Published on April 7, 2026 by Morgan Black  
Robinson Hall Spring Floral

Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law once again ranks among the best law schools in the nation. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Law Schools rankings released April 7, Cumberland ranks No. 9 in the nation for Trial Advocacy, reaffirming the school’s storied history as a powerhouse for preparing trial‑ready lawyers.

“This recognition affirms Cumberland’s deep commitment to experiential learning and excellence in advocacy,” said Dean Blake Hudson. “Our faculty bring extraordinary dedication and real‑world insight to the classroom, and our students consistently demonstrate the skill, preparation and professionalism needed to succeed in the courtroom and beyond.”

The ranking reflects Cumberland’s longstanding strength in experiential legal education and courtroom training, while also highlighting the school’s commitment to preparing practice‑ready lawyers through rigorous advocacy instruction and competitive success. Consistent leadership and faculty mentorship continue to play a significant role in the program’s national reputation.

Judge Jim Roberts, JD ’94, co-director of advocacy programs and director of national trial teams, is a Cumberland mainstay. Having coached the school’s trial teams for nearly 30 years, Roberts said the latest recognition underscores the program’s focus on real‑world lawyering from the first day students enter the courtroom.

“At Cumberland, we emphasize fundamentals, preparation and professionalism—skills that translate directly to success in practice,” Roberts said. “Our students learn by doing, and they carry that experience with them long after graduation. This recognition reflects their hard work and the collaborative culture that defines our trial advocacy program.”

The U.S. News & World Report specialty rankings are based on peer assessment by academics and practicing attorneys nationwide.

In addition to its latest U.S. News recognition, Cumberland School of Law’s advocacy program ranks No. 3 nationally in the Trial Competition Performance Rankings (overall since 2016), No. 2 in the national Gavel Rankings (overall since 2019), and No. 8 on the American Bar Association’s list of top competition champions for alternative dispute resolution and moot court.

GIVE: Support Cumberland School of Law's nationally recognized advocacy program. 

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.