The 2012 U.S. News & World Report has again ranked Stetson University College of Law the top law school in the nation for trial advocacy and number three for legal writing.

Since the U.S. News rankings began in 1995, Stetson Law has ranked first in advocacy 14 times. Stetson has also consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation for legal writing.

“To represent clients effectively, attorneys need to communicate well both orally and in writing,” said Law Dean Darby Dickerson. “For this reason, I’m proud that Stetson has again been recognized as a leader in these two critical areas.”

“Stetson creates lawyers with superior advocacy skills grounded in a deep understanding of the law,” said Charles H. Rose III, Professor of Excellence in Trial Advocacy at Stetson Law. “This commitment to advocacy excellence is seen in all of our graduates. They are competent, compassionate, and professional members of the bar.” Rose directs Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

“Our legal writing faculty has dedicated itself to developing the legal writing discipline and teaching our students to be excellent legal communicators,” said Professor Kirsten Davis, Director of Legal Research and Writing at Stetson. “I’m thrilled that Stetson’s commitment to legal writing, teaching and scholarship has earned this recognition.”

Stetson requires first-year students to complete seven credits of legal research and writing coursework in the first year. Ten tenured and tenure-track faculty members teach legal research and writing.

To read more graduate school rankings, visit http://www.usnews.com/grad. To learn more about Stetson’s advocacy program, see the Center for Excellence in Advocacy or Advocacy at a Glance.