Ohio Northern University’s Claude W. Pettit College of Law has earned recognition once again as one of the best law schools in the nation for practical training, solidifying its reputation for preparing students to be courtroom-ready professionals. This marks the second consecutive year ONU Law has been ranked highly for its hands-on legal education.
Law Professor Melissa Kidder, a passionate advocate for practical training, explains that ONU Law offers a unique guarantee for its students. “We offer 100 percent placement in externships and clinics. That means every student has the opportunity to gain real-world experience, working under the supervision of lawyers or judges,” she says. “They will meet with clients, appear in front of judges, interact with opposing counsel, and draft legal documents—skills they will carry with them throughout their careers.”
Kidder underscores the invaluable benefit of the law school’s clinic and externship programs: “Instead of just telling students how to be a lawyer, we let them experience it. They actually become the lawyer, and we as faculty members mentor and guide them through the process.”
Learning by doing has been a central tenet at ONU Law, a philosophy that ensures students are ready for the legal field by the time they graduate. “We know that the more real-life experience our students gain, the better attorneys they will become,” says Kidder. “By the time they leave us, they are fully practice-ready.”
The ranking, published by preLaw Magazine, considers various factors including participation rates in clinics, externships, simulation courses, and extracurricular programs like mock trial and moot court. ONU Law's commitment to expanding its students' hands-on learning opportunities is evident, as the school continues to increase involvement in each of these areas. This year, the law school also boasts a nationally ranked mock trial team, further enhancing its standing in the rankings.
For many students, the most rewarding aspect of clinics and externships is the tangible impact they make on real people. "The chance to work directly with clients and see how the law can change lives is incredibly fulfilling,” Kidder says. "Students truly begin to understand how the law works as they observe it unfold in real-time."
Externship Director Stephen Shaw emphasizes the personal touch that sets ONU Law apart. "At ONU, we work closely with each student to create an externship experience that fits their goals and interests. Whether students want to stay locally or explore opportunities abroad, our faculty is committed to helping them make the most of these experiences," says Shaw. "These placements not only help students apply their classroom learning but also broaden their perspectives and help them make a real difference in the world."
With a focus on personalized guidance and community engagement, ONU Law continues to prepare its students for success in the legal profession. The school’s commitment to offering a robust, hands-on legal education remains a defining feature that attracts students from across the nation. As one ONU Law student put it, "It's one thing to read about the law, but here, we get to live it."