Meet Lady Justice: a blindfolded woman carrying a set of scales in one hand and a sword in the other. She symbolizes the equal and fair administration of the law. Many of us want to be like her, or at least reflect part of what she represents: honesty, justice, impartiality, and fairness.
That is easier said than done. As children, many of us were as honest and kindhearted as we could be, but life happens. As we grow older, it can be easy to become cynical or indifferent to the suffering of others.
For those who continue to dream of a fairer world, studying law remains one way to take on that challenge. A legal education can prepare students to advocate for others and open career paths in many sectors. In this article, we look at notable law schools in Ohio, using current official school information and the latest available law school ranking data.
Best Law Schools in Ohio
1. Moritz College of Law – Ohio State University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., M.S.L.
Founded in 1891, the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University is the highest-ranked law school in Ohio in the current U.S. News Best Law Schools list. The college has approximately 570 students, more than 50 faculty members, and more than 11,000 alumni. Its graduates include justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio, federal appeals and district court judges, U.S. senators, U.S. representatives, governors, law firm leaders, CEOs, law professors, and attorneys in private practice, government, and public interest work. The law school is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools and has a chapter of the Order of the Coif.
Students in the law degree programs build a strong foundation in the legal system and can explore many areas of study, including administrative law and government regulation, alternative dispute resolution, civil rights, clinics and experiential learning, criminal law, environmental law, employment and labor law, health law and policy, intellectual property, privacy and technology law, international law, litigation, public interest law, real estate law, and U.S. regulatory practice.
2. Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., M.L.S.
The Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at the University of Cincinnati was established in 1833. It is the fourth-oldest continuously operating law school in the United States and began as the Cincinnati Law School, with 17 students in a downtown office. It is consistently listed among Ohio’s leading law schools and remains a strong public option for students seeking an urban legal education. One of its notable alumni is William Howard Taft, the only person to serve as both President of the United States and Chief Justice of the United States.
The law school’s J.D. program offers nine professional pathways: Business and Entrepreneurship Law, Criminal Law, Environmental and Energy Law, General and Small Practice, Health Law, Innovation, Technology, and Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Public Interest Law.
The LL.M. in U.S. Law is a 24-credit program that can be completed in as little as nine months, although students may take up to two academic years for a more flexible schedule.
3. Case Western Reserve University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., S.J.D.
The School of Law at Case Western Reserve University is another well-regarded law school in Ohio. Its current programs include J.D., master’s, LL.M., S.J.D., and certificate options. The school highlights nationally recognized strengths in International Law and Health Law, along with an A+ practical training rating and nine dual-degree programs.
The J.D. curriculum is designed to prepare students for practice through practical training, clinics, externships, and other real-world learning opportunities. Students can also pursue study abroad and international learning options through the school.
The law school’s LL.M. options for internationally educated students currently include the LL.M. in U.S. and Global Legal Studies, LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law, LL.M. in International Business Law, and LL.M. in Criminal Justice and International Criminal Law. It also offers an LL.M. option for U.S.-trained lawyers.
4. College of Law – Cleveland State University
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., LL.M., M.L.S.
Next on our list is the College of Law at Cleveland State University. Its roots go back to Cleveland Law School, founded in 1897. The school was the first law school in Ohio to admit women and one of the first to admit minority students. It is approved by the American Bar Association and has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1967.
CSU Law offers the J.D., including a part-time online J.D. option, as well as an LL.M., an M.L.S., and an online M.L.S. in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy. Students can tailor their legal education through specialty areas such as business law, civil litigation, civil rights, criminal justice, corporate compliance, cybersecurity and data privacy, employment and labor law, environmental law, international and comparative law, intellectual property, health law, tax law, and trusts and estates.
Students in the Master of Legal Studies program gain applied legal knowledge without pursuing bar admission or the practice of law. Most M.L.S. students enroll part time, but full-time study is also available. The school also offers individualized tracks and an online M.L.S. in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy.
5. University of Toledo – College of Law
- Law School Links:
- Degrees offered: J.D., M.L.W.
Another notable Ohio law school is the College of Law at the University of Toledo. The college began in 1906 through the downtown Toledo YMCA and became affiliated with The University of Toledo in 1909. The American Bar Association granted the college provisional approval and later full approval in 1941; the college was admitted to the Association of American Law Schools in the fall 1941. It was also the first part-time law school to earn ABA approval and AALS membership.
Toledo Law offers full- and part-time J.D. options. Full-time students typically take 15 credit hours per semester and complete the J.D. in three years, while part-time students typically take 8 to 10 credit hours per semester and complete the degree in four to five years. J.D. students can also pursue certificates of concentration currently listed in Criminal Law and Labor and Employment Law.
The school also offers a Master of Studies in Law (M.L.W.) and a regulatory compliance certificate, as reflected in the American Bar Association’s list of approved post-J.D. and non-J.D. programs.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check out the available courses for international students and the USA Scholarships Page.
