National Jurist Magazine Ranks UA Law School as the Best Value in the Nation

Akron, Ohio, March 25, 2002 — The University of Akron's School of Law offers students the best value of any juris doctor program in the United States, according to National Jurist magazine.

The magazine gave UA's law program a “best value” rating of 2.9 on a 3.0-point scale — recognizing it as the top public school program in the nation in rankings published in its March issue. UA's 2.9 rating also was higher than any private school law program, where the top scores were three institutions that each scored 2.6. The only other Ohio law school ranked in the comparison was Case Western Reserve University with a “great value” score in the range of 2.3 to 2.5.

The magazine considered six factors in making its selections, using the latest complete set of American Bar Association data available. On the 3.0-point scale, the comparison gave a 30-percent weight each to tuition and to bar pass rates, and 10 percent each to employment rates, median grants, clinic slots and faculty-student ratio.

“The UA School of Law's dedication to teaching and scholarship has always been evident in the success of its students, faculty and alumni. It is especially gratifying to see their efforts recognized by this ‘best value' rating by the National Jurist,” says Richard L. Aynes, dean of The University of Akron School of Law.

“We are building upon a strong past by maintaining quality in existing programs and developing new areas of expertise responsive to the needs of our students, the legal profession and society,” Aynes adds.

Aynes notes that his school's alumni hold more than 120 positions as judges in U.S. federal courts, in 12 states and in the District of Columbia, and that the school has consistently gained honors over the past 13 years from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy as offering one of the leading trial programs in the nation.

“Our School of Law has a growing history of distinction, and we are proud to note this newest and singular recognition of the program's quality,” says Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron.

“The growth of our intellectual property program, the achievements of our alumni, and most of all, our commitment to each of our student's success, will only serve to enhance its fine reputation. It is in a class of its own,” Proenza added.

The University of Akron School of Law is committed to excellence in teaching and scholarship, and offers joint degrees in business, taxation, public administration and human resource management. It also offers certificate programs in litigation and intellectual property. The UA School of Law has a strong program for the concentrated study of intellectual property and technology, devoting more full-time faculty to the area and offering more courses than any law school in a six-state region.

From its beginnings in 1921, the UA School of Law has provided access to legal education through evening programs, access to legal services for traditionally underrepresented populations, and service to the bench, the bar and the broader community through volunteer leadership and consultation.

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