20 Things You Didn’t Know about The University of Alabama School of Law
The University of Alabama School of Law is one of five law schools in Alabama, of which just three are ABA-accredited. The School of Law is the only public law school in Alabama. It’s a nationally ranked school with status as a top-tier institution. The law school is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. If you’re considering the University of Alabama School of Law, but you’re not familiar with the school, here are twenty things you probably didn’t know about the institution to bring you up to speed.
1. The University of Alabama School of Law has a low student-to-faculty ratio
The University of Alabama maintains small class sizes to endure that students receive the individual attention needed from professors. The student-faculty ratio is 6.3 to 1. The small class size provides opportunities for more interactions between faculty and students, in contrast with some of the large lecture halls with hundreds of students. The enrollment numbers are approximately 363 for the J.D. program, according to Wikipedia.
2. The University of Alabama School of Law offers JD and LL.M. degrees
The UASL offers a choice of degree programs for law students. Among them are Juris Doctor degrees and LL.M. degrees in various disciplines, including Business Transactions, Taxation, and International Law. The law school partners with the Manderson Graduate School of Business to offer joint four-year programs with Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor programs.
3. The University of Alabama School of Law offers dual degree programs
Students enrolling in the Alabama University School of Law may choose from several dual degree programs. Students aspiring to work as attorneys in specific areas of practice may combine their law degrees with other disciplines. AUSL offers M.A. and Ph.D. dual enrollment programs in Economics and Political Science, along with Certificates in Public Interest Law, International and Comparative Law, Taxation, and Governmental Affairs.
4. The University of Alabama School of Law offers several clinics
Law Clinics allow students with interests in specific areas to participate in hands-on experiences dealing with real clients. The University of Alabama School of Law offers multiple opportunities for its students to work within the judicial system representing clients through the Clinics. The Entrepreneur and Nonprofit Clinic offer small businesses, nonprofits, and startups free legal services for transactions. Students help them prepare formation documents, achieve regulatory compliance, and draft agreement negotiations. Other clinics include the Mediation Law Clinic, The Domestic Violence Clinic, The Criminal Defense Clinic, The Civil Law Clinic, and The Children’s Rights Clinic.
5. The University of Alabama Law School publishes numerous journals
Students who wish to participate in journal publications will have the opportunity at the University of Alabama Law School. The law school is the home of four publications that receive manuscripts, review the works, and publish outstanding pieces. Students may become involved with the Alabama Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Law Review, the Alabama Law Review, the Journal of the Legal Profession, and Law & Psychology Review. Statistics for the school show that an estimated forty percent of students participate in the publication process of the journals.
6. Several notable judges attended The University of Alabama Law School
The University of Alabama Law School is known for turning out graduates who move their careers forward to occupy essential positions within the judicial system. It’s a testament to the quality of education received at UALS. Notable alums in the judicial system are Perry O. Hooper Sr. 27th chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Hugo Black, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Senator, Emmett Ripley Cox, US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Frank Minis Johnson, US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama, Robert Smith Vance, US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Junius Foyu Guin Jr. US District Judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and many more.
7. Notable politicians are UASL alumni
The University of Alabama School of Law graduates its share of successful judges and attorneys, but many of its graduates have established successful careers in politics. Edward B. Almon became a United States Representative from Alabam from 1915 through 1933. James B. Allen was a US Senator from Alabama from 1969 through 1978. John W. Abercrombie was a US Congressman from Alabama from 1913 through 1917. Shorty Price was a perennial candidate for Alabama Governor. Bert Nettles graduated in 1960 and went on to become a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives in the late ’60s through mid-’70s. Jeff Sessions became a US Senator from Alabama serving between 11997 through 2017 and serving as the 84th United States Attorney General. Paul DeMarco, Alabama Representative graduated from law school, along with former Alabama governor George Wallace, and former governor of Florida, Claude R. Kirk, Jr. who graduated in 1949.
8. The University of Alabama School of Law graduates other professionals
While most graduates of the University of Alabama School of Law are involved in the practice of law or politics, some go on to become successful in other industries in business. John W. Abercrombie was a US Congressman, but he also became the President of the University of Alabama. Mel Allan was the first host of This Week in Baseball and became a sportscaster. Charles J. Cooper graduated in 1978. He clerked for Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the US Supreme Court, He also founded the law firm, Cooper & Kirk. Catherine Crosby became Miss Alabama in 2003. Morris Dees founded the Southern Poverty Law Center. Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity is a UASL graduate. Victor Gold, author, political consultant, and journalist is an alumnus. Steadman S. Shealy was a starting quarterback in Alabama on national championship teams. Nick Wilson became a public defender and also became a contestant on a reality show.
9. The University of Alabama School of Law is in the diversity spotlight
The University of Alabama School of Law achieved a first for the State of Alabama. It is the school that graduated the first woman to practice law in Alabama. Maud McLure Kelly earned her law degree from the school and went on to become a role model for women pursuing interests in law careers.
10. The University of Alabama School of Law is among the top 50 law schools in the nation
Above The Law reports that The University of Alabama School of Law has achieved the ranking of number 22 in the top 50 law schools in the United States. Polls show that current students give it a rating of B+, while alumni rate the school at an A-. These are exceptionally high ratings. They’re based on the experiences students had while attending the institution and reflect on their perceptions of the quality of the institution, the quality of education received, staff and faculty interactions, costs of attendance, and educational, study, and experiential resources offered by the school.
11. The University of Alabama School of Law offers a legal fiction prize
The University of Alabama School of Law honors notable alumnae Harper Lee with a legal fiction prize. Harper Lee attended the school but did not graduate. The prize offered in Lee’s honor has been won by notable authors John Grisham and Michael Connelly.
12. The University of Alabama School of Law is tightening its admissions
It’s not as easy to get into the University of Alabama School of Law. The admissions committee has tightened its admissions policies and has more stringent requirements. Only 31.1 out of 100 applicants are accepted into the school. Of the students accepted for admission, only 2.97 out of 10 follow through with the process and enroll in law programs.
13. Tuition and fees at the University of Alabama School of Law are more affordable for in-state applicants
US News confirms that it costs far less for students who live in the state of Alabama to attend law school. full-time tuition for students who are residents of the state is $23,920 with an application fee of $40. Students who enroll from out of state must pay tuition rates of $43,370. It’s nearly double for those who are not residents of Alabama. The higher tuition helps to keep the school more available for people living in Alabama and gives them better opportunities for pursuing their education. Double tuition rates are a deterrent for many out-of-state students.
14. The University of Alabama School of Law offers online graduate degree programs
LSAC confirms that students may opt for the University of Alabama School of Law’s two online graduate degree programs. Some students find it easier to participate in online studies if they are fully employed. The school offers two online LLM concentrations in Business Transactions and Taxation for practicing lawyers and recent graduates who wish to pursue enhanced knowledge in these areas of law. Students may choose from Estate Planning of Business Tax specialties. The program requires students to make two-weekend visits to the campus.
15. The University of Alabama School of Law has a career services program
The school offers its students the support of a career services program. It’s available for LLM Tax students. The students are afforded access to the alumni network of 6,000 members. It can help network and make connections that lead to employment opportunities after graduation.
16. The University of Alabama School of Law has a rich and storied history
The University of Alabama School of Law’s official website confirms that the law school has been in existence for more than 150 years. It has a rich and storied past that goes back to its founding date in 1872. It was the first law school in the state. The first professor was Henderson M. Somerville, who became a Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. William L. Thorington was the first dean, serving from 1897 through 1908 at the post.
17. The Law School was upgraded in the 1970s
The Law Center for the University of Alabama School of Law is the design of Edward Durrell Stone and was finished in 1978. It is the current home of the school. The school has continued to make progress in modernizing its facilities. As of 2000, The University of Alabama School of Law graduated more than 8,300 students since its inception.
18. The University of Alabama School of Law is fully ABA Accredited
The American Bar Association granted accreditation to the University of Alabama School of Law in 1926. The School became a member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1928 and has maintained that status. The school has passed the requirements to remain active members of these organizations by offering a broad curriculum. Faculty are well-qualified for their posts and the school maintains an outstanding student body through its rigorous admissions standards.
19. The University of Alabama School of Law is competitive
Students receive far more than classroom learning at the University of Alabama School of Law. It’s a highly competitive institution that participates in various competitions. Students of the Law School participate in four national trial competitions and six moot court competitions. Students have won numerous awards.
20. The University of Alabama School of Law enhances student bar exam passage rates
Public Legal confirms that attending the University of Alabama School of Law can enhance the odds of passing the bar exam on the first attempt. Statistics from 2017 to 2020 show that the Law School ranks number nineteen in the nation for its bar passage rate for first-time test-takers. Overall, 94.5 percent of students pass the difficult and rigorous exam on their first try. It outperforms the state bar passage rate of 69.6 percent by 24.9 percent.
