Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Columbus, OH
by Heather Jung
Moritz College of Law
The program is currently ranked third among dispute resolution programs by U.S. News and World Report. All students who attend Moritz are encouraged to take at least one ADR class during their time in law school. Those who take a liking to ADR can work on the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution or as a research assistant for one of the faculty members who teach in that area. Upon graduation, students can receive a certificate in Dispute Resolution if they have completed at least 15 credit hours in ADR and an externship.
"We established this program because dispute resolution is such an integral part of today's litigation landscape," Sarah Cole, a professor who specializes primarily in dispute resolution, said. "Attorneys need to be conversant in dispute resolution mechanisms since courts routinely order parties to participate in various dispute resolution mechanisms (particularly mediation and negotiation) and parties agree to use arbitration (or consumers and employees have arbitration imposed on them through one-sided agreements)."
According to Cole, studying dispute resolution in addition to litigation is important because it "provides students with a more balanced view of practice."
"Lawyers who fail to learn about dispute resolution, given its prevalence, will likely disappoint the expectations of their clients," she said.
In addition to a certificate in ADR and a traditional J.D. degree, there are a plethora of degree opportunities for students attending Moritz. Students can choose from one of three pre-established dual degrees: J.D./M.P.A., J.D./M.B.A., and J.D./M.H.A. (Master of Health Administration). Select students can enroll in the College of Medicine and Public Health for a J.D./M.D. Past students have also designed their own joint degree programs in areas such as philosophy, higher education, and urban and regional planning, among others. Students interested in furthering their education beyond a J.D. have several options at Moritz. The school offers the traditional Master of Law (LL.M.), as well as a Master in the Study of Laws (M.S.L.). The M.S.L. program, which began in 2004, allows those who possess or are pursuing a Ph.D. in non-law fields to broaden their expertise of laws related to their field.
According to the school's website, "The best law is practiced by men and women whose practices fully utilize their unique skills and strengths. The Moritz Career Services staff is committed to helping you find the best job fit possible."
In order to ensure that students find jobs that are the right fit for them, the Career Services Office utilizes Strengthsfinder, an Internet-based personality test published by the Gallup Organization that, upon completion, tells students what their top five strengths are from a list of the 34 most prevalent human strengths. The website says that "knowledge of those strengths can help you identify practice areas in which you are likely to make the greatest contribution and receive the most personal satisfaction." According to U.S. News and World Report, 94.9 percent of students are employed within nine months of graduating.
Drinko Hall
When the law school first opened in 1891, classes were held at the Franklin County Courthouse and tuition cost $60 per year. Classes were moved to Orton Hall on Ohio State's main campus in 1894. In 2001, Michael Moritz, an OSU law school alum, donated $30 million to the school, and the College was subsequently named in his honor. This donation is used for scholarships, faculty chairs, service awards, and other academic programs.
As the state's capital, Columbus has a lot to offer law students. The Columbus metropolitan area is home to five Fortune 500 companies and 700 law firms. These businesses and firms provide Moritz students with opportunities for externships, part time employment, and clerkships. Students also benefit from the university's ties to the state legislature and Supreme Court, local law firms, and various levels of courts and governmental agencies.
Moritz Law Dean Nancy Rogers
Columbus is a sports lover's dream. For those who like college sports, OSU has plenty of teams (34 varsity teams) to keep them entertained. All sports are Division I teams, with the exception of the football team, which is part of the I-A Division. Columbus is also home to several professional sports teams: the Blue Jackets (NHL), Destroyers (arena football), Columbus Crew (soccer), and the minor league baseball team, the Clippers. Every February, Arnold Schwarzenegger hosts the Arnold classic, a fitness expo and competition that includes eight Olympic sports.
For those who are more artistically inclined, there are the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts (located on the OSU campus), and several other museums. Theater lovers can take in performances of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Columbus, and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.
In a letter to prospective students on the school's website, Dean Nancy Rogers says that "the Michael E. Moritz College of Law is an exciting place to be. A major new gift to the College—the largest cash gift in the history of the Ohio State University—has created even more possibilities, including full tuition plus stipend scholarships for exceptionally qualified students."
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