Alabama Law Admissions Viewbook

V I E W B O O K

MES S AG E FROM

DEAN BREWBAKER Greetings!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Alabama Law. If you are reading this viewbook, you likely have some big life decisions ahead. You are beginning a journey that will open many opportunities to make a difference in the world.

As you probably already know, there are many factors to consider when deciding where to attend law school: tuition, cost of living, scholarship opportunities, reputation, program offerings, career outcomes and connections, location, personal and family needs, and so much more. There is also the question of where you will find community and connections as a student over the next three years. It can all become overwhelming.

The truth is, no one school is a perfect fit for every student. You will want to choose the path that best matches your aspirations and life situation. That said, I’m confident that no matter what career path you want to pursue, or where you want to practice, we can help you get there. And I know that Alabama Law is a great place to be a law student.

Our students graduate with one of the lowest debt loads in the country while securing meaningful employment opportunities at a rate that is 8.7% higher than the ABA national average. We have alumni in all 50 states, and our Career Services Office will go out of their way to help you make those connections. We consistently rank in the top 10 nationally for placing students in federal clerkships and are recognized as one of the best public law schools in the U.S. We keep our overall student body small so you can have more personal interactions with our great professors. If you’re interested, you can even enroll in a dual-degree program that will allow you to customize your education by pairing your Juris Doctorate with a specialized Master’s or PhD degree.

Our admissions staff is ready to tell you about the opportunities and friendships that await you at Alabama Law. We have students from all over the country, and all sorts of backgrounds, life experiences, and points of view.

At Alabama Law, we are invested in every student’s success and recognize that everyone brings something valuable to our community. Our students inherit and sustain a culture of friendship and mutual support. I look forward to sharing our Alabama Law community with you. I hope you will take the time to visit us, ask questions, and learn more. I look forward to seeing you soon.

All the best,

William S. Brewbaker III Dean and Professor of Law The University of Alabama School of Law

1

MES S AG E FROM

DEAN BREWBAKER Greetings!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Alabama Law. If you are reading this viewbook, you likely have some big life decisions ahead. You are beginning a journey that will open many opportunities to make a difference in the world.

As you probably already know, there are many factors to consider when deciding where to attend law school: tuition, cost of living, scholarship opportunities, reputation, program offerings, career outcomes and connections, location, personal and family needs, and so much more. There is also the question of where you will find community and connections as a student over the next three years. It can all become overwhelming.

The truth is, no one school is a perfect fit for every student. You will want to choose the path that best matches your aspirations and life situation. That said, I’m confident that no matter what career path you want to pursue, or where you want to practice, we can help you get there. And I know that Alabama Law is a great place to be a law student.

Our students graduate with one of the lowest debt loads in the country while securing meaningful employment opportunities at a rate that is 8.7% higher than the ABA national average. We have alumni in all 50 states, and our Career Services Office will go out of their way to help you make those connections. We consistently rank in the top 10 nationally for placing students in federal clerkships and are recognized as one of the best public law schools in the U.S. We keep our overall student body small so you can have more personal interactions with our great professors. If you’re interested, you can even enroll in a dual-degree program that will allow you to customize your education by pairing your Juris Doctorate with a specialized Master’s or PhD degree.

Our admissions staff is ready to tell you about the opportunities and friendships that await you at Alabama Law. We have students from all over the country, and all sorts of backgrounds, life experiences, and points of view.

At Alabama Law, we are invested in every student’s success and recognize that everyone brings something valuable to our community. Our students inherit and sustain a culture of friendship and mutual support. I look forward to sharing our Alabama Law community with you. I hope you will take the time to visit us, ask questions, and learn more. I look forward to seeing you soon.

All the best,

William S. Brewbaker III Dean and Professor of Law The University of Alabama School of Law

1

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

WHY ALABAMA LAW?

Ten months after graduation,

95.1%

of graduates were employed in full-time, long term bar-passagerequired or JD-advantage jobs, or seeking advanced degrees1

#7

94.5%

Ultimate Bar Passage rate3

#2

Among Law Schools located

outside of D.C. that have graduates

1L COURSE SCHEDULE

Federal Clerkship Placements2

Best Value Law School5

best graduate debt-toincome ratio among all public law schools6

COMMUNITY

25+

law student organizations

At Alabama Law, we are a community.

And our community is here for you.

working in Congress4

VALUE

#3 #2

THE 1L EXPERIENCE

#20 #23

SPRING SEMESTER (CREDIT HOURS)

602 Torts (4)

600 Contracts (4)

603 Criminal Law (4)

601 Property (4)

608 Civil Procedure (4)

609 Constitutional Law (4)

610 Legal Writing and Research (2)

648 Research & Writing (Moot Court) (2)

713 Introduction to the Study of Law (1)

742 Legislation and Regulation (2)

Moot Court Program7

Public Interest Law Program8

Network of alumni in all

50 7:1

FALL SEMESTER (CREDIT HOURS)

states student-faculty ratio

Based on the Class of 2023 Based on the Class of 2022 as reported to the ABA 3 Based on the percentage of students who graduated in 2021 who passed a bar exam within two years of graduation 4 This data reflects congressional staffers working in D.C. congressional offices as of April 30, 2019.

Rankings found on LegBranch.org 5 Ranked by the National Jurist 6 As reported by the National Jurist 7 Ranked by the National Jurist 8 Ranked by the National Jurist

COMPREHENSIVE ADVISING PROGRAM As a 1L student, you will be given the opportunity to be paired with (1) a faculty advisor, (2) a career advisor, (3) a peer mentor and (4) an alumni mentor.

You will be matched based on your shared interests, goals and backgrounds — ensuring you have a built-in network from the start.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS FELLOWS PROGRAM Academic Success Fellows, chosen from the 2L and 3L classes, offer academic tutoring — both in open office hours and in one-on-one tutoring sessions. They know what it is like to go through the 1L experience, and they are ready to help you along the way.

1 2

2

3

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

WHY ALABAMA LAW?

Ten months after graduation,

95.1%

of graduates were employed in full-time, long term bar-passagerequired or JD-advantage jobs, or seeking advanced degrees1

#7

94.5%

Ultimate Bar Passage rate3

#2

Among Law Schools located

outside of D.C. that have graduates

1L COURSE SCHEDULE

Federal Clerkship Placements2

Best Value Law School5

best graduate debt-toincome ratio among all public law schools6

COMMUNITY

25+

law student organizations

At Alabama Law, we are a community.

And our community is here for you.

working in Congress4

VALUE

#3 #2

THE 1L EXPERIENCE

#20 #23

SPRING SEMESTER (CREDIT HOURS)

602 Torts (4)

600 Contracts (4)

603 Criminal Law (4)

601 Property (4)

608 Civil Procedure (4)

609 Constitutional Law (4)

610 Legal Writing and Research (2)

648 Research & Writing (Moot Court) (2)

713 Introduction to the Study of Law (1)

742 Legislation and Regulation (2)

Moot Court Program7

Public Interest Law Program8

Network of alumni in all

50 7:1

FALL SEMESTER (CREDIT HOURS)

states student-faculty ratio

Based on the Class of 2023 Based on the Class of 2022 as reported to the ABA 3 Based on the percentage of students who graduated in 2021 who passed a bar exam within two years of graduation 4 This data reflects congressional staffers working in D.C. congressional offices as of April 30, 2019.

Rankings found on LegBranch.org 5 Ranked by the National Jurist 6 As reported by the National Jurist 7 Ranked by the National Jurist 8 Ranked by the National Jurist

COMPREHENSIVE ADVISING PROGRAM As a 1L student, you will be given the opportunity to be paired with (1) a faculty advisor, (2) a career advisor, (3) a peer mentor and (4) an alumni mentor.

You will be matched based on your shared interests, goals and backgrounds — ensuring you have a built-in network from the start.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS FELLOWS PROGRAM Academic Success Fellows, chosen from the 2L and 3L classes, offer academic tutoring — both in open office hours and in one-on-one tutoring sessions. They know what it is like to go through the 1L experience, and they are ready to help you along the way.

1 2

2

3

2L & 3L OPPORTUNITIES

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

4

No matter your career interests,

we have a place for you.

LAW CLINICS Alabama Law is home to seven clinics that allow you to provide legal assistance to members of the community under the supervision of Law School faculty.

These clinics include: • Appellate Advocacy • Children’s Rights • Civil Law • Criminal Defense • Domestic Violence • Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit • Mediation

STUDENT-EDITED LAW JOURNALS The University of Alabama School of Law is home to four student-edited law journals that publish articles on important legal topics written by faculty and student authors from across the nation.

These journals — Alabama Law Review, Journal of the Legal Profession, Law and Psychology Review, and Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review — can give you the opportunity to undertake thorough, scholarly research on a legal topic of your choosing while also editing and publishing articles written by prominent legal scholars.

5

2L & 3L OPPORTUNITIES

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

4

No matter your career interests,

we have a place for you.

LAW CLINICS Alabama Law is home to seven clinics that allow you to provide legal assistance to members of the community under the supervision of Law School faculty.

These clinics include: • Appellate Advocacy • Children’s Rights • Civil Law • Criminal Defense • Domestic Violence • Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit • Mediation

STUDENT-EDITED LAW JOURNALS The University of Alabama School of Law is home to four student-edited law journals that publish articles on important legal topics written by faculty and student authors from across the nation.

These journals — Alabama Law Review, Journal of the Legal Profession, Law and Psychology Review, and Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review — can give you the opportunity to undertake thorough, scholarly research on a legal topic of your choosing while also editing and publishing articles written by prominent legal scholars.

5

PUBLIC INTEREST INSTITUTE

MOOT COURT & TRIAL ADVOCACY

Check out our Public Interest Institute, where you can:

The Alabama Law Moot Court Program. Take advantage of the

•

Specialize by earning a certificate in Public Interest Law.

•

Apply for summer grant funding to pursue internships within public interest organizations.

•

Engage in pro bono projects that align with your interests.

Top 25

Ranked in the among all U.S. law schools for Public Interest Law9 9

6

Ranked by the National Jurist

opportunity to participate in one of several moot court teams that travel throughout the country to compete in appellate advocacy competitions. Also, don't miss out on the 2L Moot Court Competition where you can partner up to go head-to-head against members of your class in a brief writing and oral advocacy contest before sitting judges.

Ranked among the

Top 20 Moot

Court programs in the U.S.10

The Alabama Law Trial Advocacy Program. Compete in trial skills competitions against some of the top future trial lawyers in the country.

This program will prepare you to graduate from Alabama Law with the confidence to step into litigation at the highest level.

Alabama Law is

15+

home to Trial Advocacy and Moot Court Teams.

10

Ranked by the National Jurist

7

PUBLIC INTEREST INSTITUTE

MOOT COURT & TRIAL ADVOCACY

Check out our Public Interest Institute, where you can:

The Alabama Law Moot Court Program. Take advantage of the

•

Specialize by earning a certificate in Public Interest Law.

•

Apply for summer grant funding to pursue internships within public interest organizations.

•

Engage in pro bono projects that align with your interests.

Top 25

Ranked in the among all U.S. law schools for Public Interest Law9 9

6

Ranked by the National Jurist

opportunity to participate in one of several moot court teams that travel throughout the country to compete in appellate advocacy competitions. Also, don't miss out on the 2L Moot Court Competition where you can partner up to go head-to-head against members of your class in a brief writing and oral advocacy contest before sitting judges.

Ranked among the

Top 20 Moot

Court programs in the U.S.10

The Alabama Law Trial Advocacy Program. Compete in trial skills competitions against some of the top future trial lawyers in the country.

This program will prepare you to graduate from Alabama Law with the confidence to step into litigation at the highest level.

Alabama Law is

15+

home to Trial Advocacy and Moot Court Teams.

10

Ranked by the National Jurist

7

DUAL DEGREES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Explore the dual enrollment and certificate programs we offer:

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Earn credit toward your JD while studying abroad.

Enroll in one of our semester-long international experiences in the United Kingdom or Israel.

8

•

•

JD/Master’s in Business Administration

•

JD/Master’s in Civil Engineering

•

JD/Master’s in Social Work

•

JD/Master’s in Public Administration

•

JD/PhD in Economics

•

JD/Master’s or PhD in Political Science

Certificate Programs •

Governmental Affairs

•

International and Comparative Law

•

Public Interest Law

9

DUAL DEGREES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS Explore the dual enrollment and certificate programs we offer:

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Earn credit toward your JD while studying abroad.

Enroll in one of our semester-long international experiences in the United Kingdom or Israel.

8

•

•

JD/Master’s in Business Administration

•

JD/Master’s in Civil Engineering

•

JD/Master’s in Social Work

•

JD/Master’s in Public Administration

•

JD/PhD in Economics

•

JD/Master’s or PhD in Political Science

Certificate Programs •

Governmental Affairs

•

International and Comparative Law

•

Public Interest Law

9

BUILDING YOUR CAREER 10

Ten months after graduation,

95.1% of graduates were employed

in full-time, long term bar-passage-required or JD-advantage jobs, or seeking advanced degrees.

11

11

Based on the Class of 2023

CAREER SERVICES OFFICE (CSO) From day one, you will be assigned a dedicated Law School career counselor who will work with you on a one-on-one basis to provide career counseling, help you learn career planning and job search skills, and facilitate on-campus interviews with potential employers.

This counselor will serve as a partner to you as you work together to secure opportunities that best fit your career interests.

Alabama Law has alumni in all 50 states — no matter

where you want to go, we can help.

11

BUILDING YOUR CAREER 10

Ten months after graduation,

95.1% of graduates were employed

in full-time, long term bar-passage-required or JD-advantage jobs, or seeking advanced degrees.

11

11

Based on the Class of 2023

CAREER SERVICES OFFICE (CSO) From day one, you will be assigned a dedicated Law School career counselor who will work with you on a one-on-one basis to provide career counseling, help you learn career planning and job search skills, and facilitate on-campus interviews with potential employers.

This counselor will serve as a partner to you as you work together to secure opportunities that best fit your career interests.

Alabama Law has alumni in all 50 states — no matter

where you want to go, we can help.

11

CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES EXTERNSHIPS Gain valuable experience by participating in one of our externship programs, which provide hands-on opportunities to earn class credit.

SUMMER EXPERIENCES Take advantage of summer associate programs and internships nationwide during the summers before your 2L and 3L years.

We’ll help you identify and pursue the summer employment experiences that most interest you — whether they be in a firm, corporate, nonprofit, government or judicial setting.

Washington, D.C., Externship – Spend a semester working in federal agencies, with legislative committees, or in nonprofit organizations through our DC externship program, which has placed students in more than 50 different offices in the past 10 years.

•

Among law schools located outside of D.C., Alabama Law has been recognized for having the

2nd highest

THE FINCH FELLOWSHIP Government & Public Interest Externships – Dive in as an extern for public interest organizations or state or federal government offices.

•

Picture yourself working in the United States Attorney's Office, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, National Labor Relations Board, or Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP). Find your niche and follow your passion.

number of graduates working in Congress.12

Corporate Counsel & Compliance Externships – Experience what it is like to work in the offices of a corporate general counsel, university counsel, or university compliance.

•

•

Want to go corporate? Apply for an externship through one of our nearly 20 corporate partners including MercedesBenz U.S. International and Shipt (owned

by Target).

Interested in sports? Ask our Career Services Office about the relationships we have with the NCAA Enforcement division and the Alabama Athletics Compliance office.

Judicial Externships – Secure opportunities to work in state and federal judicial chambers.

•

Top 10

Alabama Law regularly ranks among the top law schools for postgraduate Federal Clerkship Placements.13

This data reflects congressional staffers working in D.C. congressional offices as of April 30, 2019.

Rankings found on LegBranch.org 12

13

12

Spend six to eight weeks during the summer as a legal intern in a rural Alabama community. Your experience may involve working in Circuit, District, and Probate Courts, as well as in District Attorneys’ Offices, and shadowing local attorneys.

Based on ABA data

13

CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES EXTERNSHIPS Gain valuable experience by participating in one of our externship programs, which provide hands-on opportunities to earn class credit.

SUMMER EXPERIENCES Take advantage of summer associate programs and internships nationwide during the summers before your 2L and 3L years.

We’ll help you identify and pursue the summer employment experiences that most interest you — whether they be in a firm, corporate, nonprofit, government or judicial setting.

Washington, D.C., Externship – Spend a semester working in federal agencies, with legislative committees, or in nonprofit organizations through our DC externship program, which has placed students in more than 50 different offices in the past 10 years.

•

Among law schools located outside of D.C., Alabama Law has been recognized for having the

2nd highest

THE FINCH FELLOWSHIP Government & Public Interest Externships – Dive in as an extern for public interest organizations or state or federal government offices.

•

Picture yourself working in the United States Attorney's Office, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, National Labor Relations Board, or Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP). Find your niche and follow your passion.

number of graduates working in Congress.12

Corporate Counsel & Compliance Externships – Experience what it is like to work in the offices of a corporate general counsel, university counsel, or university compliance.

•

•

Want to go corporate? Apply for an externship through one of our nearly 20 corporate partners including MercedesBenz U.S. International and Shipt (owned

by Target).

Interested in sports? Ask our Career Services Office about the relationships we have with the NCAA Enforcement division and the Alabama Athletics Compliance office.

Judicial Externships – Secure opportunities to work in state and federal judicial chambers.

•

Top 10

Alabama Law regularly ranks among the top law schools for postgraduate Federal Clerkship Placements.13

This data reflects congressional staffers working in D.C. congressional offices as of April 30, 2019.

Rankings found on LegBranch.org 12

13

12

Spend six to eight weeks during the summer as a legal intern in a rural Alabama community. Your experience may involve working in Circuit, District, and Probate Courts, as well as in District Attorneys’ Offices, and shadowing local attorneys.

Based on ABA data

13

Riverwalk

GET INVOLVED

STUDENT LIFE

The Law School has 25+ student organizations you can join. Whether you are a first-generation law student; a member of the military; or are interested in health, public interest, or environmental law, there is a student group for you.

Art, Theater & Concerts

Downtown Tuscaloosa

Law School Café

The Alex W. Newton Fountain & Courtyard

Outdoor Adventures Student Recreation Center

14

Athletics

15

Pickleball & Tennis Courts

Riverwalk

GET INVOLVED

STUDENT LIFE

The Law School has 25+ student organizations you can join. Whether you are a first-generation law student; a member of the military; or are interested in health, public interest, or environmental law, there is a student group for you.

Art, Theater & Concerts

Downtown Tuscaloosa

Law School Café

The Alex W. Newton Fountain & Courtyard

Outdoor Adventures Student Recreation Center

14

Athletics

15

Pickleball & Tennis Courts

AND BEYOND –

Choose Your Adventure Tuscaloosa

Birmingham

Tuscaloosa

Montgomery

Tuscaloosa

Huntsville

Tuscaloosa

Mobile

Tuscaloosa

Gulf Shores

Tuscaloosa

Panama City

Tuscaloosa

Atlanta

Tuscaloosa

Chattanooga

Tuscaloosa

Nashville

Tuscaloosa

New Orleans

scan to

SCHEDULE A TOUR today

Contact us - admissions@law.ua.edu - 205.348.5440 This catalog was published in September 2024. Reasonable care was made to present information that, at the time of preparation for printing, accurately described the course offerings, faculty information, policy regulations, and requirements of The University of Alabama School of Law. However, the Law School reserves the right to change the programs, courses, requirements, and regulations set forth in the catalog at any time without prior notice at the discretion of the administration and faculty.

The University of Alabama School of Law provides equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, military status, protected veteran status or any other legally protected basis. UA makes employment decisions based only on valid job-related requirements. UA does not discriminate

16

on the basis of a physical or mental disability or an individual’s status as a disabled veteran or any other protected veteran with regard to application for employment and any terms and conditions of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job.

AND BEYOND –

Choose Your Adventure Tuscaloosa

Birmingham

Tuscaloosa

Montgomery

Tuscaloosa

Huntsville

Tuscaloosa

Mobile

Tuscaloosa

Gulf Shores

Tuscaloosa

Panama City

Tuscaloosa

Atlanta

Tuscaloosa

Chattanooga

Tuscaloosa

Nashville

Tuscaloosa

New Orleans

scan to

SCHEDULE A TOUR today

Contact us - admissions@law.ua.edu - 205.348.5440 This catalog was published in September 2024. Reasonable care was made to present information that, at the time of preparation for printing, accurately described the course offerings, faculty information, policy regulations, and requirements of The University of Alabama School of Law. However, the Law School reserves the right to change the programs, courses, requirements, and regulations set forth in the catalog at any time without prior notice at the discretion of the administration and faculty.

The University of Alabama School of Law provides equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, military status, protected veteran status or any other legally protected basis. UA makes employment decisions based only on valid job-related requirements. UA does not discriminate

16

on the basis of a physical or mental disability or an individual’s status as a disabled veteran or any other protected veteran with regard to application for employment and any terms and conditions of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job.