University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Introduction

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law opened its doors in 1892 and has been breaking ground in legal education ever since. Our faculty prides itself in training students for successful careers as legal practitioners by offering a variety of challenging and exciting courses in addition to experiential learning opportunities through our Student Law Office, externships with law firms, and clerkships with judges. Our new building, with over 181,000 square feet spanning four stories, is the first law building to be awarded the Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the US Green Building Council. Downtown Denver—where the state legislature, courthouses, regional federal agencies, state agencies, and law firms are found—is 10 minutes away by Light Rail, and the Rocky Mountains are just a short drive to the west.

Curriculum/Special Programs

Denver Law provides a solid foundation of core classes on which to build your career in law. Our Experiential Advantage Curriculum combines live-client clinics, high-quality externships—including a Semester in Practice Externship—and legal simulation courses. Among the simulation courses are the Carnegie Integrated Courses, which provide training in doctrine and in written and oral skills, and emphasize the development of professional identity. In addition, we offer a wide range of specialized classes that permit our faculty to bring their scholarship into the classroom. Our academic specialty programs provide opportunities to pursue your passions in areas such as International Law, Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Workplace Law, Constitutional Rights and Remedies, Corporate and Commerical Law, and Intellectual Property Law. Additionally, Denver Law offers certificate programs in these areas of specialization.

Lawyering Process (LP) Program

The first-year curriculum includes an innovative LP program, which provides first-year students an introduction to the law and the legal system, and teaches students how to research legal questions and write about them in several formats. Practitioners work directly with LP classes as “senior partners” in a law-firm model.

Environmental and Natural Resources Law

Drawing upon its location in one of the nation’s natural resource and energy capitals, Denver Law offers a rich program in environmental and natural resources law. Extensive course offerings are supplemented with abundant opportunities for externships at local natural resource companies, environmental advocacy and protection groups, and government enforcement agencies. Students may also participate in our Environmental Law Clinic, student organizations, the Water Law Review, writing competitions, and natural-resources moot court competitions.

International Legal Studies

The International Legal Studies program is designed for students interested in international comparative law, international organizations, or transnational business. Students in the program may work on the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy as staff members and editors. The International Law Society and Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law sponsor a rich schedule of outside speakers and an annual conference focused on a current issue in international law.

Corporate and Commercial Law

As one of the nation’s biggest tourism magnets, Denver provides a practical backdrop for students interested in the areas of corporate law, commercial law, and bankruptcy. In addition to foundation courses and specialized seminars, corporate internships and highly prized one-semester assignments with large local corporations are available for interested students to pursue.

Intellectual Property Law

Denver Law focuses on substantive coverage and experiential learning. Students are provided with sufficient background and experience to attain an in-depth understanding of intellectual property law and develop the skills and knowledge base that will be valuable to employers hiring recent law graduates. With the 2014 opening of its permanent Denver satellite office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has created new, high-skilled jobs while having a strong economic impact throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Lawyering in Spanish

This program celebrates the globalization of Spanish culture by providing an opportunity to learn the specialized legal, cultural, and language skills and counseling techniques required to represent Spanish-speaking clients in the United States and abroad.

Clinics

In 1904 Denver Law launched the first Student Law Office (SLO) in the United States. The SLO offers the following clinics: Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Community Economic Development, Criminal Defense, and Environmental Law. Students represent indigent clients at all levels of the dispute resolution process. If the case reaches the litigation phase, the student handles all aspects of pretrial, trial preparation, and the trial itself under faculty supervision.

Student Activities

• Trial Advocacy: The Advocacy Department at Denver Law provides its students with the highest quality preparation for success in their professional careers by providing education and simulation in the four areas of advocacy—client advocacy, pretrial advocacy, trial advocacy, and appellate advocacy. The department achieves this through innovative professional skills courses, simulated courtroom situations, and competitive tournaments. The department’s three national trial teams and eight moot court teams consistently garner awards and recognition at both regional and nationally recognized tournaments, and the law school’s competitive advocacy corps comprises 10 different teams that travel to tournaments across the country.
• Journals: Six scholarly journals are edited at Denver Law, allowing students to participate in research in varied fields. Academic credit is awarded for work on the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy, Denver Law Review, Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, Transportation Law Journal, University of Denver Criminal Law Review, and University of Denver Water Law Review.
• Student Organizations: A wide range of student organizations contribute to the vibrant environment of the Sturm College of Law. Among those groups are the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association, Black Law Students’ Association, Business Law Society, Christian Legal Society, Diversity Advocates, DU Law Democrats, DU Law Health and Wellness Commission, Federalist Society, Intellectual Property Law Society, International Law Society, J. Reuben Clarke Law Society, Jewish Law Students’ Association, Latino Law Students’ Association, Middle Eastern and North African Law Society, National Women Law Students’ Organization, Native American Law Students’ Association, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Society, OUTlaws, Phi Alpha Delta, Public Interest Law Group, Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and Student Bar Association.

Admission

All applications should be submitted online and reach the Sturm College of Law between September and February to receive maximum consideration for admission for the following August. Students may only begin law study in the fall semester. Applicants must take the LSAT and register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service. LSAT scores and records of academic performance are individually evaluated in the admission process. The applicant’s personal statement, résumé, and letters of recommendation are thoroughly reviewed as well as work experience, significant personal accomplishments, leadership roles, a commitment to community service, and other activities that show initiative, growth, and maturity.

Expenses and Financial Aid

All admitted students are considered for scholarships. No additional application is required, except for the Chancellor Scholarship. Scholarships offered to entering first-year students may be renewed each year based on satisfactory academic performance.

The Chancellor Scholar program is offered to students with a demonstrated history of excellence in scholarship and public service. The program awards full-tuition scholarships to a limited number of qualified students committed to public interest issues. The scholarships are available to entering first-year day-division and part-time-division students.

Additional one-year scholarships may be offered to continuing students based on law school performance. Students may also apply for federal loans, up to the cost of attendance.

Career Services

The Career Development Center assists students and alumni in the formulation of career plans and connects potential employers with qualified applicants. Their services include educating students and alumni in developing necessary skills to locate and obtain satisfying and meaningful employment, connecting students and alumni to the world of work, and facilitating employers’ connections with students and alumni.

Housing

Some off-campus graduate housing is available within walking distance of the University of Denver.