University of Alabama School of Law

University of Alabama School of Law
Name	University of Alabama School of Law
Established	1872
Type	Public
Parent	University of Alabama
Dean	William S. Brewbaker III
City	Tuscaloosa
State	Alabama
Country	United States
Students	550 (approx.)
Faculty	70 (approx.)
Bar pass rate	95% (2022)
Usnwr	25th (2024)

University of Alabama School of Law is the law school of the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa. Founded in 1872, it is the state's oldest public law school and a consistently top-ranked institution. The school is known for its strong bar examination passage rates, influential legal publications, and notable alumni across the judiciary, public service, and private practice.

History

The institution was established by an act of the Alabama Legislature following the American Civil War, with its first classes held in the historic University's Rotunda. Early deans like Henry D. Clayton helped shape its curriculum during the Progressive Era. The school relocated to its current dedicated facility, Farrah Hall, in 1978, named for alumnus and benefactor David J. Farrah. Throughout the 20th century, it integrated following rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States and expanded its national profile under leaders such as Charles D. Cole.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, along with dual-degree programs like the JD–MBA in conjunction with the Manderson Graduate School of Business. Its rigorous curriculum emphasizes foundational courses in torts, contracts, and constitutional law, alongside advanced seminars and clinical legal education programs. Students can concentrate in areas such as business law, criminal procedure, and environmental law, with particular strength in tax law and trial advocacy.

Campus and facilities

The primary facility, Farrah Hall, is a modern structure containing the Bounds Law Library, one of the largest legal collections in the Southeastern United States. The library houses extensive holdings in federal and state jurisprudence. The campus also includes the Alabama Law Center, which hosts the clinical programs, and the newly renovated Moot Court Hall, used for competitions like the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.

Admissions and rankings

Admissions are highly selective, with a median LSAT score consistently above the 90th percentile nationally. The school is currently ranked 25th among law schools by U.S. News & World Report and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. It boasts one of the highest bar examination passage rates in the United States, regularly exceeding 95% for first-time test-takers in Alabama.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent graduates include Howell Heflin, former United States Senator and Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court; Hugo Black, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; and Terry Sewell, member of the United States House of Representatives. Distinguished faculty have included Bryan A. Garner, noted legal lexicographer and co-author with Antonin Scalia, and former dean Kenneth C. Randall, an expert in international law.

Law journals and publications

The school publishes the flagship Alabama Law Review, a top-tier journal cited in opinions by the Supreme Court of the United States and various United States courts of appeals. Other publications include the Journal of the Legal Profession, the Law and Psychology Review, and the Alabama Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Law Review. These journals are edited by students and feature contributions from scholars like Erwin Chemerinsky and Richard A. Epstein.

Centers and programs

Specialized research centers include the Center for Advanced Public Safety, which partners with the Alabama Department of Public Safety, and the Center for Law, Ethics, and National Security, advising entities like the United States Department of Defense. The school also houses the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education and runs the Washington, D.C. Summer Externship Program, placing students with organizations such as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Category:University of Alabama Category:Law schools in Alabama Category:Educational institutions established in 1872