Want to become a tax lawyer? According to nominations from law professors at peer institutions gathered by U.S. News & World Report, the best options for a top-notch education in tax law are the law schools at New York University, Georgetown University, and the University of Florida.
New York University
Law professors at peer institutions rate the tax law program at New York University as the best for preparing future tax attorneys. NYU has held the top spot on the U.S. News & World Report ranking list for tax law programs since they began publishing such program rankings in 1992.
NYU’s tax law program was not only the first graduate level tax law program offered by a law school, but their program also offers 50 tax courses, the most of any tax law program. The program offers a joint J.D.(Juris Doctor)/LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree, full-time and part-time LL.M. degrees, and an International Taxation Program for foreign tax attorneys.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University’s Law Center earns the second spot on the U.S. News & World Report ranking list of top tax law programs. Future tax attorneys can study in the shadow of the nation’s highest court, as the Law Center is located just blocks from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Students interested in becoming tax lawyers have several options of study at Georgetown Law. They may pursue a J.D. with an emphasis in taxation, or they can pursue a joint J.D./LL.M. in taxation. Students may also study for an LL.M. in taxation with or without certificate options in employee benefits or estate planning.
University of Florida
The Levin College of Law at the University of Florida rates third among the nation’s graduate tax law programs, according to U.S. News. In addition to J.D. and LL.M degree options, Florida also caters to students interested in the teaching and scholarship of tax law by offering the country’s only Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) in taxation.
At both the J.D. and LL.M. levels, students interested in tax law may earn a certificate in estates and trusts. In addition to the LL.M. in taxation, Florida also offers an LL.M. in international taxation that draws students from both the United States and from foreign countries.
While websites and publications (such as U.S. News & World Report) that rank tax law programs can be a good place for future tax lawyers to begin their research, prospective law school applicants should be aware that the American Bar Association does not endorse any rankings of law school programs and does not rank law degree programs itself. Students interested in becoming tax attorneys (or pursuing any other legal specialization) should invest some time researching which law school will be a good fit for them both personally and professionally, and they should try to visit campuses and talk with advisors or other school representatives if possible.
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Amy Martin - Amy Martin is a freelance writer who holds a Ph.D. in English Studies from Illinois State University. She taught literature and writing ...
