In the upcoming back-to-school issue of its preLaw magazine, The National Jurist has named the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law as one of the 20 most innovative law schools in the country. Sturm was recognized for its “medical school model,” in which clinics, externship and other hands-on opportunities offer law students real-world opportunities and the chance to develop their practical skills. The article notes that Sturm has “expanded its legal skills course to include the fundamentals of a lawyer’s day-to-day routine” and has added a staff member to coordinate a more integrated approach among clinics, faculty members and skills.
According to a posting on its website, The National Jurist—a magazine targeted to law school students—invited every law school in the U.S. to submit information on how it is innovating its curriculum. More than 40 schools responded.
“We were surprised and impressed by the level of innovation today,” Jack Crittenden, editor in chief of The National Jurist, said in the posting. “Legal educators are no longer just talking about change — they are taking the first steps to make it happen.”
The top 20 list also includes Loyola Law School Los Angeles, New York Law School, Stanford Law School, the Syracuse University College of Law and Tulane University Law School.