News UMass Law: UMass Law repeats strong practical training ranking by preLaw magazine

A- ranking places law school 2nd in MA and 3rd in New England for "Best Schools for Practical Training" for 2024

UMass Law students have an array of opportunities for real-world practical experiences involving client interaction, often while providing free legal services to their community. 

Students can participate in one of five legal clinics focusing on Business (Community Development), Criminal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Tribal law with faculty supervision. Many internship opportunities are available where students work with a judge, government agency, or in private practice. Students can compete in moot court and mock trial competitions where they are required to assume the role of an attorney. 

UMass Law students are also required to complete pro bono work; they far exceed the minimum requirement with more than 215,000 pro bono hours contributed to the community since 2010 with a value of over $10 million. 

Those opportunities resulted in an A- ranking for UMass Law from preLaw magazine in the Best Schools for Practical Training 2024 listing in their spring issue. For the second consecutive year, UMass Law ranks 2nd among ABA-accredited law schools in Massachusetts and 3rd in New England for its program of practical legal training.  

"I am happy to see this national recognition of UMass Law's commitment to providing our students with practical experiences while in law school that builds upon their excellent classroom experience," said Dean Sam Panarella. "Doing so helps prepare our students to hit the ground running in their legal practices, allows them to act upon their legal interests soon after starting law school, and, importantly, furthers our justice-based mission to serve communities and individuals in need."

Law schools were graded on several data points focused on practical training including clinics, externships, simulation courses, pro bono hours, and moot trial participation with the largest percentage of weight given to clinic participation. 
 

"I am happy to see this national recognition of UMass Law's commitment to providing our students with practical experiences while in law school that builds upon their excellent classroom experience."