OPEN YOUR EYES TO YOUR POWER TO CHANGE LIVES
SEE THE WORLD IN A NEW LIGHT As a lawyer you will have the power to change lives. As a St. Thomas lawyer, you will change them for the better – whether you advocate for social justice, serve in the courts or legislature, or provide counsel to corporations. As the top school in the nation for practical training, St. Thomas gives you opportunities to start making an impact from day one. Top ranked professors in their fields lead innovative legal clinics, while practicing lawyers and judges mentor you one-on-one in our groundbreaking externship program. Turns out, when bright, caring people put their energy toward advancing the common good, everyone wins.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. THE HEART OF THE CITY. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the University of St. Thomas School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school offering an innovative educational experience that sets the standard for practical legal training while emphasizing the education of the whole person. page 6 | DISCOVER EXCELLENCE Degrees, externships, focused coursework page 12 | PUT PURPOSE INTO PRACTICE Clinics, collaborative applied learning page 16 | MAKE RELATIONSHIPS COUNT Mentor Externship Program, Tommie network, law alumni, faculty page 22 | EMBRACE THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Student life, academic journals, advocacy competitions, library, academic support, career support, study abroad page 26 | MAKE AN IMPACT Social justice, scholarly impact, centers and institutes, alumni at work page 30 | EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY Campus, business scene, lifestyle, where to live page 34 | GET STARTED Application, scholarships, online resources, contact stthomas.edu/law 5 5
DISCOVER EXCELLENCE
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
#10 FOR BEST VALUE
Our commitment to preparing our students to secure meaningful, longterm employment, coupled with our commitment to making law school affordable and accessible, helped propel us to No. 10 on Prelaw Magazine’s Best Value Private Law Schools list in 2016.
9 DEGREE OPTIONS
From our J.D. program to our innovative organizational ethics and compliance programs, as well as our LL.M. in U.S. Law, the University of St. Thomas School of Law offers five stand-alone degree programs. Four additional joint- and dual-degree programs allow J.D. students to earn two graduate degrees at once.
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RELEVANT AND PRACTICE-READY THE EXCELLENT EDUCATION YOU RECEIVE at the University of St. Thomas School of Law is inspired by a forward-thinking approach to legal education and grounded in the relevant needs of today’s lawyers and their clients. Whether you are a J.D. student, a lawyer returning for your LL.M. or you are pursuing a master’s degree in organizational ethics and compliance, St. Thomas Law offers an academic experience that will prepare you to thrive in the legal and business marketplace.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
DEGREES Juris Doctor: Taught by some of the best professors in the nation, our J.D. program combines practical skills, theoretical knowledge and comprehensive mentoring with a unique mission that inspires our commitments to social justice and professional ethics. Our J.D. program can be taken on a full-time or flexible scheduling basis, and can be completed in three years if taken full time. Master’s in Organizational Ethics and Compliance: If you’re looking for a graduate-level program to help you advance in one of the most important and influential fields of business today, our pioneering master’s in organizational ethics and compliance is a bold choice. Enter this program with a bachelor’s degree, and leave ready for a career built for impact. This program can be taken on a full- or part-time basis, and completed in as little as one year.
LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance: Are you a lawyer who wants to take your career to the next level? Our LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance will give you a deeper understanding of how compliance work fits within a broader vision of corporate responsibility and the common good. This program can be taken on a full- or part-time basis, and completed in as little as one year. Online LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance: We’ve taken our groundbreaking compliance LL.M. program online so you can earn your advanced degree from anywhere in the country. This program is offered in a 17-month cohort model. LL.M. in U.S. Law: If you hold a law degree from another country, an LL.M. in U.S. Law will help you succeed in international legal practice
“The Public Interest Externship is an amazing opportunity to receive credit for a wide variety of experiences. I was able to extern at the United States Attorney’s Office and work on a wide variety of cases for the United States. It was one of the best experiences I had in law school.” – Taylor Fast ‘17
EXTERNSHIPS by teaching you American law, with a focus on business and an opportunity to experience the American legal system from the inside. This is a full-time, one-year program. Joint and Dual Degrees: St. Thomas Law offers one dualdegree program and three jointdegree programs, all designed to help expand your view of the world and diversify your career opportunities. By combining courses of two degrees into one program, you are able to earn two advanced degrees in less time. Here, you may earn your J.D. alongside a Master of Business Administration, LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance, Master of Social Work or Master of Arts degree in Catholic studies.
In addition to the required Mentor Externship Program (see page 19), St. Thomas Law offers six other engaging externships. Judicial externs work under the direct supervision of a state or federal judge, providing legal research and analysis for various issues and cases pending before the court. Public interest externs engage in significant hands-on legal work in a field placement at a public interest organization or state or federal government agency. Business externs receive pragmatic real-world experience in a corporate environment and engage in the core activities of client service at the intersection of law and business.
Compliance externs evaluate and complete compliance-related projects under the supervision of a lawyer in the compliance field. In the classroom, they gain an understanding of the key elements of an effective compliance program. Misdemeanor externs represent criminal defendants under the supervision of a practicing public defender and gain experience in interviewing clients, criminal procedure and negotiating cases. You also have the opportunity to further your skills by participating in an externship for a second semester through our advanced externship program.
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FOCUSED COURSEWORK BECAUSE OF THE STRENGTH OF OUR PROGRAM and our commitment to educating wellrounded lawyers, St. Thomas Law offers a vast catalog of courses that can be tailored to fit the professional aspirations of each student. Whether your passion is corporate law, civil litigation, dispute resolution, criminal law, family law, public interest law, international law or one of the many other specialty areas of law, the faculty and staff at St. Thomas Law can help advise you on a curriculum that truly fits with your personal and professional goals.
Mergers and Acquisitions Negotiations Patent Law Payment Systems (Inc. Neg. Instr.) Pensions and Employee Benefits Sales Secured Transactions Securities Regulation Taxation of Business Enterprises Topics: Advanced Corporations Topics: Broker Dealer Regulation Topics: Corporate and International Tax Topics: Corporate and Securities Law Topics: Private Fund Regulation Topics: Regulation of Disruptive Innovation Topics: Representing Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Topics: The Legal Entrepreneur Transactional Drafting
As one of the first law schools in the nation to offer graduate degrees in organizational ethics and compliance, St. Thomas Law offers a formal J.D. concentration in this area.
Administrative Law Advanced Evidence Advanced Family Law Advanced Torts Alternative Dispute Resolution Civil Pre-Trial Litigation Civil Procedure Civil Procedure II Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Appellate Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Appellate Constitutional Litigation Practicum Contracts Evidence Federal Jurisdiction Judicial Externship Lawyering Skills (I, II and III) Litigation with the Federal Government Mediation Moot Court Competition Negotiations Property Real Estate Transactions Remedies Topics: Section 1983 Torts Trial Advocacy
Below are examples of areas in which you can choose to focus your study. BUSINESS AND CORPORATE LAW Accounting for Lawyers Administrative Law Banking Law Bankruptcy Business Associations Business Externship Business Planning Clinic: Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic: Nonprofit Organizations (I and II) Compliance Externship Contracts Copyright Corporate Finance Corporate Governance Employment Law Environmental Law Ethical Leadership in Organizations Federal Estate and Gift Tax Federal Income Taxation Financial Markets Intellectual Property International Business Transactions 10
University of St. Thomas School of Law
CIVIL LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
CRIMINAL LAW Advanced Evidence Advanced Misdemeanor Externship Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Federal Commutations
Crime and Punishment Criminal Law Criminal Practice Criminal Procedure I: Investigation and Pre-Trial Criminal Procedure II: Trial and Post-Trial Domestic Violence Evidence Infamous Trials Investigations Judicial Externship Misdemeanor Defense Externship Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams Negotiations Public Interest Externship Sentencing Law Topics: Child Abuse Trial Advocacy White Collar Crime and Compliance
GENERAL PRACTICE Administrative Law Advanced Evidence Alternative Dispute Resolution Bankruptcy Business Associations Business Planning Civil Pre-Trial Litigation Civil Procedure Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Consumer Law Contracts Criminal Procedure I: Investigation and Pre-Trial Criminal Procedure II: Trial and Post-Trial Employment Law Environmental Law Estate Planning and Administration Family Law Health Law I Health Law II Land Use Planning Real Estate Transactions Professional Responsibility Property Small Firm Practice Torts Wills, Estates and Trusts Workers’ Compensation
GLOBAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW Administrative Law Clinic: Catholic Social Thought and the United Nations Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Comparative Constitutional Law Hate Speech Immigration Law
International Business Transactions International and Comparative Intellectual Property International Finance International Human Rights International Law Introduction to European Union Law Islam and Civil Liberties in Europe Topics: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
PUBLIC INTEREST AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Administrative Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Bioethics Catholic Thought, Law and Policy Clinic: Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Appellate Clinic: Nonprofit Organizations Clinic: Religious Liberty Constitutional Law Consumer Law Crime and Punishment
Domestic Violence Environmental Law Equal Justice Applied Research First Amendment: Religious Liberty Foundations of Justice Immigration Law International Human Rights Islam and Civil Liberties in Europe Jurisprudence Labor Law Litigation with the Federal Government Mediation Poverty Law Public Interest Externship Topics: Race, Ethnicity and Health Topics: Race and Litigation Topics: Section 1983 Litigation Workers’ Compensation Wrongful Convictions
ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE* Administrative Law Banking Law Compliance Externship Compliance Programming: Design, Operation and Performance
Corporate Governance Employment Law Enterprise Risk Management Environmental Law Ethical Culture Ethical Leadership in Organizations Executive Perspectives in Ethics and Compliance Financial Markets Health Law I Health Law II Immigration Law International Business Transactions Introduction to Legal Reasoning Investigations Negotiations Securities Regulations Topics: Broker Dealer Regulation and Compliance Topics: Food and Drug Law Topics: Privacy Law Topics: Private Fund Regulation White Collar Crime and Compliance * More courses available; this is a selective list
LEARNING OUTCOMES INSPIRED BY JUSTICE, guided by faith, grounded in reason, committed to excellence and devoted to advancing the common good, the University of St. Thomas School of Law sets forth the following general learning outcomes as we work to form professionals who practice the law with purpose: Learning Outcome 1: Professional Formation and Ethical Responsibilities Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities in serving clients, the profession and society. Whether working in law, business, government or the nonprofit sector, each graduate will be able to describe his or her evolving professional identity, which is grounded in a moral core, includes a commitment to self-directed professional learning, and reflects a concern for the disadvantaged and those who lack access to justice. Learning Outcome 2: Knowledge of Substantive and Procedural Law Graduates will identify and be able to explain basic concepts, underlying theories, policy implications, and rules of law both in the required curriculum and in their chosen fields of study. Learning Outcome 3: Legal Analysis, Reasoning and Problem-solving Graduates will be able to analyze and assess strategies for solving a problem, including identifying legal and nonlegal issues that may be important to clients, and exercising good judgment in advising clients. Learning Outcome 4: Written and Oral Communication Skills Graduates will be able to communicate effectively and appropriately in written and oral formats with a variety of audiences and in a variety of contexts. Learning Outcome 5: Legal Research and Factual Investigation Graduates will be able to retrieve, analyze and effectively use legal resources; appreciate different types of resources and their appropriate use as references or authorities; evaluate the relevance, reliability, currency and varying strength of legal authorities; and gather relevant nonlegal information or collaborate with nonlegal professionals to better understand how the law may apply to a particular situation and the real-world consequences in a given situation. Learning Outcome 6: Teamwork and Relationship Skills Graduates will demonstrate competence in initiating and sustaining professional relationships and working with others toward common goals. Graduates also will demonstrate competence in interacting effectively with people across cultural differences. Adopted by the University of St. Thomas School of Law Faculty, March 16, 2015 stthomas.edu/law 11
PUT PURPOSE INTO PRACTICE 12
University of St. Thomas School of Law
#2 FOR PRACTICAL TRAINING
The University of St. Thomas School of Law was ranked No. 2 in the nation by National Jurist for practical training in 2017.
#30 FOR CLINICAL TRAINING
U.S. News & World Report ranked our clinical training program No. 30 in the nation in 2017. Twelve distinct clinics offer students the opportunity to impact client lives through pro bono service and to experience hands-on legal work.
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CLINICS APPELLATE CLINIC Students in the Appellate Clinic work on pro bono civil cases in the federal appellate court system throughout the United States. Students review trial court records, identify and research issues for appeal, prepare opening and reply briefs, and present oral arguments in court. In each of the past three years, students working in this clinic have won major victories in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on prisoners’ rights cases.
BANKRUPTCY LITIGATION CLINIC The Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic involves representing an indigent party in Federal Bankruptcy Court. Students handle cases from beginning to end, drafting complaints, conducting discovery, participating in motion practice and representing clients at the trial.
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CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT AND THE UNITED NATIONS This clinic integrates international law, Catholic social teaching and international relations, culminating in a one-week lobbying experience at the United Nations. The class provides service-learning opportunities to students interested in advancing Catholic social teaching through international law.
COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROJECT The Community Justice Project (CJP) focuses on bridge-building with community stakeholders and problem-solving in distressed communities. CJP has engaged in intensive research into practical solutions to longstanding challenges such as police brutality, and racial disparities in the criminal justice, education and juvenile systems for at-risk youth.
CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY CLINIC Students in the Consumer Bank ruptcy Clinic provide pro bono bankruptcy services to individuals who are financially unable to retain counsel. Students learn the practical application of bankruptcy case law and have appeared in court and in front of bankruptcy judges, argued motions, defended depositions, participated in settlement negotiations and counseled clients on litigation risks.
ELDER LAW PRACTICE GROUP The Elder Law Practice Group provides high-quality legal services for seniors with complex legal issues related to long-term care, and financial abuse and exploitation. Collaborative social work services play an essential role in resolving the clients’ legal cases, as well as addressing other major qualityof-life issues.
THE NATION FOR #2 IN PRACTICAL TRAINING National Jurist, 2017
"My experience in clinic was the single best way that St. Thomas prepared me for
WE’RE HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS THE NO. 2 LAW practicing law. In the Appellate SCHOOL IN THE NATION for practical training, based on Clinic, we were given a real externships, simulation courses and clinics. We’ve grown our case and the entire lower-court clinical offerings from three clinics in 2009 to 12 clinics in 2018. record, and we had to come up The St. Thomas Interprofessional Center for Counseling and with compelling arguments for Legal Services is among the first of its kind in the country. Faculty our client on appeal. We knew and students from law, psychology and social work collaborate that something real was at to help clients in need. Under the guidance of the center’s stake, which made this different faculty, law students frequently work side by side with students from the exercises we had from the St. Thomas schools of social work and graduate psychology to provide representation and assistance to the done in brief writing before." underserved populations of the Twin Cities. As a clinical student – Catherine Underwood here, you will work on problems ranging from health care issues Floeder ’16 to political asylum to issues of social justice. FEDERAL COMMUTATIONS CLINIC
IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTICE GROUP
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY APPELLATE CLINIC
The first of its kind in the country, the Federal Commutations Clinic is a small and extremely focused course that offers students an opportunity to do substantive legal work, interact with clients and develop narratives under the close supervision of faculty. Students offer guidance and assistance to federal inmates, and evaluate and prepare commutation petitions.
Students in the Immigration Law Practice Group represent immigrants seeking to improve their legal status in the United States. Students represent persons seeking asylum as a result of persecution or a fear of persecution in their home countries, provide representation for those at detained master calendar hearings and participate in immigrant-related advocacy projects on behalf of community organizations.
The Religious Liberty Appellate Clinic offers students the chance to write appellate briefs, primarily amicus curiae briefs, in cases involving religious liberty, rights of conscience more generally and selected issues involving the protection of human life.
IMMIGRATION APPELLATE CLINIC Students working in the Immigration Appellate Clinic brief and argue appellate cases representing clients pro bono under faculty supervision. Clients have included detainees and persons seeking asylum, many of whom had to represent themselves at trial.
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS CLINIC This clinic helps nonprofit organizations get off the ground and develop a sustainable business model within a mission that promotes social and economic justice here and abroad. The work primarily focuses on the legal needs of existing or aspiring nonprofits formed by St. Thomas Law students.
TRADEMARK CLINIC (in development) A Trademark Clinic is in development. Pending certification of the clinic by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), students would practice before the PTO, counseling clients regarding trademark matters, and drafting and filing trademark applications, responses to PTO actions and other documents in trademark applications.
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#1 FOR EXTERNSHIPS
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
The University of St. Thomas School of Law has been ranked No. 1 in the nation by PreLaw Magazine for having the most externship placements per full-time student since 2010.
#8 FOR BEST PROFESSORS
The University of St. Thomas School of Law ranked No. 8 in the nation on the Princeton Review’s “Best Professors” list in 2016.
MAKE RELATIONSHIPS COUNT stthomas.edu/law 17
CONNECTED AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITY. It’s the St. Thomas difference. Here, you’re not just another bright and talented law student battling it out with your peers for the top spot in your class. You’re welcomed, you’re challenged, you thrive on collaboration and you feel empowered by others to explore new pathways in your professional development.
STUDENT BODY We draw passionate students from around the globe with a wide range of experiences, voices and beliefs who want to improve the world in which they live. One hallmark of our community is engaged but civil debate about the important issues of our time; our students understand their role in maintaining the quality of life that initially drew them to St. Thomas Law. We are intentional about building an inclusive and diverse law school that is oriented toward cultivating a strong sense of belonging and support within our school and promoting justice in our world.
LAW ALUMNI The St. Thomas Law alumni community includes more than 1,700 graduates who live, work and make a difference in 45 states and 13 foreign countries. Our graduates serve as administrative law judges, 18
University of St. Thomas School of Law
THE NATION FOR #1 IN EXTERNSHIPS PreLaw Magazine, since 2010
MENTOR EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
in-house counsel, public defenders, state and federal prosecutors, legal counsel for nonprofits and partners in law firms. Our graduates stay actively involved with the school by mentoring students, coaching moot court teams, counseling new job seekers, serving on the alumni board, speaking in classrooms, and volunteering alongside students, faculty and staff during public service days.
The University of St. Thomas School of Law has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for having the most externship placements per full-time student since 2010, thanks to our groundbreaking Mentor Externship Program. From our network of more than 1,000 respected lawyers and judges, you will be connected with a legal professional who is a good fit for you and your interests. Your mentor will help you learn about the profession through observation and hands-on experiences, and will help you develop relationships and navigate the legal profession. Our mentors and Mentor Externship faculty and staff are committed to helping you develop the practical skills, professional values and relationships that will last a lifetime.
One of the more telling indicators of the strength of the student experience here is the nationally record-setting number of alumni who participate in annual giving. Annual giving can be a barometer of satisfaction, commitment to the community and ongoing support for a school’s mission. Each participant represents a vote of confidence for our faculty, staff, students and programs.
THE ST. THOMAS NETWORK The University of St. Thomas is the largest private university in the upper Midwest, with more than 100,000 living alumni who make up a network of connections that reaches around the nation and across the world. St. Thomas Law students and alumni benefit from being a part of the fiercely loyal Tommie network, which includes top leaders in the business, legal, government and public service sectors.
1,000+
The number of lawyers and judges in our network of volunteer mentors.
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SCHOOL OF LAW FACULTY The professors at the University of St. Thomas School of Law push students to be their best, explore their true purpose, embrace new ideas and achieve excellence. They do this through a commitment that reaches far beyond the classroom – from advising and counseling individual students to their wide-reaching academic scholarship. It’s no wonder they were recognized as the No. 8 “Best Professors” nationwide in 2016. Steven Adams
Holloran Professor of Law and Director of the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions J.D., University of Minnesota Law School M.A., Economics (Industrial Organiza tions), University of Michigan B.A., Colorado College Teresa S. Collett
Teresa S. Collett Professor of Law J.D., University of Oklahoma College of Law B.A., University of Oklahoma
Senior Distinguished Fellow J.D., Stanford Law School M.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jennifer Cornell
Thomas C. Berg
Robert J. Delahunty
James L. Oberstar Professor of Law and Public Policy J.D., University of Chicago Law School M.A., Religion, University of Chicago M.A., Philosophy and Politics, Oxford University B.S., Northwestern University
René Bowser Senior Distinguished Fellow LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center J.D., Stanford Law School M.A., Economics, Northwestern University B.A., University of Maryland College Park
Benjamin Carpenter Senior Distinguished Fellow J.D., Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law B.A., University of Notre Dame
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Neil W. Hamilton
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Visiting Professor of Law J.D., Harvard Law School B.A., University of Michigan Laurence and Jean LeJeune Distinguished Chair and Professor of Law J.D., Harvard Law School B.Phil., Oxford University B.A., Columbia University B.A., M.A., Oxford University
Carmeann Foster Faculty Research Fellow J.D./M.S.W., University of St. Thomas B.A., St. Catherine University
Mitchell Gordon Associate Professor of Law J.D., University of Minnesota Law School M.A., Public Policy, University of Minnesota B.A., Tufts University
The Rev. Daniel Griffith Executive Fellow, the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions J.D., William Mitchell College of Law M.A., Theology, University of St. Thomas M.Div., University of St. Thomas B.A., University of St. Thomas
Mariana H.C. Gonstead
Mariana H.C. Gonstead Professor of Law; Executive Director of the International Dispute Resolution Research Network J.D., Harvard Law School LL.M., Harvard Law School J.D., Universidad Catolica Andres Bello
Thomas E. Holloran Senior Distinguished Fellow J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.S., University of Minnesota
Lyman Johnson Professor of Law J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.A., Carleton College
Thomas Joyce Senior Distinguished Fellow LL.B., University of Notre Dame B.S., St. John’s University
Wulf Kaal Associate Professor of Law LL.M., University of Illinois College of Law J.D., University of Illinois College of Law MBA, Finance, Durham University – Durham, U.K. Ph.D., Law and Economics, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin – Berlin, Germany
Robert A. Kahn
Michael S. Paulsen
Scott A. Taylor
Professor of Law J.D., New York University Law School Ph.D., Political Science, Johns Hopkins University B.A., Columbia University
Distinguished University Chair and Professor of Law J.D., Yale Law School M.A., Religion, Yale Divinity School B.A., Northwestern University
Norman Linnell
Charles J. Reid Jr.
Senior Distinguished Fellow J.D., University of Minnesota Law School AMP, Harvard Business School B.A., University of Minnesota Duluth
Professor of Law J.D., Catholic University of America J.C.L., Catholic University of America Ph.D., History of Medieval Law, Cornell University B.A., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Senior Distinguished Fellow LL.M., New York University School of Law J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law M.A., English, University of New Mexico B.U.S., University of New Mexico
Joel A. Nichols Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law J.D., Emory University School of Law M.Div., Emory University, Candler School of Theology B.A., Abilene Christian University
Jerome M. Organ Professor of Law J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law B.A., Miami University
Julie A. Oseid Professor of Law and Director of Lawyering Skills J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.A., University of Minnesota Duluth
Michael J. Robak Director of the Schoenecker Law Library, Associate Dean, Clinical Professor of Law J.D., Indiana University, Robert H. McKinney School of Law M.S., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign A.B., Wabash College
Elizabeth R. Schiltz Professor of Law; Thomas J. Abood Research Scholar; and Co-director of the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy J.D., Columbia Law School B.A., Yale University
Henry Shea Senior Distinguished Fellow, School of Law; Fellow, the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions J.D., Harvard Law School B.S., Georgetown University
Gregory C. Sisk Mark Osler
Mark Osler Robert and Marion Short DistinÂguished Chair and Professor of Law J.D., Yale Law School B.A., College of William and Mary
Robert K. Vischer
Robert K. Vischer Dean and Mengler Chair in Law J.D., Harvard Law School B.A., University of New Orleans
Carl Warren Visiting Professor of Law J.D., University of Minnesota B.A., St. Olaf College
Virgil O. Wiebe Robins Kaplan Director of Clinical Education and Professor of Law LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center J.D., New York University School of Law M.Phil., Latin American Studies, Oxford University B.A., Kansas State University
Pio Cardinal Laghi Distinguished Chair in Law J.D., University of Washington Law School B.A., Montana State University
Susan J. Stabile Professor of Law and Director of the University of St. Thomas Office for Spirituality J.D., New York University School of Law B.A., Georgetown University stthomas.edu/law 21
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
#5 FOR QUALITY OF LIFE
The University of St. Thomas School of Law ranked No. 5 in the nation for quality of life in 2016, according to the Princeton Review. The ranking is based on student responses to survey questions about, among other things, sense of community and quality of social life.
100% SATISFIED STUDENTS
When our 3Ls were asked to rate their overall experience at St. Thomas through the 2016 Law School Survey of Student Engagement, 100 percent of them said their experience here was “excellent” or “good.”
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ENGAGED AND SUPPORTED THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE at the University of St. Thomas School of Law is about more than books and exams – it’s about joining your friends in interest groups, competing for national titles, getting published, and taking advantage of the academic and career support that help make it possible for you to achieve success.
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STUDENT LIFE
FAITH
St. Thomas Law is home to 36 active student organizations led by an engaging team of student government leaders. From law student associations in many of the specialty areas of law to groups based on ethnic, religious and gender diversity, athletics and mental health, the opportunities to connect are endless. The quality of life here is No. 5 in the nation for a reason.
We are a law school founded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason. Within our walls, all are welcome. We invite students of all faith traditions to integrate their personal and professional values in their search for justice. Our community includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and nonbelievers. Our faculty members challenge students to consider how their
University of St. Thomas School of Law
deepest commitments can and should shape their professional identifies. We hold a daily Mass in our chapel, host weekly fellowship gatherings for Christians of all denominations, offer yoga and meditation, and provide spaces for individual prayer and reflection.
ACADEMIC JOURNALS As a law student, you can hone your legal research and writing skills in one of two journals: the University of St. Thomas Law Journal, the official academic journal of St. Thomas Law, or the University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy, a publication focused on conservative legal thought. Both bring to light discussions of morality and social justice.
ADVOCACY COMPETITONS Through moot court, trial advocacy and negotiations competitions, our students put their written and oral advocacy skills to the test on a national stage. Not only do these competitions give you exposure before distinguished members of the bench and bar, they also help you practice and perfect some of the most important skills employers seek.
study spaces with comfortable seating, tables, carrels and Wi-Fi. You can access many of the library’s resources online.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
St. Thomas law students have studied abroad in many areas of the world, from South America to Europe to Asia and Africa. We also partner with Pazmany University School of Law to offer a summer study abroad program in Budapest, Hungary.
Our holistic academic support division helps you succeed both academically and personally during your time in law school. The support you receive here begins at orientation and continues well beyond graduation. This includes a four-day academic success program during your first week as a law student; one-on-one meetings, tutoring, skills training, practice exams and other services as needed; midterm exams and feedback on your academic performance during your first semester; and preparation for the bar exam.
LIBRARY
CAREER SUPPORT
STUDY ABROAD
The Schoenecker Law Library spans four floors on the south wing of the St. Thomas Law building, offering extraordinary access to legal resources and individualized support from our engaged library staff. You can dig into legal research in any of the 12 group study rooms, three audio/visual viewing rooms or a variety of formal and informal
The Career and Professional Development team at St. Thomas Law works to support the individual professional journey of each student with the goal of helping our graduates achieve success in a meaningful career. Access to these experts and resources begins in the fall of the first year of law school and continues through the job
By the end of your first year, you will have developed a plan to meet your individual career goals. search, job transitions and beyond. Services include goal development, clerkship opportunities, on-campus interviewing, resume and cover letter review, job posting notifications, workshops and alumni connections, among others. In a tough legal market, we are dedicated to going the extra mile to help our newest alumni land meaningful careers. As a new graduate, our innovative J.D. Compass program will pair you with a career strategist who will work individually with you to help you secure fulltime, long-term employment. Your career strategist will put his or her own professional network to work for you while helping you develop your personal brand, perform mock interviews, and offer professional outreach and development.
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11,300+ HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
The Class of 2017 completed over 11,300 hours of public service during law school.
TOP 40 FOR SCHOLARSHIP
The University of St. Thomas School of Law ranks No. 39 in the nation for scholarly impact (2015), based on law journal citations for tenured faculty.
MAKE AN IMPACT
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INSPIRED AND DRIVEN The University of St. Thomas School of Law was founded on a mission to integrate faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. This inspired purpose draws passionate students and faculty from around the world who are driven to serve the common good and make an impact on the communities they serve.
SOCIAL JUSTICE Social justice has been a cornerstone of St. Thomas Law since our founding. Our students, faculty and staff are passionate about improving the conditions of the disadvantaged and underserved, and ensuring that all have equal access to justice. A great example of this calling is the work of the Community Justice Project (CJP), which calls on students to build bridges with community stakeholders and solve problems in distressed communities. As a St. Thomas Law student, you will complete at least 50 hours of public service, and can take advantage of pro bono work and fellowships through the Minnesota Justice Foundation.
SCHOLARLY IMPACT The professors at St. Thomas Law are among the top legal scholars 28
University of St. Thomas School of Law
nationally, ranking No. 39 for scholarly impact among 200 law schools across the country. As a student here, you can learn the law of international finance or private fund regulation from professor Wulf Kaal, whose cutting-edge research impacts some of the most vexing questions surrounding the European financial crisis. Study international law under professor Robert Delahunty, a former White House official who is now a leading voice on the law of armed conflict and military interventions abroad. Explore alternative dispute resolution with professor Mariana H.C. Gonstead, who is leading efforts to establish dispute resolution mechanisms across the developing world. Gain an inside perspective on the criminal justice system with professor Mark Osler, whose advocacy is helping change the legal landscape on issues such as the death penalty, the disparity in sentencing for crack versus powder cocaine and the pardon power. With unparalleled access to these world-class scholars, you will not only learn from them, but have opportunities to work alongside them as well.
between law and Catholic thought on topics ranging from workers’ rights to criminal law to marriage and family.
“I’ve looked at every position that I’ve held during the
St. Thomas Law is also home to the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services, the University of St. Thomas Private Investment Fund Institute, the University of St. Thomas Prolife Center and the International Dispute Resolution Research Network.
entire time I’ve been in state
ALUMNI AT WORK
people’s lives and serve
Our alumni are making a big impact across the nation and around the world, from Daryl Atkinson, senior attorney with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and recipient of the White House Champion of Change Award, to Jessica Slattery, foreign affairs officer with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., to Elizabeth Brenckman, trademark and copyright associate in the New York office of Fish & Richardson.
the people of Minnesota,
service through this lens: How can I best serve the people of Minnesota? This job is so important. There is no other position in the governor’s Cabinet that can touch more
particularly the most vulnerable.” – Emily Johnson Piper ’04, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
CENTERS AND INSTITUTES The impact of St. Thomas Law reaches well beyond the classroom and digs deep into the legal profession. Home to the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions, St. Thomas Law is a hub of research, curriculum development, and programming focusing on the formation of students and lawyers into ethical leaders in their communities. The university’s Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy further enhances the scholarly environment here, working to explore the interactions stthomas.edu/law 29
EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY
#1 HEALTHIEST CITY 30
University of St. Thomas School of Law
With clean air, abundant bike trails and citizens who make health a priority, Minneapolis is the healthiest city in the nation, according to Forbes magazine in 2015.
17 FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES
From UnitedHealth Group to General Mills, Target to 3M, Minnesota is home to the corporate offices of 17 Fortune 500 companies.
#6 CITY FOR YOUNG ATTORNEYS
High salaries, better buying power and a robust legal community are just a few reasons why The National Jurist put Minneapolis on the list in 2016.
#3 STATE FOR MILLENNIALS
Offering extraordinary quality of life, education and health, civic engagement, affordability and economic health, Minnesota is the third best state in the country for millennials in 2017, according to WalletHub. stthomas.edu/law 31
Minneapolis and St. Paul make up the core of a metropolitan area of more than 3.5 million people.
URBAN AND THRIVING Minneapolis is the perfect blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication, and with our location in the heart of downtown, students at the University of St. Thomas School of Law benefit from it all. Being a law student here isn’t just about the time spent on campus – although we’ve worked hard to make sure our building is an inspiring place to study. While you’re here, you want to live as well as study. Maybe even stay a while longer, find a job and settle down in the city that boasts numerous Fortune 500 headquarters and the top parks system in America. It is also recognized as the ninth most inventive city in the world. CAMPUS St. Thomas Law occupies a beautiful building of more than 150,000 square feet in downtown Minneapolis near the federal courthouse and major law firms and businesses. The building was described as “quite simply breathtaking” by an American Bar Association site-evaluation team, with its dramatic four-story atrium,
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striking moot courtroom, modern library and beautiful chapel. Eight miles of indoor skyway connect St. Thomas Law to downtown Minneapolis law firms, businesses, restaurants, shops and housing, meaning you can stay comfortable inside while exploring downtown during our Minnesota winters.
BUSINESS SCENE Minneapolis and the nearby capital city of St. Paul make up the core of a metropolitan area with more than 3.5 million residents – the 16th largest in the United States. Home to the Mall of America and 17 of Fortune 500’s largest corporations, including Target, Best Buy, Cargill, General Mills, 3M and UnitedHealth Group, the Twin Cities region is well positioned among the nation’s top metropolitan communities in business and industry.
LIFESTYLE The Twin Cities is the entertainment and cultural center of the Upper Midwest, with world-class museums, breathtaking architecture and more theater seats per capita than any U.S. city outside of New York. The active lifestyle here is remarkable, with Minneapolis being ranked the second most
The Minnesota Twins baseball team makes its home at Target Field, just a few blocks away.
bike-friendly city in America, the ninth most walkable city in America and the best city for parks. With four distinct seasons and dozens of international culinary traditions, Minneapolis is also home to some of the most flavor-forward chefs in the nation, such as the Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern and James Beard Award winner Tim McKee.
WHERE TO LIVE The Loring Park neighborhood is directly adjacent to the University of St. Thomas School of Law and is home to a number of historic buildings, including the Basilica of Saint Mary, the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with the famed “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture. The park itself is a cultural center, hosting carnivals and festivals each year during the spring, summer and fall.
Uptown is an eclectic neighborhood popular with young professionals for its incredible
entertainment, restaurant and retail scene. Nearby Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles offer some of Minneapolis’ most popular park areas for swimming, sailing, running, paddleboarding, biking and cross-country skiing.
The North Loop is the fastestgrowing neighborhood in Minneapolis, transformed by the conversion of warehouses and industrial buildings into residential lofts, trendy start-ups and hot-spot eateries. Adjacent to downtown, it is the neighborhood of Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins baseball team, and the Target Center, home court of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball teams. Busy professionals have made a home for themselves in Downtown West, a beautiful urban neighborhood. This bustling part of the city includes the Nicollet Mall, an 11-block pedestrian strip with historic shopping and dining destinations.
Growing in popularity with local artists and craft brewers, Northeast has a little something for everyone: a mix of old with new, large with small, traditional with trendy. A European-style walking neighborhood, it offers a small-town feel in a big city and celebrates its resident artists each spring with the largest open studio tour in the country. Northeast Minneapolis is ranked as the best art district in the U.S. by USA Today. The St. Paul neighborhoods surrounding the University of St. Thomas campus include Mac-Groveland, Highland Park, Merriam Park and Summit-Hill. Within these neighborhoods are some of the most historic and picturesque residential buildings in the state, as well as the Grand Avenue retail and dining district. St. Thomas Law students who choose to live in St. Paul are connected to the Minneapolis campus by a free shuttle that travels between campuses throughout the day.
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GET STARTED: ADMISSIONS ADMISSIONS PROCESS The University of St. Thomas School of Law Admissions Committee thoroughly reviews every application to understand the strengths, skills and unique potential of each prospective student. All information you submit is considered, and we encourage you to be thorough and straightforward. We want to make sure that St. Thomas Law is a good fit for you and that you are a good fit for St. Thomas Law. Application deadlines and requirements vary depending on the degree program you’re interested in. The J.D. application cycle runs Sept. 1-Aug. 1. Apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and pay no application fee. You must include: • a completed, signed application • a personal statement • a completed CAS file from LSAC, including a reportable LSAT score, at least two letters of recommendation and a copy of all transcripts from postsecondary institutions • your resume or CV Admissions for the master’s and LL.M. programs offered at the University of St. Thomas School of Law begin in September. Because application requirements and timelines vary greatly within these programs, please visit stthomas.edu/law/apply for detailed information.
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SCHOLARSHIPS St. Thomas Law is committed to making a high-quality legal education available to students by offering generous scholarships to qualified applicants. The Admissions Committee will automatically consider you for a scholarship when you apply to the J.D. program. No additional application is necessary for the President’s Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship or Dean’s Service Scholarship. If you are applying to the J.D. program and would like to be considered for an Access to Justice Scholarship, you must submit a separate essay explaining your interest in and commitment to pursuing legal practice in a smalltown or rural setting. Through this program, each Access to Justice scholar is awarded a tuition discount of up to 75 percent. St. Thomas Law works with the Minnesota State Bar Association to
“For those who have had the great privilege of observing and living it out for three years of our lives, the St. Thomas law school mission is now a lens through which we see the world. It is the pull to a higher calling – one where service to others and the ultimate search for perpetuating good in the world comes before all else.” – Erin Gross ’09
match Access to Justice scholars with mentors experienced in smalltown or rural practice. This program is for first-year J.D. students only; your essay must be submitted with your law school application.
VISIT US
VISIT US ONLINE
Reading about St. Thomas Law is good – experiencing it for yourself is even better. We invite you to visit us, so you can find out firsthand what this community is like. There’s no better way to determine if St. Thomas Law is right for you than seeing it for yourself.
stthomas.edu/law
If you’d like to meet with an admissions representative, tour the building, observe a class or talk to current students, please contact us.
lawschool@stthomas.edu (651) 962-4895
Facebook @ustlawmn Twitter @ustlawmn
We host admissions events at St. Thomas Law throughout the year.
Instagram @ustlawmn
If you don’t live nearby and you’d like to meet our admissions team, current students and administrators, we invite you to connect with us via Skype. Learn more about the application process, career services, faculty, student life, areas of study and more: Set up a Skype appointment by contacting us at (651) 962-4895 or lawschool@stthomas.edu.
LinkedIn linkedin.com/edu Search “University of St. Thomas School of Law” Skype ustlawmn
The University of St. Thomas is an equal opportunity educator and employer. St. Thomas does not unlawfully discriminate, in any of its programs or activities, on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. stthomas.edu/eostatement
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1000 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403 | stthomas.edu/law 0329_17_SOL