Boston College Law School

Boston College Law School. It is the law school of Boston College, a private Jesuit research university. Founded in 1929, the school is located on a suburban campus in Newton, Massachusetts, and is known for its strong programs in legal ethics, intellectual property law, and clinical legal education. It consistently ranks among the top law schools in the United States.

History

The institution was established in 1929, initially operating in downtown Boston near the Massachusetts State House. Its founding was part of Boston College's expansion under the leadership of President Thomas I. Gasson. The law school moved to its current campus in Newton, on land formerly part of the Boston College Brighton Campus, in 1974. This relocation to the Newton Campus provided a dedicated, modern facility designed by the noted architect Pietro Belluschi. Throughout its history, it has maintained its Jesuit commitment to social justice, influencing its curriculum and clinical legal education programs.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, as well as several LL.M. programs and dual degrees, including a J.D./MBA with the Carroll School of Management. Its curriculum emphasizes foundational courses in contracts, torts, and constitutional law, alongside renowned concentrations in intellectual property law, business and commercial law, and human rights law. Students gain practical experience through in-house clinics like the Legal Services Lab and the Immigration Clinic, and externships with organizations such as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the United States Attorney's Office. The school is also home to influential publications like the Boston College Law Review and the Uniform Commercial Code Reporter-Digest.

Campus

The campus is situated on 40 wooded acres in the Chestnut Hill section of Newton, Massachusetts, approximately six miles from downtown Boston. The main academic building is the St. Thomas More Hall, which houses the Law Library, moot courtrooms, and faculty offices. The Law Library is a significant research facility with extensive collections in international law and tax law. Student life is centered around the Robert G. Stewart Plaza and the Barat House, which contains student organization offices. The suburban setting provides a distinct campus environment while maintaining proximity to the legal markets of Boston and Cambridge.

Notable alumni

Graduates have achieved prominence across the judiciary, public service, and private practice. Notable jurists include former United States Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, and former Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. In the federal judiciary, alumni include Judge Patti B. Saris of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and Judge William J. Kayatta Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Other distinguished graduates are former United States Ambassador to the Holy See Raymond Flynn, and legal scholar Kathleen M. Sullivan, former dean of Stanford Law School.

Rankings and reputation

It is consistently ranked within the top 30 law schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The school is particularly well-regarded for its programs in legal writing, clinical training, and intellectual property law. Its LSAT scores and GPA medians for entering classes are highly competitive. The school boasts a strong bar passage rate in Massachusetts and high employment outcomes, with graduates securing positions at major law firms like Ropes & Gray, government agencies such as the United States Department of Justice, and public interest organizations. Its reputation is bolstered by its active alumni network and its commitment to the Jesuit educational tradition.

Category:Law schools in Massachusetts Category:Boston College Category:Educational institutions established in 1929