While a recent national report warns of a “practice-skills gap” among new lawyers, University of Houston Law Center graduates are earning strong praise from employers for their preparedness to enter the profession.
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A July 27 report by the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR), authored by state chief justices and court administrators, called for systemic reforms to better prepare attorneys, citing widespread weaknesses in client communication and oral advocacy. The findings were based in part on surveys of more than 4,000 judges nationwide.
By contrast, a recent independent survey of legal employers found more than 85% were “very likely” or “likely” to continue hiring UH Law Center J.D. graduates, citing strengths in issue spotting, legal writing, and legal research, as well as their readiness for Houston's competitive legal market.
The survey conducted through the unaffiliated technology platform Qualtrics gathered anonymous responses from legal professionals with hiring authority. Respondents represented a cross-section of employers: 60% from Houston-area law firms, 30% from firms across Texas, and 10% from the state's top firms. The response rate was 65%.
When rating specific skills, 84% of respondents described UH Law graduates' issue spotting as “exceptional” or “strong,” 83% said the same for legal writing, and 94% for legal research. Relationship management also drew high marks, with 77% rating it “exceptional” or “strong.”
Employers praised graduates' “resilience and adaptability” and noted the school's “great exposure to Houston's legal market,” which they said makes students “market ready.” Others lauded their skill in handling clients and producing high-quality legal work.
UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said the feedback reflects the school's emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills.
“Our graduates' strong performance in this independent survey reflects the University of Houston Law Center's commitment to preparing attorneys who are ready to meet the demands of law firms, and specifically Houston, one of the largest legal markets in the U.S.,” Baynes said. “We're proud that employers recognize what we all know and that is our students have resilience, practical skills and a client-centered approach, all essential qualities for succeeding in today's legal profession.”
For more information or to request an interview, please contact Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184,cacriado@central.uh.eduor Rashda Khan, Communications Director, 325-656-2824,rkhan20@uh.edu.
About the University of Houston Law Center
TheUniversity of Houston Law Center(UHLC) is a dynamic, top-tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 12 centers and institutes that fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
About the University of Houston
TheUniversity of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian American-Serving institution with an enrollment of more than 47,000 students.
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SOURCE University of Houston Law Center
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