Deseret News | MormonTimes.com: List ranks top 'Mormon friendly' law schools

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MormonTimes.com: List ranks top 'Mormon friendly' law schools

JJ | 1:38 a.m. Aug. 1, 2008

It's hard to believe that "anonymous" hasn't begun the bashing already.

Go Red Raiders! | 7:55 a.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Why isn't Texas Tech on the list? There's a temple, lot's of LDS students, institute, great family environment, etc. etc.

David | 8:18 a.m. Aug. 1, 2008

It was based on numbers and Texas Tech only has 126 enrolled at institute, even University of Texas has more than that.

Comments continue below

amiraalia | 9:24 a.m. Aug. 1, 2008

What I want to know is why these specific criteria? Ther article says the list was based upon "Mormon students already enrolled, tuition costs, the cost of living, distance to the nearest LDS temple and each school's prestige."

Now, I can understand the number of Mormon students and distance to a temple being part of the criteria, but tuition costs and costs of living? That may be what Mormon students are looking for, but it also may not be. It seems to be assuming that Mormons place importance on school being cheap, which some Mormons do but can be based on a false interpretation of the Get out of Debt commandement. The point is tuition costs has nothing to do with a school being "Mormon-friendly" because not all Mormons factor that in.

Why not adding categories like presence and activity level of JRCLS or the LDS Law student society? Or proximity of wards - both married and single - as well as proximity of temples?

Matthew Piccolo | 10:06 a.m. Aug. 1, 2008

I was assuming that "Mormon friendly" meant things like campus atmosphere, type of students, type of curriculum, etc. These rankings wouldn't influence my decision on where to attend law school at all...sorry.

As an example, I attended Pepperdine and I think that should certainly be in the top 10. It's a Christian school, a dry campus, the students are generally respectful and moral, and it's got some of the most prominent "conservative" law scholars in the country there (Ken Starr, Doug Kmiec, and others). The JRCLS even had a conference there this Spring. It's also close to a temple and there are many LDS students there.

Rainbow Warrior | 2:43 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

University of Hawaii should have been number #1 on the list. There are more LDS students here than anywhere else (outside of Utah and Idaho). We are right next to the temple.

This list has lost all credibility for not having the U of Hawaii on it.

Henry Drummond | 3:09 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

For some reason there is something ironic about the phrase "Mormon Friendly" law school. Traditional lawyers have been the bane of Mormon existence. If you happen to have a copy of the Journal of Discourses hand, consult the index and look at what Brigham Young had to say about them. Its hilarious.

Why | 3:13 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Why would any honest man want to be a lawyer. Didn't Brigham Young say they were all going that hot palce when they die.

Attorney | 3:46 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Why wrote"

"Why would any honest man want to be a lawyer. Didn't Brigham Young say they were all going that hot palce when they die."

The reason most honest men want become lawyers is to support their families in a comfortable lifestyle.

I just came back last week from a 10 day, gorgeous vacation in Fiji with my family. We travel when we want, we buy what we want with cash, my children already have their college funds set up and I get to work in an air conditioned office. Not a bad way to make a living while I am here on this earth.

Also, I get to help people, and their families, who have been seriously hurt in an accident. It's good Karma all the way around.

Ronald A. Young | 4:07 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Most Lawyers are not dishonest. I believe that Howard W. Hunter was a Lawyer. I believe there are lawyers on the Quorum of Twelve. A person does not become a Lawyer to become dishonest. They become Lawyers to Earn A Good Income and Support their wifeï¿½s and families and perhaps earn enough to allow their Wifeï¿½s to be Stay At Home Moms, and hold Callings in the Church. Sometimes Females are sent to College to Land a Doctor or a Lawyer. Lawyers are considered to be Good Catches. Being Dishonest is learned behavior and the people who are Lawyers or not choose to do that behavior. I am not exactly sure what "Mormon Friendly Exactly Means" I get it in general but I think it can be taken different ways. Usually there is a Lawyer or Two in any Ward. Most are good very hard working people, that provide jobs for others. I think what people object to is some of their fees and their cut on Settlements. However they do the work and are for the most part entitled to what ever they charge. People hire expensive Lawyers and Law Firms because they want to Win.

mormon friendly law schools? | 4:26 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

I thought one went to law school to study the law, and then to practice it.

whew, what I don't know........... i guess you want to go where your biases and prejudices are safe...

wow....... I am glad my son went to a top notch open minded, teach the law, law school. Graduate cum laude. I trust that he not only knows the law, but that he has challenged his paradigms and will grow in the Christian faith.

Oh, did I forgot to say we are not Mormons?

Ernest T. Bass | 5:09 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Is this serious?
How embarrasing. Go to school where ever you want.
Do these law schools send out the grades to the parent's students, just like byu?
Sad.

Ridgerunner | 6:24 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Lawyers are ruining this country! Have you checked you health care costs lately? Where do you think your money is going? Frivolous litigations are rampant and we pay dearly! Shut down 80% of the law schools and we would all be better off! There are no lawyers in heaven!

kenny | 8:40 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Another fine article exploiting the us vs. them. It seems that mormons cant seem to #1 stand on their own two feet #2 they need a whole bunch of like people around them when they are attending school out in the mean ole world away from mom and dad.....and the protection of the mountains.....so there are plenty of others just like them who they can meet out in the hall way during church with their kids and bash the ward and the "local" members.("I hate it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!")

kenny | 8:48 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

It never seems to amase me that when ever I read the comments from articles like this one I usually find my self running to a safe location and wanting to throw up!!!!!!!!!!!Its a good thing DN is on line. I would hate to think I would have to actually LIVE in UTAH to read their trash as well as heaven forbid actually have to PAY for it.

Brian | 8:54 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

Ridgerunner is on the right track but replace the law schools with medical schools and create a surplus of doctors for a change so the free enterprise system has a chance to work.

Alex | 10:23 p.m. Aug. 1, 2008

kenny:

"I hate it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I free you, my son. They are not worthy of your presence.

NY | 5:17 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

This type of ranking is absolute nonsense.

Max | 5:34 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

Anywhere you can get a good education is "Mormon Friendly". These kinds of rankings are an emabarrassment. I would not be the least bit influenced by them nor should anyone else. DN, please don't publish any more of this nonsense.

P.S. I have to concur with a previous comment, what on earth does cost of living have to do with being "Mormon Friendly"??? Again, this is all such nonsense and an embarrassment (I hope) to most LDS.

Emma | 7:21 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

People only hate lawyers....until they need one.

Jonbill | 8:04 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

Kenny,

Everyone surrounds themselves with people like themselves. No man is an island. If you think you are, you are deluding yourself. If you don't like Utah, you are welcome to leave.

K2 | 10:12 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

Just how does a "researcher" find out about an individual's religioous preference, school major, institue attendance, etc., (from many different locales/sources) and then somehow correlate it all? And, at the same time overlook other fine law schools (see above). Must be using one of those Florida-based data-collection storage banks. This type of "research" is indeed nonsense. By the way, have you read about the two BYU law grads now involved in the justice department scandal?

Ha | 10:33 a.m. Aug. 2, 2008

The first time ASU has been listed as number one on anything.

Bubba | 7:53 a.m. Aug. 4, 2008

GW is deserving to be much higher on the list.

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