What are the oldest law schools in US?

Determining the "oldest" depends on how you define "law school." Some institutions had legal education programs before they became formally organized law schools as we know them today. With that caveat, here are some of the oldest contenders:

* Harvard Law School (Cambridge, MA): Established in 1817, it's generally considered the oldest continuously operating law school in the United States.

* Litchfield Law School (Litchfield, CT): Founded in 1784, this school predates Harvard's formal law school. However, it closed in 1833, so it doesn't hold the continuous operation title. It's often cited as the oldest, but its closure significantly impacts its claim.

* University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (Philadelphia, PA): While its precise origins are debated, its legal education program dates back to the late 18th century, making it among the oldest continuously operating institutions offering legal education.

Therefore, while Litchfield Law School was founded earlier, Harvard Law School is generally recognized as the oldest continuously operating law school in the US due to its unbroken existence since 1817. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School also holds a strong claim to being among the very oldest, given its long history of legal instruction.