UC Davis School of Law Improves Five Slots in Latest U.S. News & World Report Rankings

UC Davis School of Law improved five slots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing at 31 in the overall ratings of more than 200 American Bar Association-approved law schools. The School of Law ranked even higher in the assessments by legal educators and practitioners, placing 24th in the scores given by lawyers and judges and 25th in the assessments made by deans and professors at other law schools. King Hall also placed 23rd in the U.S. News rankings of "Most Diverse Law Schools," once again proving to be one of the few schools ranking in the top 40 for both overall quality and diversity. In rankings based on median grant amounts, UC Davis School of Law placed first in the U.S. News assessment of the generosity of financial aid at public law schools.

"UC Davis School of Law is making great strides," said Dean Kevin R. Johnson. "In recent years, we have added outstanding professors to our already excellent faculty, expanded opportunities for students with new courses, clinics, and certificates, and recruited an excellent and diverse student body. While it is important not to place undue emphasis on rankings, the latest U.S. News & World Report assessment is a welcome recognition of King Hall's upward trajectory."

In an era in which law school faculty hiring has been stagnant, UC Davis School of Law has been fortunate, with the support of the campus, to be in a position to hire faculty. Recently, the successful recruitment of Professor William S. Dodge from UC Hastings continued the hiring of stellar lateral faculty from leading law schools such as Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, among others.  The hiring of Professor Jasmine Harris, a disability law and evidence expert, also bodes well for the future. In addition, the School of Law recently experienced a 25 percent increase in student applications -- a reflection of King Hall's growing stature and reputation.

Dean Johnson stressed the importance of taking a long-term view when assessing law school quality. "Even the best-conceived rankings capture only a snapshot in time, and sensible readers will want to look at a longer track record," he said. "UC Davis School of Law consistently has ranked among the top tier of American law schools, and recent years have seen a trend toward even greater achievement and a rising national profile. With the outstanding additions to our faculty, our newly expanded and improved facility, and our exceptional and diverse community, we expect even greater things in the years to come."