Top 10 Law Schools of All Time

Harvard Law School (United States)
Founded in 1817, Harvard Law School is the oldest continually operating law school in the United States and arguably the most influential in modern legal education. Known for its case method teaching (pioneered by Dean Christopher Langdell), it revolutionised how law is taught across the globe. Harvard has produced numerous U.S. Supreme Court justices, heads of state, and legal scholars, including Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, and Roscoe Pound. The school offers unmatched breadth in legal disciplines, global law clinics, and academic journals like the Harvard Law Review. Its influence extends beyond American law into comparative and international jurisprudence.

University of Oxford – Faculty of Law (United Kingdom)
The Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford traces its origins back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest centres of legal education in the world. It has produced generations of British legal elites, including multiple Lord Chancellors, senior judges, and political leaders. Oxford is also a powerhouse in legal philosophy, having hosted figures such as H.L.A. Hart, Ronald Dworkin, and Joseph Raz. Its tutorial-based system promotes deep analytical thinking, and it remains a global leader in jurisprudence, public law, and international law.

Yale Law School (United States)
Founded in 1824, Yale Law School is consistently ranked among the top law schools globally for its intellectual rigour, elite faculty, and small class sizes. Unlike many institutions, Yale emphasises theoretical scholarship and public interest law, producing some of the most influential legal thinkers, including Robert Cover, Guido Calabresi, and Bruce Ackerman. Its alumni include U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices (like Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas), and global legal reformers. With an unmatched student-faculty ratio and a flexible curriculum, Yale fosters original thought and leadership in legal academia and policy.

University of Cambridge – Faculty of Law (United Kingdom)
The Cambridge Faculty of Law is one of the world’s most historic and prestigious legal institutions, with a legacy dating back over 800 years. It has produced towering figures in British law, including Sir Edward Coke, William Blackstone, and modern legal scholars such as John Bell and Catherine Barnard. The faculty is renowned for its strength in common law, European law, and international law. Its rigorous Tripos system and extensive legal library (the Squire Law Library) have made Cambridge a leading centre of legal research and education globally.

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (France)
As the successor of the medieval University of Paris founded in the 13th century, Panthéon-Sorbonne is one of the birthplaces of continental civil law tradition. The university has been central to the development of Roman law, codification, and legal theory in Europe. It helped shape the Napoleonic Code, which in turn influenced legal systems across Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The law faculty remains a leader in comparative law, European Union law, and legal philosophy. Its deep-rooted connection to France’s legal identity makes it historically and culturally unparalleled in civil law traditions.

University of Bologna – Faculty of Law (Italy)
Established in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world and the original hub of European legal scholarship. It was the birthplace of the Glossators, who revived Roman law during the Middle Ages, helping lay the groundwork for modern civil law systems. The study of Corpus Juris Civilis in Bologna eventually influenced legal systems across continental Europe. Even today, the university maintains a strong focus on civil law, Roman law, and international legal studies. Its legacy is unparalleled in shaping legal academia from the medieval period onward.

Stanford Law School (United States)
Located in Silicon Valley and founded in 1893, Stanford Law School has emerged as one of the most forward-thinking law schools in the world. Known for its interdisciplinary focus and innovation, Stanford integrates law with technology, business, and policy. It is a leader in law and technology, environmental law, and legal entrepreneurship. Stanford Law offers one of the most flexible curricula, encouraging cross-registration with other Stanford departments. With top faculty and a strong pipeline into academia, the judiciary, and public service, it is a model of modern legal education.

 Heidelberg University – Faculty of Law (Germany)
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university and a cornerstone of civil law tradition in Europe. Its law faculty played a major role in the development of German legal scholarship, particularly through the Pandectist school, which influenced codification in Germany and beyond. Today, Heidelberg remains a leading institution in European, international, and comparative law, attracting scholars and students from across the globe. Its historic and ongoing role in shaping civil law theory makes it one of the most respected legal institutions worldwide.

University of Tokyo – Faculty of Law (Japan)
The University of Tokyo Faculty of Law, established in 1877, has been the most influential law school in Japan and much of East Asia. It was central to Japan’s Meiji-era legal modernisation, adapting Western legal systems, particularly the German civil code, into Japanese governance. Most of Japan’s top legal scholars, judges, and government officials are University of Tokyo alumni. The school remains a dominant force in Japanese legal education and a leader in East Asian legal studies, comparative law, and public policy.

Columbia Law School (United States)
Founded in 1858, Columbia Law School in New York City is one of the most prestigious and powerful legal institutions in the world. It has made historic contributions to corporate law, constitutional theory, and international arbitration. With faculty like Karl Llewellyn and alumni such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Columbia has shaped American jurisprudence at the highest levels. The school maintains strong ties to international organisations and the United Nations, positioning itself as a global leader in transnational legal practice and public international law.