phd in law us

Ph.D. Program

The ph.d. in law degree.

The Ph.D. in Law degree program is designed to prepare J.D. graduates for careers as legal scholars and teachers through a doctoral program aimed at the production of a substantial body of academic research and writing under the close supervision of a three-member faculty dissertation committee. Unlike programs designed for students who wish to learn about law from the disciplinary perspectives of the social sciences or the humanities, the Ph.D. in Law is directed at students who wish to pursue advanced studies in law from the perspective of the law. This program offers emerging scholars an opportunity to contribute to the development of law as an academic field, and it provides an alternate pathway into law teaching alongside existing routes such as fellowships, advanced degrees in cognate fields, legal practice, and clerkships.

Because our entering Ph.D. students will have already completed their J.D. degrees, the anticipated course of study toward the Ph.D. in Law degree is three academic years and two summers in residence. In their first two semesters, Ph.D. students will enroll in courses designed to help them acquire the background and research skills needed to complete a dissertation in their field of interest and to prepare them for qualifying examinations that test the depth and breadth of the literacies and skills they have acquired. During their second year, students will prepare a dissertation prospectus and begin work on a dissertation. The dissertation may take the form of either three law review articles or a book-length manuscript and will make up a portfolio of writing that will be essential for success in the job market. Ph.D. students will also gain experience in the classroom, and receive the full support of Yale Law School’s Law Teaching Program , which has had remarkable success in placing graduates in tenure-track positions at leading law schools.

Ph.D. students receive a full-tuition waiver, a health award for health insurance coverage, and a stipend to cover their year-round living expenses, as well as support for participation in national and international conferences.

Applications for admission to the Ph.D. in Law program are available starting on August 15. The deadline for submission of all materials is December 15. Applicants to the Ph.D. in Law program must complete a J.D. degree at a U.S. law school before they matriculate and begin the Ph.D. program. Any questions about the program may be directed to Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, at [email protected] .

Watch Gordon Silverstein, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, describe the Ph.D. program at Yale Law School.

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Top 10 Best PhD in Law Programs [2024]

A PhD in law is an advanced qualification that will make you a true legal expert. You can use that credential to work as a legal research scholar or teach at a post-secondary level. This is not only a prestigious career path but also a lucrative one — today’s law PhD holders have an average salary  of $93,000.

Today’s law schools emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to legal education, equipping students to work in a diverse range of fields.

Interested in an advanced criminal justice  career? Below we’ll cover the top PhD in law programs, universities, and what you need to know before pursuing a doctorate in law.

Table of Contents

Top PhD in Law Programs

Yale university, law school.

Yale University’s Law School ranks first  in the nation, with its 20 legal clinics offering an immersive experience for students. This PhD program has a purely academic focus. To qualify for admission, you’ll need to already have a JD (Juris Doctor) degree. If accepted, you’ll be able to benefit from Yale Law School’s acclaimed “Yale Teaching Program.”

• Courses: Criminal law & administration, international human rights, and complex civil litigation.
• Duration:  3 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Fully funded
• Financial aid: Full tuition coverage, health insurance, and stipend.
• Acceptance rate:  7%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

Stanford University

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

Stanford University is another highly acclaimed institution in the field of law education with a tough admissions process. Only a few exceptionally gifted students with an international JD or LLB or a SPILS (Stanford Program in International Legal Studies) qualification are accepted into this program every year. The program has an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to law.

• Courses:  Advanced antitrust, current issues in business law, and reinventing American criminal justice systems.
• Credits: 44 units
• Duration: 4 years
• Tuition : $64,350 per year
• Financial aid: Scholarships, fellowships, grants, assistantships, federal work-study, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location:  Stanford, California

The University of Chicago, The Law School

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JSD)

The Law School of the University of Chicago is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching and cross-lists its courses with other departments. The faculty include philosophers, political scientists, historians, and law scholars. Students also have the option to pursue a Doctorate in Comparative Law (D.Comp.L.) instead of a JSD if they wish.

• Courses: Antitrust & intellectual property, civil rights clinic: police accountability, and American legal history.
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition : $7,647 per year
• Financial aid: Full tuition scholarship, fellowship, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

Columbia University, Law School

JSD Program

The Columbia Law School emphasizes experiential learning with law clinics, moot courts, and externships, offering opportunities for innovative education and valuable intellectual exchange. Students can conduct independent research with the help of their faculty advisors and they need to submit a DPR (Dissertation Progress Report) at the end of each year.

• Courses:  Intellectual property & technology, international & comparative law, and law of the workplace.
• Duration:  5-6 years
• Tuition : $75,572 per year
• Financial aid: Grants, loans, and first child allowance.
• Location:  New York City, New York

Harvard University, Law School

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)

Harvard University is one of the world’s most famous centers for education, and its Law School  is equally renowned. The school has a unique grading system that uses the classifications honors, pass, low-pass, and fail. This flexible SJD program allows students to design their own study plan and choose faculty supervisors for independent research.

• Courses: Advanced comparative perspectives on US law, environmental justice, and strategic litigation & immigration advocacy.
• Duration:  4 years
• Delivery:  On-campus
• Tuition : $67,720 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

The University of Pennsylvania, Carey Law School

Doctor of Science of Law (SJD)

Carey Law School’s curricula cut across disciplinary and international lines to create law experts in every field, including business, health, technology, education, and social work. For admission to the Carey Law School PhD, you must already hold an LLM or JD from the same school or an institution of similar standing.

• Courses: Privacy & racial justice, appellate advocacy, and disability law.
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, health insurance, and scholarships.
• Acceptance rate: 9%
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law

The University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law is one of the country’s most affordable top-tier law schools. This PhD law degree offers the choice of two concentrations: International Trade & Business Law, and Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy.

• Courses:  International business & investment structuring, federal Indian law, and trusts & estates.
• Duration:  3-5 years
• Tuition and fees : $26,000 per year
• Financial aid:  Scholarships, federal work-study, loans, veteran benefits, and fellowships.
• Acceptance rate: 85%
• Location: Tucson, Arizona

The University of Texas at Dallas, School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

The University of Texas’ School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences creates professionals capable of dealing with modern issues like risk management, political violence, social inequality, healthcare, and international trade & conflict resolution. You’ll need a bachelor’s in criminology or a related discipline to apply for this PhD in criminology.

• Courses: Advances in criminology theory, evidence-based crime prevention, and regression & multivariate analysis.
• Credits: 75 semester credit hours
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 79%
• Location:  Richardson, Texas

Abraham Lincoln University, School of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)

This school was founded with to provide affordable education to working professionals who cannot attend regular law school. This doctorate in law is a flexible JD degree that can be completed entirely online through the university’s high-level education technology.

• Courses:  Criminal law, civil procedure, and wills & trusts.
• Delivery: Online
• Tuition : $10,100 per year
• Acceptance rate: 90.3%
• Location:  Glendale, California

Walden University

Online PhD in Criminal Justice

Walden University aims to help working professionals pursue advanced degrees and has been ranked #1  in research doctorates for African-American students. This program was one of the first online doctorates in criminal justice and allows students to explore national and international issues in criminal justice administration with a dual emphasis on contemporary theory and practice.

• Courses: History & contemporary issues in criminal justice, policy & analysis in criminal justice systems, and research theory, design & methods.
• Credits: 77 quarter credits
• Tuition : $636 per quarter hour
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, loans, and veteran benefits.
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

What Do You Need to Get a PhD in Law?

The exact requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a LLB, LLM, or JD as a basic prerequisite.

As part of the admission process, you usually need to submit:

• Academic transcripts from previous studies
• Personal essay and/or research proposal
• Recommendation letters

To earn your doctorate, you’ll have to complete coursework, qualifying examinations, and usually a dissertation to a high standard.

Preparing for a Law Doctorate Program

The best PhD in legal studies programs are competitive, so it’s important to start preparing early. Keep up to date on developments in the field and research the best universities that offer your preferred specialization.

Look into leading faculty members in your areas of interest, and network by joining relevant professional communities. Once you’ve decided on your dream program, check admission requirements to prepare the strongest possible application.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Law PhD Program

Choosing the best law PhD program will depend on a range of factors, including your passions and interests. However, there are a few general factors that are essential for everyone deciding on a law school for their PhD to consider:

• Location:  First, a school close by could save you on accommodation costs. But that’s not the only location consideration. You should look at your school destination for evidence of a booming legal or education industry. For example, New York is a hub for business, while Boston is known as a center for technology.
• Cost and funding:  Ensure the program costs align with your budget and explore financial aid opportunities.
• Specialization:  Some schools offer unique specializations like social justice, law and economics, and international law. Choose a program with a focus on your preferred specialization.
• Faculty:  The university’s reputation is important, but its faculty credentials are equally critical. Explore faculty backgrounds by researching published papers and social media profiles like LinkedIn.
• Class sizes:  Smaller class sizes mean better one-on-one attention; however, a larger cohort offers better networking opportunities.
• Placement support:  What happens after graduation? Are you on the hook for finding a job on your own, or does the school offer placement options? Find out where alumni are employed to get an idea.

Why Get a Doctorate in Law?

A doctorate degree in law will allow you to pursue roles in the legal field as a scholar, researcher, or academic, and build a worthwhile career.

Several candidates apply for admission to PhD in jurisprudence programs every academic year, but top law schools have low acceptance rates, and only a few are accepted. For example, Harvard only has around 70 SJD students  while hundreds or thousands may apply. Therefore, with this qualification, you’ll belong to an exclusive group of in-demand professionals.

Jobs for PhD in Law Degree Holders

Here are some common roles for PhD holders in law with the average annual salaries for each:

• General Counsel ($170,183 )
• Staff Attorney ($71,106 )
• Professor of Law ( $131,926 )
• Project Manager ( $76,264 )
• Senior Research Associate ( $75,029 )

Course Costs

The cost greatly depends on where you study, but prestigious law schools can charge annual tuition of around $65,000. Once you factor in living expenses, books, and facility fees, the total cost can add up to around $100,000 a year. However, you can find programs with tuition and fees for as little as $7,500 a year. Moreover, most top institutions offer full-tuition scholarships, stipends, and similar financial aid that cover almost all of your expenses.

Course Length

Typically, a PhD in law takes 3-5 years to complete. However, most programs will give you extra time to complete your doctorate if needed.

Skills You’ll Gain through a PhD in Law

Aside from giving you in-depth and expansive legal knowledge, PhD in law programs can also help you develop the following skills:

• Communication
• Presentation
• Critical Thinking
• Project Management
• Problem Solving

Key Takeaways

A PhD in law is an excellent choice for legal professionals seeking a career in research or academia. While a JD or Juris Doctor is equivalent to a PhD, the former equips you to become a law practitioner.

On the other hand, if you want to teach at a post-secondary level or conduct further legal research, you will need a PhD. Prepare early and choose a program that will best help you to achieve your career goals.

For more law education advice, take a look at our guide on the best master’s in criminal justice programs , or weigh up your options with the highest-paying PhDs .

PhD in Law FAQs

What is a phd in law called.

A PhD in law is usually called a Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws. Some universities offer a JD (Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence) degree, while others offer SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Science in Jurisprudence) programs.

Is a PhD in Law the Same as a JD?

A JD (Juris Doctor) degree is suitable for anyone who wants to practice as a licensed legal professional. These programs usually take three years to complete and are mostly coursework-focused.

On the other hand, a PhD in law may take 5-6 years to complete and usually involves a dissertation or major research project. If your aim is professional research or a job in academia in the discipline rather than practicing law, a PhD is better for you.

What is the Highest Degree in Law?

A PhD in law is generally considered the most advanced law degree. While some universities call it by other names, such as SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science) or JSD (Doctor of Jurisprudence degree), this is essentially the same thing.

How Long is a PhD in Law?

PhD Law programs typically take 3-5 years to complete. You may take longer for individual reasons, such as if you choose to study part-time.

What Does a PhD in Law Do?

A PhD in law will equip you to work in legal research or academia.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Doctor of Science of Law (JSD)

The Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) is the Law School’s most advanced law degree, and is considered a doctorate equivalent to a Ph.D.  It is designed for those interested in becoming scholars and teachers of law including interdisciplinary approaches to law.

Study toward the degree is open only to a small number of exceptionally well-qualified students who hold a JD or LL.B earned outside the United States.  Students in the program develop substantive expertise in one or more fields of law and have the opportunity to pursue substantive and methodological training in allied disciplines across the broader university, including but not limited to, the social sciences, humanities, and engineering.  The program culminates in the student producing a dissertation under the personal supervision of a Faculty committee comprised of law school professors as well as, where appropriate given the student’s interests, faculty from other departments of the university.

There are two different tracks for admission into the JSD program.  A minimum of two students will be admitted from among students who have completed the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS)  at Stanford Law School.  In addition, students at Stanford and at other law schools in the United States who will have completed LLM degrees prior to the commencement of the JSD program are encouraged to apply for admission and will be seriously considered.  To be competitive, students applying from LLM programs must have completed (and must submit) a serious piece of independent, original research demonstrating their scholarly potential.

Admission to the JSD program is on a highly selective basis. Please note that admission to SPILS or to any Stanford LLM program does not imply a commitment by Stanford Law School to accept a student into the JSD program.

Some need-based funding, as well as funding to conduct research and attend conferences is available to admitted JSD students.

Questions concerning the JSD program should be directed to [email protected] .

HOW TO APPLY

JSD Candidates

Luis Bergolla

• JSD Candidate
• Teaching Fellow, LLM Program in International Economic Law, Business and Policy (IELBP)
• Lecturer in Law

Silindile Buthelezi

Rolando Garcia Miron

Yutang Hsiao

Tai-jan huang.

Takuma Iwasaki

Maria Palacio

Michael Thorburn

Having a jsd from stanford law school opens up countless career opportunities..

Teaching in US Academia

Teaching Outside the US

Working in the Public Interest Sector

Working in the Private Sector

SJD Program

A vibrant center of intellectual life.

The Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) is the most advanced law degree at American University Washington College of Law (WCL). The SJD program brings together aspiring legal academics and other top legal professionals from around the world who wish to research and write a dissertation of publishable quality under the instruction of faculty members who are recognized experts and leading practitioners in their fields. SJD candidates’ areas of scholarship include international finance and tax law, criminal justice reform, intellectual property law, environmental law, and international human rights law.

Following a successful oral defense and completed dissertation, WCL proudly welcomes each candidate into an international community of alumni scholars working in academia, government, and the non-profit sector. Graduates of WCL’s SJD program include a Ugandan Supreme Court Justice; the former President of Sharia Court of Appeals in Israel; the Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals; and professors at law schools in Israel, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Egypt, and other countries. For more information about alumni of the program, please see our alumni page .

Faculty & Staff

Admission Information

2024 National SJD Roundtable at WCL

The WCL SJD Program was thrilled to host the latest National SJD Roundtable on April 12, 2024, bringing together a range of SJD candidates from over 10 different law schools across the US, to network, share research and discuss pressing issues in important legal fields.

Congratulations Dr. Cristiane Bená Dias

Congratulations to Dr. Cristiane Bená Dias on her successful defense of her dissertation, "Communities’ Engagement in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Brazil: A Legal Proposal to Amplify the Voices of those Who Are Most Affected and Least Heard.”

Congratulations Dr. Abdulmajed Alrajhi

Congratulations to Dr. Abdulmajed Alrajhi on his successful defense of his dissertation entitled, “Islamic Arbitration and Reformulating Principles Concerning Role of Arbitrators, appointment of Women Arbitrators, and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in Light of Modernity and Change of Culture in Islamic World.”

Congratulations Dr. Ji Chen

Congratulations to Dr. Ji Chen on her successful defense of her dissertation entitled, “State Responsibility for National Judicial Decisions in Investment Arbitration: Lessons China Can Learn.”

The PhD in Law program prepares students who have earned a JD from an American Bar Association accredited law school to enter law teaching or other careers that require a scholarly mastery of law. The program is designed to provide a broad foundation in the canonical texts and methods of legal scholarship and to support students in producing original scholarship in the form of a dissertation. The program strongly encourages, but does not require, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of law.

• Programs of Study
• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
• Yale Law PhD Program

Robert Post

Director of Graduate Studies

• [email protected]

Gordon Silverstein

Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs

• [email protected]

Thais Sobczak

Departmental Registrar

• [email protected]
• 203-432-1696

Admission Requirements

Standardized testing requirements.

GRE is not accepted.

Program-Specific Application Requirements

A writing sample and a research proposal are required by this program. 

English Language Requirement

TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.

Academic Information

GSAS Advising Guidelines

Academic Resources

Academic calendar.

The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.

Featured Resource

Registration Information and Dates

https://registration.yale.edu/

Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.

Financial Information

Phd stipend & funding.

PhD students at Yale are normally full-funded for a minimum of five years. During that time, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.

• PhD Student Funding Overview
• Graduate Financial Aid Office
• PhD Stipends
• Health Award
• Tuition and Fees

Alumni Insights

Below you will find alumni placement data for our departments and programs.

Doctoral Programs

Graduate Program

Jurisprudence & social policy graduate program, may 10, 2024, april 19, 2024, april 12, 2024, march 8, 2024, march 4, 2024.

Berkeley Law offers a unique interdisciplinary program of graduate study in law and society, leading to the Ph.D. degree in Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP) . The JSP Program promotes the study of law and legal institutions through the perspectives of several disciplines, including economics, political science, philosophy, sociology, history, psychology, and criminal justice

The Jurisprudence and Social Policy Ph.D. is ideal for students interested in:

The scholarly study of legal ideas and institutions from the standpoint of one or more of the basic disciplines, such as, history, economics, philosophy, sociology, or political science.

Policy analysis and applied research on law-related issues in such fields as criminal justice, poverty and discrimination, human rights, urban planning, and environmental protection.

Preparation for teaching legal studies in graduate and undergraduate curriculums.

Interdisciplinary preparation for teaching law.

A Note from Associate Dean Dylan Penningroth:

Thanks for visiting our website.  The Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP) Program is a unique doctoral program focused on the interdisciplinary study of law. JSP is housed within the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, but organized under UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division. Established in 1978, JSP was the first law-focused PhD program in the United States and continues to be the leading program of its kind anywhere.

By integrating the study of law with the humanities and social sciences, JSP seeks a broad context for understanding and developing legal policy. While there are many productive ways to link law to the research tools of the disciplines, we are committed to pursuing plural, interdisciplinary scholarship that includes humanistic and social scientific approaches to the study of law. Our students generally specialize in some portion of this spectrum while learning from teachers and peers with diverse research interests. Students take a mix of interdisciplinary courses offered within JSP, as well as classes in the Law School’s traditional JD curriculum. These and other features of our program have become a model for other doctoral programs in interdisciplinary legal studies, many of which have recruited our alumni for their faculties. 

JSP faculty are leading scholars in their field who hail from a variety of disciplines – including political science, sociology, economics, history, philosophy, and psychology. Beginning with the JSP Orientation Seminar and through a range of course offerings in the humanities and social sciences, we offer students training in both empirical and normative analysis of law. Over the past decade, JSP has grown, adding faculty who offer a range of cutting-edge courses in quantitative and qualitative research methods and research design that are specially oriented to the study of law. Our substantive course offerings also have increased in scope, pushing the boundaries of knowledge across multiple fields.

JSP is closely integrated with the Center for the Study of Law and Society (CSLS), which attracts visiting scholars from all over the world, hosts one of the most dynamic speaker series on campus, and provides an intellectual hub for top-notch research on law and legal institutions. CSLS also offers the Berkeley Empirical Legal Studies (BELS) Graduate Fellowship, which brings together doctoral students studying law and social science from JSP and other programs on the Berkeley campus in a year-long research workshop. Berkeley Law is also home to a vibrant array of other research centers dedicated to issues ranging from law, energy, and the environment to reproductive rights and justice; from law and business to law and social justice; from law, morality, and public affairs to law and technology. 

This is an extraordinary time for scholars and students who have interdisciplinary training in law. The collective challenges confronting us today span diverse legal systems, fields of expertise, cultures, and regions of the world. In this context, the training we provide is not only an advantage for a professional career in academia, public service, or policy advocacy, but also urgently needed kindling for innovative theorizing, creative problem-solving, and breakthrough empirical research.

On this website you can get to know our students and our faculty and learn more about the JSP program by viewing recent course offerings and upcoming conferences. I especially urge you to learn more about our advanced graduate students currently on the academic job market, as well as our alumni. Nothing reflects so well on our program as our graduates, and what they are accomplishing with their training here at Berkeley continues to inspire us. 

If you have any questions about the JSP Program, please feel welcome to contact me, our Graduate Advisor, Sarah Song, or our Graduate Student Advisor, Michael Paz.

Dylan C. Penningroth, Associate Dean Jurisprudence and Social Policy

• School of Law

Ph.D. in Law PhD in Law

A Ph.D. requires a minimum of three years' study, at least two years of which comprises work done while in residence at the University of Washington. Students enter the Ph.D. program having already identified a dissertation supervisory chair and additional committee members (referred to as the student’s Doctoral Supervisory Committee), who will support and shepherd them through the Ph.D. curriculum and dissertation writing process.

Ph.D. candidates must complete 90 credits, at least 60 of which must be taken at the University of Washington, in order to receive a doctoral degree.

I. Requirements

Overall course requirements.

Ph.D. students must successfully complete a minimum of 90 credits including at least 60 course credits and 27 dissertation credits (LAW 800—minimum two credit hours per quarter). With the approval of the Ph.D. Program Director and Steering Committee, an appropriate master’s degree from an accredited institution may substitute for up to a maximum of 30 of the course credits.   This determination of substituting master’s credits takes place at the time when the presumptive chair agrees that the Ph.D. student’s prospectus is ready to defend at a General Examination.   The 60 course credits also include courses required by the School of Law as described immediately below.

Required Competencies:

The primary requirement is the production of a dissertation that, in the opinion of the Ph.D. Doctoral Supervisory Committee, represents a novel and significant contribution to the discipline of law. In addition, Ph.D. students are required to demonstrate competencies in four areas: 

• Understanding of common law legal systems and differences between major legal systems around the world.
• An understanding of a research methodology area relevant to the topic of their dissertation research.
• Subject matter expertise in the area of their dissertation research.
• The ability to present and discuss the results of their dissertation research.

An understanding of common law legal systems and differences between major legal systems around the world

This requirement will be satisfied by 8 credits of coursework as follows:

• Required course: B550 American Legal Systems and Methods (4 credits) or equivalent
• Additionally, students will have to complete B557 Graduate Writing Seminar (4 credits) or the equivalent to demonstrate understanding of the American legal system.

Research Methodology

Broadly speaking, modern academic legal research is supported by one or more of the following:  jurisprudential approaches, qualitative approaches, quantitative approaches. Competency will be satisfied by at least 3-4 credits of coursework as follows, chosen in consultation with the supervisory chair:

• PPM 502 Research Design (4)
• EDPSY 586 Qualitative Methods of Educational Research I (4 credits)
• ARCH 567 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• CS&SS 536 Analysis of Categorical and Count Data (3)
• LAWA 595 Jurisprudence and Moral Philosophy (4)

Elective courses: Law A599 Legal Research Methods (3 credits), Law   A 549 Advanced Legal Research   (4 Credits) 

Subject Matter Expertise (10-12 credits of subject discipline required courses)

The remaining courses to fulfill the credit requirement are to be chosen based on the Ph.D. student’s dissertation research topic. For instance, students with a focus on intellectual property must complete that discipline’s required courses. The same is true for sustainable international development, health law, etc.

Presentation/Discussion Competency

The presentation/discussion competency will be satisfied by successful completion of the general and final examination process described below.

Other Requirements

Law 600 tutorial with supervisory chair (1-2 credits per quarter).

In addition to the above requirements, students are expected to take 1-2 Law 600 credits with their supervisory chair per quarter to facilitate regular communication during the time leading up to their general exam. The chair will monitor the student’s academic progress and advise on appropriate courses to be taken (at the law school and in other departments on campus) related to the Ph.D. student’s research.

First- and Second-Year Elective Courses

All Ph.D. students are expected and encouraged to take subject-matter courses relevant to their dissertation research topic as part of their 60 credits of coursework. There is a rich variety of courses available in the School of Law and in other schools and departments across the University of Washington campus. For example, the   Graduate School has a variety of graduate certificate programs   that not only may be pertinent to student’s research interests but may provide an additional credential to enhance a student’s academic portfolio.

II. General Examination

Completion of 60 course credits (up to 30 credits from an accredited LL.M. or other pertinent master's degree may be counted toward the 90-credit total) and a Dissertation Prospectus approved by the Doctoral Supervisory Committee are required prior to this exam.

Students must pass an oral   General Examination   designed around individualized readings determined in consultation with the student’s Doctoral Supervisory Committee, and a Dissertation Prospectus that contains the student’s detailed dissertation study plans, including research questions and the chosen methodology and study plan to answer them.

To be eligible for the General Exam, the student must have completed a minimum of 60 course credits (including credits being taken the quarter of the exam) of which at least 18 credits must be at the 500 level and above. Numerical grades must be received in at least 18 quarter credits of coursework taken at the University of Washington. The Graduate School accepts numerical grades in department approved 400-level courses accepted as part of the major and in 500-level courses (this excludes 499 credits). 

Students are required to write and successfully defend a Dissertation Prospectus that outlines a detailed plan for the Ph.D. dissertation. The General Examination tests the student’s understanding of, and facility with, the scholarly literature that relates to the proposed dissertation topic, along with the strength of the proposed research proposal and its design.

III. Final Examination (Doctoral Defense)

In addition to a successful General Examination, the Ph.D. candidate must complete at least 27 dissertation credits over a period of at least three quarters. Candidates total credit count must reach 90 and they must have completed their doctoral dissertation.

To complete the degree, the candidate must complete a   Dissertation Defense   (also known as the   Final Examination ) administered by the Supervisory Doctoral Committee and devoted to the presentation and defense of the dissertation. It should be noted that the Graduate School requires a cumulative 3.0 GPA to obtain a graduate degree. For the final Dissertation Defense, students must get their committee members’ signatures on the UW Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee Approval form and submit that before the end of the quarter (the form will be provided at or prior to the student’s defense and submission instructions are on the form). More detailed information is on the Ph.D. Program’s Canvas page.

Students must be registered and may not be on leave during the quarter that the General and Final Examinations are taken.

IV. Official Submission

After a successful Final Examination, the dissertation must be submitted in the required format to the University of Washington Graduate School by 11:59 p.m. PST on the  last day of the quarter . The PhD Candidate must be registered and may not be on leave during the quarter that the dissertation is submitted.

For details of degree requirements please see Graduate School Policies-Doctoral Degree .

Ph.D. in Law

• Current Ph.D.s in Law
• PhD Admissions

Graduate Programs, UW School of Law William H. Gates Hall Box 353020 4293 Memorial Way Seattle, WA 98195-3020, USA gradlaw@ uw .edu

Graduate Program

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Graduate Program Handbook

HLS Course Catalog

Admitted LL.M. Students

Harvard International Office (HIO)

The Graduate Program attracts lawyers of demonstrated intellectual and academic excellence from all over the world. The LL.M. and S.J.D. programs expose students to American modes of legal education (which emphasize critical thinking and self-inquiry) as well as to substantive law, and enhance our students’ ability to do advanced scholarly work. The Graduate Program also hosts the Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher program, which accommodates a small number of legal scholars and researchers from around the world who are engaged in major research projects for which the Law School’s outstanding library resources may be of assistance.

Graduate Program Admissions & Financial Aid

Learn about all aspects of the admissions processes for our LL.M., S.J.D., and Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher programs, as well as financial aid and billing.

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Preparing Scholars for Distinguished Academic Careers

The most advanced degree program at UCLA Law, the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) is designed for those seeking to pursue careers as teachers and scholars of law.

Apply to the SJD Program

The Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) Degree Program is designed for those seeking to pursue careers as teachers and scholars of law. This highly selective program is open only to applicants who possess a distinguished prior academic record in law, show promise of outstanding scholarship, and demonstrate a high potential for completing a scholarly dissertation of required quality. Applicants must hold a J.D. degree or foreign equivalent and an LL.M. degree (or be enrolled in a program leading to an LL.M. degree).

The S.J.D. Program provides a unique opportunity for outstanding international law graduates to study at the UCLA School of Law. In the sixty years since its foundation, UCLA School of Law has grown to an institution of over 1,000 students and approximately 100 full and part-time faculty members. It is recognized by academic surveys to be among the twenty best law schools in the United States. The school is particularly noted for the unsurpassed expertise of its faculty, whose intellectual strength is balanced by commitments to improved instructional programs and an active recognition of social responsibilities.

UCLA is the premier university in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, a dynamic, cosmopolitan cultural center of more than ten million people. A vital part of the nine-campus University of California system, UCLA has reached national prominence in a variety of disciplines and consistently ranks in the top half-dozen universities in the nation, as judged by its academic peers and in terms of fellowships and grants awarded. UCLA enrolls approximately 45,000 students across 13 schools and colleges, in over 100 academic departments, and in 23 research units. Its 19 libraries, special collections, and archives hold approximately 12 million print and electronic volumes.

Our distinguished law faculty help prepare these students across an extensive range of law subjects -- using a variety of effective and often interdisciplinary approaches to teaching -- for outstanding careers in academia, transactional and litigation practices, government, international and domestic public policy, business, and nonprofit public interest arenas.

Those who ultimately join us can look forward to a promising future for themselves and for those whom they will teach, inform, and represent.

Students in the S.J.D. program must enter with an LL.M. degree, remain in residence for two semesters, and take a minimum of ten units of graded coursework each semester, which must be approved by the supervising faculty member and Graduate Studies Committee. The choice of courses will be from among  those generally offered  at the Law School and will depend on the particular subject matter and course of study approved for each S.J.D. student.

Applicants should bear in mind that, due to curriculum scheduling and faculty availability, not every class listed is taught each year. This is most often true in the case of specialized seminars. The final schedule of law classes will be available shortly before the enrollment process begins in July. The law school academic year begins in the middle of August with a fall semester of 15 weeks. After examinations and vacation in December, classes resume early in January for another 15-week semester that ends in mid-May.

Upon successful completion of the residency requirement and performance in courses at a level substantially above the quality expected of J.D. candidates, the Graduate Studies Committee, following its favorable review of the candidate's course work and of the developed research proposal, shall constitute a doctoral committee. It shall consist of three faculty members, including the student's supervisor and a member from a department outside the Law School. Upon the successful oral defense of the research proposal before the doctoral committee, the Graduate Studies Committee shall admit the student to full candidacy for the S.J.D. degree.

Within two years of the completion of the residency period, unless for exceptional circumstances an extension is granted by the Graduate Studies Committee, a candidate shall submit, and successfully defend in an oral examination, a dissertation in the form of a monograph or series of closely related essays suitable for publication and constituting a substantial contribution to knowledge in its field.

At UCLA Law, S.J.D. students are part of a diverse, vibrant, and thriving international graduate community, comprised of the best and brightest students from around the globe. Our select group of S.J.D. students - alongside members of the LL.M. community – hail from cultures near and far, representing over 30 different countries each year. Upon completion of the program, our students transition into the next phase of their professional careers having developed strong friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. S.J.D. students will also get to know and work closely with our faculty, who are accessible, open and who create a flourishing collegial environment at the law school. As an S.J.D. student, you are in for one of the most intellectually stimulating, memorable, and exciting times of your life, and we look forward to welcoming YOU to the Bruin family.

Hazim Alnemari is a current S.J.D. candidate at UCLA School of Law. In addition to his classical training in Islamic law, Alnemari earned his LL.B. from Taif University and his LL.M. from the University of Washington. He is an academic and legal counselor as well as a lecturer in constitutional law at the Islamic University of Madinah. Alnemari's research focuses on constitutionalism in Arab monarchies by tackling the intersection of law, religion, and monarchy. His research covers areas of comparative constitutional law, constitutional theory, political theory, and jurisprudence.

Suraj Girijashanker completed his legal education from the London School of Economics (LLB), School of Oriental and African Studies (LLM), and Columbia Law School (LLM). He is currently an Assistant Professor at Jindal Global Law School, India and Adjunct Faculty at the Centre for Migration and Refugee Studies at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. Prior to transitioning to academia, he served as a Legal Advisor with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal in New Zealand; Expert on Mission with UNHCR Turkey; Associate Refugee Status Determination Officer with UNHCR Egypt; and Legal Representative at Manus Island Regional Processing Centre in Papua New Guinea. His doctoral project traces imperial and racial narratives in international refugee law, focusing on the nexus between foreign intervention and displacement.

Sofia Grafanaki is a current S.J.D. candidate at UCLA School of Law. She previously earned her Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford and her LL.M. in Corporation Law at New York University School of Law. She also earned an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a second LL.M. in Intellectual Property and Information Law. She is admitted to the New York State bar, as a solicitor of the Senior Courts in London, and as an attorney in Athens, Greece. Grafanaki writes on the implications of big data on individual autonomy and democracy, as well as on speech and the role of the First Amendment in the online environment.

Qin Sky Ma is a current S.J.D. candidate at UCLA School of Law. Ma earned her J.D. from Tsinghua University in China and her LL.M. from UCLA School of Law with a specialization in international and comparative law. Ma passed the Chinese Bar Exam and worked as an assistant lawyer for several Chinese defense attorneys. As a student, Ma served as one of the executive editors for the Journal of International Law and Foreign Affairs at UCLA. She was a judicial extern at the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District in 2017. Ma taught criminal procedure at a local high school in Los Angeles through the UCLA Street Law Clinic. Ma is focusing her studies on comparative criminal justice and the international justice system.

Wietske Merison is a current S.J.D. candidate at UCLA School of Law. She has an interdisciplinary educational background with an LLM in Public International Law from Utrecht University, an MA in Theology and Religious Studies from VU Amsterdam and a BA majoring in International Law, Religion and Anthropology from University College Roosevelt. She previously worked as a lecturer in International and European Law at Utrecht University and is currently employed as a Research Assistant to Professor Abou El Fadl. In her dissertation she will be working on the articulation of an Islamic framework for environmental justice, specializing in the fields of Islamic Law, Environmental Law and International Human Rights Law.

Diego Nicolás Pardo Motta is a current S.J.D. student at UCLA School of Law. He earned his LL.B. at the Universidad del Rosario (Bogotá, Colombia) with specializations in Administrative and Constitutional Law. Diego then earned a Master’s in Philosophy and a Master’s in Law with an emphasis in legal research from the Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá). Finally, he obtained an LL.M. at UCLA School of Law with specializations in Law & Philosophy, International & Comparative Law, and Human Rights. Diego has served as a Public Worker for the Government of Bogotá, a Law Clerk at the Colombian Council of State, and a Lecturer at the Universidad El Bosque and Universidad del Rosario. His research is focused on the philosophical, historical, and comparative significance of the Consultive Function of the Council of State.

Marina Reis is a current S.J.D. candidate at UCLA School of Law. She previously earned her LL.B. from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a concentration in criminal law and an LL.M. from UCLA Law. While a student, Reis worked at UCLA's Prison Education Program  and was involved in the development of an academic curriculum for incarcerated persons in California. Reis currently works as a research assistant at the African American Policy Forum. Her research uses an intersectional lens to analyze gender-based violence in Brazil and the United States. She is particularly interested in investigating the (in)effectiveness of colorblind legislation to combat gender-based violence and the protection of women of color.

Alessia Zornetta is currently an S.J.D student at the UCLA School of Law. She is affiliated with the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy. Alessia obtained her LL.B at the University of Trento (Italy) and her LL.M at McGill University (Canada). Prior to UCLA, she worked as external researcher for the Institute for Legal Informatics at the University of Saarland (Germany). At present, she works as a student researcher at the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy and as graduate research assistant at the McGill Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy (Canada). Her research focuses mainly on platform governance, content moderation, privacy and data protection. During the S.J.D. program, Alessia will focus on the legal challenges concerning end-to-end encrypted platforms.

Hilal Elver is a 2009 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. She earned her J.D. as well as a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Ankara. During the S.J.D. program, her work was focused on the Critical Race Studies program and comparative constitutional law. She published her S.J.D. thesis: The Headscarf Controversy: Secularism and Freedom of Religion (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2012). She was a member of the Academic Council of the UN Least Developed Countries as well as a member of the official delegation of Turkey's UN Climate Change Framework Convention. Elver taught in the UC Santa Barbara Global Studies department until she was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. She held this position from 2014 until May 2020. She is currently in the process of writing a book on the right to food and food policies on a global level.

Willmai Rivera-Pérez is a 2011 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and J.D. from the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. In 2006 she earned her LL.M. from UC Berkeley School of Law. Her doctoral dissertation explored the role that the international human rights discourse has had in the adoption and development of the direct application of constitutional norms to relations arising from disputes between private parties in Latin America. Rivera-Pérez practiced as an attorney at Marchand Quintero Law Offices focusing on First Amendment litigation. She also clerked for Associate Justice Antonio S. Negrón García at the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. Rivera-Pérez is currently the Kendall Vick Endowed Professor of Public Law at the Southern University Law Center, where she teaches constitutional law, federal jurisdiction, federal civil procedure, succession, donations, and comparative law.

Martin Petrin is a 2011 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. Petrin earned his LL.M. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Gallen. During his time at UCLA, Petrin worked on corporate directors' and officers' liability, exploring various aspects of managers' liability towards shareholders as well as third parties. Petrin previously practiced law with a leading international business law firm and is admitted to the bar in New York and Switzerland. He has been a visiting professor at NYU London and a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private Law in Hamburg. He is currently the Dancap Private Equity Chair in Corporate Governance at Western University in Canada, having moved there from University College London in the UK, where he served as Associate Professor and Vice Dean (Innovation).

Astrid Liliana Sánchez-Mejía is a 2015 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. She earned her law degree from Javeriana University, Colombia and her LL.M. from Los Andes University, Colombia. She earned another LL.M. in legal theory from New York University. During her time at UCLA, her research examined the effects of adversarial criminal justice reforms on victims' rights by specifically analyzing the Colombian criminal justice reform of the early 2000s. She published her thesis: Victims' Rights in Flux: Criminal Justice Reform in Colombia, (new York, NY: Springer, 2017). Sánchez-Mejía has taught at various universities and training centers for state representatives in Colombia and Latin America. She is currently a Professor of Law at Javeriana University, Colombia.

Sumit Baudh is a 2016 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and LL.B. from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and graduated with honors. He earned his LL.M. from the London School of Economics. Baudh is qualified to practice law in India and enrolled as a solicitor n.p. with the Law Society in England and Wales. He was formerly an assistant professor at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. As an independent consultant, Baudh has advised national and international organizations including the U.S.-based Arcus Foundation, the United Nations Development Program, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, and the Government of India (among others). Currently, he is a Visiting Scholar, The Center for International and Comparative Law at Emory Law School.

Catarina Prata is a 2017 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. She earned her first law degree with a specialization in international law and a Master's degree in International Legal Sciences, both from the New University of Lisbon in Portugal. Prata was a Fulbright Scholar at New York University School of Law, where she obtained her LL.M. degree with a specialization in International Legal Studies. Prata conducted her research on the law of armed conflicts. She focused on private security and military companies and the possible alternatives for their regulation under international law. Prata has worked for Amnesty International in Portugal as a research and advocacy coordinator, and she currently works as a consultant in her field of expertise.

Yang Liu is a 2018 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. Liu previously earned law degrees from Harvard Law School and Tsinghua University, China. His doctoral dissertation focused on judicial politics within and among international courts. Liu also clerked at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Liu continues to research the judicial politics of international courts, theory and history of international law, and comparative foreign relations law. He currently serves as an assistant professor at Renmin University of China Law School, where he teaches international law and comparative politics.

Ricardo Lillo is a 2020 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. Lillo earned his LL.B. from Universidad Diego Portales School of Law in Santiago, Chile. He also earned his LL.M. in Public Interest Law and Policy from UCLA. His doctoral thesis explored the relation between the right to a fair trial and access to justice, and he proposed a new theoretical approach for its understanding in non-criminal matters. Lillo served as a Hoffenberg Research Fellow and as a fellow at UCLA's Transnational Program on Criminal Justice. Lillo is currently a faculty member at Universidad Adolfo Ibañez School of Law, where he teaches procedural law, and is a member of the Law and Society Research Centre.

Qin Xia is a 2020 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. She previously earned her LL.B. with a minor in English Literature from Beijing Foreign Studies University and her LL.M. from the University of Michigan. Xia also earned another master's degree in international economic law from Beijing Foreign Studies University. During her time in the S.J.D. program, she focused her studies on information disclosure and investor protection in the securities markets. Xia is admitted as an attorney in China and is also admitted to the New York State bar. Prior to coming to UCLA, she practiced as a corporate attorney with China Orient Asset Management Corporation. Xia later joined Nanjing University Law School as an assistant professor.

Andrés Caicedo is a 2021 graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law, and he is a Fulbright Scholar. He earned his first law degree from Rosario University in Colombia. Caicedo also holds an LL.M. with a specialization in Critical Race Studies from UCLA School of Law, as well as a Master of Public Law from Charles III University of Madrid in Spain. He has worked as a law professor at two universities in Colombia, teaching human rights, constitutional law and sociology of law. During his time in the S.J.D. program, his research focused on issues related to Critical Race Theory, affirmative action, civil rights, equality, constitutional law, and human rights. His doctoral thesis focused on Critical Race Theory and race-conscious remedies to address racial subordination in Colombia.

Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin is a graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. He previously earned his LL.B from the State Islamic University Jakarta School of Shari'a and Law and his LL.M from Melbourne University School of Law. Prior to the S.J.D. program, Mutaqin worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as an assistant to the Asia Pacific Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs and a lecturer at UIN. During the S.J.D. program he focused his studies on the interpretation, articulation, and enforcement of Islamic jus in bello (Islamic law regulation on the use force) and its relation to international humanitarian law. He is now head of the Master Degree Program in the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia.

Bryan Hance is a graduate of the S.J.D. program at UCLA School of Law. He previously earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA, his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law, and his LL.M. degree from UCLA School of Law. Hance clerked for Justice Edward Panelli of the California Supreme Court. Previously, he taught at Glendale University College of Law in Los Angeles and was a partner at the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, where he handled litigation and transactional matters. He also served as Associate General Counsel at Pepperdine University and as Executive Director of the Center for Conflict Resolution, where he handled training, arbitrations, and mediations. In addition to his law practice, Hance  serves as a professor and program director of the pre-law and paralegal studies programs at National University in San Diego.

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How to Get a Perfect Score on the LSAT

Here are some tips to help law school applicants who aim for a score of 180 on the Law School Admission Test.

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Practice is not helpful unless it is methodical and purposeful. To practice the right way, you need to create a thoughtful study plan.

It's possible to walk into the LSAT with minimal practice and score a perfect 180. My college roommate managed this feat, and I cannot fathom how he did it. For those of us mortals who may need a little more help to hit such an elusive target, I'm happy to share some advice from my own experience as a longtime LSAT instructor who scored 179 after months of practice.

First, however, it is worth stepping back and asking: Why aim for 180? 

What Does it Means to Score 180 on the LSAT?

The LSAT, formally known as the Law School Admission Test, is one of the most important factors in law school admissions. There is substantial evidence that those who score well on the test, like those who perform well academically in college, tend to get high grades in the first year of law school.

The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.

Remember: These scores are based on actual test-takers, not the population at large. 

How Do Law Schools Look at a Score of 180?

The most prestigious law schools tend to have median LSAT scores in the 170s. Many candidates are admitted with lower scores, but they likely have high grades and other impressive qualifications .

There is no law school with a median LSAT score above 175. This is because the LSAT is only one of many factors in law school admissions, and it is also due to the shape of the bell curve.

Standardized tests like the LSAT are calibrated to evaluate the bulk of test-takers whose scores fall in the hump of the bell curve, rather than the outliers at extreme edges. The difference between a 177 and a 178 could be due to making the wrong choice between two similar answer choices on just one question. Since LSAT questions can be somewhat subjective, such differences are not statistically meaningful.

Thus, law schools know that 180 is not a magic number. To take your best shot at a top law school , aim for a score in the 170s, the mid-170s if possible.

A score of 180 will stand out, but it is not a golden ticket. 

How Do You Practice to Achieve a Top LSAT Score?

Too many test-takers mistakenly believe that the key to scoring high on the LSAT is to take endless practice tests. After all, practice tests are hard, and those who work hardest do the best on the test, right?

This is not quite true. Practice is not helpful unless it is methodical and purposeful . To practice the right way, you need to create a thoughtful study plan .

First, you must learn the right techniques to tackle every question on the test, using the method that best fits your learning style. This may be self-study, a course or online application, or work with a tutor.

Once you have learned the basics, you can best improve your performance through a mix of timed and untimed practice tests and drilling the questions you find hardest. 

Homing in on Your Weaknesses

To achieve a perfect score, you need to be a perfectionist. This means practicing questions at the toughest level of difficulty you can handle and carefully examining your results.

All the practice in the world won’t help you unless you are devoted to understanding the questions you get wrong .

If you are a champion martial artist and an opponent throws you to the ground, it is unhelpful to get upset or disappointed or fearful. Instead, you must get curious. How did this happen? How can I prevent it from happening again?

Likewise, what distinguishes top performers on the LSAT is how they respond to questions they get wrong. Instead of anger or apathy, they react to wrong answers with interest, gleaning the data they need to improve. Over time, this leads to breakthroughs in performance. 

Mastering Your Mind

Test-takers who fall short of top scores often get so hyperfocused on the test that they exhaust themselves or become overly fixated on the clock.

Top performers understand that the mental side of the LSAT, like test anxiety and time management , are just as important to work on as other essential technical skills .

Instead of willing their brains to focus harder and work faster, they find ways to work with their mind to make the test manageable, sustainable and intrinsically rewarding.

Almost every client I work with who achieves a top score on the test hits a point where they find the LSAT surprisingly interesting. This make practice less of a chore, and it relieves the stress of the test and leads to new insights.

It is hard to get good at something if you hate it. I learned that as a kid, from years of fruitless piano lessons I grew to resent. My brother, who had the same teacher, was fascinated by piano practice and became a phenomenal pianist.

To score 180 on the LSAT, you must find a way to look forward to practice as much as my brother loved sitting down at the keyboard and treating every practice session as a chance to explore and to learn something new.

Tips to Boost a Law School Application

Tags: LSAT , law school , graduate schools , education , students

About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Navy veteran, mother of 3, to graduate from Duquesne's law school

After a career in the military and raising three children, a local woman is about to earn a new title: law school graduate.

For Alysa Ambrose, the journey was fueled by hard work, long nights and determination.

On Saturday, she will receive her degree from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University.

Ambrose served as the Navy's first female commander of the USS Gravely. In 2020, after a 25-year career, the Hampton Township native retired from the service.

She moved back to the Pittsburgh area and focused on fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer.

“The added challenge for me,” Ambrose said, “is the kids come home from school, and they need to be fed, and they need help with their homework, and some of them need help with bed and bath time routines. So, I don’t really get to start my homework until 9 or 10 at night. My sweet spot for homework is the 10 (p.m.) to 2 (a.m.) range. So, not a lot of sleep. But I think the Navy trained me for that.”

During the pandemic, Ambrose home-schooled her children, one of whom has special needs. When the lockdown was lifted, and the kids went back to school, she applied to and was accepted into the Kline School of Law.

“My message to anybody would be that you should live your dreams. You should go for it. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what else you’ve done in the meantime. If it’s something you want to do, you should go for it, and you find a way to make it happen," Ambrose said.

After graduation, Ambrose will take the bar exam and begin her law career serving as a clerk for federal Judge Joy Flowers Conti, a fellow Duquesne law graduate and the senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

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Graduate/summer access to westlaw, lexis + and bloomberg.

Summer is upon us!  Whether you are preparing for a summer internship or post-graduate plans, there are online resources available to you.  Here’s what you need to know about access to Bloomberg Law, Lexis, Westlaw and library databases. Need a dose of research help?  Research & Instruction librarians are  available  throughout the summer to assist with job or internship questions!

Returning Students

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Barron Trump to represent Florida at Republican convention

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Georgian opposition member says government is intimidating protesters

Dimitri Chikovani, a member of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM) and an active protester against a controversial new law said he was attacked by five people last week, blaming the government for seeking to intimidate opponents.

Harvard’s crackdown on Gaza protest violated US labor law, union claims

The United Auto Workers filed a US labor board complaint over Harvard University’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests, claiming the university violated grad students’ rights as employees.

In a Wednesday filing with the National Labor Relations Board, the UAW’s Harvard Graduate Students Union accused the university of surveillance and retaliation against workplace-related collective action in its response to student activists. Harvard also violated federal law by denying employees union representation in disciplinary investigation meetings, and unilaterally changing policies about their access to areas of campus in order to discourage them from protesting, the labor group alleged.

The alleged retaliation targeted by the complaint includes moves such as suspending students for participating in the encampment, which can also cause them to lose their jobs, according to the union. The university denied wrongdoing.

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The UAW international union has been calling for a Gaza ceasefire since December. It has denounced arrests of people protesting the war in Gaza, which began after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds more. Israel’s counterattack has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, including civilians.

“If you can’t take the outcry, stop supporting this war,” the union’s president Shawn Fain said earlier this month.

The UAW represents around 100,000 US academic employees, including around 5,000 Harvard PhD candidates and undergrads doing teaching and research. For weeks, students including UAW members maintained an encampment near the university president’s office, demanding the school disclose and discontinue investments in Israel.

“It’s something that’s important to the members and something that’s clearly linked to our workplace,” Harvard history of science teaching fellow Sal Suri, vice president of HGSU, said in an interview. UAW members don’t want their work or their paychecks entangled with Israel’s conduct in Gaza, Suri said.

In an emailed statement, Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said the school has informed the union that it doesn’t see the encampment in Harvard Yard as related to student worker working conditions. As a result, the administration doesn’t see it as a protected activity under federal law or the HGSU contract. The university said last week that the encampment violated school policies and created “significant disruption to the educational environment” as students were taking final exams and getting ready for graduation.

Protest leaders and university administrators announced Tuesday that they reached an agreement to take down the tents, with Harvard agreeing to answer questions about its endowment and to consider requests to reinstate suspended protesters, but not to divest. A spokesperson said the university will continue disciplinary proceedings that could result in official admonishments or expulsions. The school began suspending some protesters on Friday.

Activists have mounted similar protests at other colleges and universities across the US, including Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In many cases, administrators have called in police to shut the protests down as well as suspended some students.

UAW members employed by the University of California are voting this week on whether to authorize a strike over administrators’ response to Gaza protests. Undergraduate student workers at the New School who’ve been organizing with the UAW have been on strike since Monday protesting arrests of union members who were demonstrating in support of divestment, according to the union.

The Harvard case is the latest of several at schools including Brown University and the University of Southern California, in which campus unions allege that management is violating workers’ rights by cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests. Alphabet Inc. is also facing allegations it illegally fired dozens of employees for their participation in a sit-in opposing the company’s contract with the Israeli government.

The cases could test the boundaries of federal labor law, which prohibits retaliation against employees for taking collective action related to their working conditions, with or without a union.

Both Brown and USC have denied wrongdoing. Union members had no right to violate university rules as part of a “protest unrelated to their employment,” a Brown spokesperson told Bloomberg Law last week. Alphabet has also denied wrongdoing.

The NLRB’s general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, has taken an expansive view of what counts as “protected concerted activity” under federal labor law. “If it’s got a nexus to your working conditions, it’s PCA,” she said in response to a question last month about Gaza-related employee protests. “We need to be protecting as many workers as possible,” said Abruzzo, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021. “The statute’s very broad.”

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Son-in-law of top opponent of Venezuela's president pleads guilty to US money laundering charges

MIAMI — (AP) — The son-in-law of a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges for his role in a vast bribery conspiracy to siphon $1.2 billion from the state-owned oil company.

As part of his plea agreement announced Tuesday in federal court in Miami, Fernando Vuteff admitted to earning at least $4.1 million from a Spanish real estate company and financial institutions in Europe and Malta used to launder money on behalf of several Venezuelan government insiders.

Brian H. Bieber, an attorney for Vuteff, told The Associated Press that his client “accepted full responsibility for his conduct and the role he played in this case” but declined to comment further.

The Argentine-born asset manager is the latest caught up in a multiyear investigation, known as Operation Money Flight, targeting corruption inside Venezuela's oil industry, the source of virtually all the OPEC nation's export earnings.

Starting in 2006 until around 2018, Vuteff, who is the son-in-law of former Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, worked with a Swiss banker to recruit wealthy South American clients to offshore accounts in European banks. Among their clients was Raul Gorrin, a powerful media tycoon described in the plea agreement as a “billionaire businessman who was the owner of a Venezuelan television network.”

Gorrin was charged separately in 2018 for his role in the alleged conspiracy. According to investigators, the conspirators ginned up a currency-exchange scheme using fake loan agreements with the oil giant PDVSA designed to embezzle between $600 million and $1.2 billion at a time of collapsing production levels.

To facilitate the dirty dealmaking, the conspirators paid out millions in bribes, including to family members of one unnamed official identified in Vuteff's plea agreement as "Los Chamos" — Venezuelan slang for "the kids." The "Chamos" are President Nicolas Maduro's stepsons , two Americans previously told the AP, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the allegations.

Vuteff plowed his personal take from the conspiracy into real estate in Miami, Madrid and the capital of Paraguay, as well as a bank account belonging to a shell company in the Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos, according to the plea agreement.

Corruption is rampant in Venezuela — the country trails only Somalia in a widely cited ranking of 180 countries for perceived levels of graft — and U.S. prosecutors have uncovered billions in fraud and bribes at PDVSA in recent years.

But the Miami probe — the biggest money-laundering case ever lodged against Venezuelan officials and their associates — has slowed of late as several key prosecutors have resigned, the Justice Department has turned its attention to national security probes in China and Russia, and the Biden administration has sought to entice Maduro into allowing free and fair elections.

Vuteff's father-in-law, Ledezma, was for years one of Maduro's fiercest opponents, leading massive protests against the self styled socialist leader, before he was arrested in 2015 on allegations he was plotting a coup. He fled house arrest in 2017 and took up residency in Spain.

Ledezma, in a statement, said that he was focusing on providing support for his daughter and grandchildren and didn't comment on Vuteff's crimes.

“I do not interfere in a process that depends on the judicial administration of a democratic country, whose verdicts must be respected," he said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Barron Trump Is Picked to Be Delegate at the Republican Convention

In his most political role to date, Donald J. Trump’s youngest son will serve as a delegate from Florida just a few months after graduating from high school.

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By Michael Gold

• May 9, 2024

After years in which his privacy has been fiercely guarded and he has been kept out of the political arena, former President Donald J. Trump’s youngest son, Barron, was chosen to be one of Florida’s delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Barron, who turned 18 earlier this year and will graduate high school this month, will be one of 41 at-large delegates at the party’s national meeting in July, when the G.O.P. is expected to officially nominate his father as the Republican presidential candidate. His selection was reported earlier by NBC News .

The youngest Trump will be joined in the delegation by his two more politically active brothers, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., both of whom have appeared on the campaign trail or done interviews to support their father’s candidacy.

Mr. Trump’s younger daughter, Tiffany, will also be a Florida delegate. Ivanka Trump, his eldest child, was not on the list.

Though politicians’ children often hit the trail to stump alongside their parents, Barron Trump has largely been absent from his father’s campaign this year. It remains to be seen whether he will give a speech at the Republican convention, as his siblings did in 2016 and 2020.

For the past several years, Barron has been attending a private high school in Florida. His graduation, on May 17, became a point of contention in Mr. Trump’s hush-money trial in Manhattan because it overlaps with the court schedule.

The judge in the case initially delayed a decision on whether court would be in session that day, prompting complaints from Mr. Trump, but he eventually agreed to allow the day off from court .

The Florida party’s list of delegates further demonstrates the extent to which the Trump family and Mr. Trump’s supporters have moved to the center of Republican politics. His daughter-in-law, Lara, who is married to Eric Trump, was made co-chair of the Republican National Committee earlier this year.

The Florida delegation list also includes Kimberly Guilfoyle, the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., and Michael Boulos, Tiffany Trump’s husband . Other longtime Trump allies were also chosen, including Isaac Perlmutter, the former Marvel Entertainment chief executive who is a major donor, and the real-estate investor Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of Mr. Trump.

Michael C. Bender and Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting.

Michael Gold is a political correspondent for The Times covering the campaigns of Donald J. Trump and other candidates in the 2024 presidential elections. More about Michael Gold

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

President Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to two debates  on June 27 on CNN and Sept. 10 on ABC News. The first debate raises the likelihood of the earliest general-election debate  in modern history.

Biden’s economic policies have helped spur billions of dollars in new investments in Arizona and Georgia, yet Trump has maintained a significant lead over Biden in both states .

In an about-face, big financiers on Wall Street, in Silicon Valley and elsewhere are increasingly on board for a second Trump term  after the first one alienated them.

May 14 Primaries:  Hundreds of thousands of voters in Maryland, West Virginia and Nebraska weighed in on primaries whose results pointed to a desire for moderation, achievement and diversity .

Maryland Senate Race:   Angela Alsobrooks  won the Democratic primary, setting up a showdown with Larry Hogan , the popular former two-term governor, in a race that could determine which party controls the Senate .

West Virginia Senate Race:  Jim Justice, the state’s second-term governor, won the Republican primary , positioning him to win the seat being vacated by Senator Joe Manchin III, a Democrat, and flip it to the G.O.P.

Trade War With China:  Biden ran for the White House as a sharp critic of Trump’s crackdown on trade with China. In office, though, he has escalated Trump’s trade war  with Beijing, albeit with a very different aim .