Emory Law School Moves up from #22 to #20 in US News Rankings

There is widespread sentiment that the ratings game — whether it’s college rankings in US News or our “Super Lawyer” rankings — is a lot of hocum.  However, folks look at that stuff, so the game goes on.

I just got word that my law school alma mater, Emory, has moved up in the U.S. News rankings of law schools from number 22 in 2008 to a tie for number 20 in 2009.

At alumni breakfasts at bar conventions, I’ve heard for years (since the rank was in the high twenties) that Emory wanted to break into the top 20 because that would help with recruiting, fundraising, etc. Now they’ve done it.

Not that it will enhance the value of my diploma, but it’s nice to know.

For whatever it’s worth, the University of Georgia Law School  tied for number 32 in 2008 and tied for number 35 in 2009.  However, when you compare the current tuition cost, UGA or Georgia State is a much better deal for most anyone who intends to practice in Georgia. When I see new grads from Emory entering today’s daunting job market with tuition debt that looks like a home mortgage, I honestly don’t know how they are going to manage it.

Ken Shigley is a trial attorney in Atlanta, Georgia who has been listed as a “Super Lawyer” (Atlanta Magazine), among the “Legal Elite” (Georgia Trend Magazine), and in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (Martindale), and is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy,. Mr. Shigley has extensive experience representing parties in trucking and bus accidents, products liability, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, brain injury, spinal cord injury and burn injury cases.  Currently he is Secretary of the 40,000 member State Bar of Georgia.