Associate Dean Sowle’s Announcements, January 22 - January 26, 2024
Spring 2024 Semester. The Spring 2024 Quick Guide page has a revised Spring schedule that includes classroom assignments. The Quick Guide page also provides information about initial reading assignments, pass/fail elections, applications for graduation (for those graduating at the end of this semester), and other matters.
Additional CALI Awards for Fall 2023. Congratulations to the following students for earning CALI Awards this past Fall. The complete list of CALI winners is available by clicking here. If a section or a course is not listed, that means the professor elected not to give a CALI award, or we have not heard from the professor. Congratulations to all of you who received an award -- you should be proud of your achievement.
-Constitutional Torts/Section 1983 (Prof. Nahmod): Eleanor C. Riordan
-Legal Writing 1 (Prof. Rogerson): Lee J. Weir
-Professional Responsibility (Prof. Solow): John D. Whigham
Fall 2023 Grades and Class Ranks. Cumulative GPAs through the Fall 2023 semester, and class ranks for students who receive them, are available through Web for Students (click on the "Fall 2023" link under "Grades and Rank"). Please note: Students do not receive class ranks until they have been here for at least two semesters. For students entering in 2022 or after, class ranks will be assigned only to the top half of the class. (See the Student Handbook, section 6.13, for more information.) LL.M. students do not receive class ranks.
Prof. Smith-Drelich Seeking Research Assistant. Prof. Smith-Drelich is seeking a student to assist him this semester with research involving (1) the right to travel; and (2) tort theory. The position would be for academic credit (via Independent Research, one credit, pass/fail) rather than for pay.
Public Safety Escort Service. In the evening hours, a Public Safety officer is available to provide a walking escort for those with concerns about their personal safety. This service applies to any location within a two block radius of the Conviser Law Center, including Union Station and many adjacent parking locations. Please see the officer(s) on duty at the front desk, or call the Public Safety number, 312-906-5030.
Academic Counseling. I am available for counseling about course selection, certificate programs, bar preparation, academic rules and regulations, and other academic matters. If you are interested in a particular area of law, I can also arrange for you to meet with a faculty member who specializes in that area. You may contact me by email (ssowle@kentlaw.iit.edu) or by phone at (312) 906-5282.
Dean's Certificates for February 2024 Illinois Bar Exam. We will mail a Dean's Certification form to the Illinois bar examiners for every Fall J.D. graduate prior to the deadline later this month. We compile the list of graduating students from the list of those who submitted Applications for Graduation listing Fall 2023 as their final semester. Important note: University policy does not allow the certification of any student to the bar examiners if the student has an outstanding balance owed to the school.
July 2024 Illinois Bar Applications. Applications for the July 2024 Illinois bar exam are due by February 15, 2024. You may file a late application up to April 30, but penalty fees apply. The forms and instructions are available on the bar examiners' web site. All information you disclose on the bar application should be consistent with answers to questions on your Application for Admission to the law school. Please note, however, that the bar application asks for a considerable amount of information that you were not asked to provide on our Application for Admission. You only need to be concerned about the consistency of your answers for questions asked on both forms. You can amend your Application for Admission, if necessary, by addressing a letter to me setting forth the details of the omission or misrepresentation and the reason for it. Click here for more information about the bar exam and about Chicago-Kent's bar preparation support.
Dean's Certificate: The law school sends a “Certification of Juris Doctorate” to the Illinois bar examiners for every student who graduates in December or May. Please be sure to file an Application for Graduation (see information on the Spring 2024 Quick Guide page for how to file one) at the beginning of your last semester so we will know you plan to graduate at the end of that semester. Important note: University policy does not allow the certification of any student to the bar examiners if the student has an outstanding balance owed to the school.
Bar Exams in Other States. If you plan to take a bar exam outside of Illinois, you should provide Dean Sowle with appropriate forms for the Law School to complete as soon as possible (by email to ssowle@kentlaw.iit.edu).
MPRE: Registration Information for 2024 Test Dates. The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) is required for admission to the bars of most jurisdictions, including Illinois. Students planning on taking the Illinois bar exam may take the MPRE at any time during or after law school. Click here for a list of 2024 test dates and deadlines for applying. The first 2024 test administration is March 26 or 27, with an application deadline of January 25, 2024.
Counseling Services. This is a reminder that the university provides counseling services free of charge for students. Click here for details on the available resources, including individual counseling through Skylight Counseling Services. In addition to resources available through the university, the Lawyers Assistance Program also provides assistance to law students. LAP provides free and confidential assistance to members of the Illinois legal community, and can help you with issues of addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, focusing, worries about the character and fitness process, and having a successful first-year transition. Click here for more information about LAP and the services it provides.
Joke of the Week. My roommate asked me to put ketchup on the shopping list. Now I can't read it at all!