20 Things You Didn’t Know about Duke University Law School
Duke University Law School is among the most outstanding universities worldwide. The school is praised for its amazing faculty and education programs. Duke University Law school has produced around 11,495 graduates since 1900. The curriculum has been ranked to be one of the most successful programs. Duke’s curriculum prioritizes a cross-disciplinary approach and professional skills development when it comes to learning and teaching. Students can excel in Duke University Law due to its cooperation, support, and rigorous scholarship programs. Duke’s rich background in academic excellence is not the school’s unique character. Read on to discover the 20 things you didn’t know about Duke University Law School.
1. Duke Law’s Career Centre
According to Duke Law, the school has an outstanding and robust career center. The center has around 12 full-time staff members who prioritize the employment security of the students. The members focus on extending knowledge on different career paths so that students break their unilateral way of thinking. Introducing the students to the dynamics of private-sector jobs, public interest jobs, and judicial clerkships equips them with the necessary knowledge to better inform their decision. The staff organizes several events throughout the year and interviews on campus with various prospective employees.
2. Has an outstanding athletics team
What’s an influential school without a powerful team? Duke Law is proud of its notable athletic achievements all through the years. Their men’s basketball team, which is under Coach Krzyzewski, has brought in a number of wards since 1980. The basketball team has walked away with five national championships. The school also has a women’s golf team named Duke’s top record holder in almost all national championships. Since 1880, Duke University has garnered a number of Football awards, earning the team the nickname “Iron Dukes.”
3. The culture of Duke University Law School
The culture at Duke University law school comprises language, art, and culture. You will find an array of eclectic options when it comes to events and guests as well. The school also hosts a number of shows and festivals to celebrate the culture of Duke Law and Carolina at large.
4. Duke University Law School has the second-highest bar exam pass-rate
In 2020, Duke University Law School was ranked with the second-highest bar exam pass rate. This translates to how effectively education is passed on to the students and how prepared they are for law school. The pass rate defines the percentage of students who pass their bar exams on the first try. With the extensive knowledge imparted and guidance offered at Duke Law, it’s no surprise that their students end up fully prepared for the big test. Attending such a reputable school that ranks high on the bar exam will increase your chance of joining your preferred employment field.
5. Duke Law’s research centers
Duke University Law School is home to 18 programs, centers, and institutes whose primary focus is to advance research and education on specific subjects. Students can participate in these cutting-edge research programs that focus primarily on public policy, law, and society. Some of the centers are the Center on Law & Technology, Law Ethics and National Security, and the Wilson Center for Science and Justice.
6. Duke Law publishes eight student-edited journals
According to Law Duke, the school commits to publishing 8 law reviews or academic journals. These journals and reviews are collaborative work between the University and esteemed associations. These journals and reviews aim to fill a gap in the law community. They are readily available on the School’s online platform. The eight journals in question cut across the following disciplines; Constitutional Law & Public Policy, Law & Technology, Gender Law & Policy, Environmental Law & Policy, Comparative & International Law, Alaska Law, and Law and Contemporary problems.
7. Duke University Law School’s acceptance rate
Getting into Duke University Law School is not an easy feat. This renowned institution has a high standard when it comes to admitting students. Duke Law ranks at the 11th spot in terms of students’ selection. The acceptance rate stands at 20.2% among the interested applicants.
8. Has the highest employment rate in The Carolinas
Duke Law has one of the “most impressive employment rates. Students from Duke University Law School rarely stay unemployed for a year after leaving. In 2019, the employment rate at Duke University was 97%. Statistics also show that most find employment within ten months of their graduation. Over 90% of the students are presented with job positions requiring admission to the bar. Less than 10% of the students stay back in North Carolina, while over 30% spread their wings in New York. Around 30% of the graduates also score jobs in the Federal or State bench as judicial clerkships, while 52% get employed in large law firms worldwide.
9. Duke Law’s entrepreneurship programs
Duke Law has several programs that focus on entrepreneurship activities and is strongly connected to like-minded organizations. The school’s locale is an excellent entrepreneurial ecosystem at Research Triangle Park. This collaboration contributes highly to the student’s innovation while positively impacting the community and society.
10. Pro bono programs at Duke Law
Duke has a formal, voluntary pro bono project that one can join once referred by a coordinator. This program is a mandatory requirement for graduation. Students must complete 30 hours of pro bono work by the end of their coursework. This project was created in 1991 and aims at shaping lawyers who want to join the public service sector in whatever capacity. Whether one wants to join in on civic and community activities or work at a non-profit organization or the government, this project will be an added advantage for any student that joins. This project also connects students with professionals in these institutions, therefore stepping in as a means of network and connections.
11. First African-American student was admitted in 1961
The years that came before that were characterized by racially-restrictive policies that often violated the rights of African-American people. There were also protests staged by students and faculty members of Duke Divinity School back in 1948. In 1954, a petition raised to admit Black students to the school was rejected, causing the school to remain segregated. 1961 was a year that marked one of the most important and crucial steps Duke Law ever took. Walter Thaniel Johnson, Jr. and David Robinson are the first black students to be admitted to Duke University Law School. The years that followed saw changes in policy and student enrollment whereby one could be admitted to Duke law without regard for race.
12. First female law student was admitted in 1927
The very first female law student at Duke University Law School was admitted in 1927. The college graduate went by the name of Mirriam Cox and proceeded to hold a position in the court as a reporter. This historical move broke the gender barrier already present in the male-dominated world. Since then, society could feel how women were treated and respected. This wave of change advanced the fight for women and the shackles of gender roles in society.
13. The alumni of Duke University Law School
The alumni community at Duke University Law School comprises impressive and outstanding members of the community, country, and even the world. Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was an alumnus. Duke Law has produced professionals in various fields, including the Judiciary, business, academia, the military, and even in sports.
14. The school offers joint-degree programs
Duke University Law School offers its students a fantastic opportunity to intersect two disciplines under their joint degree programs. This way, a student can pursue law and explore another world-class degree. Additionally, Duke Law also offers students a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree for students who already have an LL.M but want to pursue a career in legal academia. There are three programs at Duke Law: International and Comparative Law, Law and Entrepreneurship, Bioethics and Science Policy or business administration, environmental management, medicine, public policy, or divinity. These programs are great for students who want to satisfy their intellectual interests and exceed their standards of study and research. This also allows them to save an entire year of study if they study two degrees at different times.
15. Duke University School of Law rankings
Duke University School of Law has garnered several top ranks in the country and worldwide. According to Times Higher Education, in 2018, Duke University School of law emerged as the top and best law school globally. They have also received a similar award from Above the law in 2020. Other awards that the Duke University of Law proudly carries include; 1st Best professors and 1st Best quality of life award by Princeton Review, best career prospects, and best in the world in law, among others.
16. A member of the top 14 law schools
Duke University Law School is a consistent name in the top 14 law schools category. This is one of the most prominent categories for law schools. The T-14 schools are the institutions that frequently hold the top 14 positions in the US. They are typically listed in the U.S. News and World Report (USNWR). By its rank, getting into a T-14 school is quite difficult. One needs to have exemplary grades and a high LSAT score. For a law school to make it into the T-14, some standards are measured to ensure that it belongs in that category. This includes; employment rates, acceptance rates, undergraduate GPA, and LSAT scores, among others.
17. Duke University Law School was established in 1868
Before Duke Law became a fully-fledged University, the school began as Trinity College back in 1855. During this time, the lessons being dispensed were on constitutional and international law. The law department was then founded in 1868 after receiving its official charter as a school of law. Trinity College then joined Duke University after the Duke Endowment was established in 1924. At this time, the school took up the name Duke University School of Law.
18. Faculty members at Duke University
The faculty at Duke University School of law is composed of notable figures worldwide. The faculty members are very integral to the University’s success as they are instrumental in the groundbreaking legal scholarship offered at the school. This faculty includes well-respected professionals in specific fields and active practitioners in both the private and public sectors. The faculty members also bring their extensive experience onboard, a quality that goes a long way in equipping the students with additional knowledge. Several faculty members are former scholars from Rhodes, Fulbright, and Marshal, while others hold seats in the supreme court. The faculty also has out-of-town professors from other countries that bring in extensive international connections.
19. Duke University Law School has an open-door policy
In Duke University Law School, the students are the topmost priority. The school has an open-door policy that creates an environment that allows for open communication. Students can express themselves while the school actively listens to develop ways to make the situation better. This also encourages both parties to create room for better planning and management regarding specific programs and policies. This way, the students can be guided in the right direction. Some of the services that are featured under the open-door policy include advice on course requirements and resources needed and honest discussions on health and wellness.
20. Weddings at Duke Chapel
There is nothing better than good old-fashioned love to warm up the atmosphere at Duke University Law School. Duke chapel opens its doors to interested couples who have any form of tie to Duke University. Be it a member of the interested couple, a parent, or grandparent. There are no exceptions to this rule since the eligibility policy only covers students of Duke University.
In Conclusion
Duke University Law School is a striving university that integrates substantive learning approaches to the classroom. Aside from that, the university also offers real-life experiences and a good culture. The school is an excellent leader in international law, business, and trial advocacy, among others.
