Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Located in the heart of Chicago on a lakefront campus, the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law offers a dynamic and innovative legal education. Founded in 1859, it was the first law school established in the city of Chicago. The school empowers students to meet the challenges of the complex, competitive, and ever-changing legal and business worlds. Northwestern Law offers a number of different degrees and programs of study.

A Focus on Practical Experience and Career Prospects

One of the greatest strengths of Northwestern Law is its emphasis on practical experience. The school "does a tremendous job making Chicago a valuable asset to students." A "wide variety of practical courses that prepare students for work, as opposed to the classic, theoretical law school classes" means that students enjoy great "employment prospects" after graduation. Many students report excellent success in securing employment after graduation. According to Northwestern's official 2022 ABA-required disclosures, 94% of the Class of 2022 obtained full-time, long-term employment ten months after graduation. News & World Report's 2021 Edition, 94% of the law school's 2021 graduates obtained prospective, full-time employment prior to graduation, with a median starting salary of $215,000.

The school is well-established among BigLaw firms (defined as firms with 251 or more associates). In Vault's 2016 survey, of over 15,000 BigLaw associates, Northwestern Law ranked #2 as a "feeder" school for BigLaw firms, after accounting for school size. According to Vault, Northwestern Law outperforms its expected BigLaw representation by 315%.

Commitment to Public Interest

In addition to strong placement in major law firms, Northwestern Law demonstrates a growing commitment to public interest careers. Students report that "public interest careers have received a great deal more attention now than they used to." One student explains, "I am leaving school with a community of public interest lawyers in my network and a public interest job of my dreams thanks to Northwestern Law law."

The Bluhm Legal Clinic: A Cornerstone of Practical Legal Education

The Bluhm Legal Clinic is a significant asset to Northwestern Law, housing more than twenty individual clinics. The clinic "is big enough so that any student who wants to do a clinic will have an opportunity to do so at some point in their time at Northwestern." Clinical education at Northwestern dates back to the law school's beginnings. An innovative program developed by Dean John Henry Wigmore in 1910 with the Chicago Legal Aid Society evolved into the Legal Clinic, which opened its doors in 1969 with only two staff attorneys. In 2000, the Clinic was named for Northwestern University trustee and alum Neil Bluhm, a billionaire in real estate and casinos.

Today, the Bluhm Legal Clinic houses around 20 clinics within 14 centers and is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive and effective clinical programs in the country. Through the law school's clinical program, students gain direct experience representing clients and fine-tune their skills as advocates. They also work with clinical faculty and staff to challenge the fairness of our legal institutions and to propose solutions for reform.

Some of the notable centers within the Bluhm Legal Clinic include:

The Center on Wrongful Convictions (CWC): Dedicated to identifying and rectifying wrongful convictions, the CWC investigates possible wrongful convictions and represents imprisoned clients with claims of actual innocence. The Center also focuses on raising public awareness of the prevalence, causes, and social costs of wrongful convictions and promoting reform of the criminal justice system.
The Appellate Advocacy Center: Established in 2006, the Appellate Advocacy Center includes the Federal Appellate Clinic and the Supreme Court Clinic, along with a moot program for practitioners. In the Federal Appellate Clinic, students research and brief cases in federal appellate courts across the country. In certain instances, where a case involves significant federal issues or interests, students will also participate in state appellate court work. The Clinic works on a variety of legal matters. During any given year, the Clinic will file briefs in cases concerning international law, tribal law, sentencing, criminal procedure, habeas, and the First Amendment. The Clinic frequently collaborates with state and federal public defenders. The Clinic also works with nonprofit organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
The MacArthur Justice Center: The MacArthur Justice Center focuses its work on police misconduct, wrongful detention compensation, post-9/11 work, and other public interest and civil rights issues. Of particular note is the Guantanamo Bay detainee representation led by Joseph Margulies, author of Guantanamo and the Abuse of Presidential Power and lead counsel in Rasul v.

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The Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center (DPELC): The DPELC, founded as the Small Business Opportunity Center (SBOC), is a transactional clinic that was founded in 1998.
The Center for International Human Rights: The Center for International Human Rights works to advance human rights while enabling students to test and refine their academic learning in real cases. Department of State, foreign governments, and nongovernmental organizations. death penalty laws, truth commissions, economic rights, NATO's humanitarian intervention, and political asylum cases. Students have investigated cases and had summer internships in Guatemala, Indonesia, and at the U.N. The Center also offers students an opportunity to earn an LLM in Human Rights.
The Investor Protection Center: The Investor Protection Center provides assistance to investors with limited income or small dollar claims who are unable to obtain legal representation. Northwestern Law's Investor Protection Center operates with the aid of grants from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and other organizations to focus on priority areas.
The Fred Bartlit Center for Trial Advocacy: Named in honor of an innovative leader in litigation and business strategies, the Fred Bartlit Center for Trial Advocacy was established in 1999 to conduct research and teach innovative and technologically advanced trial strategy. The Bartlit Center sponsors and conducts academic research on the litigation process; support teaching skills in the JD program; and holds national conferences to explore and teach innovative trial and trial management strategies.

Renowned Faculty and Supportive Environment

Northwestern Law boasts "absolute all-stars" among its faculty, representing "some of the foremost legal minds in an array of fields." Students rate "professor accessibility" as "excellent" and agree that "professors have been able to offer valuable, candid advice on academics and employment." Because Northwestern Law faculty have "long experience in their respective [fields]," they can provide students with "very realistic" perspectives about "how the legal profession works."

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The school tends to admit students with a few years of post-undergraduate work experience, so "the student body is generally a bit older." Consequently, "students are able to bring real-world experiences into the classroom" as well as "a much broader and more interesting perspective" to classroom discussion. Within the Northwestern Law student body "supportive and friendly is the norm." Students agree that this camaraderie "is particularly fostered by the school." "The fact that the school doesn't publish class rankings means we all compete mostly with ourselves. As a result it is common to find peers who are "eager to share notes and insights, and people tend to be friendly." And because the student body tends to be a tad bit older, "students are generally more mature and very willing to help each other."

LLM Programs

Northwestern Law offers several distinct LLM programs:

LLM: The nine-month general LLM program offers outstanding graduates of foreign law schools an opportunity to expand their knowledge of American law and legal processes, continue their studies in international law, and engage in comparative legal research. Graduates of the program represent more than 50 countries and hold prominent positions in many areas of practice. They include attorneys, professors, judges, corporate counsel, consultants, human rights workers, bankers, and civil servants. Students must take at least 20 law credit hours to earn the LLM degree. LLM students may take up to two co-listed Kellogg School of Management courses if space is available. LLM students are free to design their own program of study from the Law Schoolâs many upper-level courses and seminars, including commercial and corporate, international, constitutional, and human rights law. During their first semester in residence, students enroll in two mandatory courses. The Common Law Reasoning course focuses on the fundamental research, analysis, and drafting skills expected of US-trained lawyers, and the American Legal History course introduces students to the history and principal characteristics of the American public and private law systems.
LLM Tax Program: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is nationally recognized as a leader in tax law education. The Tax Program curriculum gives students both a solid foundation in the four principal areas of tax lawâcorporate taxation, partnership taxation, international taxation, and the taxation of property transactionsâand the opportunity to pursue in-depth study in particular areas of taxation. To earn the LLM Tax degree, students must complete 24 credits total, including 8 required courses (16 credits). Beyond the required courses, students must take 4 elective courses (8 credits). They are free to design their own program of study and can choose from over 28 different tax electives. Individuals who hold a JD or LLB degree may enroll in the Tax LLM Program on a full-time or part-time basis. Practicing attorneys may also take courses on a nondegree basis to refine their knowledge in specialized areas of the tax law. Current law students can participate in the joint JD/LLM program and receive a JD and LLM degree in only six or seven semesters. While enrolled in the Tax Program, students can earn a certificate in one of four substantive areas of taxation: Corporate Tax, International Tax, Tax Controversy, or Wealth Transfer and Legacy Planning.
Executive LLM Programs: The programs, designed specifically for professionals who cannot or do not wish to undertake a full-time master of laws (LLM) degree in the United States or elsewhere, are made possible through partnerships with the KAIST Graduate School of Management in Seoul, South Korea; IE Law School in Madrid, Spain; and Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel. Scholars of distinction, including Northwestern Law faculty members, teach the courses, which are scheduled to allow students to continue to work while they study. Students can apply the broad range of legal and analytical skills they have mastered toward their everyday work. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive an LLM degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

Student Life and Resources

Students automatically belong to the Student Bar Association, which gives them a voice in curriculum and administration, and they have an opportunity to participate in more than 50 student organizations. Northwesternâs 20-acre Chicago campus is nestled between the shores of Lake Michigan, the energy of Michigan Avenueâs âMagnificent Mile,â and the elegant Gold Coast residential area.

The Pritzker Legal Research Center is the library, and fulfills the research and information needs of the faculty and students of Northwestern Law. The Center is named after the Pritzker family, a philanthropic Chicago family. With more than a half million volumes and access to a wide range of electronic resources, the Pritzker Legal Research Center is one of the countryâs largest law libraries. It also provides students access to the more than four million volumes of the combined Northwestern University libraries. Modern facilities and recent additions support collaboration and interaction. Wireless technology is available throughout the law school, and recent renovations include a new 22,000-square-foot clinic center, more than 10 state-of-the-art classrooms and seminar rooms, and upgraded lighting.

Career Services for LLM Students

LLM students have a dedicated full-time career advisor in the Center for Career Strategy and Advancement (Career Center). The Career Center will assist students who wish to seek internships, visiting or foreign attorney positions in the United States, as well as enhanced employment opportunities at home. They provide training and workshops on all aspects of a job search in the United States, including preparing a US-style cover letter and rÃ©sumÃ©, researching and networking, and interviewing.

First-Year Curriculum

The first year of study at Northwestern Pritzker Law focuses on building a solid foundation in legal reasoning, analysis, and writing, as well as a thorough understanding of the structures and policies of the law. The first-year curriculum consists of 22 credits of required classes and six credits of electives. Teamwork and communication skills are strongly emphasized in classes such as Communication and Legal Reasoning, a required year-long course in which students collaborate on analytical exercises and group projects. At the end of the year, students may apply for a position on one of the Law Schoolâs scholarly journals.

Upper-Level Curriculum and Requirements

After the first year, Professional Responsibility is the only mandatory class; students may take only one course that satisfies the professional responsibility requirement. All other courses are elective. Students must also fulfill an upper level writing requirement in their second or third year. This requirement can be met by completing one Research Writing course plus one Professional Writing course. JD-MBAs and Two-Year JDs may satisfy the upper level writing requirement by completing either one Research Writing course or one Professional Writing course, but they may not count the writing course toward another degree requirement, such as Experiential Learning.

Scholarly Legal Journals

Northwestern Law sponsors seven student-run scholarly legal journals:

The Northwestern University Law Review was first published in 1906 when it was called the "Illinois Law Review." Prior editors include: Roscoe Pound, long-time dean of Harvard Law School; Judge Robert A. Sprecher of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; Dean James A. Rahl; Illinois Governor Daniel Walker; and former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Newton N.
The Journal of International Law and Business has a substantive focus on private international law, as opposed to public international law or human rights. It seeks scholarship analyzing transnational and international legal problems and their effect on private entities.
The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
The Journal of Law and Social Policy is an interdisciplinary journal that explores the impact of the law on different aspects of society.
The Northwestern Journal of Human Rights
The Northwestern Law Journal des RefusÃ©s is a "journal of law for legal rejects and the legal avant-garde" founded in 2022. It was inspired by the Paris Salon des RefusÃ©s and aims to discuss legal issues in a way that is more accessible to the general public, as well as help readers trying to understand more difficult works.

Admission and Selectivity

Admission to Northwestern Law is highly selective. Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 7976 candidates submitted JD applications to Northwestern Law School and 981 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 981 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 245 chose to enroll. For a competitive law school application to Northwestern Law School, students should aim to meet or exceed the median statistics shown below. The law school's practical philosophy is manifested in a strong preference for applicants with at least two years of work experience.

Historical Context and Evolution

Founded in 1859, the school now known as the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law was the first law school established in Chicago. The school was originally the law department of the Old University of Chicago under the founding direction of Henry Booth and enrolled twenty-three students. During the 20th century, programs such as the JD-MBA and JD-PhD were added, helping to maintain the school's position among America's top-ranked law schools. In the 1930s, the school was home to the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, which student Fred E.

The Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, formerly known as Northwestern University School of Law from 1891 to 2015. In 2015, the school was renamed following a generous $100 million gift from the Pritzker family.

Location and Environment

Northwestern Law is located on Northwestern University's downtown campus in Chicago's Streeterville/Gold Coast neighborhood. The law school's location in the heart of downtown Chicago provides a wealth of part-time employment options for students while in school and a setting in which to study law. The modernist Rubloff Building is part of the law school section of Northwestern's Chicago campus and overlooks Lake Michigan.

Notable People

Ferdinand L. Barnett, Civil Rights activist and Assistant State's Attorney in Illinois, husband of Ida B.
Judy Biggert (J.D.
Albert Goldman (politician) (J.D.
Morgan E.
Edwin R.
Charles T.
John O.
James E.
David S.
David E. G.
Marcus Cole, Professor of Law, Helen L.
Thomas F.
Kristin E.
Charles P.
Kate A. Shaw, law professor at Benjamin N.
Jonathan Turley, J.B. and Maurice C.
Marc J. Lane, founder of The Marc J.
Robert R. McCormick, United States colonel; co-founder of law firm Stuart G. Shepard and Robert R.
Jay A.
Frank C.
Howard A.
Simeon R.
Edmond E.
Michael B.
Michael Y.
Roberto A.
Salem J.
W.
Carl R.
Wendy E.
J.
Albert E.
Graham T.
J. B.
Henry T.
Charles M.
Richard E.

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