University of Minnesota Law School Profile

The University of Minnesota Law School stands as one of the nation’s premier public law schools, renowned for its comprehensive academic programs, exceptional faculty, and outstanding resources. With a commitment to providing a rigorous and well-rounded legal education, the school has built a reputation for producing highly qualified legal professionals who excel in a wide range of fields. The law school offers a broad spectrum of degree programs, including the Juris Doctor (J.D.), a Masters of Law (LL.M.) for Foreign Lawyers, and an array of joint and dual degree programs that enable students to pursue interdisciplinary studies.

The J.D. program at the University of Minnesota Law School is the cornerstone of its legal education, providing students with a rigorous foundation in the fundamental principles of law. The program is designed to prepare students for a variety of legal careers by equipping them with the analytical, writing, and advocacy skills necessary for success. In addition to its core curriculum, the law school offers specialized courses and programs in several key areas of law, including Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Public Interest Law. These areas of focus allow students to tailor their education to specific interests and career paths, ensuring that they graduate with expertise in fields that are in high demand in the legal profession.

The University of Minnesota Law School also offers several joint and dual degree programs that allow students to combine their legal studies with other areas of interest. These programs include the J.D./M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration), J.D./M.A. (Master of Arts), J.D./M.B.S. (Master of Business Studies), J.D./M.P.P. (Master of Public Policy), and J.D./M.S. (Master of Science). By providing these interdisciplinary opportunities, the law school enables students to gain expertise in fields outside of traditional legal studies, broadening their career prospects and enhancing their ability to address complex, multifaceted issues in the legal and professional spheres.

One of the standout features of the University of Minnesota Law School is its world-class law library, which is consistently ranked among the largest and most prestigious law school libraries in the country. The law library at the University of Minnesota is the seventh-largest in the United States and is recognized for its extensive collection of legal texts, research materials, and resources that support the school’s academic programs. In fact, the National Jurist has ranked the law library as the fourth-best in the nation, highlighting its invaluable role in supporting both the academic research of students and faculty and the practical work of legal practitioners. The library’s resources are integral to the law school’s mission to foster a research-driven environment where students and faculty alike can access the information they need to excel in their respective legal fields.

The school’s commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated through its impressive bar passage and employment rates, which consistently rank among the highest in the nation. The University of Minnesota Law School graduates are well-prepared to succeed on the bar exam and in securing employment upon graduation. These high rates of success reflect the quality of the education provided by the law school, as well as the dedication of its faculty and staff to ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to thrive in the legal profession. Additionally, the law school has been honored with the prestigious national Burton Award for excellence in legal writing, further underscoring its commitment to developing strong written and oral advocacy skills among its students.

Throughout its history, the University of Minnesota Law School has produced a long list of distinguished alumni who have gone on to achieve prominence in a wide range of legal, political, academic, and business fields. Notable alumni include Russell A. Anderson, the former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court; Wendell Anderson, a former Governor of Minnesota and U.S. Senator; James J. Blanchard, a former Governor of Michigan and U.S. Ambassador to Canada; Willard Boyd, the former President of the University of Iowa; David Brink, the former President of the American Bar Association; Alden W. Clausen, the former President of the World Bank; Norris Darrell, the former President of the American Law Institute; and Richard Maxwell, the former Dean of Law at UCLA. These individuals, along with many others, have made significant contributions to the legal profession and beyond, demonstrating the caliber of graduates that the University of Minnesota Law School produces.

The University of Minnesota Law School is highly regarded for its commitment to producing legal professionals who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and engaged with the community. Through its various clinics, externships, and public interest law programs, the school offers students numerous opportunities to work directly with clients and organizations in need of legal assistance. These experiential learning opportunities help students develop the practical skills and ethical framework necessary to be effective and conscientious lawyers. The law school’s focus on public service and access to justice ensures that its graduates are not only capable of succeeding in prestigious law firms and corporate environments but are also prepared to make meaningful contributions to society through public interest work.

Ranked 20th among the nation’s top law schools by the U.S. News & World Report in 2010, the University of Minnesota Law School consistently ranks among the best public law schools in the United States. The school’s strong national ranking reflects the quality of its programs, faculty, and resources, as well as the success of its students and graduates. In addition to its ranking in the U.S. News & World Report, the law school was ranked 11th overall in the 2009 Judging the Law Schools rankings, further reinforcing its reputation for academic excellence and its standing as a leader in legal education.