American University Washington College of Law Receives Top Rankings for Diversity, Public Service, International Law, and Trial Advocacy, from preLaw Magazine
Jan. 30, 2020
American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) received top rankings for diversity, public service, international law, and trial advocacy in the Winter 2020 edition of preLaw Magazine.
The magazine, part of the National Jurist publications, identified the best schools for diversity based on student enrollment, faculty, and student services. AUWCL has consistently promoted and celebrated diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our community and the legal profession. The law school ranked #14 on the list of Best Law Schools for Hispanics, #18 for Best Law Schools for African Americans, and #21 for Best Law Schools for Asians.
The publication also recognized outstanding law schools for those interested in pursuing careers in public interest and government or working as prosecutors, public defenders, or clerks. preLaw ranks AUWCL as the #2 Best Law School for Public Defenders, #5 Best Law School for Government, and #6 Best Law School for Public Interest.
preLaw interviewed Professor Cynthia Jones, director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program about the school’s public defender, prosecutorial, and criminal law offerings.
Jones told preLaw that the opportunities for students start in the first year with a criminal law course and an externship fair that brings together employers from the area, including state and federal courts, non-profits, and other agencies.
[The Trial Advocacy Program] prepares students for litigation practice through courses, special programs and advocacy competitions. Courses emphasize implementing a winning case theory and narrative, developing core pretrial and trial skills, demonstrating professionalism and persuasive communication techniques and mastering cutting-edge technology.
“We know what it takes to work as a public defender or prosecutor, and we know what employers are looking for,” Jones said. “We are helping students who think they want to litigate see whether they have the skills.”
The law school was also honored with an A+ ranking for both International Law and Trial Advocacy.
AUWCL’s International and Comparative Law Program, which includes Summer Abroad Programs, 6 International JD Dual Degree Programs, and more than 20 specialized international programs, has consistently been recognized as a top international law program U.S. News and World Report, currently ranked #9 in the nation. More than 26 full-time faculty teach in the area of international law at AUWCL.
Amassing 11 championship wins, numerous finalist, semi-, and quarter-finalist finishes, and 19 individual awards at competitions across the country and the globe last year, the Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program offers more than 15 courses and is ranked #5 by U.S. News and World Report.
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ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW
In 1896, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 120 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. AUWCL’s top ranked specialty programs (in Clinical Legal Education, Trial Advocacy, International Law, Health Law and Policy, Intellectual Property, and Part-Time JD) and dedicated faculty provide its more than 1,450 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC, the nation, and the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.