Our Commitment to Access and Opportunity Heading link
The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law) is the only public law school in Chicago committed to access and opportunity and equips future lawyers with the skills to achieve social justice and the values to change lives. Nestled in the center of the third largest legal industry in the nation, UIC Law’s premiere location is conveniently housed alongside the Chicago Bar Association building and a host of prestigious law firms and federal court houses, creating ample opportunities for students to make a difference with experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
Rankings Heading link
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Top 5 #5 in Greatest Resources for Minority Students (2023 Princeton Review)
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2024 Most Diverse Law Schools in the Nation (preLaw magazine)
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Top 25 #24 in Trial Advocacy Programs (2024 U.S. News & World Report)
Priority Consideration : Apply by April 1
The Social Justice Mission at UIC Law Heading link
UIC Law has a social justice mission, and that is the belief that everyone deserves equitable access to rights, opportunities, and privileges in society. We prepare aspiring lawyers to succeed in the quest to achieve social justice with the dynamic academic programming and curriculum.
academics
Students have a chance to make a real-world impact through various educational opportunities afforded at UIC Law. You’ll develop the strategic, analytical, and transactional skills that attract employers, regardless of the concentration you choose. Take a look at some of our dynamic law school curriculum that is so valuable to the social justice mission.
- LAW 557. Social Justice Lawyering. 3 hours.: A simulated impact litigation and advocacy clinic that teaches students written advocacy techniques for social justice issues in a variety of contexts. Course information: Prerequisite(s): JD 401 and JD 405 and JD 406 and JD 407 and JD 411 and JD 414 and JD 415 and JD 416; and LAW 402 or LAW 403 or LAW 404; and LAW 412 or LAW 413 and LAW 422. Recommended background: Coursework in race and gender theories and analytical frameworks.
- LAW 438. Lawyering Skills IV: Drafting: Spanish for Lawyers. 2 hours.: Introductory course for students who seek to expand their legal written and communication skills in Spanish. Basic proficiency in Spanish required. Course Information: Previously listed as JD 300. Prerequisite(s): JD 401, and JD 405, and JD 406, and JD 407, and JD 411, and JD 414, and JD 415, and JD 416; and LAW 402 or LAW 403 or LAW 404; and LAW 412 or LAW 413; and LAW 422.
- LAW 556. Critical Race Feminism. 3 hours. Introduces students to the main tenets and theories that comprise Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): JD 401, and JD 405, and JD 406, and JD 407, and JD 411, and JD 414, and JD 415, and JD 416; and LAW 402 or LAW 403 or LAW 404; and LAW 412 or LAW 413. Recommended background: Course work in women and gender studies; race.
Lawyering Skills Program
Our nationally ranked Lawyering Skills (L.S.) Program teaches students many practical skills needed to achieve social justice, including topics covered on the NextGen Bar Exam like legal reasoning, legal research, oral advocacy, drafting and counseling. The L.S. program is among the leading and most comprehensive research/writing programs in legal education and was ranked #15 in the nation in 2023 by U.S. News and World Reports!
Lawyering Skills courses include:
- Lawyering Skills I: Objective Analysis, Writing & Research (3 Credits)
- Lawyering Skills II: Advocacy (3 Credits)
- Lawyering Skills III: Appellate Advocacy (2 Credits)
- Lawyering Skills IV: Drafting (2-3 Credits)
WRC
The Writing Resource Center (WRC) is dedicated to improving the writing skills of aspiring lawyers. The team provides one-on-one coaching sessions, group workshops, and useful resources to elevate legal writing.
Student Testimonials
- “The writing sample process has helped develop my writing skills and prepared me not only for my moot court competition, where I placed as a quarterfinalist, but also for my externships with the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the North District of Illinois.” – Robert H.
- “Last year, during my first year of law school, the Writing Center was by far the most valuable resource available. Whether it was bringing memos to have edited, or citations reviewed, to attending one of the various workshops that the Writing Center puts on throughout the semester, the Writing Center had such a positive impact on my growth as a writer through my first year.” – Tim H.
- “All in all, [the Writing Resources Center] has been 95% of the reason for my success rate and I could not have been more thankful that we crossed paths… The advice [the Writing Resources Center] has given us throughout the semester has been phenomenal and truly made a difference.” – Nenad P.
Explore More View JD Curriculum Overview
Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills Through Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Heading link
At UIC Law, we are 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.
