UH Law Center Rises to No. 27 in 2026 “GoTo” Law Schools Ranking

May 4, 2026 –The University of Houston Law Center climbed to No. 27 among the nation’s top 50 law schools in Law.com’s latest “Go-To Law Schools: Big Law report.”  The ranking highlights law schools that place the highest percentage of recent juris doctorate (J.D.) graduates into associate roles at the nation’s largest law firms. It’s a two-spot jump from its previous No. 29 ranking.

“Our rise in the Go-To-Law School underscores the momentum at the UH Law Center and the exceptional value we offer,” said UHLC Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “It reflects the excellence of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff and the depth of the relations we have built with leading law firms in Houston and across the country.”

Baynes noted the Law Center’s strategic advantage of being located in Houston, one of the largest legal markets in the United States. Home to major energy, healthcare, technology, business, and international law practices, Houston provides UH Law students with access to a broad range of legal opportunities and professional networks.

Employment data from the Law Center’s 2025 graduate class notes that 60 graduates secured Big Law associate positions, marking an increase from 58 placements the previous year.

There was a three-way tie for the highest number of students sent to law firms: five each were sent to Baker Botts, Latham & Watkins, and Vinson & Elkins.

Law.com evaluates law schools based on the percentage of 2025 juris doctor graduates who accepted associate roles at firms included in The American Lawyer's Am Law 200 ranking — an annual list of the nation’s 200 largest law firms by revenue.