The ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law Experience
ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law provides a first rate education in legal theory, doctrine, and societal context. We help students develop a range of other competencies, including practical legal skills (e.g., drafting a contract), relevant substantive expertise (e.g., accounting), and professional skills (e.g., interpersonal skills, such as listening).
Legal theory, doctrine, and societal context. At ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law, we develop leading thinkers, with powerful analytical abilities and the ability to place issues in a conceptual or theoretical framework as well as within societal context. Building on a demanding first year curriculum and upper level courses that provide opportunities to specialize, we leverage our enviable student to faculty ratio—of 6.4:1 student/faculty ratio calculated using U.S. News & World Report methodology—to support student engagement, faculty mentoring, and an inquisitive spirit.
Practical legal skills. We provide our students with abundant opportunities to develop the practical skills necessary for success, supported by our nine leading clinics, a range of practicum courses (such as the Health Equity Project), experiential courses (such as Legal Negotiation), legal writing and research courses, and the Schaden experiential learning program (i.e., our externship, competition, and public service pledge programs). Such programs train effective and ethical legal professionals.
Relevant substantive expertise. Developing substantive expertise can make an extraordinary difference. ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law’s leading centers and programs provide students with connections and opportunities to go deep into a particular field. That depth of engagement, coupled with technical knowledge from courses at the Law School and around the University, distinguishes our graduates and gives them a decided advantage.
Professional skills, often called “soft skills,†are essential to being a successful legal professional. Such skills include the ability to work in teams, communicate effectively with others, empathize with and listen to clients and colleagues, manage conflicts effectively, and have a creative problem-solving attitude. Moreover, underlying everything we do is an enduring commitment to fostering students’ honesty, decency, and commitment to ethical behavior.
