Wayne State University Law School continues to be recognized as one of the nation's top law schools in U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Law Schools for 2013. The Wayne Law's 2013 ranking was its highest in several decades, reflecting its upward climb into the nation's top tier of law schools.

"We know already that Wayne Law is one of the leading public interest law schools in the Midwest," Dean Jocelyn Benson noted today in response to the announcement. "With several new programs and exciting initiatives planned for the year ahead, this ranking reflects that we are well on our way to being one of the top law schools in the country."

Dean Benson also emphasized that Wayne Law's impressive 2013 ranking "reflects the hard work of previous Wayne Law Dean Robert Ackerman, who prioritized expanding scholarship and employment opportunities for our students during his tenure."

Upon taking office in December 2012, Dean Benson established the Program on Entrepreneurship and Business Law (PEBL), which provides hands on opportunities for law students to assist in small business development and serves as an integral part of Detroit's economic resurgence. Benson is also expanding other programs, such as the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and the Program for International Legal Studies, to create even more skills-based learning opportunities for Wayne Law students.

"I am confident that we will continue to ascend in the US News rankings of top law schools in the coming years," Benson said. "Wayne State University and our Wayne Law family of alumni, faculty, students and supporters should be proud of what we have accomplished and will accomplish together in the future."

The Best Law Schools ranking is available online at:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings