Top 10 LAW Schools for Hispanics 2006

September 2006, HISPANIC BUSINESS Magazine

1. University of New Mexico School of Law
MSC11 6070 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 Tel: (505) 277-0572

Total graduate enrollment - 360
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 87
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 24%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 98
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 26
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 27%

Known for its small classes, easy student-faculty interaction, and special programs in clinical, Native American, natural resources, and international law, the University of New Mexico School of Law has a population that reflects the diverse Hispanic heritage of New Mexico. UNM School of Law offers minority career fairs, Hispanic mock trial competitions, and programs sponsored by the national and local Hispanic Bar Associations and the State Bar of New Mexico. Students can broaden their law school experience with a dual-degree program in law and Latin American Studies, a summer exchange in Guanajuato, Mexico, or take a class in "Spanish for Lawyers." UNM's Mexican American Law Student Association (MALSA) chapter was named the Law Student Organization of the Year by the Hispanic National Bar Association for bringing awareness to issues facing the Hispanic community and for its dedication to furthering the education of Hispanic students.

2. University of Miami School of Law
Coral Gables, FL 33124 Tel: (305) 284-2795

Total graduate enrollment - 1,151
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 136
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 12%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 401
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 59
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 15%

Located near Miami, the University of Miami School of Law has a long tradition of educating Hispanic lawyers. Alumni include prominent state and federal judges, leaders in national and state bar organizations, partners in both large and mid-size law firms, and leading public interest lawyers. The school participates in the Hispanic National Bar Association Career Fair, the Southeastern Minority Job Fair, and the Prosecutors Minority Recruitment Job Fair.

3. University of Texas at Austin School of Law
727 E. Dean Keeton St. Austin, TX 78705 Tel: (512) 232-1200

Total graduate enrollment - 1,367
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 241
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 18%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 544
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 53
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 10%

Students have access to a world-class international business and law curriculum at the University of Texas at Austin. Recent innovations include videoconferenced classes held simultaneously in Mexico City and Austin, Texas, an LL.M. program in Latin American and international law, and an Institute for Transnational Law. Organizations include the 120-member Chicano/Hispanic Law Students' Association (CHLSA), a Hispanic law journal, the permanent office of the Texas-Mexico Bar Association, four UT-Austin Hispanic funds and associations, as well as the internationally respected Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies, and the Center for Mexican American Studies.

4. Stanford University Stanford Law School
559 Nathan Abbott Way Stanford, CA 94305-8610 Tel: (650) 723-4985

Total graduate enrollment - 527
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 65
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 12%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 166
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 24
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 14%

The diversity of the student body and increasing diversity of the faculty help retain Hispanics and other minority students. The intimacy of the law school's class size also fosters the sharing of cultural experiences, enriching classroom discussion. The very active Hispanic student organization, the Stanford Latino Law Students Association (SLLSA), serves the day-to-day needs of the Hispanic student community and also sponsors school-wide events. SLLSA has hosted a number of "Latino Judges Panels" bringing five Hispanic judges to campus for discussions. SLLSA also runs a mentoring program for entering students, which starts before classes begin and continues throughout the year.

5. University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Tucson, AZ 85721-0176 Tel: (520) 621-3477

Total graduate enrollment - 456
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 49
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 11%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 153
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 18
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 12%

Small classes, a first-year mentoring program, and a strong legal writing program help students acclimate to the demands of a top-tier public law school. In addition to a rigorous core curriculum, the college offers learning and clinical opportunities in immigration law, environmental law, indigenous people's law and policy, business and commercial law, and international law (through the affiliated National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade). Outside the classroom, most students engage in clinical, internship, community service, or student organization work, including La Raza, an active chapter of the Hispanic National Bar Association. Academic events include visits from distinguished judges and scholars, luncheons with practitioners, and weekly lectures or brown bag seminars on current issues. The Career Services office works with law firms across the country as well as in the southwest to offer students training and support throughout law school.

6. Florida State University College of Law
425 West Jefferson St. Tallahassee, FL 32306 Tel: (850) 644-3787

Total graduate enrollment - 772
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 64
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 8%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 274
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 19
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 7%

Florida State University College of Law is committed to providing an enriching academic learning experience for all of its students. To this end, the school has implemented a number of successful initiatives designed to recruit and retain a diverse student body. Active student organizations such as the Latino Graduate Student Association and the Cuban American Student Association provide a wealth of cultural outlets, mentoring opportunities and peer support for Hispanic students. In addition to hosting a number of programs and events geared towards recruiting talented Hispanic students, the college also strives to provide a supportive environment for its current law students, many of whom work closely with the admissions office as school ambassadors and pre-law advisors.

7. University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law
Gainesville, FL 32611-7622 Tel: (352) 273-0890

Total graduate enrollment - 1,156
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 115
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 10%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 462
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 43
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 9%

The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law is one of the nation's most comprehensive and well-respected law schools, and the recent expansion and renovation of its library and classroom facilities helps cement its top-tier ranking. Among the school's many offerings are a joint J.D./M.A.and an annual conference on legal and policy issues in the Americas. Students can take advantage of numerous social activities—including October Hispanic Awareness Month, SangriaFest, Pig Roast and Race Judicata—through the active Spanish American Law Students Association (SALSA), which provides support, resources, and opportunities to Hispanic UF law students.

8. Southwestern Law School
3050 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010 Tel: (213) 738-6717

Total graduate enrollment - 931
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 99
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 11%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 305
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 29
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 10%

Committed to diversity throughout its 95-year history, Southwestern has been in the forefront of encouraging the enrollment of women and minorities, and continues to promote diversity among the student body and faculty through a variety of avenues. A member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Southwestern maintains strong ties with the Hispanic community locally through outreach programs, externships, and student and faculty exchanges. The Latino Law Students Association (LLSA) is one of the most active groups on campus and has been honored by such organizations as the Mexican American Bar Foundation (MABF). Several scholarship funds have been designated for students of Hispanic heritage, as well as academic support programs and alumni mentor programs.

9. University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095 Tel: (310) 825-2080

Total graduate enrollment - 970
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 78
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 8%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 303
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 23
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 8%

Focusing on an array of both established and progressive fields, including tribal law, real estate law, sexual orientation law, business law, environmental law and policy, criminal law, and international law, UCLA School of Law provides an education that prepares students for a career in law. It's home to the Chicano-Latino Law Review and La Raza Law Student Association. Since 1972, the Review has established a reputation for publishing strong scholarly work on affirmative action and education, Spanish and Mexican land grants, environmental justice, language rights, and immigration reform. La Raza Law Student Association advocates for training that prepares students to meet the needs of the legally underserved. La Raza provides a mentorship program, serves as an organizing force around Raza political issues, and creates a social atmosphere that promotes Raza culture and experience.

10. University of Connecticut School of Law
45 Elizabeth St. Hartford, CT 06105 Tel: (860) 570-5100

Total graduate enrollment - 497
Hispanic graduate enrollment - 47
Percent Hispanic graduate enrollment - 9%
Total J.D. degrees earned - 216
J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 15
Percent of J.D. degrees earned by Hispanics - 7%

The University of Connecticut School of Law participates in a variety of pipeline and outreach programs to effectively recruit a diverse student body. The Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity (LCD), an organization dedicated to expanding diversity in the state's legal community, has partnered with the school to host a minority orientation dinner, as well as various programs and networking opportunities for Hispanic and other minority law students. Support from the Latino Law Students Association (LLSA) has generated an increase in the amount of Hispanic applicants and has helped double the number of Hispanics matriculated since 2000. Affiliations with the LCD, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association allow students to navigate law school, and play an active role in opportunities with the bench and bar.