Chicago-Kent College of Law

Chicago-Kent Library

Future Focused, Practice Ready

What’s Your Vision for the Future?

After being attracted to Chicago-Kent's legal writing and intellectual property programs, Mark Tamvakis '26 eventually ended up impressed with the school's welcoming and supporting environment.

Chicago-Kent has opened a pathway for me into the Chicago legal community. It has connected me with wonderful people and provided employment opportunities to do legal work at the highest level.

Mark Tamvakis
Mark Tamvakis
LAW '25
The Rising Tide

Growing up, Chicago was the "big city" to this small town Northern Illinois native, but Tom Reynolds '13 ended up taking his Chicago-Kent degree past even his wildest dreams—and all the way into the federal government.

Chicago is actually a good place to start as an international lawyer because it’s a global city, has several major companies headquartered there, is home to some of the best and most in-demand manufacturing in the world, and is a major transportation hub.

Thomas Reynolds '13
Tom Reynolds
LAW '13
International Aspirations

After a series of hurdles seemed to put her dreams further out of reach than ever before, Mona Anahita Chawla '00 decided to take charge and build the career she wanted, reaching international success.

It would be considered an unconventional path by my fellow peers in America, but it won me recognition, praise, and most of all a blossoming career.

Mona Anahita Chawla '00
Mona Anahita Chawla
LAW '00
Forging Her Own Path

Three important qualities combine to make Chicago-Kent a one-of-a-kind law school: our emphasis on foundational skills training, our ability to get students practical hands-on experience before graduation, and our location in one of the most thriving legal markets in the country.

Foundational Skills Practical Experience Life in Chicago
Academic Programs

A Culture of Academic Excellence

Future-focused, foundational skills training from dedicated instructors
Explore Academics
Chicago-Kent classroom

J.D. Program

Chicago-Kent College of Law’s many distinguished programs, including top-ranked programs in Intellectual Property Law and Labor and Employment Law, prepare our students not just to succeed, but also to excel in their fields. We offer twelve formalized J.D. certificate programs as well as a number of other focused areas of study.

9th

in the nation for TRIAL ADVOCACY (U.S. News and World Report 2023-2024 rankings)

14th

in the nation for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW (U.S. News and World Report 2023-2024 rankings)

90.57%

ULTIMATE BAR PASS RATE based on 2021 law school graduates who passed the bar exam in any jurisdiction within two years of graduation. (Please see our ABA Required Disclosures)

88.2%

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT RATE 10 months post-graduation for 2022 graduates, which includes graduates working in bar passage required, J.D. advantage or professional positions. (Please see our ABA Required Disclosures)

LL.M. Program

The Chicago-Kent Office of International Programs has a 25-year history of educating LL.M. students from over sixty countries. Our students enjoy a dynamic, enriching, and welcoming community with colleagues from the U.S. and from around the world.

Non-Degree Certifications

In addition to our J.D. programs, we also offer several certifications, mostly geared toward working professionals who wish to receive specialized training but don’t want to enroll in a formal degree program.

Joint Degree Programs

Chicago-Kent offers a number of joint-degree programs for students who wish to pursue two degrees concurrently, both at Illinois Institute of Technology and other area universities.

We’re Shaping Law, Today

Read the latest Chicago-Kent headlines
All News
Chicago skyline
Study Law Where It’s Happening

Life in Downtown Chicago

Be at the epicenter of a bustling, vibrant city known for its music, food, sports, theater, and world-class museums—and also a city that’s home to one of the top legal markets in the nation, ready to challenge and support you as you start your career.

Explore Life in the Windy City

Study, Work, and Play

A thriving nightlife and restaurant district lies within walking distance of the Chicago-Kent campus—and public transportation can conveniently take you anywhere from Lake Michigan’s iconic beaches to the city’s many diverse neighborhoods.

Practical Experience

Take advantage of our deep connections within the Chicago legal community to intern or extern with one of the numerous governmental agencies, law firms, corporations, and advocacy organizations located just blocks away from our campus.

Alumni Network

The Chicago area is home to more than 9,000 Chicago-Kent alumni: fellow legal professionals who are ready to help you find your footing in one of the most dynamic and hardest-working cities in the world.

Voices of Chicago-Kent

Chicago-Kent is home to an amazing community, with a diverse range of interests and backgrounds. Hear stories from students, recent graduates, and alumni of note.
All Student & Alumni Stories
Monica Whitten '23

Not Your Typical Lawyer

Monica Whitten ’23 was not the typical Chicago-Kent College of Law student. “I was the oldest person in my graduating class, definitely in my section by a lot of years,”...

The Art of Law

“I got accepted to a couple of art schools, but I always wanted to be a lawyer,” says Joey Zawacki ’22. “I also wanted some kind of financial security, so...

A Rewarding Career

Before he went to law school, Thomas Donovan ’87 was a mechanical engineer looking for more. “I worked in the nuclear power industry, where I did piping stress analyses for...

An Environment of Innovation

Gadgets and gizmos. That’s the favorite part of the job for Patrick G. Burns ’78, a founding member of the intellectual property firm Greer, Burns & Crain. Over his esteemed...

Happening on Campus

Chicago-Kent hosts events that are open to the university community and, at times, the Chicago community at large.
All Chicago-Kent Events

Constitutionalism and the Second Trump Administration

Chicago-Kent Palmer Lecture

2025 Public Interest Awards