Top Black Law Schools in America

There are a relative few historically Black law schools. In fact, there are just seven historically Black law schools, six of which are accredited by the American Bar Association. With the exception of Howard university, the other historically Black law schools have been established within the last 60 years. When deciding on which law school to attend, the location, the faculty, the reputation of the law school and the overall tradition of the university are key elements to consider.

NCCU school of law was established in 1939. The law school has currently 550 full time students. Located in Durham North Carolina, North Carolina Central University is located in close proximity to Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. NCCU School of Law began their evening study program in 1981, and is the only accredited law school with evening classes between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

NCCU School of Law 640 Nelson Street Durham, North Carolina 27707 nccu.edu/law

Howard University School of Law is the oldest and most famous of all historically Black law schools. The law school was established in 1869 and was since accredited by the American Bar Association in 1931. Howard University School of Law has always been in the forefront of breaking down barriers. The Law School graduated the first black female lawyer, Charlotte Ray, in 1872.

Howard University School of Law 2900 Van Ness Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 .law.howard.edu

The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University was established as a result of a lawsuit implicating protections for racial minorities under the constitution. Texas State senate bill 140 established the Texas State University for Negroes, later changed to Texas Southern University.

Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne Street Huston, TX 77004 tsulaw.edu

Second Tier Historically Black Law Schools The three remaining historically Black law schools are second-tier law schools.

The David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of D.C has a particularly noteworthy reputation for diversity. Currently the student body is 51 percent minority, 60 percent women and the average age of students is 31.

UDC David A.Clarke School of Law Building 38, level 2 4200 Connecticut avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 udc.edu

Southern University Law Center was established in 1946, in much the same way that the Thurgood Marshall School of Law was created. Similar legislation occurred in the state of Louisiana which gave birth to the SULC as an option for minorities to study law. Currently there are 500 full-time students. Southern University Law Center has earned the top 10 ranking by the Princeton review for the best law schools for diversity of faculty and student body.

Southern University Law Center Post Office Box 9294 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813 SULC.edu

The newest of the historically black wall schools, Florida A & M University School of Law. The law school was originally established in 1949. The Florida Board of Control withdrew its permission for FAMU to admit law students. The law school was re-established in 2000, and the first class was admitted in 2002.

Florida A & M University School of Law Office of Admissions 201 Beggs Avenue Orlando, FL 32801