UB Law in Brief
Since its founding in 1887, the University at Buffalo Law School – the State University of New York system's only law school – has established an excellent reputation and is widely regarded as a leader in legal education. Its cutting-edge curriculum provides both a strong theoretical foundation and the practical tools graduates need to succeed in a competitive marketplace, wherever they choose to practice. A special emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, public service, and opportunities for hands-on clinical education makes UB Law unique among the nation's premier public law schools.
The University at Buffalo Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Since 1952, the ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education as the recognized national agency for the accreditation of professional schools of law.[1]
While the first-year program includes traditional legal courses in civil procedure, torts, contracts, property, criminal law, constitutional law, and research and writing, in the second and third years students can choose from a wide variety of seminars and ten curricular concentrations that allow for in-depth study. Moreover, each student has the opportunity to craft a custom-made curriculum, beyond the selected concentrations, drawing from numerous offerings to build a personalized sequence of courses and experiences.
UB Law's nationally renowned clinics offer diverse and sophisticated practice opportunities for second and third-year students. Known for its groundbreaking approaches to skills training and public interest practice, UB Law's Clinical Education Program combines client service, impact litigation, and transactional planning.
High-quality faculty members are another important ingredient in UB Law's success. The school has a very low student-faculty ratio. Currently, more than 75 percent of its upper division courses are comprised of fewer than 40 students. Many of the 50 faculty members are nationally prominent and hold advanced degrees in the social sciences and other disciplines, in addition to their law degrees. Their scholarship is published widely, and they bring a wealth of practice and policy experience to UB Law.
A wide range of interdisciplinary and dual degree programs permit UB Law students to combine their legal studies with masters or doctoral programs through the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, as well as the School of Management, the School of Social Work, the School of Informatics, the School of Public Health and Health Professions, the School of Architecture and Planning and the School of Pharmacy. UB Law also offers a unique post-professional Master of Laws degree in Criminal Law, and a General LL.M. program designed exclusively for international students. J.D. and M.B.A. students also have the option of spending a semester in New York City studying international finance and law.
A beautiful Mission-style courtroom constructed in John Lord O'Brian Hall offers students the opportunity to watch lawyers and judges in action. It is one of the only law school courtrooms that is part of a state court system where real cases are tried. Recently constructed on-campus apartments are reserved exclusively for law students.
1. Further information as to the Standards and Rules of Procedure for the Approval of Law Schools by the American Bar Association may be obtained from the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. They can be reached at:
750 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 988-6738, f: (312) 988-5681