In the 1850s, as Texas grew as a state, Baylor University’s leaders recognized a growing need for skilled lawyers produced at a law school that would offer more than theoretical knowledge. Their goal was to train lawyers who could step into a courtroom with skill, confidence and integrity. This vision led from growth of law lectures first offered at Baylor in 1849 to the founding of Baylor Law School in 1857, the first law school in Texas.
From the start, Baylor Law School prioritized practical training. The founding faculty, including Judge R.E.B. Baylor, Judge Royal T. Wheeler, John Sayles and William P. Rogers, were practicing lawyers and judges committed to preparing students for the practice of law.
Baylor Lawyers like John Sayles whose fifteen works, including A Treatise on the Practice of the District and Supreme Courts of the State of Texas, laid the foundation for Texas law in the late 19th century and set a course for scholarship and impact that continues today.
Baylor Law School has maintained this legacy with faculty such as Tom Featherston, a recognized leader in estate planning and architect of the state’s guardianship statutes and claims procedures in the Texas Probate Code, and Beth Miller, whose influential work in Texas business law includes co-authoring a treatise on business organizations.
Central to Baylor Law School’s distinctive approach is its 100-year-old Practice Court program, which immerses students in real-world legal practice. This rigorous program prepares students to step into a courtroom with competence and confidence, ensuring they are ready for the demands of the profession from day one.
Baylor Law School’s commitment to enhancing students’ understanding of legal practice has led to the introduction of specialized Practice Court cases in business and transactional law, family law, and criminal law — areas of practice in which many graduates have found professional success. Additionally, the program now includes intellectual property cases, reflecting the growing importance of this area, particularly in Texas.
Baylor Law has been nationally recognized for its commitment to excellence – ranked #1 in Practical Training by preLaw Magazine; #3 in the nation for Trial Advocacy by U.S. News & World Report; and #6 in the nation for job placement by Reuters.
As Baylor Law School continues to innovate, it remains committed to producing graduates who excel in their fields. Baylor Lawyers have consistently held distinguished positions of service, including justices of the Texas Supreme Court, federal judges, mayors, governors and members of U.S. Congress. By fostering practical training, encouraging ongoing faculty scholarship and embracing technological advancements, Baylor Law School remains at the forefront of legal education, while upholding the vision that has guided it since 1857.
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