The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University Ranks Among Top Institutions in Annual U.S. News & World Report Rankings

PHOENIX, March 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is among the nation's premier law schools, according to an annual survey of graduate schools by U.S. News & World Report. The College of Law is now No.31 among the more than 200 law schools in the country. The College of Law is also the highest ranked law school in Arizona, the only top school in Phoenix, and a top-10 law school in the West.

The 2015 "Best Law Schools" report, released by U.S. News & World Report on March 11, also ranked four of the College's programs among the highest of those programs at all law schools. The College of Law's Legal Method and Writing Program, which is widely considered one of the best in the country was ranked No.8. In addition, the College's Dispute Resolution program had its highest ranking of No.10, and its Health Law and International Law programs were each ranked No.18.  Having four programs ranked in the top 20 puts ASU Law in elite company.  The only ranked law schools that have four or more programs ranked in the top 20 are Harvard, NYU, Georgetown, Stanford, Columbia, UC-Berkeley, and George Washington. 

"Today's rankings reflect the accomplishments of our faculty and their dedication to making the College of Law an institution that is truly dynamic and focused on rewarding experiences for students," said Dean Douglas Sylvester. "Our school's comprehensive approach to legal education gives our students unparalleled research and practical learning opportunities, and we are exceedingly proud of that."

According to Dean Sylvester, the College of Law will continue to have a superior reputation in multiple areas. "It is our constant innovation and student-centered approach that ensures we will be a top law school. We never rest on past accomplishments and are always asking ourselves what else we can do to improve the student experience and to make an impact on society. This approach has resulted in numerous national awards for students, an amazing average of 250 hours of client contact per graduate, and more than $11 million each year in free legal services provided to Arizona."

In addition to continuing to provide exceptional educational opportunities for students, the College of Law is scheduled to relocate to downtown Phoenix from its current home on the ASU Tempe campus, and move into the Arizona Center for Law & Society (www.arizonacenterforlawandsociety.com) in fall 2016. The building is expected to break ground July 2014. The architecture of the College of Law will reflect the school's passion for innovation, collaboration, and opportunity for its students.

"It's in the best interest of our students to be in the heart of downtown Phoenix," added Dean Sylvester. "To expand student opportunities, it's imperative to be located near the center of the legal, business, and political institutions that drive Arizona."

Dean Sylvester also credits the ranking placement to the accomplishments and credentials of the schools 45^th entering class. The College is home to several leading centers and programs such as the Center for Law, Science & Innovation, the Center for Law and Global Affairs, and the Indian Legal Program.

About the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is one of the leading public law schools in the country. Currently ranked No. 31 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, the College has moved up further and faster in national rankings than nearly any other law school. The College is the preeminent law school in metropolitan Phoenix, the nation's seventh-largest city. In addition to its renowned faculty, the College is home to several leading centers and programs recognized for excellence, including the Center for Law, Science & Innovation, the Center for Law and Global Affairs and the Indian Legal Program. Its students choose and benefit from numerous opportunities for experiential and practical-skills training as well as an array of theoretical courses. With a writing program that is ranked No. 8 nationally by U.S. News, a wide range of clinical opportunities, a breadth of externship offerings, and a pro bono program that annually contributes more than 100,000 hours of legal and law-related services to the community, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is pursuing a path of boundless impact, excellence, engagement and opportunity. For more information, visit law.asu.edu.

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SOURCE Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law