Boston College

Boston College Law School, or BC Law, is one of the top law schools in the country. Students at the school, located in Newton, Massachusetts, are deemed the “Legal Eagles” because of the school’s mascot. Founded in 1929, there about 810 students enrolled in the law program. Relatively small class sizes help students connect to professors. With specialties in clinical training and tax law, about 40% of BC Law students join large law firms after graduation, and the school’s career prospects are consistently cited as among the very best in the nation.

Aside from a traditional law degree, students have the choice to pursue dual degrees including a J.D./M.B.A. through the Carroll School of Management, a J.D./Master of Social Work through the School of Social Work, and a J.D./M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning in conjunction with Tufts University. First-year students are required to take a set agenda of courses including Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts. They also must participate in a year-long Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing course. Second and third-year students have much more flexibility in their class selections. The only other required courses are Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, Perspectives on Law and Justice, and Lawyering Skills.

Outside the classroom, students have the opportunity to take part in clinical courses to gain real-life experience. Boston College Law School students are given a chance to help needy clients, like the Civil Litigation Clinic, the Criminal Justice Clinic, Juvenile Rights Advocacy, and the Immigration and Asylum Clinic. Another popular clinic is Women and the Law, in which students can work on cases involving divorce, spousal support, and restraining orders. There are also several centers and institutes with which students can become involved, including the Center for Human Rights and International Justice, Center for Investment Research and Management, Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture (ISPRC), and the Urban Ecology Institute. Students wishing to study abroad programs can study at schools like the Bucerius Law School in Germany and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina in Buenos Aires. Many BC Law students also take part in advocacy programs; first-year students can compete in Negotiation and Client Counseling competitions, while second-years can argue appellate cases in the Wendell F. Grimes Moot Court Competition.

Students can become involved with one of the six publications on campus, including the “Boston College Law Review,” “Boston College International and Comparative Law Review,” and “Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review.” Boston College Law School was the first law school to establish an online-only publication called the “Intellectual Property and Technology Forum.” There are over 30 student organizations on campus, covering a wide range of topics and interests. Individuals who are looking for future positions at top law firms should consider BC Law.