Pepperdine Is #1 In ADR, #5 In Practical Training

For the twelfth time in thirteen years, Pepperdine Law School's Straus Institute has been ranked the #1 dispute resolution program in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Congratulations to Tom Stipanowich and his faculty and staff colleagues for this well deserved recognition of the amazing academic programs and training and conferences they offer.

In addition, Pepperdine has been named the fifth best law school for practical training by The National Jurist (Spring 2017):

The rankings are based on experiential learning opportunities, with data from the American Bar Association (ABA) and individual law schools. We looked at five categories: clinics; externships; simulation courses; interschool competitions; and “other.”

We placed the most weight on clinical experience, at 38 percent. Experts say it is a particularly effective practical training tool. Students, under faculty direction, work with clients in a number of legal areas. The score was based on the number of clinical positions filled compared to the number of students enrolled in the school. First-year students were included, since some schools open clinics to them. We obtained all data from the ABA.

Externships were given the second highest weight, at 24 percent. Students get experience by working in prosecutor offices, government agencies and nonprofits, to name but a few. They get hands-on training by working with attorneys and judges. The score was based on the number of positions filled compared to the number of students enrolled in the school. We obtained data from the ABA.

Simulations accounted for 21 percent. This training method seems to be growing more popular as schools seek to promote lawyering skills in classroom settings. It’s effective and less expensive, experts say. The score was based on the number of positions filled compared to the number of students enrolled in the school. We obtained data from the ABA.

Interschool competitions account for 5 percent. The score was based on the number of students who participated compared to the number of students enrolled in the school. We obtained data from the ABA.

We asked schools to provide information about additional offerings that are not reflected in ABA data, and this accounted for the final 10 percent. For example, schools requiring pro bono work were awarded points for those efforts.

Congratulations to Jeff Baker, Tom Stipanowich and their faculty and staff colleagues for delivering such a wide array of experiential experiences for our students.