Practice Management

It is always interesting and intriguing to see a major state university opening a new law school.  First, what are the chances that the law school will not receive ABA accreditation?  Little I think.  Second, a public law school ultimately provides access to a cheaper quality law school education for many.  Third, is a matter of prestige.  Although I put less emphasis on this point, new law schools at major state universities develop a quality history reputation more quickly.

If you are beginning your senior year of college, or are otherwise considering law school to begin in the fall of 2009, now is the time to determine your choices (and to take the LSAT) in that the deadlines will approach quickly after college resumes.

In this regard, you might want to seriously consider adding the Donald Bren School of Law at the University of Callifornia - Irvine to your list.

The University of California - Irvine is a name school.  it is only one of 63 universities nationally elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities.  What does this have to do with law school?  Maybe nothing, but it does show the dedication of UC Irvine to build and maintain a quality university, and that should afford you some assurance as to the law school as well.

This is, after all, the first public law school to be established and opened in California in over 40 years.

Donald Ben, for whom the law school is named, is a renowned real estate mogul, and named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 400 richest men in the World.

Also, if the past is any indication, sometimes the first couple of entering class of what will undoubtedly grown into a prestigious institution is often an opportunity for some who fall slightly out of the criteria to get admitted to a top tier law school to achieve a foothold.

Only 65 students will be admitted to the law schools first entering class in the fall of 2009, but the entering class will quickly grow to 200 a year.

There might be two downsides to the law school.  First, there is always a possibility, however slight, that the law school will not receive timely provisional accreditation by the ABA.  But, given the resources of the school, this is probably very slight.  Second, it is hard to accept an aardvark as the school mascot of UC Irving.  But, everyone has to make sacrifices.