Straus Institute named #1 in Dispute Resolution by U.S. News & World Report

March 15, 2017 | By Alexa Brown—Pepperdine School of Law's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution has been ranked #1 in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report Law School Rankings. Professor Tom Stipanowich, Academic Director at Straus since 2006, commented, "We are thankful for and humbled by the recognition accorded by our peers, and for the continuing opportunity to engage with students and practitioners from all over the world to explore more effective ways of solving problems and managing conflict."

Dean Deanell Tacha added, "The Pepperdine University School of Law is so proud of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, which has again been recognized as the top dispute resolution program in the nation. Under the inspired leadership of Academic Director, Professor Tom Stipanowich, the faculty and staff of the Institute model student-centric, intellectually rigorous, and active experiential learning.  This Institute is on the cutting edge of change in legal education and peaceful conflict resolution."

The Institute's academic curriculum currently consists of more than forty different courses, taught by a strong cohort of highly-regarded full-time scholars and other experienced professionals. Consistent with Pepperdine's service-oriented mission, the Institute's staff and faculty place great emphasis on the individual needs and priorities of students.