ACCESS & INCLUSION
At Memphis Law, we are committed to access, inclusion and academic success for all students. We welcome students with a variety of diverse backgrounds and perspectives that contribute to the intellectual discourse and inclusive environment at the University of Memphis School of Law.
The Office of Access & Multicultural Affairs collaborates with a variety of law school offices, student organizations, and community groups to promote access, inclusion, and student success through access initiatives, scholarships, student support and learning opportunities.
Access Initiatives
Our access initiatives provide prospective students from historically underrepresented populations with access to information regarding the legal profession, the law school admission process, and financial aid opportunities.
Access and pipeline initiatives include:
- Diversity & Pre-Law Day
- Tennessee Institute for Pre-Law (TIP) Program, an admission by performance program
- Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP) in partnership with the Memphis Bar Association
- Law Day, Street Law, & Youth Advocacy Camps
- Summer Trial & Advocacy Institute (STAI) for high school students
Scholarships
A number of scholarships are available to entering students, including access and academic merit awards. No separate application is required. Awards range from $1,000 to full in-state tuition.
Student Support
Upon admission to law school, we strongly encourage each student to take advantage of available University resources. The Office of Access of Multicultural Affairs provides one-on-one counseling as well as professional development opportunities through the Memphis Professional Development Program (MPDP). In partnership with members of the Memphis legal community, MPDP provides professional development workshops, networking, mentoring, and access to professional attire through our free Counselor’s Closet.
Student Organizations
Many of our students also participate in Student Organizations with diversity related missions and programming. The Office of Access & Multicultural Affairs provides funding to support Student Organization efforts that promote access and inclusion at Memphis Law, provide professional development such as networking and mentoring, and help raise awareness of legal issues impacting diverse communities. Organizations with diversity related missions or programming include:
- Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
- Association of Women Attorneys (AWA)
- Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
- Christian Legal Society
- Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA)
- International Law Society (ILS)
- Jewish Law Student Association
- Memphis Law +1
- Memphis Muslim Student Bar Association
- OutLaw
- Public Action Law Society
- Street Law
- Veteran’s Law Society
Recognition
- The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law has been ranked the 13th best law school nationally for African American students in the latest issue of preLaw magazine.
- Memphis Law was recently ranked in the Top 25 for Law Degrees Awarded to African Americans in Diverse Education Magazine's compiled rankings of the Top 100 Producers of Minority Graduate Degrees in the country.
- Listed by Enjuris as a Top 10 Law School for Black Students.
- Recognized in 2017 by Pre-law magazine as a "Most Diverse Law School" earning a B+ in diversity.
- Awarded the INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. Memphis Law was one of five law schools in the country to receive this award.
- Ranked one of the Top 5 Best Regional Law Schools for Black Students and a Best Bargain Law School for Black Students by Lawyers of Color Magazine.
- In 2014, Memphis Law was recognized by The National Jurist for significant gains in our diversity ranking.
- In 2013, Memphis Law was recognized by the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) at its 45th Anniversary Celebration and honored as a member of the inaugural group of "William A. Blakey Diversity Pipeline Architects" for its access and diversity efforts.
For more information on access and inclusion at the University of Memphis School of Law, please contact the Jacqueline O'Bryant, Interim Assistant Dean for Access & Multicultural Affairs, at 901-678-3231 or by email at jmbrynt2@memphis.edu