Temple University Beasley School of Law: A Legacy of Accessible and Excellent Legal Education

Introduction

Founded in 1895 as Temple College’s Department of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law has a rich history deeply intertwined with its parent institution, Temple University. The law school emerged from Russell Conwell's vision to make higher education accessible to all, regardless of background or financial status. Today, Temple Law continues this mission by providing a high-quality, affordable legal education that prepares students for success as lawyers and advocates in Philadelphia and across the globe.

Historical Overview and Evolution

The Law School opened its doors as Temple College’s Department of Law under Dean Henry S. Borneman, with the goal of preparing students for the bar examination. Initially, 46 students enrolled in evening classes, reflecting the school's commitment to serving working-class Philadelphians. The first class graduated in 1901, comprising 16 students.

In 1933, a three-year day division was established, and the Law School received full accreditation and an "A" rating from the American Bar Association's Council on Legal Education. By 1935, it was admitted to full membership in the Association of American Law Schools. However, the late 1930s and early 1940s brought a decline in enrollment and financial difficulties, nearly leading to the school's closure by 1943.

Under the leadership of Dean Peter J. Liacouras in the 1970s and 1980s, the Law School experienced significant expansion, including various “law center” programs with a community outreach focus, such as Temple’s Legal Aid Clinic. Dean Liacouras established international Summer Abroad programs in Athens, Rome, Tel Aviv and Ghana, and organized foreign law graduate, teaching fellow, and graduate tax programs.

Dean Robert Reinstein, who served from 1989 to 2008, oversaw a period of prosperity. In 1999, the Law School was renamed the James E. Beasley School of Law in honor of alumnus James E. Beasley, Sr., following a substantial donation. New programs were introduced, including the semester abroad program in Tokyo, the LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, the LL.M in Transnational Law, and the LL.M. program for Chinese lawyers.

JoAnne Epps succeeded Reinstein in 2008 and launched the Upper-Level Curriculum Initiative (ULCI), introducing innovative experiential course offerings. In 2009, the Law School was selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to house its new $19 million Public Health Law Research Program. In 2013, the Sheller Center for Social Justice at Beasley School of Law was founded to partner with local community advocacy organizations to address civil access to justice issues confronting underserved populations.

Gregory Mandel served as dean from 2016 until being named provost of Temple University in August 2021. Rachel Rebouché was appointed dean in 2022 after serving in an interim capacity. Kristen E. Murray is the Interim Kean Family Dean.

Academic Programs and Rankings

Temple Law offers a comprehensive range of academic programs, including:

Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in various specializations such as trial advocacy, transnational law, Asian law, and taxation
Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)
Certificate programs in estate planning and employee benefits

The school also offers study abroad programs in Rome and Tokyo, open to students from any ABA-approved law school.

Temple Law consistently receives high rankings from U.S. News & World Report. In the 2026 rankings, it is positioned at #50 overall, with its part-time division ranking #9. The health care and international law programs are both ranked #13. The trial advocacy program has been consistently recognized as one of the top three in the nation for over 30 years, currently ranked #2.

Read also: Is Temple a Good Fit?

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Temple Law is committed to building an inclusive community that welcomes individuals who have historically faced barriers to legal education. The school recognizes that diverse viewpoints deepen understanding of how laws affect real lives and strengthen the legal profession and society. This commitment is integrated into every aspect of academic and student life, from curriculum design to career services.

Experiential Learning

Temple Law is renowned for its emphasis on experiential learning. Students engage in hands-on legal training through various opportunities, including:

Introduction to Transactional Skills and Litigation Basics courses
Law & Public Policy Program in Washington, D.C.
Temple Summer Professional Experience Curriculum in Philadelphia
Clinical courses covering criminal cases, immigration issues, small businesses, bankruptcy cases, medical-legal partnerships, and custody matters
Federal Judicial Clerkship Honors Program and State Judicial Clerkship Clinical Program

Bar Passage and Employment Outcomes

Temple Law graduates consistently demonstrate practice readiness and professional-level excellence. In recent years, the school has achieved impressive bar passage and employment rates. Last summer, 90.57% of Temple Law graduates taking the Pennsylvania bar exam for the first time passed - the highest mark in eleven years. As a result, Temple Law produced more new Pennsylvania lawyers than any other law school. This past spring, Temple Law reported that 95.5% of the Class of 2024 was employed ten months after graduation. 95.2% of the Class of 2023 was employed in fulltime, long term, JD advantage or bar required jobs, while 93.3% of the class was employed in fulltime, long term, bar required jobs

Faculty and Scholarship

Temple Law faculty members are recognized for their impactful academic work and contributions to national and international debates. Many blend scholarly rigor with civic engagement. The school seeks a dean who will build upon this strong foundation to advance academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

Facilities and Resources

Temple Law School is located in Klein Hall on Temple University's main campus. The school also includes Shusterman Hall, a converted Gothic-style church that serves as a conference facility, and Barrack Hall, which houses classrooms, meeting spaces, and administrative offices.

Read also: Affording Temple

The school provides various resources to support students, including a dedicated financial aid office and a Career Services Office that assists with job search strategies.

Student Life and Activities

Temple Law students actively participate in governance through the Student Bar Association and engage in over 30 student groups, including the Black Law Students Association, the Latino Law Students Association, the Asian/Pacific Islander American Law Student Association, the Women’s Law Caucus, and OUTLaw. Student publications include the Temple Law Review and the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal.

Notable Alumni

Temple Law has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, government, and other fields. Some notable alumni include:

Edward G. Biester, Jr.
Albert E.
Kristen Gibbons Feden (2009)
Thomas M. Mitchell
S. Martin A.
Herbert J.
Melanie B.
George R.
Barbara S.
Robert F.
Chad F.
Jose L.
Mary M.
Joseph J.
John W. Lord Jr.
James P.
Patricia A.
Cecil B.
James M.
John R.
Christopher L.
Lowell A. Reed Jr.
Timothy J.
Albert W. Sheppard, Jr.
Martin J.
Richard A.
William Henry Stafford Jr.
John F.
Petrese B.
Franklin S.
Charles R.
Lloyd H.

Relationship with Temple University

As an integral part of Temple University, the Beasley School of Law benefits from the resources and reputation of a large, urban, R1 research university. The law school's dean reports directly to the university's provost and serves as a key liaison between the Law School and the broader university community. Temple Law students, faculty, and staff also benefit from partnerships such as the one with the Philadelphia Bar Association, which provides mentoring opportunities and professional development resources. Temple University’s institutional budget for FY2024 was approximately $1.2 billion, with a workforce of more than 8,100 faculty and staff.

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