Aug. 22, 2025 - While a recent national report warns of a “practice-skills gap” among new lawyers, University of Houston Law Center graduates are earning strong praise from employers for their preparedness to enter the profession.
A July 27 report by the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR), authored by state chief justices and court administrators, called for systemic reforms to better prepare attorneys, citing widespread weaknesses in client communication and oral advocacy. The findings were based in part on surveys of more than 4,000 judges nationwide.
By contrast, a recent independent survey of legal employers found more than 85% were “very likely” or “likely” to continue hiring UH Law Center J.D. graduates, citing strengths in issue spotting, legal writing, and legal research, as well as their readiness for Houston’s competitive legal market.
The survey conducted through the unaffiliated technology platform Qualtrics gathered anonymous responses from legal professionals with hiring authority. Respondents represented a cross-section of employers: 60% from Houston-area law firms, 30% from firms across Texas, and 10% from the state’s top firms. The response rate was 65%.
When rating specific skills, 84% of respondents described UH Law graduates’ issue spotting as “exceptional” or “strong,” 83% said the same for legal writing, and 94% for legal research. Relationship management also drew high marks, with 77% rating it “exceptional” or “strong.”
Employers praised graduates’ “resilience and adaptability” and noted the school’s “great exposure to Houston’s legal market,” which they said makes students “market ready.” Others lauded their skill in handling clients and producing high-quality legal work.
UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said the feedback reflects the school’s emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills.
“Our graduates’ strong performance in this independent survey reflects the University of Houston Law Center’s commitment to preparing attorneys who are ready to meet the demands of law firms, and specifically Houston, one of the largest legal markets in the U.S.,” Baynes said. “We’re proud that employers recognize what we all know and that is our students have resilience, practical skills and a client-centered approach, all essential qualities for succeeding in today’s legal profession.”
