KNOWLEDGE
— building a foundation
Our curriculum is both rigorous and comprehensive. The first year fosters a strong foundation in core legal subjects. Courses and concentrations in the second year and beyond provide opportunities for deep immersion in the theory and practice of law and the pursuit of sophisticated, high-demand specializations. Joint degree programs add new perspectives on complex problems.
Your Toledo Law experience can be tailored to a variety of professional goals and academic timetables.
Your Toledo Law experience can be tailored to a variety of professional goals and academic timetables.
Dean Daniel J.
Steinbock
"The University of Toledo College of Law offers an excellent education in a small, friendly, and caring environment."
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Steinbock
"The University of Toledo College of Law offers an excellent education in a small, friendly, and caring environment."
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Course of Study Options
Full-time program- 3 years
- Typically 4 years
- Flexible. Contact the Associate Dean of students to plan your course of study.
Certificates of Concentration
Earn a certificate of concentration in these five areas:
Professor Davis using one of the SMART Boards located in all classrooms.
Joint Degree Programs
Toledo Law, in conjunction with other University colleges, accepts up to 12 hours from several master's programs toward the J.D., and those programs accept up to 12 credit hours from the J.D. toward the master's degree.
What happens during the first year?
- You'll take required courses that are the substantive building blocks for a legal education:
Civil Procedure I - Pleading and Practice
Constitutional Law I
Contracts I and II
Criminal Law
Property I and II
Torts - You'll also take a Legal Research, Writing and Appellate Advocacy sequence to learn techniques of legal research, skills of legal analysis, and how to write memos and appeals briefs.
What happens during the second and third years?
- You'll take a few more required courses:
Civil Procedure II - Jurisdiction
Constitutional Law II
Evidence
Legal Ethics
Upper-Level Writing Requirement
- You'll complete two upper-level research and writing projects, with faculty supervision, in fields of interest to you.
- You'll choose at least two credit hours in a course designated by the Associate Dean as including substantial instruction in professional skills.
- You'll select a broad range of electives, including substantive law courses, legal clinics, and flex courses: one- or two-credit classes that meet on breaks or weekends and feature renowned practitioners and academics who teach specialized areas of the law.
- You'll complete two upper-level research and writing projects, with faculty supervision, in fields of interest to you.
STUDENT FOCUS
— the journey matters
At Toledo Law, every aspect of your journey matters.
Students may individualize their law school experience by participating in a wide array of student organizations that promote collaboration and interaction through various social, educational and service activities.
Our wired classrooms boast state-of-the-art teaching technology. Class sizes are tailored to foster discussion, debate, and a robust exchange of ideas.
Students may individualize their law school experience by participating in a wide array of student organizations that promote collaboration and interaction through various social, educational and service activities.
Our wired classrooms boast state-of-the-art teaching technology. Class sizes are tailored to foster discussion, debate, and a robust exchange of ideas.
Haley Miller
Class of 2013
Salisbury University, B.A.
Class of 2013
Salisbury University, B.A.
"The law school has an array of student organizations that allow you to connect with people of similar interests as well as give back to the local community."
Honor Societies
Order of the CoifAn honor society for top graduates at select U.S. law schools. Students must earn their J.D. and graduate in the top 10 percent of their class to be eligible for membership.
Order of Barristers
A national honorary organization that encourages oral advocacy and brief writing skills. Students who excel in advocacy and service are eligible for membership.
Student Organizations
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Society American Bar Association American Constitution Society Asian and Pacific Island Law Students Society Black Law Students Association Business Law Association Christian Legal Society Criminal Justice Society Delta Theta Phi Environmental Law Society Family and Juvenile Law Society The Federalist Society |
Health Care Law Homeland Security and Immigration Law Society Intellectual Property Law International Law Society Labor and Employment Law No Holds Bar Review (student newspaper) OUTlaw (LGBT) Phi Alpha Delta Public Interest Law Society Sports Law Student Bar Association Women's Law Student Association |
Law Review
This student-edited scholarly publication analyzes current legal issues.
- Published quarterly with articles from legal scholars and practitioners, comments from students on new developments, and analyses by students of recent, noteworthy cases.
- Second-year members write articles and assist with technical editing of articles for publication.
- Third-year students run the journal, including soliciting authors and assuring quality.
Trial Advocacy Team
Members prepare and compete in trial competitions.- Members litigate as plaintiff or defense counsel.
- Members do everything—pretrial arguments, evidentiary issues, opening and closing arguments, and direct and cross examination of witnesses.
- A sitting judge presides, and a jury consisting of practicing attorneys assesses the performance.
Moot Court International Arbitration team in Vienna.
Moot Court Program
Upper-level student teams practice their appellate skills and travel to compete nationally and internationally.- Participants also coordinate the annual intramural Charles W. Fornoff Moot Court Competition, which features a final round judged by federal and state court judges.
- Teams include arbitration, business law, constitutional law, criminal law, environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, and labor law.
Facilities & Library
- Law classes take place in the Law Center, a four-story building on UT's Main Campus.
- Wireless access exists throughout the building, and SMART Boards are located in every classroom.
- All law faculty have office space in the Law Center. In addition, the Law Center houses the office of law admissions, law financial aid, the law registrar, the office of professional development and alumni affairs, and the legal clinics.
- LaValley Law Library features over 42,000 square feet of recently remodeled space with private study carrels, group study rooms, and a multimedia center. LaValley Law Library Online
- Plenty of places to study and hang out.
EXPERTISE
faculty and more
Our growing faculty is composed of internationally recognized scholars, distinguished jurists, and successful practitioners. They have published more than 30 books and hundreds of articles, clerked for state and federal judges, practiced at major law firms and government agencies, and served as go-to media experts.
But what really sets us apart is our faculty's demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and promoting each student's academic and professional development. Even our largest first-year classes are small enough to ensure student-faculty interaction, and smaller classes and group projects provide innovative learning experiences.
Students benefit from a host of scholarly events each year, including our distinguished speaker series, endowed lectures, and annual academic conferences, colloquia and symposia that draw acclaimed scholars, practitioners and judges into the robust exchange of ideas at Toledo Law.
But what really sets us apart is our faculty's demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and promoting each student's academic and professional development. Even our largest first-year classes are small enough to ensure student-faculty interaction, and smaller classes and group projects provide innovative learning experiences.
Students benefit from a host of scholarly events each year, including our distinguished speaker series, endowed lectures, and annual academic conferences, colloquia and symposia that draw acclaimed scholars, practitioners and judges into the robust exchange of ideas at Toledo Law.
Adam Motycka
Class of 2013
The University of Toledo, B.A.
Class of 2013
The University of Toledo, B.A.
"The professors all have an open-door policy, and they are routinely on a first-name basis with their students. The administration and faculty do everything within their power to ensure that a student succeeds: whether that's by personally meeting with a student to go over a challenging topic or by planning events in which the students can get to know the lawyers and alumni in the community."
Everyone has an OPEN-DOOR POLICY — you're welcome to come in and talk without an appointment.
They are easy to find—the faculty have an "in the building" culture and are very accessible and approachable.
With a student/faculty ratio of 13:1, you will have the personal attention you deserve.
You'll see them outside of class — and they're happy to engage with you in the halls, in the forum, or at student events.
They'll go to bat for you — they'll help you secure placements and jobs and give you honest career advice you can't get anywhere else.
They are easy to find—the faculty have an "in the building" culture and are very accessible and approachable.
With a student/faculty ratio of 13:1, you will have the personal attention you deserve.
You'll see them outside of class — and they're happy to engage with you in the halls, in the forum, or at student events.
They'll go to bat for you — they'll help you secure placements and jobs and give you honest career advice you can't get anywhere else.
TOLEDO LAW: FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Where our faculty stand apart is that they are outstanding teachers who put you first.
Llewellyn Joseph Gibbons
Associate Professor
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law;
L.L.M., Temple University School of Law
Fulbright Scholar; Elected member American Law Institute
Specialities: Intellectual Property Law, Ecommerce, Cyber-Law
"In my years here, I have noticed two significant things. First, this is a place where faculty and students come together to make a difference. Second, no one is ever too busy to help."
Associate Professor
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law;
L.L.M., Temple University School of Law
Fulbright Scholar; Elected member American Law Institute
Specialities: Intellectual Property Law, Ecommerce, Cyber-Law
"In my years here, I have noticed two significant things. First, this is a place where faculty and students come together to make a difference. Second, no one is ever too busy to help."
Nicole B. Porter
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor
J.D., Michigan Law School
Order of the Coif
Specialities: Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, Feminist Legal Theory, Criminal Law
"I've been affiliated with four different law schools, as a student or a professor, and no one cares about their students as much as the faculty and staff here at UT Law."
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor
J.D., Michigan Law School
Order of the Coif
Specialities: Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, Feminist Legal Theory, Criminal Law
"I've been affiliated with four different law schools, as a student or a professor, and no one cares about their students as much as the faculty and staff here at UT Law."
Geoffrey C. Rapp
Professor
J.D., Yale Law School
Recently testified in U.S. Congress; frequently quoted in the N.Y. Times, USA Today, CBSsports.com; interviewed on NPR, ABC, and Scout.com; Editor of the Sports Law Blog
Specialities: Torts, Business Law, Sports Law
"At UT Law, it's my job to make sure you don't just earn a degree, but that you get an education."
Professor
J.D., Yale Law School
Recently testified in U.S. Congress; frequently quoted in the N.Y. Times, USA Today, CBSsports.com; interviewed on NPR, ABC, and Scout.com; Editor of the Sports Law Blog
Specialities: Torts, Business Law, Sports Law
"At UT Law, it's my job to make sure you don't just earn a degree, but that you get an education."
Symposia and National Conferences
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Toledo native and author Patrick Jake "P.J." O'Rourke
Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Distinguished Speaker Series
Nationally known attorneys, judges and authors offer unique perspectives on important issues. Recent speakers include:- U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Dennis Archer, former president of the American Bar Association and former mayor of Detroit
- Neil Katyal, Georgetown law professor and lead counsel in Supreme Court cases about the constitutionality of detaining suspects in Guantanamo Bay
- David Shipler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Working Poor: Invisible in America
- P.J. O'Rourke, American political satirist, journalist and author
"Day After" Speaker Series
Features attorneys who have recently argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Speakers include:- Alan Gura, lead counsel for the original plaintiff Heller in D.C. v. Heller, the first right-to-bear arms case to go before the Court in decades
- David Friedman, ACLU attorney who argued McCreary County v. ACLU, which ruled that the display of the Ten Commandments in public courtrooms is unconstitutional
- David E. Mills, a solo practitioner in Cleveland who became one of the youngest lawyers to argue and win a case before the Court in Ortiz v. Jordan
SKILL
— from theory to practice
Toledo Law has ample opportunities for you to gain practical experience, develop your legal skills and help the community.
Our innovative, rigorous clinical and externship programs and lawyering skills courses offer training in criminal and civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution and public interest work. These programs build crucial skills in client counseling, witness examination, legal drafting, oral argument and strategic thinking — positioning you for a rapid transition from school to practice.
Our innovative, rigorous clinical and externship programs and lawyering skills courses offer training in criminal and civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution and public interest work. These programs build crucial skills in client counseling, witness examination, legal drafting, oral argument and strategic thinking — positioning you for a rapid transition from school to practice.
Photo at right: Erik Isakson, class of 2013, worked a summer externship with Peter Papadimos, '80, in The University of Toledo General Counsel's Office.
Externships
Students are placed in public sector law offices to work, learn and hone their skills.- Reinberger Honors Fellowship in Prosecution - Through this unique, selective program, students receive intensive training and are placed in prosecutors' offices throughout the country to work for seven weeks during the summer, experiencing every aspect of a prosecutor's job.
- Public Service Externship Clinic - Participants spend a semester working in judges' chambers, government offices, non-profit organizations, legal aid offices, and other public service settings.
Legal Clinics
Under the supervision of clinical faculty, upper-level students learn by doing.
- Civil Practice Clinic - Students represent clients who cannot afford to hire private legal counsel on issues such as civil rights, housing, immigration, family law, real estate, and more.
- Criminal Law Practice Clinic - Students are placed in prosecutors' offices in the region to handle misdemeanor and traffic prosecutions and participate in initial charging decisions, plea negotiations, trials, and final appeals.
- Dispute Resolution Clinic - Students serve as volunteer mediators in local courts for cases involving unruly and delinquent youth and small claims matters, including consumer complaints, landlord and tenant disputes, auto accidents, and minor criminal matters.
- Domestic Violence and Juvenile Clinic - Students assist victims of domestic violence and perform the functions of a civil attorney, including interviewing and counseling clients, conducting research, developing case theories, making oral arguments, and more. The clinic also handles juvenile law matters.
Federal Work Study
Eligible students can earn money to pay for their degree by performing legal work at non-profit and government agencies.Skills Courses
The development of professional skills is integral to success as a practicing attorney. All students are required to take at least one skills course in order to graduate. These courses involve substantial instruction in professional skills and include clinics, simulations, and legal drafting courses.
Brian Lutz, Athletic Director for Compliance (center with book), meets with law students as a part of their Public Service Externship Clinic experience.
Pro Bono Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to perform legal work for the underserved without charge.- The college will help you find placements with area organizations such as the Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Services Program, Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE).
- Students can earn a Public Service Commendation in each semester they perform 30 or more documented hours of unpaid law-related public service work.
Each year, Toledo Law students devote more than 5,000 hours to pro bono work.
Public Service Fellowships
Students may qualify for a stipend by committing to a summer public interest placement.
INFLUENCE
— go anywhere, do anything
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the central credential of the American legal profession and constitutes a significant academic achievement. More than that, it represents power to influence the justice system, the economy, and public affairs.
Our distinguished alumni have achieved success in law, government, business, non-profits, and many other fields throughout the nation and internationally. No matter what you want to do or where you want to work, Toledo Law can help you get there.
Our distinguished alumni have achieved success in law, government, business, non-profits, and many other fields throughout the nation and internationally. No matter what you want to do or where you want to work, Toledo Law can help you get there.
Laura Gross, '05
Associate attorney at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Associate attorney at Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A.
West Palm Beach, Fla.
"Toledo Law has served me well in my career. It provided me with tools to think critically, a broad base to understand differing areas of the law, and a faculty that cared enough to prepare me for my transition into the legal community. If given the same decision, I would choose Toledo Law again."
The Honorable Jack Zouhary, '76, was appointed to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, in 2006.
Our Alumni are Employed from Florida to Alaska, from Wall Street to Main Street
Robert Muller, '94
Founding Partner, Cypress, LLP
Los Angeles, California
"The ability to have day-to-day interaction with the UT College of Law faculty, solid course offerings and a high-degree of motivation and collegiality among my fellow law school classmates fostered learning and provided me with the fundamental and important skills to be an effective lawyer. I truly would not trade my UT College of Law experience for anything in the world."
Founding Partner, Cypress, LLP
Los Angeles, California
"The ability to have day-to-day interaction with the UT College of Law faculty, solid course offerings and a high-degree of motivation and collegiality among my fellow law school classmates fostered learning and provided me with the fundamental and important skills to be an effective lawyer. I truly would not trade my UT College of Law experience for anything in the world."
Diane Mitchum, '92
Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice's Communitys Relations Service
Washington, D.C.
"While attending Toledo Law, I developed strong mediation skills and the ability to gather information from all perspectives, attributes which are necessary for my line of work."
Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice's Communitys Relations Service
Washington, D.C.
"While attending Toledo Law, I developed strong mediation skills and the ability to gather information from all perspectives, attributes which are necessary for my line of work."
Christopher P. Bussert, '83
Partner at Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton
Decatur, Georgia
"I received a great education at the College of Law. I really enjoyed the professors I had. During second year, I took an Unfair Competition course and decided then and there that is what I want to do. It has been my principal practice for 28+ years."
Partner at Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton
Decatur, Georgia
"I received a great education at the College of Law. I really enjoyed the professors I had. During second year, I took an Unfair Competition course and decided then and there that is what I want to do. It has been my principal practice for 28+ years."
The Office of Professional Development offers workshops and support services to assist you:
Workshops and Programs
Services
Join UT's College of Law LinkedIn Group
View/Join the College of Law Alumni Network
Workshops and Programs
- Public interest law panel
- Small firm practice essentials
- Mock interview programs with lawyers and judges
- Etiquette dinners
- State of the Legal Profession annual address
- Professional development mentor program
Services
- Individual career counseling sessions
- Resume and cover letter editing and review
- On-campus interviews and resume collections
- National career fairs and career fair preparation
- Pre-paid access to online resources and databases
- Video conferencing
- Assistance with judicial clerkship applications
Join UT's College of Law LinkedIn Group
View/Join the College of Law Alumni Network
VALUE
— more for less
Toledo Law repeatedly has been named a "Best Value Law School" because of high bar passage and employment rates coupled with reasonable tuition. Our students graduate without an overwhelming debt load, giving them flexibility in charting their career paths.
Toledo offers the conveniences of a major city along with the affordable livability of a small town. World-class museums, entertainment, and year-round outdoor recreation are just some of the reasons that Toledo is a great place to live and study.
Toledo offers the conveniences of a major city along with the affordable livability of a small town. World-class museums, entertainment, and year-round outdoor recreation are just some of the reasons that Toledo is a great place to live and study.
Frederic Roth V
Class of 2012
The Ohio State University, B.S.
Oakland University, M.S.
Class of 2012
The Ohio State University, B.S.
Oakland University, M.S.
"Coming from southeast Michigan, I chose Toledo Law because I did not find another school that offered the programs, certificates, and opportunities Toledo has, especially given the affordable tuition."
Read the latest post's from the Rocket Law Blog:
Read the latest post's from the Rocket Law Blog:
Tuition and Housing Costs
View a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees and estimated costs associated with attending The University of Toledo College of Law.Scholarships and Financial Aid
Toledo Law offers more than $1.5 million in scholarships. Full and partial scholarships are awarded to highly credentialed applicants, as well as to applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.Students can qualify for additional state and federal grants and loans (including Federal Work Study) by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov.
The University
The University of Toledo is a nationally-recognized comprehensive public university with an enrollment of more than 20,000 students. UT is one of fewer than 20 universities in the nation with colleges of law, medicine, business, engineering, and pharmacy. Cultural and recreational activities on campus are plentiful, from Division 1 athletics, to musical and theatrical performances at the Center for Performing Arts, to lecture series on art, science and literature.
Also available to law students is an impressive Student Recreation Center, a 151,000-square-foot facility featuring three pools, a water slide, basketball, racquetball/handball and volleyball courts, machine and free weights, a high ropes course, a running track, aerobic and martial arts areas, outdoor sand volleyball courts, game tables, a golf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, and movie theater.
The University has a $1.1 billion economic impact, world-renowned faculty and staff, $60 million in funded research and grants, and the UT Medical Center, the region's only academic health center.
The University has 14 Colleges:
The University has a $1.1 billion economic impact, world-renowned faculty and staff, $60 million in funded research and grants, and the UT Medical Center, the region's only academic health center.
The University has 14 Colleges:
- Adult and Lifelong Learning
- Business and Innovation
- Education, Health Science and Human Service
- Engineering
- Graduate Studies
- Honors
- Innovative Learning
- Languages, Literature and Social Sciences
- Law
- Medicine and Life Sciences
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Nursing
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Visual and Performing Arts
Your Address:
The City: You will be surprised
If your only exposure to Toledo is having driven past our community on the road between New York and Chicago or Detroit and Cincinnati, you'll be surprised at how good life is in the "Glass City." Toledo is a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area, which has drawn on its history as one of America's first great industrial cities to pioneer "green" business ventures, in particular in the area of solar and advanced renewable energy. Innovative firms like Xunlight Corporation and First Solar were launched in Toledo and have brought a renewed energy to our historic city.Located on the western shore of Lake Erie, a short drive to beaches, lake-side parks and ferry access to popular island destinations, Toledo offers both the cultural amenities of a big city and the affordable cost of living and close-knit feel of a small town. Toledo is one of the four largest metropolitan areas in Ohio (the metropolitan area has a population of more than 650,000 and the city proper over 287,000). Toledo has a symphony, a ballet, and a world-class art museum offering numerous events and cultural opportunities. The triple-A Detroit Tigers affiliate Toledo Mud Hens play at Fifth Third Field,
named the best minor league stadium by Newsweek magazine. A newly minted downtown arena hosts professional hockey and welcomes a number of musical acts.
Toledo's neighborhoods include the Old West End, the nation's largest preserved collection of Victorian homes and a thriving arts community, a Warehouse District with sleek urban lofts, as well as pleasant suburbs including Ohio's best public school district. From the historic riverside town of Perrysburg to the modern amenities of the Levis Commons and Westfield Franklin Park malls, the Toledo area offers nearly everything you could desire within a 15-minute drive. The Toledo Zoo, one of the region's best, and the Imagination Station, a downtown science museum, offer hands-on learning opportunities to curious visitors of all ages.
Toledo's neighborhoods include the Old West End, the nation's largest preserved collection of Victorian homes and a thriving arts community, a Warehouse District with sleek urban lofts, as well as pleasant suburbs including Ohio's best public school district. From the historic riverside town of Perrysburg to the modern amenities of the Levis Commons and Westfield Franklin Park malls, the Toledo area offers nearly everything you could desire within a 15-minute drive. The Toledo Zoo, one of the region's best, and the Imagination Station, a downtown science museum, offer hands-on learning opportunities to curious visitors of all ages.
Students benefit from the proximity of federal, state and county courts within the city of Toledo. At right: The Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Toledo, Ohio.
Toledo is home to a number of cultural, entertainment, and athletic opportunities, including:
More exciting opportunities are just a short drive away, such as:
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Crosby Festival of the Arts Toledo Zoo Toledo Ballet Westfield Franklin Park Maumee Bay State Park Mud Hens AAA Baseball Toledo Botanical Gardens |
Toledo Opera Toledo Symphony Orchestra Imagination Station Metroparks of the Toledo Area Toledo Walleye ECHL Hockey Toledo Museum of Art Levis Commons |
More exciting opportunities are just a short drive away, such as:
|
Cedar Point Amusement Park Palace of Auburn Hills DTE Energy Music Theatre |
Comerica Park Ann Arbor Street Art Fair |
