University of Hawaii Law School Scores Highest in Environmental Law : Big Island Now

The William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has been awarded an A rating as one of the nation’s top law schools for environmental law in the Spring 2023 issue of preLaw magazine.

This article featured the Fall 2022 Environmental Law Program’s three-day Service Learning Field Trip to the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (including students, alumni, and faculty).

“One of the law school’s missions is to lead in environmental law,” said Richard Wallsgrove, co-director of the Environmental Law Program. “We are proud to continue that tradition of excellence by inspiring passion and hard work in our students in the classroom, in the field, and in our environmental law clinics.”

Earlier this month, Professor Dennis Antolini’s Wildlife Class joined the Environmental Law Program and more than 25 non-profit organizations and institutions in an event called Pirina Kanaloa: Ocean Awareness and Action Day. The group hosted an educational booth, engaged with the Marine Task Force, and spoke with legislative leaders at the Hawaii State Capitol.

The University of Hawaii Law School earned a B+ rating as one of the nation’s top law schools for hands-on training.

This year’s Best Schools for Hands-on Training ranked a total of 68 of the nation’s top law schools known for producing practice-ready attorneys. The ranking methodology considers participation in moot courts, simulation courses, unique hands-on training offerings, and pro bono time, with the greatest emphasis on clinics and external training.

Reflecting the high demand for online and hybrid programs in recent years, preLaw recognized the University of Hawaii Law School as a top 25 law school that “leads the way in providing the best online education.” Legal professionals are catching up with other fields, offering online education that rivals the traditional face-to-face experience.

The rapid growth of online programs has helped increase access to legal education for students who might otherwise be underserved or who have professional and family responsibilities. Students are attracted to the flexibility and affordability of online and hybrid programs.

Dean Camille Nelson said of the new Hawai’i Online JD Flex:[t]His program recognizes our global connections and helps prospective students to earn a Richardson law degree without having to relocate, leave their families, or quit their jobs elsewhere. More flexibility to support law students. ”