Admissions—UM's Approach to Legal Education

The University of Montana School of Law Offers a Different Approach to Legal Education.

All law schools are not the same. We are reminded of this frequently by our professors who attended other law schools and by transfer students who began their law studies at other schools. They praise our supportive and relaxed atmosphere and our emphasis on coursework that applies to real-life situations. The atmosphere at UM and our approach to legal education are no accident. We work hard to make UM a special place to study law.

Integrating Theory and Practice

Good lawyers achieve competence through practice, critique and self-assessment. Our curriculum is built on the premise that the law is learned by being used, not just by being read. Our faculty, averaging more than 10 years of practice, have developed a unique curriculum integrating theory and practice.

At UM, you can pursue your academic and professional interests outside the classroom. A significant proportion of our students serve as research and teaching assistants for our faculty. You just might find yourself coauthoring an article for publication in a national law journal. If writing and editing interest you, the Montana Law Review or the Public Land and Resources Law Review might be right for you. Both journals are entirely student-run and feature articles written by academics, professionals, and students.

There are also several student-run groups that sponsor speakers and activities focused on different areas of the law. We have an Environmental Law Group, an International Law Society, and student chapters of the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

Many of our students are active in our general student government organization—the Student Bar Association—and in the Women's Law Caucus. Also, we have active chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Federalist Society.

If you want to devote some of your non-class hours to public service, there are several student organizations to welcome your efforts. Examples include the Edna Rankin Law Society, which sponsors speakers and charitable activities promoting civil liberties and cultural diversity, and the Native American Law Student Association. And if we do not already offer an activity you think would be worthwhile—organize your own!