Temple University Beasley School of Law

The Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (known as Temple Law) is the law school of Temple University, a public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1895 and enrolls about 650 students.

Temple University Beasley School of Law
Klein Hall at Temple University Beasley School of Law
Parent schoolTemple University
Established1895; 129 years ago (1895)
School typePublic law school
Parent endowment$839.08 million (2023)[1]
DeanRachel Rebouché[2]
LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Enrollment658[3]
Faculty64 (full time)[3]
USNWR ranking54th (tied) (2024)[4]
Bar pass rate90.57% (2024 first-time takers)[5]
Websitewww.law.temple.edu

Student body

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Admission for the fall 2023 entering class was competitive with 768 applicants being offered admission out of 1949 (a 39.40% acceptance rate) with 208 applicants enrolling (27.08% of those accepted enrolling). The fall 2024 class's median GPA was 3.67 and the median LSAT score was 163. The 25th/75th percentile of entrants had GPAs of 3.42/3.81, and LSAT scores of 159/165.[3] The class entering in 2023 represented 125 different colleges, and came from 38 states and countries. Women were 47% of the class, 38% were students of color, and the average age was 25.[6]

Faculty

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Temple Law School employs 64 full-time faculty members and numerous local attorneys as adjuncts. Rachel Rebouché, a leading reproductive health law scholar, was named dean in 2022 after serving in an interim capacity. She succeeded Gregory N. Mandel, who served as dean from 2016 until being named provost of Temple University in August 2021.[7] Peter J. Liacouras, a professor at Temple Law, served as dean from 1972 to 1982. He was appointed the university's 7th president in 1982 serving a record tenure until 2000, and was the university's chancellor from 2000 until his death in 2016. Robert J. Reinstein was dean of the law school from 1989 to 2008. JoAnne A. Epps, a professor at Temple Law since 1985, was dean from 2008 to 2016, when she was appointed provost of Temple University. Epps later went on to serve as the university's 13th president in 2023 before her untimely death in the autumn of 2023.

 
James E. Beasley Sr., trial lawyer, standing on his desk in his Philadelphia office 1994

Study abroad programs

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Temple Law School offers two study abroad programs that are open to students from any ABA approved law school: the summer session in Rome and the spring semester in Tokyo (at Temple University Japan). The Tokyo program is perhaps the most notable, as it is the only ABA-accredited semester program for law students in Japan.

Additionally, Temple JD students are eligible to study at the following partner institutions: Tsinghua University, University College Cork, Tel Aviv University, Utrecht University, Jindal Global Law School, University of Lucerne, InterAmerican University, Bocconi University, and University of Muenster.

Study abroad credits from any program can be used toward the J.D. program or the joint JD/LL.M. in Transnational Law.

Graduate law programs

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The Law School offers several advanced degree programs, including Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) in trial advocacy, transnational law, Asian law and taxation. Certificate programs in estate planning and employee benefits are offered through the taxation program. International lawyers have the opportunity to design their own curriculum through Temple's General LL.M. program. In addition to the LL.M., Temple offers an advanced degree for aspiring scholars, the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), and a Graduate Teaching Fellowship program.

  • LL.M. in trial advocacy
  • LL.M. in transnational law
  • LL.M. in taxation

The Graduate Tax Program is designed to provide understanding of complex taxation issues. The program provides candidates with a strong foundation in tax law, as well as the opportunity to develop expertise beyond the level of study offered in J.D. programs. A degree candidate must satisfactorily complete 24 credit hours of course work, including all core curriculum requirements and a writing seminar. Candidates may study on a full-time or part-time basis and all coursework must be completed within four years of matriculation. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed a basic income tax course in law school or demonstrated comparable work experience. An applicant who cannot meet this requirement must take the basic course in taxation offered in Temple's J.D. program in the student's first term after admission to the LL.M. program.

LL.M. in Asian law

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Temple's LL.M. in Asian law is designed for J.D. holders and students who wish to focus on the law of Asian countries, particularly China, Japan and India, the more powerful economies of the region. Students complete the first of two semesters at the Philadelphia campus, taking foundational courses such as Chinese law, Japanese law and law in Asia. Students are then required to spend the second semester at one of either Temple University Japan in Tokyo, Jindal Global Law School in the National Capital Region (Delhi) of India, or Tsinghua University Law School in Beijing, China. Students must maintain a G.P.A. of at least 2.50 (out of 4.0) over the course of the 24 credits they must earn to graduate.

General LL.M. for international lawyers

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Temple offers a general studies LL.M. program for foreign-trained lawyers. With the exception of two required research and writing courses, students can design their own curriculum from more than 180 courses offered annually in American and international law. General LL.M. degree candidates must successfully complete 24 credit hours of course work with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (out of a possible 4.0). The program can be completed in two semesters beginning in August and continuing to May. In addition to the main campus in Philadelphia, the General LL.M. is offered in Tokyo and Beijing. Students may transfer up to four credits at Temple's six-week summer law program in Rome, Italy, to the main campus L.L.M.

Doctor of Juridical Science

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The Doctor of Juridical Science is a research-oriented degree program designed for those seeking to pursue careers as law teachers and scholars of law. Candidates enrolled in the S.J.D. program are required to spend their initial academic year in residence at the main campus in Philadelphia.

Estate planning and employee benefits certificates

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An Estate Planning Certificate and Employee Benefits Certificate is offered through the Graduate Tax Program for practitioners who do not wish to pursue an LL.M. degree. The Estate Planning Certificate exposes students to federal estate, gift and generation-skipping taxation issues, as well as federal income taxation of trusts and estates.

Law School organizations

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Moot Court

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Shusterman Hall
 
Side view of Shusterman Hall

Temple Law's Moot Court was started in the 1950s. Moot Court members are selected as second-year law students through the Samuel L. Polsky Selection Competition, which is held during the fall semester. Polsky participants research and write an appellate brief, then argue both sides of the case before experienced attorneys who serve as appellate court justices. Students receiving the highest scores for brief writing and oral argument are invited to join the society.

Law journals

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Temple Law has two student-edited journals and law reviews. The Temple Law Review is published quarterly and the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal is published on a bi-annual basis. The 2022 W&L Law Journal Rankings place the Temple Law Review as the 87th best law journal in the nation with a score of 15.27 out of 100.[8]

Employment statistics

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95.2% of the Class of 2023 was employed in fulltime, long term, JD advantage or bar required jobs, while 93.3% of the class was employed in fulltime, long term, bar required jobs, i.e. jobs as attorneys.[9]

Rankings and recognition

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  • U.S. News & World Report ranks Temple Law the tied for 54th best law school in the country in its 2024 law school rankings.[10]
  • Above the Law ranked Temple Law 43rd in its annual "Top Law Schools" report for legal employment outcomes in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.[11]
  • National Law Journal ranked Temple Law as a top 50 best law school in its annual report for 2016.[12] The law school ranked 19th for alumni who were promoted to partnership in 2015.[13]
  • In 2022, Temple's Pennsylvania Bar Examination passage rate was 85.16% for first time takers[14] while its overall first-time passage rate was 83.06%.[5]
 
Back entrance of Barrack Hall

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ As of October 31, 2016. "Temple endowment exceeds $500 million". Temple Now. November 28, 2016.
  2. ^ "Rachel Rebouché Appointed Dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law - Temple Law". July 28, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Temple University - 2023 Standard 509 Information Report". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Temple University (Beasley)". Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Temple University - Bar Passage 2022". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Profile of Entering Class". Temple Law. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  7. ^ "Rachel Rebouché Appointed Dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law". July 28, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  8. ^ "W&L Law Journal Rankings". managementtools4.wlu.edu. Washington and Lee University School of Law. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Temple University Employment Summary 2023 Graduates". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Temple University (Beasley) Law School Overview".
  11. ^ "The 2017 ATL Top 50 Law School Rankings". Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  12. ^ "The Top 50 Go-To Law Schools". Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  13. ^ "The Top 50 Go-To Law Schools". Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "PA BAr Exam UBE Statistics". August 21, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "Edward G. Biester, Jr". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  16. ^ "Pat Browne". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  17. ^ "Jim Cawley". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  18. ^ Schneider, Aliya (November 20, 2023). "Former Delco DA Kat Copeland announces run for attorney general". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "Thomas M. Foglietta". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  20. ^ "Mitchell S. Goldberg". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  21. ^ "Clifford Scott Green". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  22. ^ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 1984 edition, p. 239. J. A. Fitzgerald, 1984. Accessed September 9, 2016. "Martin A. Herman, Dem., West Deptford Assemblyman Herman was born in Philadelphia on June 30, 1939. He was graduated from Temple University in 1960, and from its law school in 1963."
  23. ^ "John Baer: New A.G. Kane has a lot on her plate". 16 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013.
  24. ^ "Kathleen Kane". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  25. ^ "Mark Levin". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  26. ^ "Jose L. Linares | District of New Jersey | United States District Court". www.njd.uscourts.gov. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  27. ^ "Mary M. Lisi". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  28. ^ "Seamus McCaffrey". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  29. ^ "Pat Meehan". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  30. ^ "James Martin Munley". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  31. ^ "D. O'Keefe, 73, former prosecutor". Philadelphia Inquirer. 1989-06-19. p. 42. - Clipping from Newspapers.com
  32. ^ "PSP Commissioner Biography". Pennsylvania State Police. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  33. ^ "Timothy J. Savage". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  34. ^ "In Memoriam – Honorable Albert W. Sheppard, Jr". philadelphiabar.org. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  35. ^ "Martin J. Silverstein Ambassadorial Post Uruguay, 2001 – 2005". Council of American Ambassadors. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  36. ^ "John F. Street". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  37. ^ "Petrese B. Tucker". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  38. ^ "Meet Pa.'s David Urban, Trump tactician and 'traffic controller' at RNC". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 20, 2016.
  39. ^ "Franklin Van Antwerpen". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  40. ^ "Jim Walden (LAW '91) - Temple Law School - Advocacy is..." Temple Law School - Advocacy is... Retrieved December 14, 2017.
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