in at least one of the clinical programs.

The school made the biggest climb of the 200 universities from the 2012 ranking, PreLaw reported.

“This recognition affirms our long-standing commitment to preparing students for practice by providing myriad opportunities for hands-on learning,” said Linda F. Smith, director of the U. of U.’s clinical program. “It is important for students to have community-engaged learning opportunities to prepare them for their careers, but it also fills important needs in our community.”

In November 2011, the U. of U. started a law practice staffed by students. The University Law Group has brought national recognition to the university as an innovator. Additionally, the school recently expanded its international study abroad and expanded its new-venture fund that allows students to work on intellectual property and business planning issues. Students have dedicated approximately 40,000 hours to these programs.

“Our location in the capital city with many public-minded attorneys and judges provides excellent field placements so that any student who wants a community-engaged learning experience can have one any semester,” Smith said. “Clinical experiences are becoming an increasingly important way for students to practice relevant skills, understand legal institutions and law in the context of practice, and gain insight into their strengths and career preferences.”

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