The Top 10 Law Schools for Family Law

Family law is a challenging legal field that deals with the complex issues of family relationships and domestic matters. With the ever-evolving nature of family law, aspiring lawyers need to stay up-to-date with the latest legal advancements and ultimately gain the skills and knowledge to excel in the field. For this very reason, we have compiled a list of the top 10 law schools that offer exceptional family law programs. From curriculum to faculty and innovation to collaboration, these law schools offer everything that a student needs to pursue a career in family law. Let's dive in.

What is Family Law?

Family law covers a range of legal issues that affect families, including divorce, child custody and support, adoption, marriage, and domestic violence. The role of a family law attorney is to help clients navigate these issues and provide guidance on their legal rights and options. Given the critical nature of family law, it's essential to have an in-depth understanding of the field and the necessary legal skills to make informed decisions.

How to Choose the Right Law School

Choosing the right law school for your family law career can be challenging. There are various factors to consider, such as location, reputation, curriculum, and faculty. You want to choose a law school that offers a family law program tailored to your specific interests and needs. It's crucial to conduct research and choose a law school that matches your career aspirations.

One important factor to consider when choosing a law school for your family law career is the availability of clinical programs. These programs provide hands-on experience in family law cases and can give you a competitive edge in the job market.

The Best Schools for Family Law

1. Harvard Law School

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Political Economy of the Family
• Trusts & Estates
• Youth Advocacy and Policy Seminar
• Abortion: Law, Policy, and Ethics

Faculty of Note:

• Janet Halley: Eli Goldstein Professor of Law, Yale Law School JD; expert on feminist legal theory, sex and gender and the law, family law, law and humanities, and critical legal studies
• Robert Sitkoff: Wakeman Scott and John L. Gray Professor of Law, University of Chicago JD; youngest professor with tenure to receive a chair in the history of the school
• Michael Gregory: Clinical professor of law, Harvard JD; expert in trauma, education, and child/youth policy

Clinics/Externships:

• Child Advocacy Clinic
• Family Justice Clinic
• Harvard Dispute Systems Design Clinic

Harvard Law School is recognized as one of the leading law schools in the world, and its Family Law Education Program is no exception. The program offers a wide range of courses in family law, including child welfare, domestic violence, and marriage and divorce. The faculty members at Harvard Law School are recognized experts in the field and provide students with the practical experience they need to succeed in family law. Students have access to clinical opportunities, internships, and research assistants, making Harvard Law School an excellent choice for a family law education.

Read: Harvard Law School: Program and Application Overview

2. Yale Law School

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Children and the Constitution: Seminar
• Bioethics and Law: Seminar
• Sexuality, Gender, Health, and Human Rights
• Living Civil Rights Law

Faculty of Note:

• Douglas NeJaime: Anne Urowsky Professor of Law; teaches in the areas of family law, legal ethics, law and sexuality, and constitutional law.
• Vicki Schultz: Ford Foundation Professor of Law and Social Sciences; teaches courses on the family, state and market, family law, employment discrimination law, workplace theory and policy, work and gender, law and social science, feminist theory, and related subjects.
• Stephen Latham: Lecturer in Law; Director of the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics; expert in Bioethics and Law.

Clinics/Externships:

• Legal Assistance: Gender Violence Clinic
• Civil Rights Advocacy Clinic
• Advanced Civil Rights Advocacy Clinic

Yale Law School is designed to prepare students for the unique challenges of family law. The program covers various aspects of family law, including same-sex marriage, child custody, and adoption. The curriculum focuses on practical skills, such as negotiation, mediation, and counseling, required in family law. The faculty members have substantial experience in family law, and the program has several clinical and internship opportunities to give students practical work experience. Yale Law School is a top-ranked law school, making it an excellent option for students interested in family law.

Read: Yale Law School: Program and Application Overview

3. Stanford Law School

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Policy Practicum: Expanding Access to Justice in Eviction and Family Law
• Policy Practicum: Expanding Access to Justice in Eviction and Family Law (Section 02)
• Gender, Law, and Public Policy
• Law and Psychology

Faculty of Note:

• Ralph Richard Banks: Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law; Faculty Director, Stanford Center for Racial Justice; teaches and writes about family law, employment discrimination law and race and the law.
• David Freeman Engstrom; LSVF Professor in Law; Co-Director, Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession; expert in Anti-Discrimination Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure & Litigation.
• Margaret Hagan: Executive Director, Legal Design Lab; Lecturer in Law; teaches project-based classes where interdisciplinary student groups address legal challenges by researching and designing new legal products and services.

Clinics/Externships:

• Community Law Clinic: Clinical Practice
• Externship, Civil Law
• Immigrants' Rights Clinic: Clinical Practice

Stanford Law School is known for its innovative approach to teaching and research in family law. The curriculum includes collaborative problem-solving in family law cases, and students have access to various research and clinical opportunities. Stanford Law School faculty are recognized experts in their field and bring their practical experiences into the classroom. The program also offers an advanced degree in Environmental and Resources Law, which prepares students to work in environmental law and policy areas that intersect with family law.

Read: Stanford Law School: Program and Application Overview

4. Columbia Law School

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Advanced Family Law: Pre-Nups, Property Distribution, and Alimony in Divorce
• Civil Rights
• Gender Justice
• Meanings of Motherhood: Legal and Historical Perspectives

Faculty of Note:

• Clare Huntington: Professor of Law; a nation-wide recognized expert in family law and poverty law; expert in Family Law, Children and the Law, Poverty Law, and Legislation and Regulation.
• Patricia Hennessey: Lecturer in Law; a partner at Hennessey & Bienstock; handles various matrimonial cases, including divorce, property distribution, child custody, support, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
• Carol Sanger: Barbara Aronstein Black Professor Emerita of Law; expert in Family Law, Abortion Law, and Contracts.

Clinics/Externships:

• Advanced Family Defense Clinic
• Advanced Smith Family Human Rights Clinic
• Smith Family Human Rights Clinic

The Family Law Program at Columbia Law School provides students with a comprehensive approach to family law education. The program covers various topics in family law, including child welfare, adoption, and international family law. The faculty is made up of experienced family law practitioners and professors who share their practical experience with students. The law school also provides students with a wealth of resources, including research centers, clinics, and internship opportunities. Columbia Law School is a highly-ranked law school that offers a rigorous family law program.

Read: Columbia Law School: Program and Application Overview

5. NYU School of Law

Sample Classes:

• Child, Parent, and State
• Family Practice Simulation
• Constitutional Issues in Family Law
• Sex Discrimination Law
• Domestic Violence Law Seminar

Faculty of Note:

• Martin Guggenheim: Fiorello LaGuardia Professor of Clinical Law Emeritus; co-director of the Family Defense Clinic; expert on children’s rights and family law.
• Elizabeth M. Schneider: Adjunct Professor of Law; teaches and writes in the fields of gender law, domestic violence and federal civil litigation.
• Peggy Cooper Davis: John S. R. Shad Professor of Lawyering and Ethics; Director, Experiential Learning Lab; expert in Family Law, Constitutional Theory, Social Sciences and the Law, Evidence, and Legal Process.

Clinics/Externships:

• Family Defense Clinic
• Family Defense Clinic Seminar

The NYU School of Law's Family Law Program is designed to build a strong foundation for family law practice. The program includes courses in family law, child advocacy, and international human rights. The faculty members are experts in the field and provide students with practical experience and skill-building opportunities. Students also have access to various clinical opportunities and internships in family law, making NYU School of Law an excellent choice for students interested in family law practice.

Read: NYU School of Law: A Comprehensive Overview and Guide

6. University of Virginia School of Law

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• International and Comparative Family Law (SC)
• Children and the Law
• Feminist Jurisprudence
• Trusts and Estates

Faculty of Note:

• Gregg Strauss: Class of 1966 Research Professor of Law; Director of the Family Law Center.
• Naomi R. Cahn: Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Law; Armistead M. Dobie Professor of Law; Co-Director, Family Law Center; an expert in family law, trusts and estates, feminist jurisprudence, reproductive technology, and aging and the law.
• Andrew Block: Professor of Law, General Faculty; Director, State and Local Government Law Clinic; expert in child advocacy, juvenile justice, and state and local government law.

Clinics/Externships:

• Civil Rights Clinic (YR)
• Holistic Youth Defense Clinic
• Housing Litigation Clinic (YR)

The University of Virginia School of Law focuses on creating a collaborative environment for learning and practice in family law. The program covers various aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, and adoption. The faculty comprises renowned family law scholars and lawyers who provide students with practical experiences and skill-building opportunities. The law school also has several clinical opportunities and internships in family law, making it an excellent option for students interested in specializing in family law.

Read: University of Virginia School of Law: Program and Application Overview

7. Georgetown University Law Center

Sample Classes:

• Family Law I: Marriage and Divorce
• Family Law II: Children, Parents and the State
• Adoption Law & Policy Seminar
• Gender and Sexuality: Law and Theory
• Sexual Orientation and the Law

Faculty of Note:

• Chandra Walker Holloway: Managing Partner, Holloway & Norman Law Group; Adjunct Professor of Law; has 20+ years of litigation experience; handles family law matters including divorce, custody, visitation, adoption, paternity, child and spousal support, pre-post nuptial agreements, separation agreements, cohabitation and dissolution agreements, neglect and abuse proceedings, and appeals.
• Philomila Tsoukala: Professor of Law; teaches in the areas of family law, European Union law and legal theory.
• Naomi Mezey: Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Law and Culture; expert in Civil Procedure and Trial Practice, Gender and the Sexuality and the Law, Jurisprudence and Philosophy, Legislation, and Arts and Entertainment.

Georgetown University Law Center is designed to foster the next generation of leaders in family law. The program covers various legal topics in family law, including children and the family, domestic violence, and marriage and family law. The faculty members are experts in the field and have practical experience in family law practice.

Read: Georgetown University Law Center: Program and Application Overview

8. UCLA School of Law

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Special Topics in Family Law
• Domestic Violence Prevention Practicum
• Reproductive Rights and Justice
• Law, Gender, and Sexuality

Faculty of Note:

• Anne Sidwell: Director of Extern & Field Placement Programs.
• LaToya Baldwin Clark: Professor of Law; writes and teaches about education law, family law, property law, and race and discrimination.
• Cary Franklin: McDonald/Wright Chair of Law; Faculty Director of the Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy; Faculty Director of the Williams Institute; writes and teaches in the areas of constitutional law, anti-discrimination law, and legal history.

Clinics/Externships:

• Immigrant Family Legal Clinic
• Human Rights Litigation Clinic

The UCLA School of Law focuses on advancing the field of family law through scholarship and advocacy. The program covers various legal aspects of family law, including domestic violence, child custody, and same-sex marriage. The faculty members at UCLA School of Law are recognized experts in the field of family law and provide students with practical experience in the field. Students also have access to various research and clinical opportunities in family law, making UCLA School of Law an excellent choice for students interested in advancing the field of family law through research and advocacy.

Read: University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law: Program and Application Overview

9. University of Michigan Law School

Sample Classes:

• Family Law
• Family Law Practicum
• Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law
• Tribal Law
• Substantive Due Process

Faculty of Note:

• Tracy E. Van den Bergh: Lecturer in Law; has an interest in developing better screening for domestic violence survivors in family court, and interdisciplinary approaches to family law proceedings.
• Timothy M. Pinto: Clinical Professor of Law; Child Welfare Appellate Clinic; Legal Practice Program.
• Vivek S. Sankaran: Clinical Professor of Law; 1L Advocacy Clinic; Director, Child Advocacy Law Clinic; Director, Child Welfare Appellate Clinic; advocates for the rights of children and parents involved in child welfare proceedings.

Clinics/Externships:

• Child Advocacy Clinic
• Civil-Criminal Litigation Clinic
• Pediatric Advocacy Clinic

The University of Michigan Law School is a premier institution for those specializing in family law. Renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, Michigan Law offers extensive coursework and hands-on learning opportunities in divorce, child custody, property distribution, and support issues. Students benefit from a distinguished faculty with deep expertise in family law, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive community dedicated to academic excellence. The school's robust clinical programs provide real-world experience, preparing students to navigate complex family law cases with confidence. Whether you're aiming to become a top family law attorney or an advocate for family rights, the University of Michigan Law School equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in this rewarding field.

Read: University of Michigan--Ann Arbor Law School: Program and Application Overview

10. Emory University School of Law

Sample Classes:

• Child Protection/International Human Rights
• Child Welfare Law and Policy
• Gender, Sexuality and the Law
• Family Law II
• Juvenile Law

Faculty of Note:

• Melissa D. Carter: Clinical Professor of Law; Executive Director of the Barton Child Law and Policy Center; expert in Child Advocacy, Children's Rights, Family Law.
• John Witte Jr.: Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law; McDonald Distinguished Professor; CSLR Faculty Director; expert in Legal History, Human Rights, Religious Freedom, Marriage and Family Law, Law and Religion, Legal Theory.
• Martha Albertson Fineman: Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law; expert in Child Advocacy, Children's Rights, Equality Theory, Family Law, Feminist Legal Theory, Sexuality and Law, Women and the Law, Reproductive Issues.

Clinics/Externships:

• Barton Policy and Legislative Advocacy Clinics
• Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic
• Barton Appeal for Youth Clinic

Emory University School of Law is a leading institution for those specializing in family law. Emory Law offers a robust curriculum that covers all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, property division, and support issues. Students gain practical experience through hands-on clinics and externships, working directly with families and legal professionals. The school boasts a distinguished faculty renowned for their expertise in family law, ensuring that students receive a top-tier education. With its state-of-the-art facilities and supportive community, Emory Law provides an ideal environment for aspiring family law attorneys. Choose Emory University School of Law to build a successful career in family law and make a meaningful impact on families and communities.

Read: Emory University School of Law: Program and Application Overview

Get Into Law School With the Help of an Expert

Get into law school with the help of an expert and dramatically increase your chances of acceptance into top programs. Expert guidance can provide you with personalized advice on every aspect of the application process, from crafting a compelling personal statement to securing strong letters of recommendation and acing your interviews. Whether you're aiming for a specialized field like family law or a broad legal education, an expert can help you highlight your strengths and unique qualifications, ensuring your application stands out. Start your journey to a successful legal career by partnering with a law school admissions expert today.

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