Straus Institute For Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Named Number One Program In the Nation in USNWR Law School Rankings

The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law has once again been named number one among academic dispute resolution program in the U.S. News & World Report 2018 Law School Rankings. Released last month, the rankings place the institute at the top of the list for the twelfth time in thirteen years.

"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," said professor Tom Stipanowich, the Institute's academic director since 2006.

Dispute resolution programs train law students to handle conflict through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and problem solving. The Straus Institute offers academic degrees in the form of a certificate, Master (MDR), and LLM, providing lawyers and non-law professionals the opportunity to learn to manage conflict out of the courtroom and in a variety of settings.

Established in 1986, the Straus Institute has grown into a world-renowned center of excellence. The Institute's academic curriculum consists of more than 40 courses, taught by a cohort of highly regarded full-time scholars and other experienced professionals. The Institute's award-winning faculty members also conduct professional skills training on six continents.

For international legal professionals looking to study US law under internationally recognized scholars, the Pepperdine University School of Law offers an unparalleled student experience. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in beautiful Malibu near vibrant Los Angeles, California, the location is surpassed only by the law school's student-centered teaching philosophy. The LLM in US Law offers a Fundamentals Track for students interested in sitting for a US bar exam and a Flexible Track for those interested in maximizing the flexibility to design their own program.

The full 2018 U.S. News & World Report Dispute Resolution rankings are available here.

To learn more about the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, please visit the Institute's website at https://law.pepperdine.edu/straus.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170403006283/en/