University of Texas School of Law

University of Texas School of Law
Name	University of Texas School of Law
Established	1883
Parent	University of Texas at Austin
Dean	Bobby Chesney
City	Austin
State	Texas
Country	United States

University of Texas School of Law. It is a premier public law school and a flagship institution of the University of Texas at Austin. Founded in the late 19th century, it has grown into one of the nation's most influential legal education centers, consistently ranked among the top law schools. The school is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, distinguished faculty, and powerful alumni network that extends across the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Congress, and major law firms worldwide.

History

The institution was established in 1883 by the University of Texas Board of Regents, initially holding classes in the Old Main Building on the original Forty Acres campus. Its early development was shaped by figures like John Townes, the first dean, and it granted its first Bachelor of Laws degree in 1884. A pivotal moment occurred following the United States Supreme Court decision in Sweatt v. Painter (1950), which mandated the admission of Heman Sweatt, paving the way for integration. Subsequent decades saw significant growth under deans such as Page Keeton and the expansion of its physical plant and national profile, cementing its role as a leader in legal education in the United States.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor as its primary degree, featuring a curriculum that includes foundational courses and advanced seminars in areas like constitutional law, corporate law, and international law. It also provides graduate degrees, including the Master of Laws and the Doctor of Juridical Science. The academic experience is characterized by a low student-to-faculty ratio, opportunities for hands-on learning through its renowned clinical legal education programs, and a required first-year course in legal research and writing. Students can pursue concentrations and participate in moot court competitions, including the prestigious T. C. Williams National Moot Court Competition.

Campus and facilities

The law school is housed primarily in the Townes Hall and John B. Connally Center complex on the university's main campus in Austin. These facilities include the Tarlton Law Library, one of the largest academic law libraries in the United States, which contains extensive collections and rare manuscripts. The campus also features the Susman Godfrey Atrium, modern courtrooms for trial advocacy programs, and the Wright C. Morrow Courtyard. Proximity to the Texas State Capitol and the Supreme Court of Texas provides unique opportunities for externships and engagement with the state's legal and political institutions.

Rankings and reputation

Consistently ranked as a top-tier law school, it is placed within the top 20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and is often regarded as the leading public law school in the American South. Its specialties in tax law, intellectual property law, and energy law are frequently ranked among the very best. The school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is known for its strong placement rates with major firms like Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts, as well as with federal clerkships, including those within the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Notable alumni and faculty

Alumni have achieved prominence in numerous fields, including United States Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark, former White House Chief of Staff and United States Secretary of Energy James B. "Jim" Hunt, and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Distinguished faculty have included constitutional scholar Charles Alan Wright, who argued before the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Nixon, and former United States Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Other notable graduates include Judge Karen Williams of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Dolph Briscoe, former Governor of Texas.

Publications and centers

The school publishes several influential legal journals, including the Texas Law Review, one of the most cited law reviews in the nation, and the Texas International Law Journal. Its research mission is advanced through numerous centers and institutes, such as the Center for Global Energy, International Arbitration, and Environmental Law, the Raphael Lemkin Institute for International Criminal Law, and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Energy, Law, and Business. These entities host conferences, publish policy reports, and engage with leaders from organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

Category:University of Texas at Austin Category:Law schools in Texas Category:Educational institutions established in 1883