S.J. Quinney College of Law 1 The environmentperfectforalawschool. THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | S.J. QUINNEY COLLEGE OF LAW
The bestproducesenvironmentrightthelawyers.
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The University of Utah
Salt Lake City is a dynamic, growing hub for legal practice, tech, health care and other industries.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law is located in Salt Lake City, a progressive state capital and regional economic epicenter, which serves as a focal point of growth for a diverse metropolitan area. Resting in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, the College of Law serves as a gateway to campus. A Tier-1 Research Institution, member of the elite Association of American Univer sities, and member of the Pac-12, the University of Utah is home to leading genetics and medical research, bio technology, business, and all the diversity in academic excellence you’d expect from a flagship university. But it’s not just about schoolwork. Utah is home to world-class outdoor recreation and spectacular land scapes. The University of Utah’s Student Life Center is a state-of-the-art health, fitness, and lifestyle complex featuring intramural sports, exercise and weight rooms, and equipment rental programs that help students en joy these amazing outdoor activities.
Love getting outside? Utah’s outdoor recreation is legendary—and easily acces sible from campus.
SALT LAKE CITY IS HOME TO A SIGNIFICANT AND GROWING NUMBER OF LAW FIRMS—RANGING FROM BIG LAW TO SMALL LOCAL FIRMS
SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS, OKTOBERFEST, AND OTHER SEASONAL EVENTS YEAR-ROUND HOME OF THE UTAH JAZZ NBA TEAM AND THE REAL SALT LAKE MLS TEAM
S.J. Quinney College of Law 33 A WALKABLE, BIKEFRIENDLY CITY— RANKED #5 AMONG THE HEALTHIEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY (WALLETHUB 2022) A FARMERS’PLUSRESTAURANTBURGEONINGSCENE,YEAR-ROUNDMARKETSMINUTESFROMTHEWORLD-RENOWNEDSUNDANCEFILMFESTIVALFINE ARTS MUSEUMS, DANCE, THEATER, AND THE UTAH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAAWARD-WINNING LIGHT RAIL AND REGIONAL COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEMS
An Environment of Familiar Faculty With one of the andtoinstudent-to-facultylowestratiosthecountry,you’llgetknowyourprofessorsclassmates. 4 student-faculty ratio 4.3 : 1 U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools in 2023
S.J. Quinney College of Law
A Climate ProfessorsExperiencedof
The University of Utah6
The expertise of our faculty is vast, and the course topics they teach are varied. Our faculty have argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, testified before Congress, and served as high-ranking government officials. They have written leading law textbooks, served as U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and write regulation and policy. As practic ing lawyers, our faculty have worked in nationally rec ognized law firms, serve in public interest organizations, and actively engage in pro bono services. As recognized experts, they regularly discuss law and policy in major media outlets like MSNBC, CNN, the BBC and Fox News, and author op-eds in The New York Times, The Washing ton Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and others. For more information and a full list of faculty, please visit sjquinney.utah.edu Our faculty have rich and varied real-world law experience. They embrace differences of opinion and encourage thoughtful discourse.
7S.J. Quinney College of Law 22% facultyfull-timeof color 41 full-time faculty 56% femalefull-timefaculty 53 adjunct faculty 2021 ABA Standard 509 Information Report:
8 The University of Utah
A Curriculum Built for Your Future
A longstanding strength of the College of Law is our careful balance between doctrine, theory, and practice. Students have extensive courses they can choose from in their second and third years. These include specialty courses ranging from trademark to family law, numerous skills courses such as appellate practice and real estate drafting, and field place ments in virtually every area of the law. Students can also cross-train through our experiential opportunities from interna tional law to new ventures, our six dual degree programs, and our research centers. The depth in curriculum supports seven specialized proficiency programs, where students can earn a certificate of special ized legal study.
FALL FIRST-YEAR COURSES Civil LegalLegalTortsContractsProcedureMethodsResearch SPRING FIRST-YEAR COURSES Constitutional Law I CriminalProperty Law Legal Methods
UPPER DIVISION AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE Business, Real Estate, and Tax Criminal Environmental,EntrepreneurshipLawEnergy, and Natural Resources Family Gender/SexualityLaw and LGBTQ Law International Law Intellectual Property Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Public Interest Law
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FIRST-YEAR CURRICULUM
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UPPER DIVISION CURRICULUM
Our students learn in intimate settings throughout their time in the College of Law. Our Legal Methods program also gives students intensive writing expe rience and one-on-one meetings with faculty. First-year classes teach students the basics of the law and legal system, while giving them early practical training they will need to be effective lawyers.
Experiential Education (Clinics, Externships, Practicums, and Simulations)
To see a more detailed list of course offerings in legal specialties, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/certificates For general course listings, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/courses
J.D./Master
J.D./Master
PROGRAMS
The College of Law offers a number of unique interdisciplinary educational opportunities. Dual degree programs with other grad uate schools at the university include: of Business Administration of City & Metropolitan Planning of Public Administration of Public Policy of Real Estate Development of Social Work
For more information on dual degree and other program require ments, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/jd-program.
LL.M. The College of Law offers a specialized Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in energy, environmental and natural resources law. The LL.M. is a one-year full-time program requiring 24 credits. Upon request, you may petition for a part-time option. M.L.S.
J.D./Master
J.D./Master
J.D. CERTIFICATES IN SPECIALIZED STUDY Business Law Criminal EnvironmentalLaw and Natural Resources Law Intellectual Property Law International Law Litigation and Dispute Resolution Public Interest Law and Policy DUAL
The College of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies degree. This one-year, 30-credit program requires an undergraduate degree but no prior legal training or entrance exam. The M.L.S. program is offered in three formats: in person on the University of Utah’s main campus, fully online, or via distance delivery at the University of Utah Graduate Center in St. George, Utah. Graduates are not eligible to sit for a U.S. bar exam. To learn more, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/mls
J.D./Master
J.D. To earn a J.D., students must complete a minimum of 88 semester hours and graduate with a GPA of at least 2.5. J.D. graduates are eligible to sit for a U.S. bar exam. DEGREE
J.D./Master
The University of Utah10 Degree Programs
11S.J. Quinney College of Law
The University of Utah12 10top among public law schools, eight years running U.S. News & World Report 2015 - 2023 Environmental law program ranked 16# among public law schools U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools in 2023 IP program ranked
Quinney
ProgramsCentersResearchand
For students, these centers offer scholarships, fellow ships, summer clerkships, service project involvement, internships at law firms, and participation in events that draw experts from around the globe. Students can gain related hands-on experience by participating in pro bono opportunities and moot court competitions, like the prestigious Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition or the Giles S. Rich IP Moot Court Competition. Students also gain invaluable insight into specialized areas of legal practice, helping them net work and plan for their future legal careers.
Our centers and programs offer opportunities for stu dents and faculty to collaborate on specialized research and community engagement, and to study in niche ar eas of expertise and interest. The Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment boasts one of the top environmental law programs in the nation. The Center for Law and Biomedical Sciences is an interna tionally-ranked program that brings together law, intel lectual property, ethics, sciences and medicine across the University of Utah’s Tier-1 research programs. Our programs in criminal law and intellectual property boast nationally renowned faculty and provide further oppor tunities for specialized study and research.
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S.J. College of Law
The Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson (center) now a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, was Utah Law’s jurist in residence in 2019.
The University of Utah14 PracticeThroughLearning MOOT COURT PRACTICE-ORIENTEDAND COMPETITIONS Our award-winning moot court and competition pro grams allow students to work closely with faculty to develop legal skills in real-world situations. Our teams consistently earn acclaim at the national level. We offer a wide array of competition opportunities, including in: Appellate advocacy Trial Environmentaladvocacy law International law Corporate IntellectualNegotiationBankruptcylawproperty
Moot court competitions give students the opportunity to practice the written and oral skills they learn in class. These skills are highly prized by potential employers.
Hands-on experience lets you identify which areas of law interest you, helping you hit the ground running in your new legal career.
16 The University of Utah
Experiential learning—learning through practical experience—is a critical component of every student’s training at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. In experiential courses, including in-house clinics, externships, and simulations, students get hands-on experience and individualized training that bridges the gap between the classroom and real-world lawyering. All students must complete six credits of experiential coursework before graduating. Many students choose to do more.
Beginning their first year, students are eligible to volunteer with the Pro Bono Initiative (PBI), which provides students with opportunities to engage and serve the community while building lawyering skills. Students who graduate with 50 or more hours of pro bono service receive a certificate of service and wear honors cords during commencement. PBI also offers paid student director and fellow ship opportunities for students dedicated to pro bono service. Visit sjquinney.utah.edu/pro-bono-initiative for more information on pro bono opportunities.
The Creative Advocacy Lab explores modes of legal advocacy beyond traditional client representation, re-envisioning lawyers as community educators, problem-solvers, and storytellers. In collaboration with community partners, students use creative tools—like design thinking, narrative, plain language writing, and visual communication—to make legal information accessible to those who need it.
IN-HOUSE CLINICS
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Visit sjquinney.utah.edu/experiential-learning for more information.
The Environmental Justice Clinic partners with low-income commu nities and communities of color to challenge the inequitable distri bution of environmental burdens and benefits and ensure mean ingful participation in environmental decision-making. Students enrolled in the clinic use a range of tools and an interdisciplinary approach to advance environmental justice.
The Refugee Law Clinic offers students the opportunity to repre sent refugees and other immigrants who are seeking protection from persecution in their country of origin. The clinic partners with organizations serving the refugee and immigrant community in Utah. Students assist clients with accessing resettlement benefits (including work authorization), applications for asylum and other humanitarian forms of protection, and other legal projects and policy initiatives to advocate on behalf of the immigrant and refugee community.
SIMULATIONS
PRO BONO INITIATIVE
S.J. Quinney College of Law
An Environment of Preparation
Environmental Justice Clinic
Refugee Law Clinic
Simulation courses engage students in dynamic, real-world lawyering tasks based on hypothetical scenarios. From the annual simulation in Global Perspectives on Counterterrorism to closing arguments in Trial Advocacy, from conceptualizing large-scale projects in Real Estate Development to drafting divorce settlement agreements in Family Law Practice Lab, students build concrete skills to be ready for practice.
Creative Advocacy Lab
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
EXTERNSHIPS In externships, students earn academic credit while gaining practical skills and training under licensed attorneys in the field. Utah Law has a wide variety of externship placements in over a hundred different settings across more than a dozen different areas of law, and new placements are developed every semester.
For 3L students, the college provides a bar exam preparation program that guides and mentors students as they prepare to take the bar exam.
The College of Law’s Career Development Office (CDO) provides students with the tools and resources they need to launch a rewarding career. Through a full slate of seminars, programs, and individual counseling, the CDO helps students navigate the job search process, prepare winning résumés, and hone interviewing skills.
Our Top Priority: Your Success
Beginning in their first year at Utah Law, students benefit from a wide range of support and advising to help them reach their academic and career goals.
The University of Utah18
The CDO is also engaged with the Judicial Clerkship Committee, which is composed of faculty members who have had prominent clerkships--including with members of the U.S. Supreme Court. The committee’s goal is to support students in the competitive process of pursuing clerkships.
Through student-centered programs and services, the Office of Student Affairs works to create an inclusive community that fosters a sense of wellness and belonging for Utah Law students. The Student Affairs team offers J.D. academic advising, registration and graduation-related support, counseling services, ADA support and student activities that build community and focus on wellness.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM
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Utah Law offers one of the best value programs in the country. In fact, PreLaw magazine has rated us as a “Best Value” law school for the past ten years. Our graduates have among the lowest average debt of the top 40 law schools. We make every effort to keep tuition low and provide generous financial assistance. All admitted candidates are considered for merit-on-entrance scholarships based on the contents of their application for admission. Fellowships and scholarships are also available for second and third-year students. For more information, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/financial-aid
The CDO hosts on-campus recruiting sessions with legal employers, mentoring programs, lunch-time information sessions, seasonal job fairs, opportunities to compete for jobs across the country, and the popular “firm crawl,” where students visit downtown Salt Lake City law firms. Visit sjquinney.utah.edu/cdo for more information.
The Academic Success Program (ASP) offers students an oppor tunity to practice these skills in a collaborative environment with guidance and feedback. ASP conducts a series of skills-based workshops open to all incoming students during the first semester of law school. ASP also presents a series of first-semester seminars regarding studying and exam taking, conducts a practice midterm, and holds a final exam session during fall semester.
Success in law school requires students to develop the analytical skills necessary to solve specific legal problems through the appli cation of general legal principles.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
STUDENT SUCCESS
Involvement in student organizations allows students to broaden their law school experience by sharing ideas and experiences with faculty, alumni, and fellow students. The College of Law supports a wide array of student organizations. This includes a range of judicial philosophies and practice areas, as well as student associations focused on various affinity groups. For a full list of opportunities, visit sjquinney.utah.edu/student-orgs
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S.J. Quinney College of Law 19 A Best Value Law School, 2012-2022 PreLaw Magazine 98.9% First-time bar passage rate U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools in 2023 85 Percent of students receiving scholarship or fellowship awards 2021-2022 %
The University of Utah20 Not only is the Intermountain West one of the hottest areas for legal jobs in the nation, but Forbes magazine ranks Utah #3 among the best states for business, and U.S. News & World Report calls Salt Lake City one of the 25 best places to live. Utah is a mecca for students and young professionals, as well as outdoor recreation enthusiasts. 46 state parks Seven ski resorts within 30 minutes of Worldcampusclass hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and endless opportunities for other outdoor recreation Home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and current home of Olympic training facilities MountainsMeetsMetropolisthe2.7M population in Wasatch Front area
Arches, 232 miles, 3.5 hours Canyonlands, 244 miles, 4 hours Capitol Reef, 220 miles, 3.5 hours Bryce Canyon, 270 miles, 4 hours Zion, 310 miles, 4.5 hours National parks within a five-hour drive of campus.
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EDGEFEATURINGCLASSROOMSCUTTING-TECHNOLOGY ROOFTOP TERRACE SHADED BY SOLAR PANELS SPACESSTUDYCOMMONATRIUMCENTRALSUNLIT ROOMSSTUDYRESERVABLE
S.J. Quinney College of Law 23 success.studentBuiltdesign.Sustainablefor Additional building features include: • 24/7 building access • Student activity center • Recreational support spaces for students, including cardio room, showers, secure bike storage, and outdoor basket ball court • Lockers for every student • Student kitchenettes on many floors • Meditation room • Dedicated offices for law review editorial staff • Café opening in 2022-23 LEEDDesignationPlatinum 2 Best BuildingsSchoolLaw PreLaw Magazine, 2022 # LIBRARY BUILDINGTHROUGHOUTEXTENDINGTHE MOOT COURTROOM
The University of Utah24 Let’s Get Started IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES September 1 J.D. applications available EARLY DECISION PROCESS* October 28 Early decision application deadline November 18 Early decision admission notification REGULAR APPLICATION PROCESS January 15 Priority consideration deadline March 10** Final deadline *The early decision application is binding; thus, if you apply, and you are subsequently admitted, you commit to enroll at and attend the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. If you submit your completed early decision application by October 28, you will be notified of your application status by November 18. **Application files received after the final deadline will be reviewed if seats remain available. For detailed admissions information and instructions, sjquinney.utah.edu/get-startedvisit:
25S.J. Quinney College of Law J.D. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Completed application form Non-refundable $60 application fee Personal statement OfficialRésuméCredential Assembly Service (CAS) Report • O fficial transcripts sent directly to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or foreign equivalent) • LSAT score(s)* • LSAT writing sample* • Letter(s) of recommendation (one required, but you may submit a maximum of three) Applicants educated outside of the United States may be required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an International English Testing System (IETS) score report *Files will be processed if a valid LSAT score and LSAT writing sample are on file unless the candidate requests a hold on review. OPTIONAL MATERIALS MAY INCLUDE: LeadershipDiversityAddendumstatementstatement 532146
The University of Utah26 Admissions Criteria When we assess applicants for admission, academic aptitude is not the only factor considered. Below is a list of criteria to keep in mind: ACADEMIC FACTORS LSAT Undergraduatescore(s) GPA Advanced work, other degrees DifficultyMajor of college coursework Grade Dominanttrendslanguage or other language skills Quality of high school and prior academic experience Family education history Other test scores Hours worked and other responsibilities during school DEMOGRAPHIC AND DIVERSITY FACTORS Age (life experience) SocioeconomicGeographicRace/ethnicitySexualGenderorientationresidencestatus, family size Multicultural experiences Growing up in a low-income community Law-related experience or knowledge Military status WorkLevelPositionexperienceofresponsibility achieved Full time, part time Number of years worked Type of industry or business Follow-through ability LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULAR FACTORS Undergraduate or graduate leadership activities Community leadership/accomplishments Volunteer activities Academic leadership and organizations Civic ServiceTravel,Athleticengagementactivitiesforeignlivingactivities ACCOMPLISHMENTS Special skills and talents Music, drama, writing, artistic
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, we encourage you to report it to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action: Sherrie Hayashi Title IX Coordinator/Director Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA) 383 South University Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
NOTICE: The information in this bulletin is current as of the time of publication but is subject to change without notice. The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Bulletin is not a contract between the University of Utah and any person or entity.
For additional information regarding the privacy rights of students and applicants or access to student and applicant records, consult the dean’s office at the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar of the American Bar Association. The address and telephone number for the Council are: American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60654. (312) 988-6738.
Onlineoeo@utah.edu801-581-8365reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu More information about the University policies can be found at our website at oeo.utah.edu. Relevant University of Utah’s policies can be found at: regulations.utah.edu/general/1-012.php regulations.utah.edu/general/1-011.php
The University of Utah strongly endorses the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act. On the University of Utah campus, state laws are enforced at all times and adjudicated in a court of law. Infractions of the University of Utah Student Stan dards of Academic Performance and Standards of Behavior should be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students. The University of Utah is committed to providing a supportive learning environment and fostering safe, healthy relationships among our students. To do so, the University will immediately and appropriately respond to reports of sexual misconduct, includ ing the offenses of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are the most egregious forms of sex discrimination. University policy also prohibits dis crimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. These offenses are subject to the same accountability standards as offenses against individuals in any protected class and the same kinds of support are available. When OEO receives a report of sexual misconduct, the university will respond by providing information about support and resources on campus and will also explain options for addressing the behavior including filing a Formal Complaint with the OEO under university policy and/or reporting to law enforcement. Supportive Measures are available to those who experience Sexual Misconduct, whether or not you choose to file a Formal Complaint or report to law enforcement.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guarantees to University of Utah stu dents certain rights regarding their official records maintained in the Office of the University Registrar, 250 Student Services Building. Additional records are maintained at the S.J. Quinney College of Law. The act requires that the University forbid the release of personally identifiable student educational records or files, or of personal information contained in those files, without the written consent of the student, except in certain specified situations. The S.J. Quinney College of Law also extends this policy to applicants and applicant records.
The University of Utah28 Office of Admissions 383 S. University Street Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (801) Instagram.com/sjquinneyTwitter.com/sjquinneyFacebook.com/sjquinneyadmissions@law.utah.edusjquinney.utah.edu/admissions581-7479
We acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the tra ditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the endur ing relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian com munities through research, education, and community outreach activities.
