About the School

The University of Dayton School of Law was founded in 1922 and flourished for more than a decade. But the Great Depression brought much financial hardship, and the school was forced to close in 1935. Following several years of planning and anticipation, the School of Law reopened in 1974. Within four years of graduating the new school's first class, the School of Law became fully accredited by the American Bar Association and a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The School of Law dedicated Joseph E. Keller Hall in 1997 as the new center for legal education at the University of Dayton. Keller Hall offers students a technologically equipped environment for study and research, and enhances the tradition of preparing highly qualified legal professionals.

UDSL Students

Each year, approximately 190 men and women begin their studies at the University of Dayton School of Law. The typical entering class is diverse in its makeup, with students drawn from approximately 25 states across the nation and 15%-20% of the class with a minority background. The average age of the entering class is 24, with over half of the class having at least one year of work experience prior to enrollment. Additionally, 36% of our entering students express an interest in the Program in Law & Technology or have a technical background.

Career Services

The Career Services Office offers a variety of recruiting services year-round to employers to help facilitate the hiring of UDSL students and alumni. Our services include posting job listings, arranging on- and off-campus interviews, and assisting employers with all hiring needs. These services are available at no charge.

Curriculum

The University of Dayton School of Law is dedicated to preparing graduates for the practice of law nationally. We have recently implemented a new program, Lawyer as Problem Solver, which combines both traditional and innovative courses and teaching methods with a variety of opportunities for students to develop their professional legal skills.

Since 1989, the University of Dayton School of Law has been committed to producing graduates who are well-versed in the issues relating to law and technology. The Program in Law and Technology is designed to provide students with a solid foundation for practicing in this area. With this in mind, our program addresses four major topics: patent law, copyright and trademark law, business dimensions of intellectual property, and computer/cyberspace law. Additionally, annual CLE programs and visiting scholars bring to campus national and international experts in the areas of intellectual property and cyberspace law. A national publication recently ranked our Law and Technology Program as being in the top 10% of law schools nationwide.

Our Legal Profession Program teaches students to identify, articulate, and apply legal precedent; develop clear, concise, and persuasive legal arguments; analyze and resolve legal issues on behalf of a client; and present persuasive written and oral arguments at the trial and appellate levels. Because of the extensive focus on the practical application of research and writing skills, UDSL students are ready to make a valuable contribution to an employer after their first year of law school.