Dru Stevenson, Professor of Law

Analysis: 2026 U.S. News Law School Rankings and the Rise of Online Legal Education South Texas College of Law Houston continues its upward trajectory in national rankings while emerging as a leader in online JD education. The 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Law School Rankings, released April 7, 2026, reflect significant shifts in the American legal education landscape. Most notably for the Texas legal community, South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL) has ascended to #128 nationally, representing a 10-spot improvement from its 2025 position (#138). Texas Law School Rankings Overview (2026) School Name 2026 National Rank State Rank University of Texas—Austin #15 1 Texas A&M University #38 (tie) 2 Southern Methodist University (SMU) #38 (tie) 2 University of Houston #54 4 Baylor University #82 5 Texas Tech University #95 6 South Texas College of Law...

Most people think of academic research as a quiet conversation between professors in dusty journals. But in the world of the law, a single article can sometimes become the silent engine driving a major court decision. You may know the headlines of a landmark case, but you rarely hear the rest of the story —the specific scholarship the judges leaned on to reach their conclusion. As a tenured professor at STCL Houston, my career has been defined by a deep dive into the intersections of history, administrative law, and firearm policy. Over the last two decades, I have found that true expertise isn't just about writing papers; it’s about providing the intellectual framework that courts use to navigate complex social issues. Whether it's the 9th Circuit's en banc look at felon-in-possession laws or the Washington Supreme Court's analysis of jury selection, these citations represent more than just a footnote. They are a sign of authority and a demonstration of the trust ...