Liberty Law ranks No. 3 in nation for ABA Competitions

Liberty University School of Law landed at No. 3 in the 2024 American Bar Association (ABA) Competitions Championship ranking, an annual listing of the law schools with the highest point totals from competing in all ABA Law Student Division Competitions. Liberty Law finished behind co-champions Texas Tech University School of Law and St. Mary’s University School of Law and beat out Baylor University School of Law, No. 4, by 15 points.

The ABA compiles point totals from competitions completed throughout the 2023-24 season: arbitration, negotiation, client counseling, mediation, and the National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC Moot Court). More than 1,200 students from 292 law schools competed in one or more of the competitions. Last year, Liberty Law finished in fifth place for the championship.

Professor of Law Joel Hesch was one of the four coaches for the competitions, and his negotiations team was co-champion at their regional competition and crowned champion at nationals, beating out over 200 other law schools. The team was invited to represent the United States on a world stage at the International Negotiations Competition in Brazil in July, competing against 16 other countries.

“These competitions are an opportunity for our school to highlight the tremendous depth of talent that our students have as well as the extraordinary law skills program at Liberty Law that is really second to none of any law school in the country,” Hesch said.

Professor of Law Pamela Bell provided training for the arbitration team, alongside Director of Academic Support Laura Moody, who coached them. The arbitration team came in first at regionals and placed in second at nationals. She said the ranking represents the outstanding education Liberty Law provides.

“The quality of our education prepares students to compete against anybody. If they’re prepared enough to excel in these competitions, they’re going to go out and excel (in their careers), and we have seen evidence of it,” she said.

Bell said competition judges consistently tell students that they conducted themselves better than attorneys with years of practice experience.

“We really teach the students to be very professional in how they look, how they act, and how they address people,” she said. “But I think probably the real thing that makes us stand out is that we are always just above board with professional courtesy and friendliness between rounds. The students’ Christian faith shines through in their professionalism. Whether people know it or not, they are reflecting the qualities of Christ.”

Kristine Smith, director of employer and student services for Liberty Law, said the ABA ranking will expand the opportunities students receive.

“Liberty Law is proud to receive this recognition, which along with our bar passage and employment rates over the past several years increases awareness of our effective curriculum and highlights the success of our young law school,” she said. “Ranking No. 3 in the ABA Competitions assists our students in obtaining the positions sought by the many law school graduates each year, and it allows employers to be confident in our graduates’ superior practical skills which can provide immediate value to their firms and organizations.”

Hesch added that Liberty Law is committed to training students with practical skills and with a commitment to the Christian worldview.

“This ranking highlights how you can be a Christian law school and perform very well. Christian values are not only compatible but are well-received in a legal profession. You can have faith and fidelity to the Christian worldview and still be an outstanding lawyer,” he said. “Our worldview is well-aligned with the practice of law, and these competitions allow us to showcase our skillset in lawyer practice areas and show that we are providing students with an outstanding legal education while maintaining a commitment to our faith.”