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.
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Unmatched global reach
Our Global Lawyering Initiative connects students and faculty with learning and research opportunities worldwide.
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Champions for religious liberty
The new Religious Liberty Initiative will prepare lawyers to defend freedom of conscience around the world.
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Preparing the next generation
ND Law's renowned faculty take pride in mentoring students, during law school and after they enter the profession.
Class of 2024 Profile
Our incoming class of 1Ls — 33% of whom are persons of color — is the most diverse in Notre Dame Law School’s history. The class also has the highest median LSAT score in the Law School’s history. Click on the button below to see the Class of 2024 profile.
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.
News & Highlights
One ND Law professor and one graduate are clerking at the U.S. Supreme Court this term
Notre Dame alumnus Joe Donnelly ’77, ’81 J.D. nominated ambassador to the Holy See
