The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is now among the top 100 law schools worldwide, according to Times Higher Education's World University Rankings 2018 by subject.
This year, UAlberta Law has catapulted to 83rd, up 24 spots from last year and 54 from the year before.
Paul Paton, Dean of UAlberta Law, said this rapid ascent is no surprise.
"We've recruited outstanding new Faculty over the last two years and continue to add depth and strength to our already strong cohort of Faculty members whose research excellence and teaching prowess are recognized internationally. We're working hard to equip our graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a profession that is in a period of extraordinary transformation. I'm really pleased they are getting the recognition they rightly deserve."
The law rankings are assessed based on 13 different criteria that are grouped in five areas: teaching (32.7 per cent), research (30.8 per cent), citations (25 per cent), international outlook (9 per cent) and industry income (2.5 per cent).
The Faculty's statistics in those five areas are equally impressive, particularly within the Canadian context.
According to the Times Higher Education subject rankings, UAlberta Law ranks first among Canadian law schools for industry income, namely the Faculty's ability to help the industry in areas like innovations, inventions and consultancy.
The Faculty also placed sixth in Canada for teaching (representative of the Faculty's learning environment) and research (based on its reputation for research excellence). It ranked eighth in Canada for citations (its research influence) and ninth for international outlook (the Faculty's ability to attract students and Faculty from universities around the world).
"We've worked relentlessly to build reputation and garner attention in Canada and around the world, especially over the last three years," said Paton.
"The fact that the Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada is our graduate, the newest nominee to the Supreme Court earned a graduate degree here and another was a long-time and beloved member of our Faculty prior to his initial judicial appointment is just one sign of what's to be found here. We have work yet to do, but what a wonderful boost."
The University of Alberta also placed in the top 100 in three other areas: education (60th), clinical, pre-clinical and health (77th) and psychology (99th).