Vermont Law School is rated as a tier 3 school on the national scale. This means the school is considered to be one of the better regional law schools outside of the Top 100. More than 54 percent of applicants received offers of admission in 2009, making the private school one of the least selective schools in the nation. Since the Environment Law Center's establishment in 1978, Vermont Law School has grown into the largest environmental law school program in the United States. With more than 50 courses offered on campus and degree partnership opportunities with several other law schools across the country, students at Vermont Law School have an abundance of opportunities to gain specialized training in the environmental legal studies.
Vermont Law School
Chelsea Street
South Royalton, VT 05068
888-277-5985
vermontlaw.edu
Although relegated to the second best law school ranking in 2010, Lewis & Clark Law School has frequently held the top position in a constant back-and-forth battle with Vermont Law School. Located in Portland, Oregon, the school has developed a national reputation with its 61st overall ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Lewis & Clark Law School first began its environmental law program in 1970, and today students have the opportunity to earn an environmental law certificate with their J.D. degree or elevate their studies even further with a master of laws degree in environmental law.
Lewis & Clark College
Northwestern School of Law
10015 S.W. Terwilliger Blvd.
Portland, OR 97219
503-768-6613
law.lclark.edu
Pace University School of Law is the definition of a specialty law school. Generally regarded as a tier 4 law school overall, the school places a heavy emphasis on its environmental law program and has earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report as the third-best environmental law program in the country. In an effort to promote and teach environmental law, Pace University has created a unique partnership with the country of Brazil in the Brazil-American Institute for Law and Environment. In the program, students from Pace University School of Law travel to Brazil to learn first-hand about the issues they have studied in class. The idea behind the partnership is to promote awareness of environmental law issues in both countries, including proactive efforts made by students. On-campus, the school also has set up environmental project centers such as the Center for Environmental Legal Studies, the Energy and Climate Center, the Land Use Center and Theodore W. Kheel Center on the Resolution of Environmental Interest Disputes.
Pace University
Law School
78 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
914-422-4210
law.pace.edu
The remaining schools that were recognized in the top 10 environmental law programs are also recognized as Top 100 law schools in the overall U.S. News & World Report rankings of 2010.
4. Georgetown University (14th nationally)
5. University of California (sixth nationally)
6. University of Colorado (45th nationally)
7. University of Maryland (43rd nationally)
8. Duke University (10th nationally)
9. New York University (5th nationally)
10. University of Oregon (77th nationally)