The Law School | University of Notre Dame

Established in 1869, Notre Dame Law School is the oldest Catholic law school in the United States. The Law School’s approach to legal education is informed and inspired by faith. Students are trained to view the law as a vocation in service to others, to explore the moral and ethical dimensions of the law, and to discover their unique roles in furthering the cause of justice.

Unmatched global reach

Our Global Lawyering Initiative connects students and faculty with learning and research opportunities worldwide.
Champions for religious liberty

The new Religious Liberty Initiative will prepare lawyers to defend freedom of conscience around the world.
Preparing the next generation

ND Law's renowned faculty take pride in mentoring students, during law school and after they enter the profession.

Welcome to the Class of 2025

Notre Dame Law School has enrolled a record-breaking class for the second year in a row. With 36% students of color, the incoming first-year class is the most diverse in ND Law history. Click on the button below to see more stats about our Class of 2025.

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Programs of Study

Business Law

Study the constantly changing legal puzzles that face businesses, with a special emphasis on transactional practice.

Criminal Law

Prepare to uphold the rule of law by learning the rules lawyers must follow to prosecute and defend criminal charges.

Energy & Environmental Law

Develop expertise in the law of natural resource use and protection — including land and water, fossil fuels, wildlife management, climate change, and more.

Global Law

Confront the increasingly transnational nature of today's legal problems through a deeper study of international and comparative law.

Intellectual Property & Technology Law

Learn core IP doctrines — patents, copyrights, trademarks, and unfair competition — and study fields such as design, cyberlaw, and antitrust.

Law, Ethics & Public Policy

Understand and analyze the standards by which we can gauge the value of laws. This program focuses on critical moral evaluation.

Public Law

Learn about the area of law that regulates the structure of government and its relations with individuals and foreign nations.

Real Estate Law

Build a foundation to address various real estate issues in legal practice, including development, finance, land use, and transactions.

A Global Approach

With placements all over the country and the opportunity to study internationally, ND Law gives students the opportunity to expand their own horizons.

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