WELCOME TO BRANDEIS LAW
Greetings from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law!
It’s our honor to introduce ourselves and offer a glimpse into what makes Brandeis Law so extraordinary. From our ties to the thriving Louisville legal market to our emphasis on experiential education, we work hard to set you up for success in your career.
Brandeis Law is a supportive learning community of talented individuals whose collegial demeanor complements their commitment to professional excellence. Maintaining open-door policies and open lines of communication, our dedicated faculty go the extra mile to be accessible and approachable, while alumni throughout the region and nation serve as mentors and networking resources.
Looking for a city that’s perfect for young, aspiring professionals? Louisville has something for everyone: museums and eclectic galleries for art lovers, a vibrant local music scene, distinctive restaurants to please every palate, dozens of craft breweries and distilleries, a renowned public park system, professional soccer teams and so much more. The largest city in Kentucky, Louisville’s warm, welcoming atmosphere and affordability make it feel like the biggest small town you’ll ever love.
We’re excited to show you more about who we are, and why we might be the right fit for you!
MELANIE B. JACOBS
DEAN & PROFESSOR OF LAW
IF WE WOULD GUIDE BY THE LIGHT OF REASON WE MUST LET OUR MINDS BE
BOLD
LOUIS D. BRANDEIS
U.S. SUPREME COU RT JUSTICE
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
At Brandeis Law, we live out UofL’s Cardinal Principles of accountability, respect , inclusivity and leadership in everything we do. Our students arrive with a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, and there’s no single mold they’re expected to fit. What unites them is a readiness to learn and a drive to contribute to the law school, the university and the broader Louisville community. Collaboration is at the heart of our culture, whether through daily interactions with peers and faculty or through active participation in student organizations and leadership opportunities. Brandeis students lift each other up and they carry that spirit of connection and purpose into their careers.
Lawyers and law students are at our best when we serve others, and that includes serving each other, too. That’s the legacy I’d like to leave behind here at Brandeis and beyond.
MICHAEL “TJ” HENSLEY PRESIDENT, STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION
Through HRAP, I’ve been able to examine student housing issues from a legal perspective: researching tenant protections, analyzing policy gaps and using my training to advocate for fairer housing on and off campus. The program gave me the tools to connect legal theory with lived reality, and I’ve seen how a JD can be a catalyst for concrete change.
SHALONTÉ BRANHAM
FELLOW, HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY PROGRAM
LEARNING BY DOING
Practical training is at the core of the Brandeis Law experience. Our robust approach to experiential education takes students beyond the classroom and into real-world legal settings.
Through our legal clinics, including the recently launched Immigration Law Clinic, students provide accessible, specialized legal services to the community under the guidance of expert clinical faculty. Our externship program offers abundant opportunities to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience across diverse legal workplaces.
Funded fellowships support those pursuing careers in public interest law, and our signature Samuel L. Greenebaum Public Service Program reinforces Brandeis Law’s commitment to developing thoughtful, socially responsible lawyers.
The University of Louisville Law Review is a student-led, prestigious publication where students can hone and refine their legal writing skills. My role is to manage the editing of articles written by scholars, prepare them for publication and mentor the incoming class of staff editors.
PRABHA RAJASEKARAN SENIOR ARTICLES EDITOR, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE LAW REVIEW
EXPERTISE WITH IMPACT
Our faculty don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. As renowned authorities in diverse areas of legal practice, they are united in their dedication to student success. Brandeis Law professors bring their talents to life both in and beyond the classroom, making a profound impact on the world and inspiring our students to do the same.
CASSIE CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG
FAMILY LAW, ACCESS TO JUSTICE
MNOTHO NGCOBO
HEALTH LAW, DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Professor Armstrong , a Harvard Law graduate and author of Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains, represented domestic violence survivors at Legal Aid. She currently serves in the Kentucky State Senate, focusing on agriculture, health services, and natural resources and energy.
Professor Ngcobo brings global experience in health law, mediation and dispute resolution. After founding his own boutique firm at age 23, he taught law in South Africa and India. His research explores judicial mediation, emotional intelligence in conflict, and the role of AI and blockchain in online dispute resolution.
ENID TRUCIOS-HAYNES
IMMIGRATION LAW, CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS
Professor Trucios-Haynes, a Stanford Law graduate, is a leading voice in immigration law and civil rights. Formerly a senior associate at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, she has advocated for immigrants and asylees, served as President of the ACLU-KY Board of Directors, and sits on the Metro Louisville Ethics Commission.
BRANDEIS LEGACY
Honoring the legacy of service of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, our graduates go on to lead, advocate and make a difference both inside and outside the courtroom, in their communities and at the highest levels of impact. Whether your goal is to join a top law firm, work for the government, serve the public interest or forge a unique path of your own, a Brandeis Law education equips you with the skills, values and network to get there.
Our alumni exemplify what it means to be practice-ready and purpose-driven. Many have served as judges in the Commonwealth and beyond, including current Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Angela McCormick Bisig ’90 and former Justices Joseph Lambert ’74, William E. McAnulty, Jr. ’74 and Lisabeth Tabor Hughes ’80. Others have made a profound impact from the other side of the bench. While in private practice, Dan Canon ’07 and Joe Dunman ’12 won a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and now as members of our faculty, they mentor students and champion the next generation of changemakers.
Lucy Helm ’82, retired Chief Partner Officer at Starbucks, is a nationally recognized leader in corporate equity and inclusion. During her tenure, she spearheaded Starbucks’ pay equity initiative and established its groundbreaking pro bono service program. Today, she continues her commitment to justice and access as a member of the advisory board for Disability Rights Advocates. A dedicated alumna, Helm remains actively involved with Brandeis Law, leading guest lectures, mentoring students and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals.
LUCY HELM ’82
FORMER CHIEF PARTNER OFFICER, STARBUCKS
