The oldest law school in Washington, D.C., the George Washington University Law School was known as the National Law Center from 1954 to 1996, reflecting its merger with the National University School of Law. GW Law's intellectual property department is regarded as the school's biggest strength, operating the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center and the Frank H. Marks Fellowship for students concentrating in IP law. The school also has well-regarded international law and environmental law programs, as well as the government procurement law program--unique to the school--that addresses the laws governing private,public contracts.

GW Law offers joint degree programs with four of GWU's other schools in areas ranging from business to public health to women's studies, as well as a SJD program. JD students can focus in one of six areas, which include a concentration in national security and U.S. foreign relations law that focuses on security issues after September 11th. Students in Vault's surveys say that the school's reputation goes far with potential employers, particularly those in the D.C. area.