Chicago-Kent College of Law

Chicago-Kent Library

Future Focused, Practice Ready

What’s Your Vision for the Future?

Enrique Espinoza ’22 was awarded the singular AFL-CIO Fellowship for 2022, probably the most competitive and prestigious union labor law position in the United States. It's the third time in four years the fellowship has gone to a Chicago-Kent student or graduate.

I’m an immigrant. I felt writing was never my strength, I didn’t think I was capable. But the mentors I had at Chicago-Kent helped me so much.

Enrique Espinoza
Enrique Espinoza
Labor and Employment Law 2022
A Love for Labor Law

Zoe Appler ’22 won the 2021 edition of the renowned Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition, which pits the best of the best trial advocates in the country against each other. She came to Chicago-Kent specifically because of its top-ranked trial advocacy program.

A big reason why I chose Chicago-Kent was the trial advocacy program. I was aware of its reputation and national ranking. [My win] was a huge selling point in terms of employment.

Zoe Appler
Zoe Appler
Criminal Litigation 2022
Top Gun

Ashley Marie Sutherland ’23 has transformed herself from a gardener and grant writer to an aspiring patent attorney—with a hefty dose of entrepreneurship in between. Her family startup, HEIRS farm--a 1,200-square-foot indoor vertical hydroponic farm, focusing on bringing culturally relevant microgreens to Chicago's south side--won the top prize of $30,000 at the 2021 Pitch@IllinoisTech competition.

I’d always had law school in the back of my brain since getting into lobbying and nonprofits. ... I used all of my skills when analyzing cases, and it was a good marriage of everything.

Ashley Marie Sutherland
Ashley Marie Sutherland
Patent Law 2023
A Growing Field

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.

7th

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

12th

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

90.4%

ULTIMATE BAR PASS RATE based on 2019 law school graduates who passed the bar exam in any jurisdiction within two years of graduation. (Please see our ABA Required Disclosures)

91.4%

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT RATE 10 months post-graduation, 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
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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
Jessica Muench

An Agent of Change

Jessica Muench ’04 says it was tough having national pundits critique the flagship program of the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy she helped build at United Airlines. For her, that meant the change was real.

The “Generalist” at DEI’s Forefront

As the top city attorney in Evanston, Illinois, Nicholas Cummiongs '08 never thought the ordinance he helped draft would put him at the forefront of the national DEI debate.

Diversity by the Numbers

Michael Wilder '06 made a living helping companies navigate affirmative action audits. Now the organization that he created provides peer support for Black male attorneys worldwide.

Breaking Traditional Ground

Vivian Khalaf ’91 and Omar Abuzir ’99 have taken a lot of trips to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport over the past several years. Not to get on a plane. Not...

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

National Security Conference - The Danger Inside the House: Addressing the Threat of Domestic Violent Extremism

My Body My Data: Privacy in the Post-Dobb Landscape

Admitted Students Weekend Wine & Cheese Reception