University of Michigan Law School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids University of Michigan Law School |
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| Parent school | University of Michigan |
| Established | 1859 |
| School type | Public law school |
| Endowment | $500 million (2019) |
| Parent endowment | $17.9 billion |
| Dean | Kyle D. Logue (interim) |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Enrollment | 990 |
| Faculty | 119 (Full–time) 89 (Part–time) |
| USNWR ranking | 8th (tie) (2025) |
| Bar pass rate | 97.27% |
| ABA profile | Standard 509 Report |
The University of Michigan Law School, also known as Michigan Law, is a famous law school at the University of Michigan. It is a public university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school started in 1859.
Michigan Law offers different degrees for students who want to become lawyers. These include the Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM). The school gets most of its money from student tuition and private donations. It has a large fund, called an endowment, of over $500 million.
As of 2024, about 990 students attend Michigan Law. There are 119 full-time teachers and 89 part-time teachers. Many important people have studied here. These include U.S. Supreme Court Justices and leaders in business. Most graduates find jobs within ten months of finishing school.
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History of Michigan Law
The University of Michigan Law School opened its doors in 1859. It quickly became a place for important "firsts." In 1870, Gabriel Franklin Hargo became the second African American to graduate from a law school in the United States.
A year later, in 1871, Sarah Killgore made history. She was a Michigan Law graduate. She became the first woman to both finish law school and be allowed to practice law.
In 2009, Michigan Law started building a new law building. It cost $102 million and was designed in an old English style. This project was paid for by donations. In 2009, the school also celebrated its 150th birthday. The Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts, visited for the celebration. The new building, called Jeffries Hall, opened in 2012.
Michigan Law Campus Buildings
The main part of the law school is called the Cook Law Quadrangle. It was built between 1924 and 1933. An architect firm named York and Sawyer designed it. A lawyer and former student, William W. Cook, gave the money for it.
The Quadrangle has four main buildings:
- Hutchins Hall: This is the main building for classes. It is named after a former leader of the law school.
- The Legal Research Building: This building holds the law library.
- John P. Cook Dormitory: This is a place where students can live.
- The Lawyer's Club: This building also has dorm rooms. It has a large meeting space with a high ceiling and wooden walls.
In 2012, the Lawyers Club was updated. This was possible thanks to a $20 million gift from Charlie Munger. It reopened in August 2013 for students.
Academics at Michigan Law
How to Get Into Michigan Law
Getting into Michigan Law is very competitive. For the class that started in the fall of 2024, only about 12 out of every 100 applicants were accepted. Out of those accepted, about 38 students enrolled.
Students applying to law school take a test called the LSAT. For the entering class, most students scored between 166 and 172 on the LSAT. Their college grades, called GPA, were usually between 3.70 and 3.95.
The cost to attend Michigan Law for one year is about $63,680 for Michigan residents. For students from other states, it is about $66,680. Living costs are estimated at $21,900 per year.
Law School Publications
Michigan Law students publish several law journals. These are like magazines where students write about legal topics. The Michigan Law Review is one of the oldest law journals in the United States.
Other journals include:
- University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
- Michigan Journal of International Law
- Michigan Journal of Gender and Law
- Michigan Journal of Race & Law
- Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review
- Michigan Journal of Environmental and Administrative Law
- Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review
Students join these journals by doing well in writing contests.
Moot Court Competitions
Students at Michigan Law can join moot court competitions. These are like practice trials where students argue legal cases. The oldest competition is the Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition, started in 1926.
Other competitions cover different areas of law. These include child welfare, criminal law, environmental law, and international law. These help students practice their legal skills.
Law School Clinics
Michigan Law has 18 clinical programs. In these clinics, students work with real clients. They provide legal help under the guidance of their teachers.
Examples of clinics include:
- Child Advocacy Law Clinic: Helps children with legal issues.
- Entrepreneurship Clinic: Helps new businesses with legal advice.
- Environmental Law Clinic: Works on cases related to the environment.
- Michigan Innocence Clinic: Helps people who might have been wrongly convicted.
Student Groups and Activities
Michigan Law has many student organizations. These groups focus on different interests. Some are about politics, helping the community, or specific hobbies. Students organize fun events like the Michigan Law Culture Show.
Externships and Internships
Michigan's externship program gives students real-world legal experience. Students can work in places like Switzerland, South Africa, and India. This helps them learn beyond the classroom.
Student Fellowships
Student Funded Fellowships (SFF) is a program run by students. It helps Michigan Law students pay for summer jobs. These jobs are often in public interest law, which means helping people or causes. Students raise money through events like auctions. In 2022, some students received $6,500 grants. Other students could get a $5,000 loan for their summer expenses.
People of Michigan Law
Notable Faculty Members
Many talented teachers work at Michigan Law. They are experts in different areas of law.
- Theodore J. St. Antoine: An expert in labor law.
- Reuven Avi-Yonah: A scholar of tax law.
- Samuel Bagenstos: An expert on disability rights.
- Catharine MacKinnon: A famous feminist thinker and activist.
- Barbara McQuade: A former United States Attorney.
- Margo Schlanger: A civil rights scholar.
- Bruno Simma: A German international law expert and former judge.
- James Boyd White: Known for connecting law with literature.
Former Faculty Members
Many important people have also taught at Michigan Law in the past.
- Lee Bollinger: Former president of Columbia University.
- Henry Billings Brown: A Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Thomas M. Cooley: A legal scholar and Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.
- Yale Kamisar: An expert in criminal law. He helped shape the famous Miranda v. Arizona decision.
- Elizabeth Warren: A bankruptcy expert and a current United States senator.
Notable Alumni of Michigan Law
Many Michigan Law graduates have become very successful.
- William R. Day: A former United States Secretary of State and U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
- Clarence Darrow: A famous trial lawyer.
- Richard Gephardt: A former U.S. Representative and House Majority Leader.
- James P. Hoffa: The President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
- Valerie Jarrett: A Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama.
- Frank Murphy: A former United States Attorney General and U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
- Rob Portman: A United States senator from Ohio.
- Branch Rickey: A baseball executive who signed Jackie Robinson, breaking the sport's color line.
- Ken Salazar: A former U.S. Senator and United States Secretary of the Interior.
- Rick Snyder: A former Governor of Michigan.
- George Sutherland: A former United States Supreme Court Justice.
- Sarah Killgore Wertman: The first woman allowed to practice law in any U.S. state.
See also
In Spanish: Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Míchigan para niños
- List of University of Michigan law and government alumni
- List of University of Michigan legislator alumni
- List of University of Michigan alumni
