Rose Hurder

"LSU Law prepared me for the future by investing in the appellate advocacy and trial competitions. My experience with those, particularly the appellate advocacy competition, will most certainly make my first appearances before a judge more comfortable."

The LSU Law Center jumped 13 spots to #75 in the 2010 U.S. News and World Report rankings of law schools, among the largest jumps of all ABA-approved law schools. The #75 ranking is the highest in the LSU Law Center history.

Curriculum

Louisiana's unusually diverse history and culture are an integral part of the LSU Law Center’s foundation. In contrast to most states, where only the Anglo-American common law prevails, Louisiana's legal system is based not only on the early Spanish and French law, but includes the most substantial elements of the common law as well. LSU law students are trained to master not one but two legal systems.

Logic, Reason & Insight

This "crossroad curriculum" provides a unique and intense legal education that gives LSU Law graduates qualifications not developed by other American law schools. Its dual focus imparts an unusual degree of logical and analytical reasoning, and provides students with unique insights from applying social policy to the resolution of diverse legal problems in the context of both common law precedent and civilian legislation.

Requirements

LSU law students are required to take 97 hours of credit for graduation, one of the most demanding curriculums in the nation. In the first year, courses such as common law contracts, torts, civil procedure, constitutional law, and criminal justice are required, along with the Louisiana law of obligations, torts, civilian property, and a study of the civil law system. This selection of courses offers extensive comparison of the law under the two systems. After the first year, a wide variety of electives are available.