Temple Rosner National Trial Team Wins AAJ STAC Regional Championship

The Temple Rosner National Trial Team fielded two squads in the regional round of the American Association for Justice’s Student Trial Advocacy Competition, one of the premier tournaments in the country. The squad composed of 2Ls Katie Chun, Justin Hill, and Nicholas Kim and 3LE Jennifer Levito fought with pride to a semi-finalist finish. The squad composed of 3Ls Steven Armstrong and Taylor Edwards and 2Ls Brandon McKay and Collin Peterson persevered over a tough Harvard team in the final round, emerging as regional champions and earning a trip to the national finals in New Orleans at the end of March. 

The student advocates remarked on the preparation, perspective, and perseverance that success required of them. 

“We lost in the final of this competition last year, so we as a team really wanted to get the win this year,” said Armstrong. “It’s not an easy region to win and our competition consisted of a lot of good teams with a lot of really good advocates. But we knew that Temple and our coaches prepare us for these moments, so we trusted our preparation and each other and got the win.” 

McKay added, “Our success at AAJ this year was a culmination of a year’s worth of trial skills poured into us. The tireless work of our coaches was on full display against the talented array of teams that we had to defeat to punch our ticket to New Orleans, particularly the incredible Harvard team we faced in the final round. It is a privilege to represent Temple while building these practical skills and gaining valuable experiences. I am looking forward to doing it all again in a couple of weeks in pursuit of a National Championship!” 

Edwards offered his gratitude and pride as well. “It was an excellent weekend; I’m most proud of my teammates who stepped up when we needed it the most and made this competition a resounding success. Thank you to my excellent coaches as well- without you all, none of us would be here now,” he said. 

Peterson reflected on the support of the team’s coaches and the performance of his teammates. “Competing in the AAJ tournament was incredibly intense yet rewarding,” he said. “I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all of my teammates (with a special shout-out my co-counsel Steven Armstrong) and our three coaches, whose support and guidance we needed to bring the trophy home to Temple, where it belongs.” 

Levito found perspective and pride as an advocate in the words of her coaches. “Justin, Katie, Nick, and I put up a great fight against some incredibly competitive schools this past weekend at AAJ. We advanced to the semi-finals, and I could not be more proud to have gone through the battle with these three advocates.” 

She continued, “While it is disappointing that we will not be joining our other squad at Nationals, this weekend reinforced an important lesson our coaches continually remind us of: the goal is bigger than the round in front of us. Trial advocacy is not just about winning a single round—it is about preparing to become advocates and litigators who fight for what truly matters when we step into the courtroom after law school. I am incredibly grateful for this team and the experience we shared.” 

In addition to fielding competitors, Temple Law School played host to the competition itself, which required significant coordination behind the scenes. This included organizing the tournament logistics, recruiting judges and practicing attorneys to evaluate the rounds, and arranging the CLE programming that was presented before each round of competition. Professor Elizabeth Lippy (JD ‘03) served as both host and coach, along with Erika Storms and Chris Moore (JD ‘23).  

“This win is huge for Temple,” said Professor Lippy. “Coupled with the NTC Regional win just two weeks ago, it shows that our program and students are a force to be reckoned with. This particular group of students are some of the smartest and most talented I’ve had the honor to teach and coach. But I also want to note the kind nature displayed by each of them. They all cared more about the team than their own individual needs… I didn’t get to watch any of their rounds of competition because I was hosting the event, but by all accounts from the coaches, the judges who scored them, and even the teams we competed against, all of our students were professional, graceful, and incredible representatives of the Temple way.” 

Coach Erika Storms added, “Honored to coach a championship team with a championship mindset. Our students and coaches worked tirelessly to win. This regional is known as one of the toughest in the nation with many other top teams and the need to be pretty much perfect in all rounds. The margin for error is slim to none. Our squad being undefeated in all rounds shows the mental toughness, resilience and determination needed to win in New Orleans. We are ready to take on the nation’s best.” 

The Temple Rosner National Trial Team 3L squad took top honors as Region Three champions and will advance to the National Trial Competition, held in Texas later this spring. Temple’s 2L squad also excelled, finishing as semi-finalists in just their second Temple competition. Both squads were coached by Professor Jules Epstein, Marissa Bluestine (JD ’95), and Nick Guth (JD ’20). 

The competition began with a field of 21 teams from 11 schools. Temple’s 3L team, which included Rachelle Casement, Marco Granston, and Madison Smith, litigated the case five times across the weekend, sometimes as prosecution and others as defense. The 2L team of Kai Burton, Blake Lowry, and Alex Rowland was ranked number 1 at the end of the first three rounds, and finished as semi-finalists after an extremely close fourth round.  

The competitors drew on the support of their teammates and coaches, gaining confidence through hard work and taking pride in the opportunity to represent Temple Law with excellence. 

Rachelle Casement, who competed on the 3L team as both prosecution and defense, said the experience was “overwhelming in the best way.” “Coming back to this regional competition as a 3L—stronger and more confident—and finally earning the bid to nationals was a dream come true. We kept our foot on the gas from start to finish, and I cannot wait to bring that same energy to the national competition next month,” she said. “This truly took a village. Our success reflects the support of our teammates and the mentorship of our coaches, who push us to be better advocates and encourage us to show up as our authentic selves.” 

3Ls Madison Smith and Marco Granston noted the value of hard work and persistence, pursued within a “community of support.” “Our success is the result of countless late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent preparing alongside our coaches and teammates,” said Smith. “We were extremely fortunate to have had so many dedicated Temple law students, friends, and family volunteer their time to help with scrimmages and practices. Their support made the difference and helped us polish our materials by gaining outside perspectives.” “Our victory at the Regional Trial Competition did not come easy,” added Granston. “It was a culmination of hard work, persistence, and constant refinement. None of it would have been possible without our community of supporters including friends, family, and, of course, our brilliant coaches. This is a shared victory, and it reflects Temple Law’s continued dedication to developing its students’ trial advocacy skills.” 

“Our competitors on both teams represented Temple Law brilliantly,” said Professor Jules Epstein. “They exemplified what Temple trial advocacy has always been about: hard work, teamwork, professionalism, and pride. They had the opportunity to learn from two Temple Trial Team legends, Marissa Bluestine and Nick Guth, and now have the chance to build their own legacy as part of our history and future. We are truly Temple Proud.” 

Competitors on Temple’s 2L team noted the hard work, pride, and confidence that come with participation on the Temple Rosner National Trial Team. “I always knew I wanted to be a trial lawyer, that’s why Temple University was my number one choice for law school. Temple’s Trial Ad Program and the National Trial Team have changed my life, not just giving me the tools to be a confident advocate in the courtroom but in my personal life as well,” said Blake Lowry. “I’m immensely thankful to my coaches and teammates for all the work that went into this weekend.”  

Kai Burton noted that along with the hard work, there was some fun as well. “I had a great time competing in the Regional Trial Competition! Seeing all the hard work my teammates, coaches, and I put in this past semester culminate in such a rewarding weekend was an incredible experience,” she said. 

 “I couldn’t have done it without my incredible teammates, and we owe so much to our phenomenal coaches,” said Alex Rowland, who like Casement competed as both prosecution and defense. “Every moment of the competition reminded me why I chose Temple Law: excellence in advocacy.” 

Congratulations to the Temple Rosner National Trial Team on another outstanding performance! 

Photo caption, L to R: Coach Ayodale Tan, Elizabeth Beck, Indya Gettings, Emmett Reilly, Rabeea Ola. 

The Temple Rosner National Trial Team once again elevated its reputation for sustained excellence, taking second place in the National Trial League championship, held in Syracuse over the weekend of January 31-February 1, 2026. 

The National Trial League schedule offered a unique competition format. During the fall semester, 14 teams nationwide competed in seven online rounds of mock trials. Each round introduced an entirely new case file, requiring teams to quickly master new facts, identify evidentiary issues, develop legal theories, prepare witnesses, and execute all phases of a jury trial on an accelerated timeline. Advancement to the in-person competition in the spring was determined by cumulative performance across all seven rounds in the fall, requiring consistency rather than a single strong showing. Only the top four teams nationwide advanced to the in-person national championship, making qualification itself a significant achievement. 

The Temple Rosner National Trial Team squad included nine students: 2Ls Emmett Reilly and Indya Gettings; 3Ls Elizabeth Beck, Rabeea Ola, Amir Borghaei, Miron Sergeev, Tom Loudenslager, and Steven Armstrong; and 3LE Jennifer Levito.  

Head coach Ayodale Tan coordinated the program and guided the students throughout the season. He was joined in Syracuse by Dorothy Hayes (JD ’24), also a recent standout member of the trial team. They were joined during the fall semester by a committed team of faculty and alumni coaches, including Professor Jules Epstein, Erika Storms, Professor Elizabeth Lippy (JD ’03), Nick Guth (JD ’20), Chris DiRienzi (JD ’25), Rachel Berson (JD ’24), Chris Moore (JD ’23), Timmy Miller (JD ’23), Zoe Appler, and Dominique Montoya (JD ’20). 

“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of the nine advocates who participated in the National Trial League competition,” said Coach Tan. “They each exemplify what it means to be a Temple lawyer. Since August, they have competed in seven preliminary rounds, three final rounds, and one championship round. No matter what challenge came their way, the advocates rose to the occasion and delivered.” 

Temple was represented in the in-person championship rounds by Emmett Reilly, Indya Gettings, Elizabeth Beck, and Rabeea Ola. The squad emphasized both the importance of teamwork and the professional growth they gained from the experience. “It was truly gratifying to see how the hard work of my teammates, our coaches, and myself had set us apart from the other competing schools,” said Reilly. “As a team, we were either laughing together, or trying to be the best advocates in the room, and I think that’s why we had the results we did.” Rabeea Ola concurred: “Being able to see not just your efforts pay off, but your teammates’ as well makes competing so much more meaningful.”  

For Indya Gettings, the squad’s cohesion as a team offered support as she stretched into a new sense of herself professionally. “It was a great experience to compete and hone my skills while learning from my peers, and I’m so happy that this is only the beginning of my journey on such a talented team,” she said. “My coaches and teammates truly made it a memorable, positive experience, and I feel that the emphasis we placed on teamwork as well as evidence rules and courtroom etiquette directly contributed to our success.” And for Elizabeth Beck, it was a fitting moment as she concludes her trial team career. “Standing in that final courtroom, I felt how far I’ve come not just in skill, but in confidence, judgment, and trust in my own voice as an advocate. Sharing this last competition with my teammates, leaning on each other under pressure, and finishing as finalists made it feel like a giant step into the lawyer I am becoming and the kind of colleague I hope to be,” she said. 

The student advocates who competed in last fall’s seven online rounds also leaned on trust and teamwork to perform with such excellence under pressure. “When you talk about teamwork and trial work being a true team sport, that idea really came to life through the National Trial League competition this past fall,” said Jennifer Levito. “From August 26, 2025 through the end of January, there were nine of us carrying the baton – preparing week after week, handing it off to the next group, and trusting each other to take it the rest of the way.” Tom Laudenslager found the pace and pressure to be good practice for real life. “I thought it was a great experience because of the short timeline to prepare. Normally for a trial tournament you have months to prepare. For this, it was only two to three weeks, which is a lot closer to a real trial,” he said. Levito agreed. “What stood out most was how much this competition depended on preparation, trust, and showing up for one another,” she said. “No one was working in isolation. Each performance was built on the work that came before it, and every group benefited from the collective effort, feedback, and commitment of the NTL team as a whole. It was a really meaningful experience to be part of something that so clearly reflected what trial work actually is, collaborative, demanding, and driven by shared responsibility. I’m grateful for the opportunity and for everyone who made the season what it was.” 

Miron Sergeev shared his gratitude to the coaches and pride in Temple Law: “Our coaches cultivated strong communication skills and taught us the value of teamwork as trial attorneys. Huge thank you to our coaches and directors for organizing us so well and training us in the best practices of trial advocacy and ethical lawyering! I’m happy that Temple’s National Trial Team became an NTL finalist!” “”Whenever you compete on behalf of Temple you want do the name justice,” added Steven Armstrong. “Temple is a giant in the trial advocacy world and it’s our responsibility to carry the flame, and everyone on the team is proud to take it on.” 

“The structure of this competition mirrors the realities of modern trial practice: rapidly evolving case files, high-stakes decision-making, teamwork under pressure, and sustained performance over time,” said Professor Elizabeth Lippy, a 2003 graduate who now directs Temple’s trial advocacy program. “Advancing to the top four nationally—and finishing second overall—demonstrates the strength of Temple Law’s experiential advocacy training and our students’ ability to perform at an elite national level. It also reflects the extraordinary commitment of faculty and alumni coaches who invest significant time and expertise in student development. This achievement meaningfully enhances Temple’s national reputation in trial advocacy and underscores our program’s emphasis on practice-ready legal education.” 

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Temple Rosner National Trial Team on an outstanding performance in the National Trial League competition! 

Temple Law’s Rosner National Trial Team has won the 2025 Premiere Mock Trial Competition, hosted by Drexel Kline School of Law, marking the second consecutive year that Temple has claimed the championship.  

This year’s winning squad—2Ls Justin Hill, Jennifer Levito, Katie Chun, and Collin Petersen—was coached by Professor and Director of Advocacy Programs Jules Epstein, Christopher Moore LAW ‘23, and Nicholas Guth LAW ‘20. 

“I could not have asked for better coaches, teammates and mentors through this process. The opportunity to bond through preparing and competing the way we did has been a really special experience,” said Justin Hill, who was named the Premiere Competition’s Best Advocate. 

The Premiere Mock Trial Competition is among the first opportunities for law students to test their trial advocacy skills. By rule, entrants are limited to those who have not competed in other external trial competitions, pitting law school advocates against one another in their first interscholastic competition.  

“Competing at the Premiere was an incredible experience,” said Collin Petersen. “I’m deeply grateful for the time and effort my teammates and coaches dedicated over the past two months, and I’m immensely proud to have been part of this team.” 

All trials were judged by the coaches of participating teams, excluding the two teams in argument, to ensure fairness and impartial feedback. Each team competes in four trials, two on each side, in which the advocates and witnesses rotate roles.  

“I want to be a public defender after graduation, and I think competing on Temple’s trial team is one of the best ways to prepare for that,” said Katie Chun.  

Jennifer Levito called competing in the Premiere an “unforgettable experience.” 

“It was an opportunity to test our advocacy skills against some of the best, learn from brilliant coaches, and represent Temple with pride. Every moment, we trusted ourselves because we had the support of one another,” Levito said. “It truly takes a village, and I am so grateful for mine!” 

Now with back-to-back victories under their belt, the Temple Rosner National Trial Team again proves that with rigorous preparation, deep mentorship, and a culture of mutual support, our students are empowered to step into the courtroom, whether in competition or the careers that follow. 

The Temple University Beasley School of Law was proud to host a Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor’s Forum on October 28, 2025, with a panel of professionals who shared their experiences from different fields of international law. Co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA), Temple Law’s Offices of Career Services and Graduate & International Programs, and the International Law Society, the Chancellor’s Forum presented insights on building legal careers in international law. Students heard from Jeremy Heep, Partner and Head of International Arbitration at Troutman Pepper Locke; Alina Stefania Rosca, Partner in the Litigation Department at Montgomery McCracken; Professor Michael Donnella, Director of the Center for Compliance and Ethics; and Barrack Chair in Law Professor Rachel López.

Interim Dean Kristen Murray welcomed a diverse assembly of students, faculty, and practitioners. In what promises to be the first collaboration of many, the community gathered to discuss what it means to live and practice in a global economy. The PBA Chancellor, Katayun Jaffari gave the opening remarks and highlighted how Philadelphia is a great international city and the birthplace of American democracy. A city of firsts, Philadelphia is a global leader in numerous sectors of business and scientific discovery and home to America’s oldest bar association. Chancellor Jaffari encouraged students to join the PBA (membership is free through Temple Law’s institutional affiliation with the PBA) and apply for membership on the International Law Committee.

As the moderator, Assistant Dean John Smagula asked the panelists to share practical advice regarding skills and qualities valued by employers. From cross-border litigation over complex disputes, international arbitration, business law compliance for multinational companies, and the promotion of human rights to the development of international criminal law, the panel exemplified many pathways to private and public international law. The panelists encouraged students to leverage their language and communication skills and approach global issues as problem solvers. As the futures of both litigation and transactional lawyering become increasingly multi-jurisdictional, competence and specialization in international law add value to many firms.

The panelists emphasized that there is no single path to an international law career. Students and practitioners must create their own journeys and stories of success depending on their interests. To launch those journeys, students should consider study abroad opportunities offered by their law schools. The global reach of Temple Law, for example, allows for uniquely enriching international experiences as part of one’s legal education, such as spending a semester abroad in Rome, Italy or Tokyo, Japan.

The Chancellor’s Forum marks a strong partnership between Temple Law and the Philadelphia Bar Association. We are grateful for the Chancellor’s support and all the speakers’ inspirational remarks. Temple Law looks forward to collaborating more in the future and building on our tradition of international law advocacy.

On November 18, Interim Dean Kristen Murray welcomed a delegation from the School of Juridical Science at the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). The visit reaffirmed the long-standing academic collaboration between the two law schools and underscored their shared commitments to international legal education, student study abroad, and global engagement. 

The delegation was led by Dean Xu Shenjian, a respected legal scholar and longtime friend of Temple Law. Dean Xu has a special connection to Temple, having participated in Temple Law’s 2007 and 2009 Experiential Education Roundtables in China, programs led by Professor Emerita Eleanor Myers that strengthened professional skills training and fostered cross-border dialogue on experiential learning. 

During the visit, the two institutions discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration, expand scholarly exchange, and create new avenues for student engagement. The meeting also provided a forum to reflect on more than two decades of partnership between Temple Law and CUPL, which began with their groundbreaking 1997 cooperation agreement, the first Sino-U.S. law school partnership in China, and has since included joint academic programs and faculty exchanges that have helped advance legal education in both countries. 

Temple Law was delighted to host Dean Xu and the CUPL delegation and looks forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead. 

Photo (from left): Pan Wenbo, Lecturer; Liang Min, Vice Dean and Researcher; John Smagula, Assistant Dean; Xu Shenjian, Dean and Professor; Kristen Murray, Interim Dean; Spencer Rand, Professor; Huang Xujing, Deputy Director of Teaching and Academic Affairs; and Cao Huiqun, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 

Each fall, a new class redefines what it means to be a Temple Lawyer. The Entering Class of 2025 brings exceptional academic credentials, wide-ranging life experiences, and a shared commitment to impactful lawyering that advances justice, strengthens communities, and shapes the profession in meaningful ways. 

A total of 237 new J.D. students joined Temple Law this fall, including 212 in the Day Division and 25 in the Evening Division. This is one of the largest entering cohorts in recent years and reflects Temple’s strong reputation for combining academic rigor with genuine opportunity. 

The incoming students arrive with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.76 and a median LSAT score of 165, continuing an upward trend in academic achievement while remaining true to the values that have always defined Temple: diversity of experience and service to the community.  

Diverse Perspectives, Shared Purpose 

Temple Law students are encouraged to bring their whole selves to the law school community. In addition to their academic credentials and demographics, here are some of the things they have shared with us about themselves so far. 

• 37% identify as people of color. 

• Of those who reported their gender, 52% identify as women, 45% as men, and 3% identify otherwise. 

• 16% are first-generation students — the first in their families to graduate from college. 

The entering class also includes 11 students with advanced degrees, 37 who have served through the military, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, or similar programs, and 29 who identify as living with a chronic illness or disability. 27% speak two or more languages, and twenty-five students identify as LGBTQ+. Students earned undergraduate degrees from 126 colleges and universities across 31 states and countries, with 53% coming from outside Pennsylvania, including four international students.  

Experience Beyond the Classroom 

Temple’s incoming students bring more than academic achievement; they bring lived experience and leadership. 

• 79% have spent at least a year out of college before beginning law school. 

• The class includes 42 athletes; 41 artists, musicians, performers, or writers; and 49 students who have studied, served, or worked abroad. 

• Five members of the entering class have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and 14 have family ties to Temple Law alumni. 

These varied experiences, combined with the class’s academic strength, will enrich classroom discussion and prepare students for impactful lawyering in every area of practice. 

Carrying Temple’s Mission Forward 

As Temple Law’s 2025 entering class begins their legal education, they bring with them a commitment to impactful lawyering, a dedication to academic and ethical rigor, and a passion for making a difference in the legal profession and beyond. 

Michael Howland-Dewar, 2L, is a 2025 recipient of a Peggy Browning Fellowship, a prestigious program that provides law students with hands-on experience in labor and workplace justice advocacy. 

He spent his summer in Chicago with the Chicago News Guild (TNG-CWA Local 34071) and its outside counsel, Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, where he worked on matters advancing the rights of organized workers. 

Each year, the Peggy Browning Fund selects a competitive cohort from among thousands of applicants, placing fellows with labor unions, worker advocacy organizations, and law firms representing labor interests. 

“I came to Temple with the explicit and exclusive goal of becoming a union-side labor attorney,” Howland-Dewar said. “That was informed by my political background, but primarily by my experience in working in unionized and non-unionized workplaces. I was able to see the union difference.” 

Born and raised in southern Connecticut, Howland-Dewar studied history at the University of Chicago, where his commitment to labor and political organizing began. He took a year off to work on the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2016 and, after graduation, returned to campaign work across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In 2020, he rejoined the Sanders campaign in New Hampshire as a proud member of UFCW Local 400. 

Beyond campaign politics, he has continued to support labor organizing efforts—serving as a union-side election observer for graduate student unionization at UChicago and joining UNITE HERE picket lines in Philadelphia. 

Howland-Dewar credited his Temple Law coursework with providing a strong legal foundation that he applied during his fellowship. 

“While I hadn’t had a chance to take labor and employment-specific courses—I did this fellowship my 1L summer—I was able to take the methods I was taught in my 1L doctrinal classes to quickly pick up the relevant legal issues,” he said. “And I can’t state enough how much my Legal Research and Writing course prepared me to write effective, focused briefs for my supervisors.” 

Reflecting on the experience, he added: 

“A Peggy Browning Fellowship is a great opportunity to get essential experience doing labor law; it’s the first step many take on their career to becoming labor lawyers.” 

For Howland-Dewar, pursuing labor law is fundamentally about the clients he serves. 

“I see choosing to be a union-side labor attorney more as a choice of client than as a choice of specialty. While there is a lot of detailed administrative law involved, I most appreciated (and am most excited by) the sheer variety of topics that come up in the course of representing organized workers.” 

Looking ahead, Howland-Dewar has already secured a second Peggy Browning Fellowship with the International Office of the Communications Workers of America for summer 2026. 

​​The Institute for Law, Innovation & Technology has been awarded two years of critical support by global fund Co-Develop to advance a series of strategic initiatives focused on the adoption of safe and inclusive digital public infrastructure (DPI) around the world.  

DPI generally refers to the digital systems, tools, and frameworks that enable core societal functions, including digital identity systems, digital payment platforms, and data-sharing networks. One significant focus for both iLIT and Co-Develop is creating tools for civil society organizations to document and analyze the impacts of DPI design decisions on human and civil rights so they can help ensure that protections and effective remedies for such rights are “baked in” to the infrastructure itself. iLIT is an established leader in efforts to develop guidelines for the safe and effective design and governance of DPI, including work on the United Nations’ Universal DPI Safeguards Framework released in September 2024 alongside the Global Digital Compact. 

The funding will enable iLIT to expand on existing work in several key areas through three interconnected projects: development of a “bootcamp” for non-state and judicial actors on the competencies they will need to engage in DPI-related work; enhancing the capacity of the HR4ID Civil Society Coalition through research support and accelerated knowledge transfer; and in-depth mixed methods research to estimate the compensation gap that civil society organizations absorb in provisioning the public with direct support and knowledge services tied to inclusion and safeguards for DPI. 

​​​​“iLIT’s Director, Laura Bingham, has been a generous thought partner, committed advocate and master connector of networks, ideas and resources for many individuals and organizations throughout her career. I’m excited to work with her and the broader iLIT team as we tackle some of the core challenges civil society organizations and other public interest actors face in contributing to the rapidly evolving digital public infrastructure landscape,”​​​ said Matthew McNaughton, Co-Develop’s Director for Inclusion, Safety ​and​ Civil Society Engagement. ​​​​ 

​​“Public trust and legitimacy in digital public infrastructure cannot be built by governments and technical providers alone, a reality that everyone in the multistakeholder community is increasingly recognizing, said iLIT’s Executive Director, Professor Laura Bingham. “This support allows us to translate those instincts into a transformation in how we understand, design​,​ and govern these systems, with lived experience and accountability at the center. We are proud to contribute to this critical work with an incredible, diverse community of committed partners around the world.” ​     ​​ 

Temple University Beasley School of Law is among the most competitive schools nationwide, and unmatched regionally, on the measure of salary-to-debt ratio according to a June 2025 article in US News & World Report. Graduates report a 2023 median private sector starting salary of $150,000 and an average 2024 graduate debt of $79,125, yielding a 1.90-to-1 salary-to-debt ratio that highlights Temple Law’s ability to provide a nationally respected education while enabling graduates to earn high salaries at a reasonable cost. 

“Providing access to an affordable, high quality legal education has always been one of the Law School’s strengths,” said Johanne Johnston, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid. “We know that cost and affordability are factors students consider when choosing a law school, and it’s affirming to see our strengths in those areas reflected in these rankings.” 

Behind those numbers, collected by the Office of Career Services, graduates are finding success across a wide range of law firm sizes and industries. Of the 102 graduates entering law firms from the class of 2023, about 53% joined firms with more than 100 attorneys, while 47% chose firms with fewer than 100. At the highest end, 36.3% joined firms with more than 500 attorneys, where starting salaries typically reach or exceed $200,000. Nearly a third opted for firms with fewer than 50 attorneys, where compensation varies widely. 

“For prospective students, considering the cost of a legal education is more important than ever given the recent changes to the federal student loan programs,” Johnston said. “We hope that our focus on affordability, and the strong results our students achieve in employment outcomes, will continue to appeal to prospective students.” 

The 13 graduates entering Business & Industry took roles in areas such as Big Four accounting, banking and finance, consulting, and pharmaceuticals—fields that likewise offer a broad salary spectrum. 

“Students most commonly secure these positions through working with the Office of Career Services, Student Services, faculty, and by networking with Temple Law alumni,” said Associate Dean of Career Services Jim Walsh. “Experiences and connections made during their time at Temple Law play outsized roles in these outcomes.” 

Internships and practicums were especially important for students at the largest firms, while Temple Law’s renowned tax faculty helped students break into competitive corporate and accounting roles. 

Evening Division students also excel, building on prior professional success to secure outstanding roles while earning their J.D. “Many of our evening students are exceptionally successful prior to coming to law school and continue to flourish while here, obtaining amazing roles on the basis of their Temple Law J.D. as well as the experience they built before and during law school,” Walsh noted. 

Beyond salary numbers, Temple Law stands out for affordable tuition and low graduate debt. “If you scroll through the complete salary-to-debt ranking on U.S. News, there are only a handful of law schools with lower average student debt than Temple Law,” Walsh said. “And there are even fewer of those schools based in major metropolitan areas.” 

This financial advantage allows graduates to follow their passions. “Private sector median salary aside, the exceptionally low average debt of Temple Law graduates enables our students to comfortably pursue careers in the public sector, working for public interest organizations or the government, where they can prioritize service to others,” Walsh added.