Last month, National Jurist compiled a list of law schools in the United States that provided law students with the best preparation for career opportunities in public service.
The list was divided into three different categories of public service careers: Government, Public Interest, and Public Defenders/Prosecutors. The publication selected the top 20 programs in the nation for each public service career option, recognizing 40 programs in total. One school recognized — The University of Illinois.
The University of Illinois College of Law was honored for its commitment to helping its students secure jobs in the government sector after graduating and passing the bar exam.
According to Rebecca Myhr Szajna, a director in the Office of Career Planning and Professional Development, the program has provided a number of opportunities for students to become acquainted with public service careers. The law school provides its students with an annual “Careers in Public Service” Alumni and Student Networking Reception in Chicago, a fellowship program, and government employer and alumni outreach trips to Washington DC, Chicago, and Springfield. The University of Illinois College of Law also serves as a sponsoring school for the Midwest Public Interest Law Career Conference.
The National Jurist chose these top programs based on each school’s curricular offerings, employment placement, post-graduation debt rates, starting salary after completing law school, and LRAP programs.
The University of Illinois College of Law was the only law school recognized in Illinois.