University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Last updated
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Parent school University of Detroit Mercy
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Established1912
School type Private
Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum [1]
Location Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Enrollment612
USNWR ranking141st (2024) [2]
Bar pass rate78.3% (2022 first-time takers) [3]

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is the law school of the University of Detroit Mercy and is located in Downtown Detroit, Michigan across from the Renaissance Center. Founded in 1912, Detroit Mercy Law is a private Roman Catholic law school and has been ABA-accredited since 1933. [4] [ failed verification ][ better source needed ] The Law School has an annual enrollment of 612 students including 223 Nonresident Aliens, and currently has 89 faculty members (23 full-time, 66 adjunct). [5]

Contents

Detroit Mercy Law offers full-time, part-time, and extended part-time JD programs as well as a number of dual degrees, including a J.D./M.B.A. and a Dual J.D. three year program with the University of Windsor allowing students to earn both Canadian and American Juris Doctor degrees. [6] For the class entering in 2022, Detroit Mercy Law accepted 56.13% of applicants and 38.99% of those accepted enrolled with the average enrollee having a 154 LSAT score and 3.39 undergraduate GPA. [5] In January 2012, Detroit Mercy Law purchased a 6,000 sq. ft. facility across the street from its campus which will house the numerous clinics operated by the school.

History

Detroit Mercy Law was founded as the University of Detroit Law School in 1912 (the University of Detroit merged with Mercy College of Detroit in 1990 to become the University of Detroit Mercy). It is the oldest private law school in Michigan and it shares the Jesuit and Mercy tradition of education. [7] The historic Renaissance-style campus is located between East Jefferson Avenue and East Larned Street just north of I-375 and is within a short walking distance to the Renaissance Center and numerous state and federal government buildings, including the Third Judicial Circuit Court (Wayne County) and the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan among others.

Employment

For 2021 graduates, 88.14% of the class was employed in a full-time, long-term, bar passage-required or JD advantaged position, including 79.1% of the graduating class securing positions as lawyers. [8]

2021 Detroit Mercy Law Employment Stats
Employment StatusPercentage
Employed - Bar Passage Required
79.1%
Employed - J.D. Advantage
9.04%
Employed - Professional Position
1.3%
Employed - Non-Professional Position
0.56%
Employed - Undeterminable
0.0%
Pursuing Graduate Degree Full Time
0%
Unemployed - Start Date Deferred
0%
Unemployed - Not Seeking
1.69%
Unemployed - Seeking
5.08%
Employment Status Unknown
0%
Total of 177 Graduates

[8]

Costs

Tuition and fees at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law for the 2022-23 academic year is $45,824 per year (for 30 credits). [5]

Academics, publications, and moot court

Detroit Mercy Law maintains a core first-year curriculum, consisting of Contracts, Civil Procedure, Property, Torts, Criminal Law, Introduction to Legal Research and Communication and Applied Legal Theory and Analysis (ALTA). Other required courses include Constitutional Law, Evidence, Federal Income Taxation, and Professional Responsibility. [9]

The School's clinical program was founded as the Urban Law Clinic in 1965, and was among the earliest clinics in the nation. Since that time, the program has received numerous awards including the ABA Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access with Meritorious Recognition in 2012 and the ABA Law Student Division's Judy M. Weightman Memorial Public Interest Award in 2006. Students attend weekly classes that focus on the relevant skills and substantive law and all clinics provide for meaningful guided reflection.

The Law School's main academic publication is the University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, having contributed to the legal scholarship of the state of Michigan and the nation since 1916. This student-led organization publishes four issues a year and hosts an annual symposium in the spring to discuss topics of developing legal significance and scholarly debate. Within the last ten years, Detroit Mercy Law Review articles have been cited in the opinions of the United States Supreme Court, United States Circuit Courts of Appeals, and many state supreme courts (including Michigan). [10]

The School of Law hosts both an internal trial and appellate moot court competition annually known as the G. Mennen Williams Moot Court Competition. The school's Moot Court Team competes nationally and has had success both at the regional and national level: it was the National Champion for the 2009 National Invitational Appellate Moot Court Competition and the 2008 McGee Civil Rights National Moot Court Competition. [11]

Notable alumni

Graduates of Detroit Mercy Law include over half of Michigan state prosecutors as well as sitting judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals, U.S. District Courts, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the Michigan Court of Appeals. The School of Law has also graduated over 120 current judges on various district, municipal and probate courts in Michigan. Alumni have also held major elective offices in the state and local governments of Michigan, including three former mayors of the City of Detroit, two former Michigan Attorneys General, and a host of other executive positions. [12] [ failed verification ][ better source needed ]

Notable judges from Detroit Mercy Law:

Notable legislators from Detroit Mercy Law:

Other Notable Detroit Mercy Law Alumni:

Notable Professors:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Georgia School of Law</span>

The University of Georgia School of Law is the law school of the University of Georgia, a public research university in Athens, Georgia. It was founded in 1859, making it among the oldest American university law schools in continuous operation. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the school among the Top Tier Law Schools and among the most selective. Georgia Law accepted 14.83% of applicants for the Class entering in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State University College of Law</span> Legal education branch of Michigan State University

The Michigan State University College of Law is the law school of Michigan State University, a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. Established in 1891 as the Detroit College of Law, it was the first law school in the Detroit, Michigan area and the second in the state of Michigan. In October 2018, the college began a process to fully integrate into Michigan State University, changing from a private to a public law school. The integration with Michigan State University was finalized on August 17, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Michigan Law School</span> Public law school in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1859, the school offers Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Comparative Law (MCL), Juris Doctor (JD), and Doctor of the Science of Law (SJD) degree programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University at Buffalo Law School</span>

The University at Buffalo School of Law is a graduate professional school at the University at Buffalo. Founded in 1887, and affiliate with Niagara University until 1891, it is the State University of New York (SUNY) system's only law school. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University at Buffalo School of Law 94th (tied) in the nation for 2022. The University at Buffalo School of Law is No. 1 in Thomson Reuter's "Super Lawyers" ranking of law graduates practicing in Upstate New York, which includes 54 of the 62 counties in New York State. This is in addition to the UB Law School's 2010 national ranking, where it placed 48th out of the 180 law schools in the country that produced Super Lawyers, a measure which examines "twelve indicators of professional achievement". Also, Malcolm Gladwell, in the New Yorker Magazine, devised a formula that ranks UB within the top 50 whereas Reuters ranks UB Law as 48th overall in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American University Washington College of Law</span> Law school of American University

The American University Washington College of Law is the law school of American University, a private research university in Washington, D.C. It is located on the western side of Tenley Circle in the Tenleytown section of northwest Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the AALS.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Law is the law school of the University of Pittsburgh, a public research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1895 and became a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1900. Its primary home facility is the Barco Law Building. The school offers four degrees: Master of Studies in Law, Juris Doctor, Master of Laws for international students, and the Doctor of Juridical Science. The school offers several international legal programs, operates a variety of clinics, and publishes several law journals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Illinois Chicago School of Law</span> Public law school in Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago School of Law is a public law school in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1899, the school offers programs for both part-time and full-time students, with both day and night classes available, and offers January enrollment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Carolina School of Law</span>

The University of South Carolina School of Law, also known as South Carolina Law School, is a professional school within the University of South Carolina. Founded in 1867, it is the only public and non-profit law school in South Carolina. It has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1925 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1924.

The Valparaiso University Law School was the law school of Valparaiso University, a private university in Valparaiso, Indiana. Founded in 1879, the school was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1929 and admitted to the Association of American Law Schools in 1930. In October 2016, the ABA censured the school for admitting applicants who did not appear capable of satisfactorily completing the school's program of legal education and being admitted to the bar. One year later, the school suspended admissions and shut down after the last class graduated in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gonzaga University School of Law</span> Law school in Washington, U.S.

The Gonzaga University School of Law is the professional school for the study of law at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Established in 1912, the Jesuit-affiliated law school has been fully accredited by the American Bar Association since 1951, and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Alumni of Gonzaga University School of Law practice in all 50 U.S. states, as well as various associated states and foreign countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Gate University School of Law</span>

Golden Gate University School of Law is the law school of Golden Gate University. Located in downtown San Francisco, California, Golden Gate Law is a California non-profit corporation and is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's University School of Law</span>

St. John's University School of Law is a Roman Catholic law school in Jamaica, Queens, New York, United States, affiliated with St. John's University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's University School of Law</span> Private Catholic law school in San Antonio, Texas, USA

St. Mary's University School of Law is one of the professional graduate schools of St. Mary's University, a private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas.

The University of Kansas School of Law is the law school of the University of Kansas, a public research university in Lawrence, Kansas. The University of Kansas Law School was founded in 1893, replacing the earlier Department of Law, which had existed since 1878. The school has more than 60 faculty members and approximately 315 students. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law</span> Graduate school at Arizona State University

The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law is the law school at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is located in the Beus Center for Law and Society on ASU's downtown Phoenix campus. Created in 1965 as the Arizona State University College of Law upon recommendation of the Arizona Board of Regents, with the first classes held in the fall of 1967. The school has held American Bar Association accreditation since 1969 and is a member of the Order of the Coif. The school is also a member of the Association of American Law Schools. In 2006, the law school was renamed in honor of retired United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne State University Law School</span> Law school in Detroit

Wayne State University Law School is the law school of Wayne State University in Detroit. Wayne Law is located in Midtown, Detroit's Cultural Center. Founded in 1927, the law school offers juris doctor (J.D.), master of laws (LL.M.), online master of studies in law, and minors in law degree programs. Wayne Law's more than 12,000 alumni include judges, justices, law firm partners and government officials working in every major market in the United States and at least 17 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creighton University School of Law</span>

Creighton University School of Law, located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, is a component of the Jesuit Creighton University. According to Creighton's official 2019 ABA-required disclosures, 75% of the Class of 2019 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-advantaged or JD-required employment nine months after graduation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Forest University School of Law</span> Professional graduate school of Wake Forest University

The Wake Forest University School of Law is one of the professional graduate schools of Wake Forest University. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest University School of Law is a private American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). The school was established in 1894. The current interim dean is Nell Jessup Newton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude W. Pettit College of Law</span>

Claude Pettit College of Law is the law school of Ohio Northern University. Located in Ada, Ohio, it is the second oldest law school in Ohio, having been founded in 1885. The college is centered in Tilton Hall, which houses all law classes and the Taggart Law Library. The College of Law is located on the east-northeast side of the ONU campus.

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School ("Cooley") is a private law school in Lansing, Michigan and Riverview, Florida. It was established in 1972. At its peak in 2010, Cooley had over 3,900 students and was the largest US law school by enrollment; as of the Spring of 2022, Cooley had approximately 500 students between its two campuses.

References

  1. "University of Detroit Mercy School of Law announces appointment of new dean | University of Detroit Mercy".
  2. "University of Detroit Mercy". usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report . Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  3. "Detroit Mercy 2022 First Time Bar Passage". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association . Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  4. "University of Detroit Mercy School of Law". Top-Law-Schools.com. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 "- 2022 Standard 509 Information Report". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association . Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  6. "Catalog & Dual JD". udmercy.edu. University of Detroit Mercy. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  7. "University of Detroit Mercy School of Law". martindale.com. Copyright © 2011 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Detroit Mercy Employment Summary for 2021 Graduates". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association . Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  9. "Academics: Required and Bar-related Courses". law.udmercy.edu. © 2006-2010 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  10. "Law Review". law.udmercy.edu. © 2006-2010 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  11. "Moot court". law.udmercy.edu. © 2006-2010 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  12. "University of Detroit Mercy School of Law". Top-Law-Schools.com.
  13. Benavides-Colón, Amelia. "University of Detroit Mercy law school names professor as dean". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-02-07.