Pepperdine Is #1 In ADR, #8 In Practical Training

For the thirteenth time in fourteen 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 Sukhsimranjit Singh and their Straus 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 eighth best law school for practical training by preLaw (Spring 2018):

This year, 10 schools earned an A+ in our annual study. PreLaw ranks the schools by analyzing their clinic, externship and simulation offerings, as well as their students’ participation in moot court, pro bono work and other innovative programs.

Methodology
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 seats available 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 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 available compared to the number of students enrolled in the school. We obtained data from the ABA.

Interschool competitions account for 5 percent, and other factors, not reflected in ABA data, accounted for the final 10 percent. This includes schools requiring pro bono work, and other special programs.

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