| Summary |
Emory University School of Law is one of the premier law schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school has a reputation for excellence in legal education and research and provides students with a rigorous, supportive learning environment.
Emory Law offers a wide range of courses and degree programs to meet the needs of all students. The law school offers six J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree programs, four joint degree programs, and several certificates and concentrations. The school's curriculum gives students the opportunity to gain a broad knowledge of the law and specialized legal skills, enabling them to pursue a distinguished career in their chosen field.
The school also provides engaging clinical and experiential learning opportunities, preparing students to become ethical, responsible, and effective lawyers. Through its innovative teaching methods, Emory Law prepares students for legal practice in the global marketplace.
The faculty at Emory Law are renowned scholars from a variety of different backgrounds, who have achieved distinction in the legal field. They are committed to providing the highest quality of legal education and research.
Emory Law offers a range of student organizations and activities that provide students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain real-world experience. The school also participates in national moot court competitions, helping students hone their advocacy skills and gain recognition in the legal community.
Emory Law is the home of the Georgia Law Review, which is consistently ranked among the top law reviews in the country. The school also houses the Emory International Law Review, which provides a critical forum for exchanging ideas on international legal issues.
Emory Law provides students with a quality legal education combined with a strong emphasis on public service, all within a supportive learning environment. With its innovative teaching, research, and extracurricular activities, Emory Law provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a legal career. Emory Law is dedicated to providing its students with a comprehensive and comprehensive legal education, preparing them to excel in the legal profession and make a positive contribution to the legal community.
Emory University School of Law
Emory University School of Law is one of the country's top academic institutions for the study of law. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school offers an innovative, comprehensive legal education with a global perspective. Founded in 1916, the school has a long and distinguished history, and is one of 82 accredited law schools in the United States. With a student body of more than 800, the school offers JD, LLM, and MSL degrees, as well as certificate programs.Emory University Law School's History
Since its founding in 1916, the Emory University School of Law has established itself as a preeminent school of law in the United States. The school is renowned for its outstanding faculty, rigorous academic curriculum, and commitment to social justice. It has excelled in the areas of health law, international law, and public policy, and is ranked in the top 20 law schools in the country by both U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review.Emory Law School's Program Offerings
Emory Law offers a wide range of academic programs to its students, from traditional JD programs to specialized Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degrees. The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students for legal practice in the public and private sectors, as well as for careers in business, government, and public service. Emory Law is also home to several academic centers and institutes, including the prominent Center for the Study of Law and Religion, which is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of law and religion.Emory Law School's Admissions Process
Admission to Emory Law is highly competitive, and the school takes into account many factors when considering applicants. Test scores, undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement are all taken into account, as well as factors such as leadership, work experience, service to the community, and the applicant's ability to contribute to the diversity of the student body.Overview
Established in 1916, Emory Law School aims to imbue the academic experience with certain qualities, including: commitment to humane teaching and mentorship and collegial interaction among faculty, students, and staff.
An Emory legal education is about more than practice; it is about taking the skills gained in the classroom and putting them into practice through activities outside the classroom. Students learn “black letter law,” the language of the legal world. Through innovative programs such as field placements, the Kessler-Eidson Program for Trial Techniques, the TI:GER Program in cooperation with Georgia Institute of Technology, and many others, students gain practical legal experience by working with real lawyers in the real world.
The MacMillan law library holds over 400,000 volumes. It also holds primary and secondary resources in United States and British law as well as international law. Its archives room houses law school archives and notable collections of papers and other materials. In addition, the library provides access to many electronic resources, including Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw, and a variety of other specialized legal databases.
|
|
Student-Faculty Ratio
10.6:1
Admission Criteria
|
LSAT |
GPA |
25th-75th Percentile |
159-166 |
3.40-3.79 |
Median* |
165 |
3.70 |
The above LSAT and GPA data pertain to the fall 2011 entering class.
*Medians have been calculated by averaging the 25th- and 75th-percentile values released by the law schools and have been rounded up to the nearest whole number for LSAT scores and to the nearest one-hundredth for GPAs.
Admission Statistics
Approximate number of applications |
3,951 |
Number accepted |
1,287 |
Percentage accepted |
32.6% |
The above admission details are based on fall 2011 data.
Class Ranking and Grades
Emory Law’s policy is to rank only the top 1/3 of each class. Individual class ranks are given to the top 10% of the class.
Emory Law School uses a letter grading system with grades ranging from A+ to F. A cumulative average of 2.25 is required for good standing and for graduation. In the JD program, a student must earn a grade of at least D- to receive credit for a course. F is a failing grade.
Grades awarded by the law school and their corresponding grade point values are:
A+ |
4.3 |
A |
4.0 |
A- |
3.7 |
B+ |
3.3 |
B |
3.0 |
B- |
2.7 |
C+ |
2.3 |
C |
2.0 |
C- |
1.7 |
D+ |
1.3 |
D |
1.0 |
D- |
0.7 |
F |
0.0 |
Required coursework or deferred examination must be completed by the close of the term in which the course is next offered, or the grade of I (Incomplete) will automatically be converted to a final grade of F.
Pass/Fail option
A student may elect to take a total of six credit hours pass-fail. These credits may either be graduate level course work from other Emory University schools/colleges or Law School courses, or any combination thereof, up to six hours.
The option to take a course pass-fail applies only to elective, upper-level courses and not to seminar classes and is available only to students taking a full load of the law school courses.
Grade normalization (Curve)
To be in good academic standing, a student in the JD program must, based on all coursework completed at the conclusion of the second term (the term in which the student completes at least 25 semester hours), have a cumulative average of at least 2.25. Any student not in good standing is automatically ineligible to continue in the JD program. No student who has a cumulative average less than 2.25 shall be granted a JD degree.
Honors
Honor |
Criteria |
Order of the Coif |
Top 10% |
First Honor Graduate |
Highest overall academic average for all three years at Emory |
High Honors |
Final cumulative average of 3.80 |
Honors |
Final cumulative average of 3.45 |
Dean’s List |
Semester average of 3.45 or higher for at least 10 graded law hours |
Awards
Name of Award |
Description |
Dean’s Public Service Awards |
Special recognition of a number of law students who have contributed to public service at the law school |
Pro Bono Awards |
Awarded for working a minimum of 25 pro bono hours during the academic year |
A. James Elliott Community Service Award |
Awarded annually to the law school graduate who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to community service while at the law school |
Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund Award |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in real estate courses |
Beynart Professionalism Award |
Awarded to an outstanding third-year student |
Distinguished Service Award |
Awarded to honors students involved in extracurricular activities |
Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Award |
Awarded for outstanding commitment to women in law |
Moffett Litigation Award |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in trial preparation |
National Association of Women Lawyers Award |
Awarded for outstanding devotion to women in law issues |
Order of Barristers |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in appellate advocacy |
Barbara S. Rudisill Award |
Memorial award for a student pursuing law as a second career |
Wall Street Journal Achievement Award |
Awarded to the top-ranked student in his or her graduating class |
American Law Institute-ABA Leadership Award |
Awarded for outstanding leadership and scholarship |
ABA/BNA Leadership Award |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in intellectual property |
Kleinrock Publishing Award |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in taxation |
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal |
Awarded for outstanding academic performance in bankruptcy |
Custer-Tuggle Award |
Awarded for outstanding commitment to family law |
International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award |
Awarded for outstanding litigation skills |
Alternative Dispute Resolution Conflict Resolution Award |
Awarded for outstanding alternative dispute resolution skills |
State Bar of Georgia Labor/Employment Award |
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in labor and employment |
ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law |
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in health law |
ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law |
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in labor and employment law |
Bryan Prize |
Awarded for outstanding achievement in constitutional law |
Georgia Tax Section Award |
Awarded for outstanding achievement in taxation |
Paul Hastings Janofsky Award |
Awarded for outstanding achievement in securities law |
Order of Emory Advocates Award |
Awarded for significant achievement in appellate advocacy |
James C. Pratt Memorial Award |
Awarded for outstanding service to the Emory Moot Court Society |
James C. Pratt Best Brief Award |
Awarded for an outstanding brief in 2L moot court competition |
Henry Quillian Prize in Contracts |
Awarded for outstanding achievement in commercial law |
Sutherland Asbill Brennan Award |
Awarded for outstanding achievement in a federal income tax course |
Most Outstanding Third-Year Student Award |
Awarded for outstanding leadership |
Douglass Lee Peabody Memorial Award |
Awarded for outstanding 1L advocacy |
Burt and Betty Schear Book Prize |
Awarded for unique character and leadership |
Keith J. Shapiro Award |
Awarded for excellence in business and consumer bankruptcy |
Student Legal Services Award |
Awarded for overall leadership in Student Legal Services |
Who’s Who Award |
Awarded for overall leadership in law school |
State Bar of Georgia Real Property Award |
Awarded for high achievement in real property coursework |
Bolton Award |
Awarded for excellence in brief writing |
Mary Laura “Chee” Davis Award |
Awarded for the best journal comment |
Herman Dooyeweerd Prize |
Awarded to outstanding law and religion students |
Emory International Law Review Award |
Awarded to the best speaker |
Emory International Law Review Founders Award |
Awarded for the best journal comment |
Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart Award |
Awarded to the best oralist in 2L competition |
Gary B. Katz Memorial Award |
Awarded for outstanding service in Student Legal Services |
Myron Penn Laughlin Award |
Awarded for excellence in legal research and writing |
Outstanding 3L Student Award |
Awarded to students for outstanding commitment to public service/pro bono work while in law school |
Michael Gullett Memorial Award |
Awarded to Best Speaker |
LaMarr Inn of Court |
Awarded for outstanding advocacy skills |
Journals
The Emory Law Journal, which began in 1952 as the Journal of Public Law, is published bimonthly and edited entirely by students. It serves as a forum for legal activism by demonstrating where the law should be. The journal’s members and candidates carry sole responsibility for the editorial content and the substantive and technical accuracy of each article published. The journal’s goals, among others, include fostering excellence among students in legal research, writing, analysis, and editing as well as providing the legal community with reliable and thoughtful commentary on new developments and trends in the law.
The Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal is an entirely student-run journal that explores the principles, policies, and practice of bankruptcy law. It publishes two volumes per year and hosts a symposium in the spring. This widely-read journal provides a forum for research, debate, and information for practitioners, scholars, and the public.
The Emory International Law Review is published semiannually. EILR publishes articles and essays submitted by professionals and students from around the world on a vast array of topics ranging from human rights to international intellectual property issues. It is entirely edited by students and is known for excellence in scholarship, legal research, analysis, and professionalism.
Moot Court
Moot court membership is open to all full-time JD students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.35. The Emory Moot Court Society has 60 members. Students compete for places on an inter-mural team, which is selected based on brief writing and oral advocacy scores in an intra-school competition. This special team competes in various inter-school competitions around the country. Emory’s special teams have had a long tradition of excellence in appellate advocacy, winning many moot court competitions nationwide.
Emory Law has so far successfully competed in the Saul Lefkowitz Intellectual Property Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC; the Irving R. Kaufman Securities Law Moot Court Competition in New York City; the Jerome Prince Evidence Moot Court Competition in New York City; the Vanderbilt First Amendment Moot Court Competition; the Georgia Intrastate Moot Court Competition; and the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. In addition, the Emory Moot Court Society sends a team to compete in the National Moot Court Competition.
Clinical Programs
Emory Law offers experiential learning opportunities that give students real-world experience through its centers and clinics.
The Barton Child Law and Policy Center offers Barton Public Policy Clinic, Barton Legislative Clinic, Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic, and the Appeal for Youth Clinic.
The Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic offers students practical experiences in child advocacy work. The clinic was established to provide research-based information, training, and policy analysis to practitioners and policy-makers charged with protecting Georgia’s children.
The Barton Legislative Clinic gives the practical knowledge in the real world process of taking a reform from the proposal stage to actual enactment.
The Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic gives law students the opportunity to represent clients in delinquency and status offense proceedings in Georgia’s juvenile courts. Pursuant to Georgia’s third-year practice rule, under the supervision of the clinic’s managing attorney, students are responsible for handling all aspects of client representation. Students may also participate in policy work related to juvenile justice issues.
Students in the Appeal for Youth Clinic provide holistic appellate representation of youthful offenders in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Students also engage in research and participate in the development of public policy related to juvenile justice issues.
The Turner environmental Law Clinic provides free legal assistance to individuals, community groups, and nonprofit environmental organizations seeking to protect and restore the natural environment for the benefit of the public. The clinic trains law students to be effective environmental attorneys with high ethical standards and sensitivity to the natural environment.
The International Humanitarian Law Clinic pairs students with organizations, law firms, tribunals, and other groups that prosecute war criminals, protect humanitarian relief efforts entering conflict zones, represent detainees at Guantanamo Bay, monitor conduct during hostilities, gather information about abuses committed in conflict areas and similar issues.
Placement Facts
Starting Salaries (2010 Graduates employed Full-Time)
Private sector (25th-75th percentile) |
$66,250-$160,000 |
Median in the private sector |
S130,000 |
Median in public service |
$56,000 |
Employment Details
Graduates known to be employed at graduation |
59.8% |
Graduates known to be employed nine months after graduation |
90.9% |
Areas of Legal Practice
Graduates employed In |
Percentage |
Law Firms |
55.4% |
Business and Industry |
7.8% |
Government |
13.0% |
Judicial Clerkships |
10.8% |
Public Interest Organizations |
7.4% |
Academia |
2.2% |
Unknown |
3.5% |
Externships/Internships
Externships
The Field Placement Program provides a legal externship program that places up to 150 students with approximately 70 government agencies, public interest organizations, judges, and corporations in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Students receive 3 credit hours for externing under the supervision of practicing attorneys, in offices that are pre-approved by the law school. All second- and third-year JD students are eligible to apply.
Internships
The Field Placement Program provides second- and third-year law students the opportunity to serve internships with public service organizations, corporations, public defenders, and government agencies
Student organizations
Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
American Constitution Society
Asian American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
Christian Legal Society
Democratic Law and Policy Research Group
Emory Advocacy Society
The Emory Immigration Law Society
Emory Federalist Society
Emory Food Club
Emory Mock Trial Society
Emory Moot Court Society
Emory OutLaw
Emory Public Interest Committee
Emory Student Lawyers Guild
Environmental Law and Conservation Society
Health Law Society
Homeless Advocacy Program
Intellectual Property Society
International Law Society
JD/MBA Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Latin American Law Students Association
Lamar Inn of Court
Legal Association for Women Students
Legal Fraternities
National Security & Law Society
Real Estate Society
South Asian Law Students Association
Sports and Entertainment Law Society
Student Bar Association
Student Legal Services
References
http://www.law.emory.edu/index.php?id=6389
http://www.law.emory.edu/about-emory-law/history.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics
http://library.law.emory.edu/about-the-library/
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/emory-university-03039
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/emory-university-03039/admissions
Id.
http://www.law.emory.edu/career-services/information-for-employers/policies.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/academic-catalog/academic-policies.html#c1891
http://www.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/career_services/LYT_Revamp/Grade_Information_LYT/Emory_Law_-_SPRING_2011_Class_Rank_Percentiles.pdf
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/academic-catalog/degree-requirements.html
https://www.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/registrar/Good_Standing_Notice_for_Web.pdf
http://www.nalplawschoolsonline.org/ndlsdir_search_results.asp?lscd=51101&yr=2011
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/public-interest/awards.html
http://www.nalplawschoolsonline.org/ndlsdir_search_results.asp?lscd=51101&yr=2011
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/law-journals/emory-law-journal/about.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/law-journals/emory-bankruptcy-developments-journal/about.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/law-journals/emory-international-law-review/about.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/law-journals/emory-international-law-review/about/subscriptions.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/studentorganizations/moot-court-society.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/centers-clinics.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/centers-clinics/barton-child-law-policy-center/clinics.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/academic-programs/environmental-law/turner-clinic.html
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/emory-university-03039/career-prospects
Id.
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/academic-programs.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/academics/academic-programs/field-placement-program.html
http://www.law.emory.edu/student-life/studentorganizations.html
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