{"id":896564,"date":"2026-06-27T13:52:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T13:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/896564\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T13:52:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T13:52:27","slug":"texas-am-laws-rise-turns-fort-worth-into-unlikely-legal-education-boomtown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/896564\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas A&M Law\u2019s rise turns Fort Worth into unlikely legal education boomtown"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

FORT WORTH, Texas \u2014<\/strong> Just outside the cascading pools of the Fort Worth Water Gardens, a different kind of transformation is underway.<\/p>\n

Construction crews move between rising buildings. Law students hurry between classes.\u00a0Texas<\/a>\u00a0Business Court judges work inside facilities, literally inside the law school. Across several downtown blocks, Texas A&M\u00a0University<\/a>\u00a0is building what its leaders hope will become one of the nation\u2019s premier hubs for legal education, business innovation, and public service.<\/p>\n

\"LargeTexas A&M signage awaits installation outside the university\u2019s new Fort Worth campus as construction nears completion. (Courtesy of Texas A&M University)<\/p>\n

The construction and development follow the trajectory of Texas A&M University School of Law itself.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the school ranked No. 46 among 192 law schools. Four years later, it sits at No. 22<\/a>, closing the gap with the University of Texas School of Law, which ranks No. 16, and placing itself ahead of longer-established institutions such as George Washington University, Boston University, Villanova University, and George Mason University\u2019s Antonin Scalia Law School.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo law school has risen in the rankings and in the eyes of the profession as far and as fast as Texas A&M has,\u201d said Lawrence Solum, a nationally recognized constitutional law scholar who is leaving the University of Virginia School of Law to join Texas A&M this fall.<\/p>\n

The school\u2019s ascent has also attracted the attention of influential figures beyond academia and closer to Washington.<\/p>\n

Tax records reviewed by the Washington Examiner show that Leonard Leo<\/a>, the conservative legal activist who played a major role in helping President Donald Trump select three Supreme Court justices during his first term, donated $5 million<\/a> to Texas A&M in 2024.<\/p>\n

A source familiar with the matter said Leo\u2019s total support is believed to be upwards of $15 million, though the Washington Examiner was only able to confirm the amount reflected in tax filings.<\/p>\n

\"FILEIn this Nov. 16, 2016, photo, Federalist Society Executive Vice President Leonard Leo speaks to media at Trump Tower in New York. Leo is advising President Donald Trump on his Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\n

Together, the rankings surge, faculty recruitment, major donations, and a sprawling Fort Worth expansion have helped position Texas A&M as one of the fastest-rising institutions in legal education.<\/p>\n

From No. 46 to No. 22<\/p>\n

Few people have witnessed the school\u2019s climb more directly than recent graduate Benjamin \u201cTate\u201d Fehr.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I applied to the law school, we were 46 ranked,\u201d said Fehr, a recent graduate who will begin a federal clerkship before joining the Navy Judge Advocate General\u2019s Corps. \u201cNow I\u2019m glad I just graduated from the 22nd ranked law school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fehr, 23, considered several schools before choosing Texas A&M. He said the school\u2019s reputation was growing even then, but what ultimately convinced him was the culture.<\/p>\n

Law schools are often known for fierce competition, where students compete against one another on a grading curve and chase a limited number of prestigious opportunities. Fehr said Texas A&M felt different.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was definitely that culture of giving back to other students,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He recalled receiving an unexpected call from a recent Texas A&M Law graduate who alerted him to a federal clerkship opening and helped him through the application process.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really think the federal clerkship route was for me,\u201d Fehr said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think I had the qualifications for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The graduate helped him prepare his application materials, offered advice throughout the process, and connected him with the judge. Fehr eventually secured the position.<\/p>\n

That experience, he said, reflected a broader sense among students that they were helping build something bigger than themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s definitely that sense of shared responsibility that each of us students have a part to play in helping the school grow and succeed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Building a reputation through results<\/p>\n

Much of Texas A&M\u2019s rise has been driven by outcomes.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the school recorded the highest July Texas Bar Exam pass rate among Texas law schools for the second consecutive year. Graduates taking the exam for the first time passed at a rate of 97.42%, the highest July pass rate in school history.<\/p>\n

More recently, Texas A&M achieved a 100% pass rate among first-time test takers who sat for the February 2026 Texas bar exam.<\/p>\n

The emphasis on bar preparation begins early. Fehr recalled taking practice portions of the bar exam during his first semester of law school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember thinking in my first semester, why are we taking an MPT right now?\u201d he said, referring to the Multistate Performance Test portion of the bar exam. \u201cThis isn\u2019t for another three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Only later did he understand the strategy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no hiding the ball,\u201d Fehr said. \u201cIt\u2019s very much, \u2018hey, this is why we\u2019re teaching what we\u2019re teaching. This is going to be very practical.’\u201d<\/p>\n

That practical focus has become a defining feature of the school\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

According to Solum, rankings today are increasingly driven by measurable outcomes such as bar passage rates, graduation rates, and employment results rather than purely reputational factors.<\/p>\n

\u201cA&M has just invested heavily in recruiting top students and in its educational program,\u201d Solum said. \u201cThey have put together a program that has led to really strong outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recruiting nationally<\/p>\n

The school\u2019s rapid ascent has helped it attract students and faculty from far beyond Texas. The school is expanding its capacity year over year, and currently remains ultra-competitive. For example, out of 5,240 recent applicants, the school only accepted 634.<\/p>\n

Solum, one of the country\u2019s leading scholars of constitutional law and originalism, spent decades building a national reputation at institutions including the University of Illinois<\/a> and the University of Virginia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now he is moving to Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

One reason, he said, is the ambition he sees at Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

\u201c[It\u2019s] the most dynamic law school in the country right now,\u201d Solum said.<\/p>\n

He credited much of that growth to Dean Robert \u201cBobby\u201d Ahdieh and to the willingness of the university system to invest heavily in the law school.<\/p>\n

\".\"Texas A&M School of Law Dean Robert B. Ahdieh speaks during an event celebrating the university\u2019s expanding presence in Fort Worth. (Courtesy of Texas A&M University)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just Bobby, of course,\u201d Solum said. \u201cIt\u2019s the university deciding that it wants to invest in the law school, because without that investment, this kind of change is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The school plans to continue expanding its faculty over the coming years as it seeks to increase the size of its Juris Doctor program and strengthen its academic profile.<\/p>\n

The faculty growth comes as Texas A&M increasingly competes for students who might otherwise consider more established institutions in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic.<\/p>\n

Fehr said he has watched classmates arrive from states across the country because they saw a school on the rise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve met so many of my classmates that are from New York, from California, from Florida,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ve seen the trajectory, they\u2019ve seen the investments the school is willing to put into its students.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sleepy downtown blossoming into a centerpiece<\/p>\n

The law school\u2019s growth is closely tied to a larger vision for downtown Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

Following the pandemic, city and business leaders began exploring ways to accelerate economic development in the city center. One proposal involved creating an industry-focused campus capable of attracting research activity, businesses, and talent.<\/p>\n

Ahdieh said the law school has tried to align itself with those broader ambitions rather than simply build a bigger campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not an agency of the state of Texas\u2026 but we do look at what is important for Texas right now and how we can be part of elevating those priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas A&M already owned several downtown blocks, including the law school site it acquired from Texas Wesleyan University in 2013. The result is a campus expansion that will eventually include five buildings.<\/p>\n

\".\"Texas A&M University\u2019s new Law and Education Building is scheduled to open this fall as the centerpiece of the university\u2019s expanding Fort Worth campus. (Kaelan Deese\/Washington Examiner)<\/p>\n

The first major component, an eight-story Law and Education Building, is scheduled to open this fall. Additional plans include research and innovation facilities as well as a performance, visualization, and fine arts building.<\/p>\n

The broader investment extends beyond Fort Worth. Earlier this year, the Texas A&M University System approved a five-year, $6.8 billion capital plan covering fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The plan includes academic facilities, research projects, infrastructure improvements, student housing, and workforce development initiatives across Texas.<\/p>\n

Ahdieh said the law school\u2019s role as a public institution has shaped many of its priorities.<\/p>\n

The school has invested heavily in areas such as intellectual property, business law, and health law while also partnering with state leaders on initiatives designed to strengthen Texas\u2019s legal and economic infrastructure.<\/p>\n

One example is the Texas Business Court.<\/p>\n

The specialized court system was created to handle complex business disputes. Texas A&M has become deeply involved in supporting that effort, even hosting business court judges and courtroom facilities connected to the law school.<\/p>\n

The arrangement gives students unusual exposure to the legal system while helping Texas pursue its goal of becoming a stronger competitor to Delaware in corporate law.<\/p>\n

Beyond the traditional law student<\/p>\n

Texas A&M\u2019s growth has not been limited to future attorneys.<\/p>\n

The school has also expanded programs for working professionals through its Master of Legal Studies degree.<\/p>\n

Carolyn Hoffmann and her son, Matthew Hoffmann, both completed versions of the program while living in Texas.<\/p>\n

For Carolyn Hoffmann, a Texas A&M graduate living in San Antonio, the ability to complete coursework remotely while balancing professional obligations made the program especially appealing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really in place for working professionals,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Matthew Hoffmann said the degree can be particularly valuable for professionals working in compliance, law enforcement, business operations, contracts, and regulatory fields, even outside of the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s completely remote,\u201d he said, adding that the school prioritizes efficiency and that some students \u201ccan get it done in three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MLS program reflects the school\u2019s broader effort to expand legal education beyond traditional law students while creating additional pathways into careers that intersect with the legal profession.<\/p>\n

The next chapter<\/p>\n

The cranes towering over downtown Fort Worth represent more than a construction project. For Texas A&M Law, they symbolize an institution that is determined to keep climbing, much in the same way the college has always been driven by uplifting its fellow students and embracing its \u201cAggie values,\u201d<\/a> which Ahdieh joked has often caused outsiders to see the school as a bit of a cult of personalities.<\/p>\n

A decade ago, few would have predicted that the school would challenge nationally recognized programs, attract prominent scholars from elite institutions, draw support from influential legal figures, and build a major urban campus in one of America\u2019s fastest-growing cities.<\/p>\n

JUDGE BLOCKS BIDEN-ERA RULE THAT ALLOWED INDEFINITE CLOSURES OF DEPORTATION CASES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yet much of that is already happening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re never going to fully be content with second place,\u201d Fehr said during his post-graduate interview with the Washington Examiner. \u201cWe have a strong drive toward excellence and our Aggie core values, and not just getting backed up into the Ivy League elitism that can kind of leave a bad taste in your mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":896565,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5138],"tags":[5229,16720,69,407,7371,7372,8734,363329,3060,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":["post-896564","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-worth","tag-america","tag-colleges-and-universities","tag-donald-trump","tag-education","tag-fort-worth","tag-fortworth","tag-higher-education","tag-leonard-a-leo","tag-schools","tag-texas","tag-tx","tag-united-states","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-unitedstates","tag-unitedstatesofamerica","tag-us","tag-usa"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116822407211327031","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=896564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896564\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/896565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=896564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=896564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=896564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}