Notre Dame Law School

The University of Notre Dame Law School, or NDLS, is the professional graduate law program of its parent institution, the University of Notre Dame. Established in 1869, NDLS is the oldest Roman Catholic law school in the United States. NDLS was ranked 28th among the nation's "Top 100 Law Schools" by U.S. News & World Report in 2008. Notre Dame Law School is also distinguished as having the nation's only year-long study-abroad program approved by the American Bar Association. The program, which takes place in London, also offers a summer session open to all law schools.

The Law School's national program is designed to equip students to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction. NDLS is unique among American law schools in addition to its rigorous academic curriculum and small class size; its program encourages religious, moral, and ethical discussion and development among its students. This mission is reflected in the NDLS motto - "Educating a Different Kind of Lawyer” – lawyers who are dedicated to attaining the highest levels of professional competence while also examining their practice of law within the context of their responsibilities as members of the bar, as participants in an active faith community, and as citizens of the world community. Beyond the mere fundamentals of legal practice, the Notre Dame Law School works to sensitize students to the need to focus on justice and values.

Admission to NDLS is highly selective, with only about one in five applicants earning acceptance. The class of 2009 at Notre Dame possesses a LSAT 25/75 range from 164 to 167, and a 25/75 GPA range from 3.28 to 3.69. 99.4% of the graduating class of 2006 was employed 6 months after graduation, earning a median starting salary of $105,000 (including private practice, government, and public interest employment). Graduates obtained employment across 30 different states, with the highest placements in California, Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Washington D.C.

The Law School also offers a trial advocacy program that is regarded as being among the top 10 such programs in the nation. The Law School grants the professional Juris Doctor degree as well as the graduate Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees.

A significant expansion of the Law School building is slated to begin Fall 2007. The Kresge Law Library, which is in the center of the current building, will be expanded to take up the building in its entirety, with classes held in the new section which will be constructed on the site of the old post office. The two buildings will be connected by a suspended walkway.

Notable alumni

• G. Robert Blakey - Author of the RICO statute
• Tom Clements - Former Notre Dame star quarterback
• N. Patrick Crooks - Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Joe Donnelly - United States Congressman (D-IN)
• John Kilkenny - Former judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Peter King - United States Congressman (R-NY)
• Edward Leavy - Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review
• Romano L. Mazzoli - Former United States Congressman (D-KY)
• Patrick F. McCartan - Chairman of the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees, former managing partner at Jones Day
• Carol Ann Mooney - President of Saint Mary's College
• Bryan Moynihan - President, Global Wealth & Investment Management, Bank of America Corporation
• Andrew Napolitano, Fox News senior judicial analyst and former judge
• Paul V. Niemeyer - Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Margaret A. Ryan - Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• Max Siegel - Attorney and Executive
• Michael A. Stepovich - Former Governor of Alaska
• Pete Visclosky - United States Congressman (D-IN)

Law journals

Notre Dame Law School publishes four student-run journals:

• Notre Dame Law Review
• The Journal of Legislation
• The Journal of College and University Law
• Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy

External links

• Notre Dame Law School
  
• The Joan B. Kroc Institute for World Peace
  
• "Law School Receives $21 million," The Observer Online, 8/26/05
  
• Profile of the 2006 Entering Class