Our challenging curriculum reflects the goal of the school — to prepare students to become practice-ready attorneys. And Memphis Law has been ranked by our students as providing an exceptionally high quality of life because of our focus on individual success and extensive contact with professors outside the classroom.

Beginning Your Legal Education

Before classes begin, all first-year (1L) students participate in an orientation program to ease the transition into law school. With upper-class students as orientation leaders, the incoming class is divided into small groups of 10-12 to discuss essential study skills, workload, school policies, community involvement opportunities, and other topics of interest.

A student panel discussion about life at Memphis Law will be held, and you will have numerous opportunities to interact with professors and fellow students, receive a full orientation to our excellent facility, and obtain information about our downtown location, housing, and parking. Finally, you will attend your first Legal Methods class of the year, breaking the ice for your legal education.

First-Year Curriculum Focuses on Core Legal Doctrines and Basic Legal Skills

An important aspect of the first-year curriculum is Legal Methods, a course that focuses on the skills required to practice law, including legal analysis, legal research, and legal writing. First-year students also have the opportunity to participate in a moot court competition.

Curriculum Options Expand in Upper Levels

The upper-level curriculum offers a wide range of elective courses which permit students to develop either broad-based or focused legal knowledge. Courses in trial advocacy, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution also are offered. In addition, upper-level students are required to take Professional Responsibility, and an advanced writing and research class, as well as fulfill a skills requirement by taking a skills-oriented class, clinic or externship, or by earning Moot Court credit.

The curriculum also includes externships, allowing students to work in administrative agencies, judicial offices, and other governmental departments with faculty and on-site supervision. A judicial externship, a criminal justice externship, or an externship with Memphis Area Legal Services are some of the options 3L students have to earn skills-related credit.