20 Things You Didn’t Know About The University of Miami Law School
The University of Miami Law School is ranked among the top ten in the Southeastern part of the United States. Anyone considering enrollment should read about its rich and storied history and notable alumni in these twenty things you didn’t know about the University of Miami Law School.
1. Did you know the University of Miami Law School is in the top ten ranked law schools?
A degree from UMLS is respected in professional circles. Law Miami confirms that the Princeton Review ranks it as the ninth-best law school overall. It’s compared with the likes of Duke University, Vanderbilt, University, and other top ten schools. It’s not Ivy League, but it’s close in reputation and prestige. The quality of education as reported by students and independent ranking agencies compared it with other schools in the nation to determine rank.
2. UMLS is top-tier for Diversity
Compared with other schools in the southeast, UM Law School is sixth in faculty diversity and number nine for minority student resources. The incoming LL.M class expects 72 students to arrive from a diverse group of 36 countries. The minority representation among students is 46% with 61% who speak one or more foreign languages and 57% are women of 393 students currently enrolled. The school welcomes all law students without regard to gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity preferences, national origin, or economic status.
3. University of Miami Law School is competitive, but it’s not over the top in restrictions
Like many prestigious law schools, the University of Miami Law School has enrollment caps and a competitive environment. It’s not as difficult to gain acceptance, as in some other law schools. The acceptance rate is 58% of 2,411 applicants. The average undergraduate GPA is 3.36. Not all accepted applicants attend. Only 328 followed through with enrollment, and attend classes. The average LSAT test scores of enrolled students are between 155-160.
4. Miami Law publishes five journals
Students get the opportunity to participate in running, selecting submissions for publications, editing, publishing literary works on law, and working on the journals published at U of M Law School. The institution is the home of five journals: the University of Miami Law Review, the Race and Social Justice Law Review, the Inter-American Law Review, the Business Law Review, and the International and Comparative Law Review. Many legal academic publications support law students and researchers with helpful information, accessed from around the world. Students improve their analytical thinking and legal writing skills through hands-on work on journals.
5. The school provides experiential learning to supplement coursework
The University of Miami Law School offers 197 seats in its field placement program to insert law students into real-world experiences, working with clients, attorneys, clerks, and judges. The five Field Placement choices are its Miami Law Externship Program, the Judicial Cherkships Program, the DC Semester in Practice Program, the Florida Supreme Court Program, and the Litigation Skills Externship Program. The broad range of programs covers the gamut of specialized areas of interest for law students. Some are more general, while others, such as the Litigation Skills Externship and Judicial Clerkship program hone in on more specific areas of law practice.
6. UMLS has a rich and storied history
The Law School celebrates 96 years in operation as of 2022. It was founded in 1926, at the same time as the University of Miami. Through the years, sixteen deans served the law school, reflecting a low turnover rate. It’s a private law school that functions as a part of the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida. The total enrollment is 1,208 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. The current Dean is Nell Jessup Newton, with 70 full-time faculty, and 107 part-time. Wikipedia confirms that it is South Florida’s oldest law school. The first cohort of law students graduated in 1929 with a roster of 13 students. It’s grown by nearly a hundred-fold since its inception.
7. The School offered its first LL.M degree in 1952
Law Schools have evolved through the years. UMLS didn’t offer its first LL.M degrees until the 1950s. The first was a degree in taxation, followed by an Inter-American Law degree in 1957, and two years later, a Master in Comparative Law. Since 1959, that degree is reclassified as an LLM degree. Students may also pursue their JD degrees at UMLS.
8. Students have access to exceptional library resources
The University of Miami Law School is a private research facility. It provides students with library services with a massive collection of more than 600,000 volumes of printed study material. Additional resources offered include access to large amounts of electronic resources and microform. UMSL subscribes to multiple electronic resources for student access. The trove of educational texts, journals, and other materials helps students access current theories and research papers on facts about the law.
9. The Moot court programs are extensive
UMLS students are invited to participate in the Moot Court programs for experience and the chance to gain membership on the International Moot Court Board and the Charles C. Papy Jr. Moot Court Board. It’s an incentive to stretch their professional skills and sharpen critical thinking as students compete against one another to win appointments. It’s a highly competitive environment with Mock Trials and Negotiation Competitions. Students may also participate in advanced competitions for appointments to prestigious boards. UMLS law students earn knowledge and respect in the legal community by winning difficult competitions that also bolster their competence and confidence through practice.
10. You can participate in an International Moot Court Program and travel abroad
The school’s International Moot Court Program co-sponsors competitions held against competing law students from around the world. They come from South America, Central America, and Europe to compete. UM law students have opportunities to travel to other countries to compete, including Frankfurt, Germany, Vienna, Austria, and other countries. If you’re interested in International Law practice, participation in the program not only looks impressive on a resume, it teaches you valuable skills when working with foreign laws and diverse populations.
11. The HOPE Program gives students opportunities to serve the underprivileged
Law students at UMLS have the chance to become involved with various projects through the HOPE program. It’s the university’s Public Interest Resource Center. Each year the program participates in twenty-five projects which provide services to populations who are either at-risk or underserved. The projects serve clients in real-world situations both domestically and overseas. Students help provide legal services to help people who can’t afford to pay for traditional legal assistance. It’s a way for law students to learn what it is like to work with clients in situations that affect their lives.
12. Students get individual attention from instructors
UMSL employs a large group of faculty and adjunct faculty. The school reduced its JD program enrollment numbers in the late 1990s to maintain a more intimate environment. The current student-to-instructor ratio is 7:1. The low number of students to instructors provides opportunities for individual help and attention, and also, for more in-depth discussions in class. Everyone has a chance to participate in the discussions.
13. The University of Miami Law School hosts annual conferences
Students have access to the multiple conferences and symposiums hosted by the UMLS. They’re open to students interested in specializations in law or general practice. Each year they offer a symposium on public policy, psychology, and law. Conferences and special events help students to broaden their knowledge and understanding of their areas of specialization
14. The UM Law School is one of the best for estate planning attorneys
If you’re considering a specialization in estate planning law practice, the University of Miami Law School is among the top-ranked in the discipline. It’s one of the most respected graduate programs in the nation for estate planners. It’s the annual host of the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning.
15. Students at UMLS can pursue a master’s and JD degree simultaneously
Would you prefer to combine your master’s and doctoral programs? If so, UMLS allows students to save time and money by combining their Juris Doctor program and an LLM program. They can graduate with both degrees in a shorter time.
16. Students can also pursue dual degree programs
UMLS allows students to pursue dual degree programs with ten joint programs for JD students. If you’re interested in earning a degree in psychology, marine biology, medicine, or other disciplines, you can enroll in both professional programs and graduate with two degrees. A degree in other subjects might help you to pursue a legal profession geared toward the second discipline, such as a business law attorney or a maritime law attorney. You must apply to each professional academic department. They must gain acceptance from each to pursue a joint degree. The purpose of combining the degrees into a dual program is to lessen the number of course credits needed as some of the courses will count toward the fulfillment of requirements to graduate for both disciplines, according to College Consensus.
17. Law students at UMLS have career services placement and a high rate of employment success
Another reason to consider UMLS is its track record for graduate employment. Statistics show that 87% of graduates become fully employed after ten months of completing their degrees. The school offers career and career placement services through its Miami Law Career Development Office. The department is there to serve the student body with professional counselors at the doctoral level credentials. The team provides students with various recruiting programs to help them make connections with potential employers and form meaningful networks. The institution sponsors formal and informal events for making connections. Combined with the high quality of education and a pass rate of 86% for first-time bar exam test-taker. UMLS helps prepare students for success. It strives to equip them with values, knowledge, experience, confidence, and professionalism.
18. The University of Miami Law School takes a holistic approach to education
The University of Miami School of Law is a pioneer in holistic education for lawyers. Part of the curriculum includes a program titled “Mindfulness in Law.” It’s a program that offers courses that promote the holistic development of the whole person. It focuses on mental wholeness, spiritual awareness, and the development of ethical practices while engaging in the “practice of law.” The institution goes beyond a holistic program with lectures, seminars, and encouragement by providing recreational facilities and wellness opportunities to complement the values taught. The surrounding city offers opportunities for enjoyment and relaxation.
19. UMLS is rich in student organizations
As a law student, you can find enrichment and networking opportunities by engaging in student organizations that fit your chosen specialization or passion. At Miami Law, you may choose from more than 55 student organizations to join. The societies and organizations provide additional education and experiences. Members enjoy fellowship with a group of fellow students pursuing similar passions and access to members of the legal community and alumni of the UMLS. Some examples include Older Wiser Law Students, Miami Law Women, First Generation Law Association, Hispanic Law Students Association, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, Black Law Students Association, the American Bar Association/Law Student Division, Maritime Law Society, Health Law Association, Entertainment, and Sports Law Society, and dozens more.
20. As a student at the University of Miami Law School, you get practical training through a choice of ten clinics
The Law School offers some of the best hands-on experiences for law students in the USA. Students work with underserved members of local communities without the means to pay for services for their legal problems. The law school sponsors a Start-up clinic for entrepreneurs, children & Youth Law clinic, environmental justice, bankruptcy assistance, tenants rights, immigration, health rights, investor rights, human rights, and Innocence clinics.
You can also read:
