Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. It is the law school of Ohio State University, a major public research institution located in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1891, the college is named for its benefactor, Michael E. Moritz, an alumnus and former partner at the law firm Jones Day. The college is known for its strong programs in alternative dispute resolution, criminal law, and legal writing, and it consistently ranks among the top public law schools in the United States.

History

The institution was established in 1891 as the Ohio State University College of Law, initially operating out of University Hall. Its early deans included notable figures like John W. Bricker, who later served as a United States Senator and Governor of Ohio. A significant transformation occurred in 2001 following a substantial gift from Michael E. Moritz, a 1961 graduate, leading to the renaming of the school in his honor. Throughout its history, the college has been integral to the development of legal education in the Midwestern United States, expanding its curriculum and physical footprint. Key milestones include the launch of its first legal clinic in the 1970s and the construction of its dedicated building, Drinko Hall, which opened in 1996.

Academics and programs

The college offers the Juris Doctor degree, along with several dual-degree programs in conjunction with other colleges at Ohio State University, such as the Fisher College of Business and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. It grants the Master of Laws for foreign-trained lawyers and a Master of Legal Studies for non-lawyers. The curriculum is recognized for its depth in several areas, notably through its Program on Dispute Resolution, which is consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Students can participate in numerous legal clinics, including the Justice for Children Project and the Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic, and edit journals like the Ohio State Law Journal and the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution. The college also houses influential research centers such as the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center and the Program on Law and Leadership.

Campus and facilities

The college is primarily housed in Drinko Hall, a modern facility named for benefactor John D. Drinko. The building is located on the university's main Columbus campus, adjacent to the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Drinko Hall features the Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Moot Courtroom, a fully functional courtroom used for competitions and classes, and the John Deaver Drinko Hall Library, which contains an extensive legal collection. The building also includes numerous collaborative study spaces, seminar rooms, and offices for student organizations like the Student Bar Association and the Black Law Students Association. Its proximity to Downtown Columbus provides students with access to externships with institutions like the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Attorney General.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty includes prominent legal scholars such as Douglas A. Berman, an expert on sentencing law and creator of the Sentencing Law and Policy blog, and Ruth Colker, a distinguished scholar in disability law and constitutional law. Alumni have achieved significant prominence across various sectors. In the judiciary, notable figures include United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit judge Jeffrey Sutton and former Ohio Supreme Court justice Yvette McGee Brown. In government and politics, alumni range from former United States Senator George V. Voinovich to former White House Counsel Bernard W. Nussbaum. The legal profession is represented by leaders like former American Bar Association president William H. Neukom, and the business world includes executives such as Limited Brands founder Leslie Wexner.

Rankings and reputation

The Moritz College of Law is consistently ranked among the top 30 law schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report and is typically placed within the top 15 public law schools. Its Program on Dispute Resolution has been ranked first in the nation multiple times. The college is also highly regarded for the employment outcomes of its graduates, who secure positions at leading law firms like Jones Day and Squire Patton Boggs, as well as in judicial clerkships with federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Its reputation is bolstered by strong bar passage rates in Ohio and a robust network of alumni across the United States and internationally.

Category:Ohio State University Category:Law schools in Ohio Category:Educational institutions established in 1891 Category:1891 establishments in Ohio