Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) is pleased to report its most recent “A-” ranking as a top school for criminal law by preLaw Magazine. The 2023 top ranking marks the fifth year in a row receiving the distinguished nod.
Since 2011, AJMLS has proudly offered a specialized curriculum to students interested in the field of criminal law. The curriculum prepares graduates to practice criminal law, whether as a prosecutor or a defender. The Criminal Justice Certificate Program is led by Professor Jonathan Rapping, Professor of Law, MacArthur Genius Fellow, and Founder of Gideon’s Promise.
Students may decide to pursue the Criminal Justice Certificate upon completion of their second year, after having the benefit of taking Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. Students working towards the Criminal Justice Certificate would take the remainder of the required coursework during their 3L year along with a mandatory Criminal Justice Workshop. Interested students could also begin fulfilling their 300 hours of approved field work requirement during the summer between their 2L and 3L year.
Students graduate equipped with strategies to allow them to shape the criminal justice arena rather than simply being shaped by it. The Criminal Justice Certificate Program provides an integrated, applied approach to legal education that equips students with the necessary strategies to be ethical, professional, and moral lawyers in less than perfect systems.
This spring, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School students have the honor of attending and hosting the Department of Justice’s Access to Justice team on their National Law School Tour. AJMLS was chosen as the Georgia school and will cancel classes for a day of learning, discussion, and networking.
preLaw Magazine grades law schools based on the breadth of their curricular offerings. The scores were weighted as follows: 30% for a concentration, 24% for a clinic, 12% for a center, 12% for an externship, 9% for a journal, 8% for a student group, 5% for a certificate and added value for other offerings.