Thomas R. Kline School of Law

Thomas R. Kline School of Law. It is the law school of Drexel University, located in the University City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established by the university in 2006, it was renamed in 2014 following a historic gift from prominent trial attorney Thomas R. Kline. The school is known for its integrated experiential learning curriculum and its focus on technology, health, and intellectual property law.

History

The school was founded in 2006 as the Drexel University School of Law, marking Drexel University's entry into legal education. Its creation was part of a broader expansion of the university's professional graduate programs. In 2014, the institution received a transformative naming gift from alumnus and renowned Philadelphia litigator Thomas R. Kline, a senior partner at Kline & Specter. This led to its renaming as the Thomas R. Kline School of Law. A significant milestone in its development was the 2008 opening of its dedicated facility within the University City district, consolidating its operations and enhancing its presence alongside institutions like the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Academics and programs

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, featuring a curriculum that integrates extensive practical experience. All students complete a six-month, full-time cooperative education placement, known as the co-op program, with employers such as Dechert, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Defender Association of Philadelphia. It grants several specialized LL.M. degrees, including in Health Law and Intellectual property law. The school is also home to the Drexel Law Review and the Center for Law and Transformative Technology. Distinctive programs include the Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy, which houses a state-of-the-art courtroom, and the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University initiated a pathway for dual-degree programs with other colleges.

Campus and facilities

The law school is housed in a modern, 11-story building at 3320 Market Street in the heart of University City. The facility includes the Thomas R. Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy, which contains a full-scale, technology-equipped mock courtroom used for training in trial advocacy. The building also features the Drexel Law Library, numerous collaborative study spaces, and seminar rooms. Its location provides students with proximity to major legal employers, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and numerous leading law firms in Center City, Philadelphia.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty includes scholars such as Dean Daniel M. Filler, a noted expert on criminal law and sentencing, and David S. Cohen, a prominent authority on reproductive rights and constitutional law. The school's namesake, Thomas R. Kline, is a nationally recognized trial lawyer known for landmark verdicts in Pennsylvania. Distinguished alumni include Kevin R. Boyle, a partner at Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky known for catastrophic injury law, and Amber Racine, a partner at Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer and Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Other graduates hold positions in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the United States Department of Justice, and as judges on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.

Rankings and reputation

The school is consistently ranked among the top 100 law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Its Health Law program is frequently ranked within the top 20 nationally. The Princeton Review has recognized it for having among the best professorial faculty. The school has gained a strong reputation for its graduate employment outcomes, particularly in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic states, with many graduates securing positions at Am Law 100 firms, public interest organizations, and government agencies. Its innovative co-op program is widely cited as a model for practical legal education.

Category:Drexel University Category:Law schools in Pennsylvania Category:Educational institutions established in 2006 Category:University City, Philadelphia