<p>Hey guys. So, I have noticed in US NEWS rankings for Law Schools that some relatively low rated law schools are top rated in particular programs. ex) Vermont LS is ranked second in the nation for environmental law</p>
<p>Let's say, hypothetically, that I want to practice environmental law. From the standpoint of landing a great job for a major industrial company as an environmental lawyer, would I be better off going to Stanford (high rated in overall rank but like 10th for environmental law) or Vermont ( 2nd environmental law but low overall rank) ?</p>
<p>In other words, how much do these program rankings matter?</p>
<p>And as a seperate question, is majoring in environmental studies undergraduate good preparation for practicing environmental law?</p>
<p>First of all, if you want to be a litigator, be a litigator. You might focus on environmental litigation, but you would do that by working for a law firm or, at least theoretically, as a sole practitioner. Usually a "major industrial company" will hire outside counsel to represent it in court. Indeed, in some cases, when a "major industrial company" is sued for polluting the environment, it will be its insurance carrier which chooses counsel to handle the litigation. Typically, the outside counsel will be a law firm that handles such litigation for many different companies with the same insurance carrier. </p>
<p>Major industrial companies do hire environmental attorneys to help them keep up with all sorts of things--e.g., preparing environmental impact statements. An in-house lawyer might handle an OSHA complaint. But major litigation is usually NOT handled in house. </p>
<p>That said, it's the same old story. If you can go to one of the top 14/16 law schools, go to one of them. Ignore the program rankings. If you cannot get into one of the top schools and are SURE you want to be in a certain field, then checking out program rankings makes sense. Vermont kids often spend some time studying at Yale in the Forrestry School. At least some get a master's degree from that school. That's really the credential that gives them the "in." (Before you ask, as far as I know, they cannot take courses at Yale Law.) </p>
<p>If you are sure you want to help make the world safe for polluters, you might want to go to Yale Forrestry instead. While the overwhelming majority of students there want to save the world, major corporations do hire its grads to help keep them in compliance with a gazillion regulations. The D of an attorney I know went this route. She has an undergrad degree in chemistry and a master's from Yale Forrestry and got a job with a major oil company. She interacts with the legal department all the time--but most of the people in the legal department can't understand the regulations governing disposal of chemical wastes. )As I understand it, they are often written in terms of allowable concentrations of certain groups of chemicals.)</p>
<p>I had the chance to talk to my sister today (who is a Notre Dame LS grad) and she basically told me the same thing you did -- go to a top law school if you get in, regardless of program rankings. But if one can't get into a top law school, it does indeed help to go to a lower rated LS w/ high ratings in a particular program, provided it is the program you want to pursue.</p>
<p>That sounds like a very cool job your friend's D has! </p>
<p>Environmental law sounds like something I might enjoy. (on either side)</p>
<p>Now, I must study for that LSAT when the time comes.</p>
<p>would I be better off going to Stanford (high rated in overall rank but like 10th for environmental law) or Vermont ( 2nd environmental law but low overall rank) ?</p>
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<p>You'd be crazy to go to Vermont. The departmental rankings should only come into play when you're deciding among regional schools.</p>