I think the LSAT and GPA will be what matters. Today work experience too. Harvard has 174 schools represented in its class - from the likes of Georgia State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Cal State Long Beach, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oakland, Nebraska, WVU and many more.
I remember at W&L - we met a poli sci prof on campus and he was gloating about a student who got the 99th percentile on the LSAT. I asked - where will they go? He said anywhere they want. I think more kids go from more elite schools but that’s because they were elite to begin with - and had higher test scores vs. most going to your typical flagship.
The right answer is UGA due to the scholarships the smart kids get. You say money doesn’t matter but check with your folks - if they can spend $15K at UGA, do they want to spend $60K or $80K elsewhere. U Arizona - you’d be about $25K.
But based on what you’re saying and not accounting for $$ - and forget if the law school is good - colleges that could work might be (and they likely all have law schools) - all are big schools in blue and big cities - and all have some or lots of cold weather.
Arizona - purple state but very blue area
GW
Maryland
Minnesota
New Mexico
NYU/Columbia/Fordham types
Pitt
Rutgers
Washington
Wisconsin
I left off UCB and UCLA for weather purposes.
But you should have a frank monetary discussion with your family - and if they’re like go anywhere, these meet what you described. But the UGA deal is too good to pass up - or how bout Ga Tech?
I’d have included UVM - but it’s not a big city.
Good luck.