Emory University

Emory University School of Law, or Emory Law, is located in Atlanta, Georgia and was founded in 1916. The school has just over 750 students and class sizes remain extremely small. The small student population means that classmates become close; they often report attending nearly all of their classes together and eating with one another in the cafeteria. Students often socialize with individuals from the medical and business schools as well, since the graduate schools are all on the same block. There is no on-campus housing, but there are many convenient off-campus apartment options available. Because of the campus location, students can also take advantage of learning from and working with some of the leading lawyers and judges in the nation.

The program is best known for its specializations in Bankruptcy Law, Environmental Law, Feminist Legal Theory, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, and Law and Religion. Students can also complete joint degree programs such as the JD/MBA from the Goizueta Business School, the JD/MTS from the Candler School of Theology, and the JD/MPH from the Rollins School of Public Health.

There are several courses required for first-year Emory Law students including civil procedure, legal methods, contracts, torts, criminal law, property law, Constitutional law, appellate advocacy, and legal research and writing. Unlike other law schools, students are not required to take any other specified courses during their second and third years. Most students claim that their second year is the most difficult because they take a two-week course on trial techniques. They also have to prepare for moot court, interview for jobs, and apply for law reviews. Other Emory Law classes usually taken by second years include evidence, business associations, legal professionalism, and a writing class.

Many Emory Law students take part in the public interest law program because of Emory’s Carter Center which was founded by Jimmy Carter to promote world peace. They also participate in clinics like the Barton Child Advocacy Clinic, the International Humanitarian Law Clinic, and the Turner Environmental Law Clinic to help them gain hands-on experience. Some students choose to study abroad in Hamburg, Budapest, or Sydney. While on campus, students can contribute to three publications including the “Emory Law Journal” and the “Emory International Law Review.”

There are also more than 35 student organizations, which further the solidification of bonds between classmates. Groups cover such diverse topics as the Christian Legal Society, the Federalist Society, and the Student Bar Association. Along with the opportunities provided by the city of Atlanta, students also learn a great deal through their studies and clinic experiences. Great off-campus experiences and a strong alumni network all work to demonstrate how impressive Emory Law truly is.