Faculty in the University of Colorado School of Law are among the best in the nation, according to two law experts in articles recently written for legal journals.
The CU law faculty are ranked 22nd best in the country, according to an upcoming article in the Journal of Legal Studies by Brian Leiter, professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin.
Many academics have been dissatisfied with the reputation-based ranking systems employed by such publications as U.S. News & World Report, which they find flawed and misleading. In his article titled "Measuring the Academic Distinction of Law Faculties," Leiter combined results from the "subjective" survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report with "objective measures," such as the number of scholarly books and articles published by faculty members in leading academic journals. Utilizing this method, the CU law faculty rank ninth in the nation for scholarly publication of books and articles.
CU's rise to prominence also is recognized in an essay titled "Fifty Ways to Promote Scholarship" by Northwestern Law School Professor James Lindgren. Lindgren writes of the "stunning improvements" in faculty productivity at Colorado. In his opinion, Colorado is one of the most productive "non-elite" schools in the country. Lindgren's essay appeared in the March 1999 issue of the Journal of Legal Education.
CU Law Dean Harold Bruff said, "I'm delighted that our faculty are receiving national recognition for their outstanding productivity in legal education. As scholars and teachers, they truly set the pace among America's law schools. I am happy that others are taking note of it."