My impressions

Almost all law schools are regional. Once you get into the top 14/top 10 it gets slightly less so, but ND's law school isn't going to carry a ton of national weight, but it will be great in the midwest.

If your son knows the city he'd like to practice in, and the regional is in that city, he's probably in a better position there. If he knows he wants to hang out his shingle after law school, it really doesn't matter where he goes, though the more regional schools will probably leave him more "courthouse ready" upon graduation, but this is definitely something to look into as it isn't always the case.

If he's looking to work for a bigger firm, the most important thing is that he kick ass in whatever school he goes to. Unless he's going to a top 10 law school (and even then, really), he needs to finish high in his class to get good job offers.

Student loan debt can be very damaging to morale and potential career options, as it requires payments every month, and doesn't allow for as many risks. He should attempt to calculate what his monthly payments will be upon graduation based on the different schools he'll be at.