The University of Colorado at Boulder Law School

Overview

Established in 1892, the University of Colorado Law School is one of the top public law schools in the United States.  Colorado Law School’s diverse student body is selected from among the statistically best applicants from every corner of the nation representing over 100 undergraduate institutions, and its highly published faculty is dedicated to interacting with students both inside and outside the classroom.  The school’s state-of-the-art green building is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Boulder, Colorado.  With about 500 students and a low faculty-to-student ratio, Colorado Law School is a thriving academic community where the study of law is embraced to create leaders who recognize the civic responsibilities essential to the legal profession.

The school offers a range of doctrinal courses relating to virtually every area of legal study and practice.   In addition, Colorado Law boasts a robust experiential learning program including a diversity of clinical experiences, externships, court competitions, and a pro bono public service pledge program.  The school also has four research centers, three student-run journals, eight dual degree programs, and four certificate programs.  It is nationally recognized for programs in entrepreneurship, intellectual property, natural resource and environmental law, American Indian law, and juvenile and family law.

Our Vision

A supportive and diverse community of scholars and students in a place that inspires vigorous pursuit of ideas, critical analysis, and civic engagement in order to advance the rule of law in an open, sustainable society.

Our Mission

Teaching:
We believe that legal education should employ robust theoretical inquiry, doctrinal and policy analysis, and professional skills. As part of a premier research university we seek to integrate opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Because the law is dynamic, we must equip our students to deal with change and to exercise sound judgment and creativity in offering solutions for problems of individuals, institutions, and nations. Our faculty members are passionate about teaching and are committed to providing students with a well-rounded learning experience that prepares them to serve wisely and with professionalism. And our location provides a natural vitality that motivates students to reach for their full potential.

Scholarship:
We believe that all faculty should be committed to the broader mission of education that is accomplished through exploration, discussion, and dissemination of ideas. We seek a better understanding of existing law, to develop and test new ideas and approaches, to challenge the status quo, and to convey our research and ideas to lawyers, academics, policy makers, and the wider world. The philosophies and approaches of faculty members can and should vary widely in pursuing this mission, but all are expected to produce noteworthy work.

Public Service:
We believe that our faculty and students all have obligations to the Law School, the University, the profession, and the local and global communities for the privilege of being part of an honored endeavor. Moreover, a commitment to service is an ingredient of a full and satisfying life. Accordingly, we will contribute our time and talents in pursuit of our mission in ways that match our individual interests and abilities. As a public institution with a tradition of public service, we will strive to instill in our students an awareness of a lawyer’s civic responsibilities and opportunities to serve and lead.

Strategic Initiatives

• To foster a vibrant and amicable intellectual climate where diverse ideas and perspectives are generated, embraced, and tested with rigor and respect and where students, faculty, and staff mutually support one another in the pursuit of individual accomplishment and overall advancement of the Law School.
• To equip students to research and analyze thoroughly law and policy, to examine the theoretical and social bases for law, to exercise sound professional skills and ethical judgment, and to use the law creatively and responsibly to achieve their clients’ goals.
• To earn national and international recognition and esteem of scholars, lawyers, jurists, policymakers, and citizens for the quality and accomplishments of our faculty, our students, and our graduates.
• To attract and retain an influential world-class faculty whose members are mutually supportive of their varied individual endeavors.
• To admit an increasingly stronger and more diverse student body and to help place our recent graduates in interesting, rewarding, and satisfying positions.
• To pursue financial stability and maintain an infrastructure sufficient to allow our mission to succeed and our goals to be fulfilled.