Pace University School of Law was named one of the top 10 best schools for public interest law by National Jurist, a magazine for law students.
The magazine ranked the schools by curriculum, cost of attendance and job placement rates, landing Pace Law School as the ninth best school to attend for public interest.
The school, based in White Plains, was recognized for the many options students have to participate in experiential activities such as the school”™s seven clinics, 10 externship programs and 12 simulation courses.
The ranking weighed curriculum including course, clinical opportunities and faculty more heavily than previous years, lifting some of the weight away from affordability due to new income-based repayment schedules, according to editors. Still, experiential opportunities made up more than half the score.
“I am so very pleased that Pace Law School has received this recognition,” said Vanessa Merton, director of Pace Law”™s Immigration Justice Clinic, in a press release. “This accomplishment reflects the contributions of so many.”
To community members, the names of the school”™s outreach and legal centers may be familiar, such as the Pace Community Law Practice, Public Interest Law Center, Women”™s Justice Center, Empire Justice Center, Land Use Law Center and Center for Environmental Legal Studies.
About 19 percent of students participate in a clinic at the school and 38 percent will hold an externship position, according to the National Jurist.
About 9 percent of students graduating in 2012 found employment in public interest. The average debt in 2013 was $120,300 when tuition was $42,200.
Several neighboring schools also made the list including New York University School of Law at No. 1, City University of New York School of Law at No. 6 and Columbia University School of Law at No. 11.
Topping the list, New York University was recognized for its 39 clinics, range of scholarship programs and a public interest law center than guarantees funding for all first- and second-year students who pursue public interest or government positions while in school. Roughly 14 percent of NYU law students went into public interest in 2012.
Jennifer Friedman, director of the Pace Community Law Practice and the Pace Public Interest Law Center said she believes Pace students work hard to prepare for future careers in government, working with under-represented communities and other forms of public service.
Several serve low-income clients through pro bono programs while others work “tirelessly” in clinics, externships and at external placements.
“I am constantly inspired by Pace Law School”™s dedicated law students and alums, who demonstrate their commitment to justice in so many ways,” she said in a press release.
19% were allowed to participate in a clinic. That’s actually a low number. How many wanted to participate and we’re told there was no room for them? I went to pace for the criminal defense clinic and then wasn’t allowed to be a part of it