Pave Your Path to Experiences That Extend Beyond the Classroom Heading link
The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law)—Chicago’s only public law school— is guided by a set of core values that define our identity and shape the experiences of our students. Integrity, academic excellence, and a commitment to social justice stand as pillars at the heart of our mission. Academic excellence is pursued through rigorous programs, cutting-edge research, and a faculty dedicated to nurturing critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
Experiential education is a UIC Law hallmark—in fact, practical training is required for all of our students. Working under the guidance of a judge or attorney, you will gain real-world experience that will be attractive to employers.
Apply to UIC Law and take advantage of the amazing programs below dedicated to enhancing your career in the legal field, outside of the classroom.
Pave Your Path Apply to UIC Law
Gain Real-World Experience Through the JD Externship Program Heading link
Put your legal knowledge and skills into practice while exploring a practice area and working under the supervision of an attorney or judge. Combining the complementary classroom seminar and legal field placement, UIC Law’s JD Externship Program experience offers students the opportunity to further refine their essential lawyering skills while working for a judge, non-profit organization, or government agency.
Watch the video to learn more about the JD Externship Program and hear from our law students directly regarding their JD externship experience below.
Testimonials Heading link
Change Lives Through the Restorative Justice Project Heading link
The Restorative Justice Project (RJP) trains law students in the philosophy and practice of restorative justice so that they become better lawyers. Guest lecturers provide concrete examples of how restorative justice can be used to resolve disputes in both civil and criminal cases. Students learn different restorative techniques and how to become effective peace circle keepers.
Through the Restorative Justice Project, students:
- Visit courts and observe the differences between judges who utilize Restorative Justice practices and those who use only punitive models
- Visit correctional facilities and local schools to instruct students, teachers, and administrators on peaceful ways to resolve conflicts
- Use restorative chats and peace circles to induce behavioral change
- Lobby legislators and public officials to enact laws and policies that enable Restorative Justice to thrive in all communities
Download Restorative Justice Brochure
Learn in Our clinics. Directly Impact the Community Heading link
UIC Law clinical opportunities offer JD candidates the opportunity to gain legal experience by representing real clients who would not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer. The Community Legal Clinics are a large in-house law office inside of the law school made up of different subject-matter areas of clinic activity. In the clinics, you have the opportunity to work on real-life cases and projects and will be in the role of the attorney on the matters, cases, and projects. You will work under the close supervision of a faculty member or other clinic supervisor, licensed experienced attorneys. All seven clinics are designed to develop the practice-ready skills that employers seek in career applicants.
Participate in a Community Clinic Heading link
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Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills Through Competition Heading link
UIC Law is dedicated to teaching students the art and practice of advocacy. Through our nationally ranked Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution (TADR) program, students master skills they need to achieve social justice from their first meeting, through a negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial. Students can get involved with TADR through a ligitation-based externship or clinic within the TADR concentration, fulfill a leadership position on the honors board, or be selected as a member of the TADR competition team.