ND Law Association

The Notre Dame Law Association is open to all attorneys with a Notre Dame degree, whether that degree is from Notre Dame Law School or another University of Notre Dame degree program. Graduates of the Law School are automatically registered as members of the NDLA. Other Notre Dame alumni who want to join the NDLA should contact the Law School’s Alumni Relations Office at 574-631-6891 or lawalum@nd.edu. NDLA members receive regular mailings from the Law School, invitations to events, and access to thousands of Notre Dame lawyers across the country and abroad.

Dear Fellow Notre Dame Lawyers,

Thank you for navigating to this webpage to learn more about the Notre Dame Law Association (NDLA)! I am honored and humbled to serve as the current NDLA President. Whether you are a fellow Notre Dame lawyer, a current or prospective law student, or a family member of a student or applicant, I invite you to read on to learn about the NDLA – which, I believe, is one of the truly unique dimensions of the Notre Dame Law School.

  • What is the Notre Dame Law Association? When Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C. founded the University of Notre Dame, he envisioned a university that would develop to become one of the most “powerful means for good” in the country. Consistent with this vision, the Notre Dame Law School has adopted the unique mission of educating “a different kind of lawyer.” The NDLA proudly serves as a resource by tapping into Notre Dame’s unparalleled alumni network and the legendary “Notre Dame Family” to provide support for the Law School and its students.

  • Who is eligible to join the NDLA? Every graduate of the Law School is a member of the NDLA. And, all lawyers who are graduates of the University of Notre Dame also are eligible to join the NDLA. There are no dues. Currently, there are over 13,000 NDLA members worldwide!!

  • What does the NDLA do? By connecting with Notre Dame lawyers across the country and the world – one of the strengths of the Law School – the NDLA supports prospective and current law students, and Law School alumni, before, during and after their formal legal education. NDLA activities include:

  • Serving as a resource for admitted students: Even before a student decides to attend the Law School, NDLA members reach out to outstanding applicants and prospective admitted students, offering to provide information and answer questions about the Law School.

  • Assisting students while enrolled: The NDLA organizes meetings with current students as early as their First Year, not only to offer career advice, but also to mentor students as they consider how to shape their legal education and careers. With Board Members spanning the country and the globe, the NDLA supports the Law School’s national and international platform by helping students to network with Notre Dame alumni. The NDLA not only assists students in these ways, but in doing so, fosters the Notre Dame spirit of solidarity and friendship within the Law School.

  • Organizing Notre Dame Lawyer Committees For Students and Notre Dame Lawyers: Members of the NDLA have organized Notre Dame Lawyer Committees in more than 30 cities and regions nationwide. These Committees endeavor to provide students with opportunities in their communities to meet with potential students who are considering Notre Dame Law School, to share professional experiences and advice with others, and to enjoy the special fellowship we share as lawyers educated at Notre Dame. Events sponsored by the Lawyer Committees have included continuing legal education seminars, Hesburgh lectures, mock interview sessions, meet-and-greet receptions, meetings and fellowship with students during their GALILEE programs, and student send-off parties.

In sum, the NDLA is active, engaged and focused on sponsoring exciting, fun and rewarding activities aimed to pay it forward to the next generation of Notre Dame lawyers. Please contact your Regional Representative on the NDLA Board, lawalum@nd.edu, or me to get involved in your local Notre Dame Lawyer Committee. And if you live and work somewhere where there is not yet a Notre Dame Lawyer Committee, contact one of us and we will work with you and your local Notre Dame Club to get one started.

Go Irish!! Yours in Notre Dame,

Christopher A. Coury, ’91, ‘94 JD

President, Notre Dame Law Association