Why UK Law?

Why UK Law? UK Law is a small, self-contained College of just over 400 students, with a 15/1 student/faculty ratio that enables UK to offer a personalized legal education. Coupled with the small college atmosphere of the law school are the advantages of a major University campus--cultural events, campus facilities, tickets to NCAA sporting events, etc.--and the amenities of living in Lexington. UK Law's resident and nonresident tuition rates are very competitive nationally, and the College has an aggressive scholarship program for both residents and nonresident students. About 50% of each year's entering class receive scholarships of varying amounts.

The Faculty: The faculty at UK Law have a wide range of experiences in law practice and government service, as well as teaching and research. UK Law has a strong tradition of faculty knowing their students and of faculty concern about their students' progress and success. The curriculum offers broad training in the law and legal methods, drawing upon sources from all jurisdictions. Accordingly, UK Law graduates are prepared to practice in any of the 50 states.

Clinical Opportunities: UK Law offers students a variety of clinical and externship experiences. The Legal Clinic is located in its own building near the College. Third-year students taking the Clinic course represent low-income and elderly individuals, and UK students, in a variety of civil legal matters. The Clinic is supervised by a faculty member who spent ten years as a trial attorney. Another popular clinical course is Litigation Skills, taught in the College's small and large courtrooms by local practitioners and faculty with extensive litigation experience. In addition, UK Law offers four externships for course credit, in which students can obtain experience in applied research, fact gathering, interviewing, counseling, negotiation and trial advocacy.

In March 2005, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced the funding of the Rural Drug Prosecution Assistance Project, designed to create positions for UK Law graduates who go to work with Commonwealth Attorneys, U.S. Attorneys, the Kentucky Attorney General, public defenders and Circuit Court Judges in rural parts of Kentucky. The three Kentucky counties where these jobs are exempted from the program are Fayette County, Jefferson County and Kenton County. Funding will go to provide summer positions for UK Law students, permanent positions for UK Law graduates and tuition remission payments to selected graduates in qualifying positions to help pay their student loan obligations. These positions are available only to students and graduates of the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Joint Degrees: There are three joint degree programs offered at UK Law. Candidates for the JD/MBA degree gain marketable skills and specialized employment opportunities in less time and with a smaller financial investment than might otherwise be required. Candidates interested in a career in public administration, public service or politics should consider the JD/MPA joint degree program with UK's Martin School of Public Policy. Under the program, the two degrees are obtained in four years. Applicants must apply and be admitted to both programs. The newest joint degree program is a JD/MA in Diplomacy and International Commerce with UK's Patterson School. Candidates interested in a career in international law, public or private, in international business or in government service in the international sector should consider the JD/MA dual degree program.

Co-Curricular Program: There are variety of co-curricular activities at UK Law in which students may earn course credit. The Kentucky Law Journal is the 10th oldest American law review and is edited entirely by students, as is the Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Law. The college fields several Moot Court teams, which participate in both national and international competitions. UK Law's Trial Advocacy teams advanced to national title competitions in five of the last six years. In the 2003 Tournament of Champions, UK's Trial Advocacy team placed 5th in the nation. In 2006 UK's BLSA Trial Advocacy Team placed second in the nation in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition.

SBA: UK Law's Student Bar Association serves as the law student governing body and student activities board. The SBA publishes a weekly student newspaper and sponsors regular student social events and community service activities . UK's SBA was recognized by the ABA as the best SBA in the nation in 2002.

Other Student Organizations: The Student Public Interest Law Foundation, through grants and fund-raising, sponsors 15-20 summer internships with public interest and public service organizations selected by the students who apply. Other active student groups include the Women's Law Caucus, the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the International Law Society, the Environmental Law Society, the Equine Law Society, the Federalist Society, the Christian Legal Society, the Health Law Society and the Intellectual Property Law Society.

Career Services: UK Law students have the benefit of a large on-campus job interview program for regional employers, as well as national placement through the college's participation in seven off-campus interviewing conferences in Atlanta (2), Washington, DC (2), Chicago, New York and Nashville. The college's Career Services Office, headed by a UK Law graduate who formerly practiced law, also uses alumni contacts and a unique computerized service to connect students with employers.

Job Placement: UK Law's job placement and bar passage statistics are very good. For the 2005 graduating class, 95 percent were employed or in advanced-degree programs within 9 months after graduation. A majority of UK Law graduates choose private practice, with 15-20 percent of each graduating class selected for state and federal judicial clerkships.

Bar Passage: UK Law graduates consistently out perform the average pass rate on the Kentucky bar exam. Because the faculty teaches to a national curriculum, bar passage rates for UK Law graduates are very high in other states as well.