AUWCL Receives ‘A’ Grades in Business, Criminal Law from PreLaw Magazine

Oct. 17, 2019

Warren building
 

American University Washington College of Law has received an A+ for Business Law and an A grade for Criminal Law in rankings released in PreLaw Magazine’s Fall 2019 issue.

The magazine, published by National Jurist, graded each law schools’ specialty programs off the breadth of their curricular offerings: 30 percent for a concentration, 24 percent for a clinic, 12 percent for a center, 12 percent for an externship, 9 percent for a journal, 8 percent for a student group, and 5 percent for a certificate.

AUWCL was one of 13 law schools across the country to receive an A+ ranking in Business Law. PreLaw cited AUWCL’s advisory council on business, created “to assure its business law program remains forward-looking and connected to major networks in private practice, the corporate world, and government.” It also underscored the business basics boot camp and a new course offering – “Deals” – in which students learn how to document business deals and transactional documents.

"We have not only commitment from students and dedication from faculty, but also many of our most prominent and successful alumni are enthusiastically involved in the Program," said Professor David Snyder, director of the Business Law Program. "They are helping me think through the curriculum so we have our eye on the future when we set our course offerings. Alumni are aiding the students with events, lunches in small groups or one-on-one, and career advice. Bringing alumni, faculty, and students together is a very strong combination."

AUWCL’s A-ranked Criminal Law offerings feature advanced criminal law courses, including Homicide Prosecution, White Collar Crime, International Criminal Law, and Race, Crime and Politics. In the Criminal Justice Clinic, students can prosecute cases or represent criminal defendants. Through the annual Criminal Law Externship Fair, students are able to secure valuable work experience at the Department of Justice, local prosecutor and public defender offices, and a wide range of non-profit organizations, including Families Against Mandatory Minimums, the Victims’ Rights Law Center, and the Innocence Project.

“We’re thrilled that National Jurist has recognized the law school's strengths in the area of Criminal Law,” said Professor Jenny Roberts, co-director of the Clinic. “From professors in the first year course with significant practice experience, to a variety of seminars, externships, and simulation courses, to our defense and prosecution clinics, AUWCL students have many opportunities to prepare for a career in criminal law and related fields.”

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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