Temple University - Beasley School of Law

Founded in the late nineteenth century, Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law is known for its a commitment to practical learning, skills classes, and clinicals, a goal which is achieved through hands-on courses and makes for “an enjoyable place to study law.” Lots of “capable, intelligent people walking through these halls” pay “very affordable in-state tuition” to get “the biggest bang for your buck in Pennsylvania/New Jersey.” “Given its low cost and its plentiful regional connections, if you intend to practice in the Philadelphia area it's probably the most sensible school to attend,” says a student.
The school understands that law school must go beyond the theoretical, and to that end “helps students find internships for the summers or for the academic year, even giving students a chance to earn academic credit for unpaid internships.” The heavy emphasis on practical experience means that by the time a student is out of law school, they have likely had “two summer internships, a part-time legal job or internship during the school year, and have been exposed to many areas of law in school.” The trial advocacy department is “pretty amazing” and “gives students an opportunity to gain extremely important skills in both civil and criminal litigation that makes us stand out to employers.” The school also has a Federal Judicial Clinical program that places 3L students in a Federal Judge's chambers and allows them to do substantive legal work on real cases.
The professors “are exceptional, both personally and professionally” and “are always willing to accommodate a student's schedule,” which is especially important to students in the evening division. The Career Planning Office “is not the most helpful place, and “most students feel that they get more out of going to certain professors for career advice than they do to career planning.” Luckily, this system works out well. “Numerous professors of mine have offered to help my friends and I find summer jobs and have provided excellent guidance,” says a 2L. Fear not, though: even though students have to compete with other area law schools for summer positions, “the Temple Law alumni network is quite extensive throughout the city.” “Temple has a strong presence in Philadelphia, so if you do well your first year, you should be able to find a great summer job.”

The atmosphere at Temple is “extremely congenial,” and the” faculty, administration, the students, and even the security guard at the front door are all immensely friendly, supportive, and community-minded.” Unfortunately, the physical building is “outdated” and “not as comfortable as it could be,” but the library and research facilities are “ample and available” and “the library staff are amazingly knowledgeable.” “What Temple lacks in flash it makes up in grit and determination!”
While most law students do not live on campus, there are specific neighborhoods in which students concentrate. Day students (which make up the vast majority of each class) are “typically in their twenties or thirties,” and there is “definitely a sense of community in the evening students” as well. “Temple Law has a family feel, which helps during the dark days of finals,” says a 3L. “Section bonding” is quite common, and the school has weekly to bi-weekly social events with a few more popular annual events (such as Barristers Ball and Lunar Banquet). There are “tons of social opportunities at Temple because of the myriad clubs,” and these “offer both social bonding and networking, as many attorneys attend these, as well.”