As the health care industry continues to grow, health care law continues to evolve. Health law attorneys may work in hospitals, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, law firms or corporate settings. They might advise on compliance, represent patients or providers in disputes or help shape health care policy.
For law students, this field often includes courses in health care regulation, FDA law, mental health law and bioethics, as well as opportunities to work in clinics focused on public health, disability rights or medical-legal partnerships.
The following law schools earned a place on our Health Law Honor Roll, recognized for the strength of their programs. Following the list, you’ll find the latest developments and news from health law programs at these various law schools.
Top law schools for health law
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law is located in the heart of Indianapolis, just steps away from the courthouse, hospitals, medical research facilities, health care companies and nonprofits. It offers more than 30 health-related law courses at the Hall Center for Law & Health.
Students can participate in the Health Law Society, join the Health Law Moot Court team or establish research credentials with the Indiana Health Law Review. Students in the Health and Human Rights Clinic advocate for domestic human rights and help represent low-income clients in the Indianapolis community. Some students work as research assistants on faculty projects that deal with the public health policy aspects of opioid addiction, the Affordable Care Act, health privacy, vaccine mandates and issues related to COVID-19.
Students can also choose to pursue one of several joint degrees in health-related fields or an LL.M. in health law, policy and bioethics.
University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law launched the Disability Rights Law Clinic this past spring. Led by Professor Jeffrey Miller, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience representing clients with disabilities in a range of legal matters. These include cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Student-attorneys in the clinic take full ownership of their cases under faculty supervision, advocating for clients who may be facing discrimination, denial of services or reductions in essential support such as in-home personal care assistance. In one of its first cases, the clinic successfully helped a client appeal a TennCare decision that would have reduced his nursing care hours — an outcome that allowed him to maintain his independence and avoid institutionalization.
Florida State University College of Law launched a Juris Master in Health Care Regulation, a 30-credit, fully online program for working professionals. The program is aimed at hospital administrators, compliance officers, risk managers and other health professionals seeking legal knowledge without pursuing a J.D. Courses are entirely asynchronous and taught by law faculty and practitioners, offering flexibility.
This past spring, Rutgers Law School launched its new Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, giving students the opportunity to work on real cases while collaborating with medical professionals. Led by attorney Jeremy Spiegel, the clinic is part of a growing partnership with the Camden Coalition, Cooper Hospital and Maryville Integrated Care. The clinic serves more than 250 clients each year, addressing legal issues tied to health and recovery, such as housing, benefits and custody. Spiegel said the clinic offers a unique space for students to gain practical skills and learn from professionals in other fields while helping clients through complex legal challenges.
The George Washington University Law School’s Health Law and Policy Program continues to grow, offering students access to regulatory policy and public health law in the heart of Washington, D.C. Under the leadership of Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew, the program has expanded significantly, adding new faculty, launching research initiatives and receiving major donor support. Students can pursue a J.D. concentration, joint JD/MPH degree, or a Master of Studies in Law (MSL), with courses covering FDA regulation, public health law, disability rights, genetics and more.
The program emphasizes hands-on experience through clinics such as Health Rights, Vaccine Injury Litigation and the Health Equity Policy & Advocacy Clinic. The law school also hosts the “Essential Coverage” blog to engage students and faculty in current health law issues.
Methodology
preLaw magazine grades law schools based on the breadth of their curricular offerings. Scores are weighted as follows: 30% for a concentration, 24% for a clinic, 12% for a center, 12% for an externship, 9% for a journal, 8% for a student group, 5% for a certificate and added value for additional offerings.
