Northern Illinois University College of Law
Encyclopedia
Northern Illinois University College of Law (NIU Law) is a law school
in DeKalb, Illinois
. The College offers the Juris Doctor
degree in both full-time (three year) and part-time programs.
, founded in 1975. It became part of Northern Illinois University
in August 1979, and in 1982 moved to the DeKalb campus, taking up residence in Swen Parson Hall. It is the only public law school in the greater Chicago area.
The campus is located just over an hour from Chicago in the suburban setting of DeKalb, Illinois.
As the only public law school in the greater Chicago area, the Northern Illinois University College of Law was founded on a core belief that a high quality, challenging legal education should not be cost prohibitive.
In its history, NIU Law has built a proud tradition of graduating students not only skilled in legal knowledge and practice, but also imbued with a high degree of community responsibility, committed to serving the needs of a diverse and ever-changing society.
In and out of the classroom, it seeks to promote the formation of lifelong bonds, not only among students, but also between the students, administration and faculty.
NIU Law is a community centered on learning due to its academic programs in the classroom as well as in its Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford, IL
Referred to as the "Symposium" issue, this issue is released in conjunction with a one-day conference composed of presentations, round-table discussion, and keynote addresses by experts on the Symposium topic.
2011 - Symposium on Human Trafficking, Which Way Home
2010 - What it Means to be a Lawyer in the Digital Age; The Effects Technology has on the Ethical and Professional Responsibility of Attorneys.
Members participate in the formulation of the Prize Moot Court problem, the administration of the program, and the judging of arguments in otehr programs. They are also eligible for membership on teams which participate in regional and national competitions.
External Competitions
2010-2011
29th Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law
Jessica Fiocchi and Alexander Geocaris
Coach: Associate Dean Lenny Mandell
Octo-Finalists
2010 National Latino Law Student Association Moot Court Competition
Daniel Becerra, Omar Salguero, and Gladys Proa Santana
Coach: Professor Robert Jones
Quarter-Finalists
2010 Appellate Lawyers Association National Moot Court Competition
Josh Ladwig and Kristen Shaffer
Coaches: Legal Writing Instructors Jeanna Hunter, Elsa Miller, and Meredith Stange
Finalists, 3rd Best Brief
2010 National Moot Court Competition
Gabriel Casey and Amanda Hamilton
Coach: Professor David Taylor
2011 Jessup Cup International Moot Court Competition
Matthew Hartman, Matthew Jakobze, Emily Martin, Judy Soto, and Glenn Stevenson
Coach; Professor Dan Reynolds
6th Best Brief of 24 submitted briefs, 5th Best Oralist - Emily Martin
2009-2010
28th Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law
Steven Boldt, Thomas Chan, and Daniel Kegl
Coach: Associate Dean Lenny Mandell
Semi-Finalists, 2nd Best Brief
A complete list of student organizations at NIU College of Law can be found here:
Complete Student Organization List
In the first year, students take two full-year, required courses, Basic Legal Research and Legal Writing and Advocacy. Recognizing that effective legal research and communication are the basic skills utilized every day by the successful practitioner, these courses address these skills at the beginning of law school. The two courses employ coordinated, real-life exercises.
Various clinical experiences are offered each semester at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford, IL. Students represent clients under the direction of well-qualified supervising attorneys. The clinical courses each have a classroom component in addition to the practice experience. They are taught by members of the College of Law faculty in conjunction with the supervising attorneys. These classes bring academic and practical worlds together, addressing a range of issues students experience in their cases, from honing legal skills, to exploring issues of substantive law and procedure, to considering real-world issues of professional responsibility and ethics.
The clinical opportunities taught at the College of Law in recent years include: Domestic Abuse Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, and Mediation Clinic.
NIU Alumni in the Judiciary
In 2001, the college received the Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award.
bar passage rate, indebtedness at graduation, and employment rate.
In evaluating law school faculty diversity, The Princeton Review
in its 2008 edition of Best 170 Law Schools ranked Northern Illinois University College of Law among the top ten law schools in the country.
Northern Illinois University College of Law is currently unranked in the fourth tier of U.S. News & World Report's 2012 Law School rankings.
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
in DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 43,862 at the 2010 census, up from 39,018 at the 2000 census. The city is named after decorated German war hero Johann De Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War....
. The College offers the Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree in both full-time (three year) and part-time programs.
History
The College was originally Lewis University College of Law in Glen Ellyn, IllinoisGlen Ellyn, Illinois
Glen Ellyn is an affluent village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the village population was 26,999.-Geography:...
, founded in 1975. It became part of Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
in August 1979, and in 1982 moved to the DeKalb campus, taking up residence in Swen Parson Hall. It is the only public law school in the greater Chicago area.
About the College of Law
Northern illinois University College of Law is a young and dynamic school offering its diverse student body a broad perspective of the law through high-quality programs and practical-skills training taught by well-respected, dynamic faculty of equal diversity.The campus is located just over an hour from Chicago in the suburban setting of DeKalb, Illinois.
As the only public law school in the greater Chicago area, the Northern Illinois University College of Law was founded on a core belief that a high quality, challenging legal education should not be cost prohibitive.
In its history, NIU Law has built a proud tradition of graduating students not only skilled in legal knowledge and practice, but also imbued with a high degree of community responsibility, committed to serving the needs of a diverse and ever-changing society.
In and out of the classroom, it seeks to promote the formation of lifelong bonds, not only among students, but also between the students, administration and faculty.
NIU Law is a community centered on learning due to its academic programs in the classroom as well as in its Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford, IL
Northern Illinois University Law Review
The Northern Illinois University Law Review is a student-edited journal that publishes articles designed to assist the legal community and to stimulate critical discussion of current legal, policy, and social issues. The Review publishes three issues per year, with the third issue being dedicated toa specific legal or social issue the membership has collectively decided to highlight.Referred to as the "Symposium" issue, this issue is released in conjunction with a one-day conference composed of presentations, round-table discussion, and keynote addresses by experts on the Symposium topic.
2011 - Symposium on Human Trafficking, Which Way Home
2010 - What it Means to be a Lawyer in the Digital Age; The Effects Technology has on the Ethical and Professional Responsibility of Attorneys.
Trial Advocacy Society
The Trial Advocacy Society is a student-run organization committed to developing trial advocacy skills and preparing students to become effective trial lawyers. This mission is achieved through a variety of activities, which includes hosting student competitions, such as the 2L Mock Trial Competition, as well as through other events including educational seminars, guest speakers who are prominent jurists and trial lawyers within the community, and hosting social events focused on trials on the development of trial skills.Moot Court Society
The Moot Court Society is a student-run organization whose purpose is to further the advancement of appellate advocacy. It draws its members from those students who have participated in the Prize Moot Court Competition offered to second-year students, or other co-curricular moot court competitions.Members participate in the formulation of the Prize Moot Court problem, the administration of the program, and the judging of arguments in otehr programs. They are also eligible for membership on teams which participate in regional and national competitions.
External Competitions
2010-2011
29th Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law
Jessica Fiocchi and Alexander Geocaris
Coach: Associate Dean Lenny Mandell
Octo-Finalists
2010 National Latino Law Student Association Moot Court Competition
Daniel Becerra, Omar Salguero, and Gladys Proa Santana
Coach: Professor Robert Jones
Quarter-Finalists
2010 Appellate Lawyers Association National Moot Court Competition
Josh Ladwig and Kristen Shaffer
Coaches: Legal Writing Instructors Jeanna Hunter, Elsa Miller, and Meredith Stange
Finalists, 3rd Best Brief
2010 National Moot Court Competition
Gabriel Casey and Amanda Hamilton
Coach: Professor David Taylor
2011 Jessup Cup International Moot Court Competition
Matthew Hartman, Matthew Jakobze, Emily Martin, Judy Soto, and Glenn Stevenson
Coach; Professor Dan Reynolds
6th Best Brief of 24 submitted briefs, 5th Best Oralist - Emily Martin
2009-2010
28th Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law
Steven Boldt, Thomas Chan, and Daniel Kegl
Coach: Associate Dean Lenny Mandell
Semi-Finalists, 2nd Best Brief
Student Organizations
NIU College of Law offers its students the opportunity to join a wide array of student organizations such as the Federalist Society, Second Amendment Society, Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), Public Interest Law Society (PILS) and more.A complete list of student organizations at NIU College of Law can be found here:
Complete Student Organization List
Legal Skills Training Opportunities
The College of Law has designed a comprehensive approach to skills training that begins in the first year and continues throughout the second and third years of the curriculum. It employs the latest technology, both as teaching tools and as means of communication and persuasion with which the present day advocate must be familiar. It is also distinguished by the high degree of involvement of members of the full-time faculty. This provides for the ultimate integration of the theoretical and practical aspects of a well-rounded legal education.In the first year, students take two full-year, required courses, Basic Legal Research and Legal Writing and Advocacy. Recognizing that effective legal research and communication are the basic skills utilized every day by the successful practitioner, these courses address these skills at the beginning of law school. The two courses employ coordinated, real-life exercises.
Various clinical experiences are offered each semester at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford, IL. Students represent clients under the direction of well-qualified supervising attorneys. The clinical courses each have a classroom component in addition to the practice experience. They are taught by members of the College of Law faculty in conjunction with the supervising attorneys. These classes bring academic and practical worlds together, addressing a range of issues students experience in their cases, from honing legal skills, to exploring issues of substantive law and procedure, to considering real-world issues of professional responsibility and ethics.
The clinical opportunities taught at the College of Law in recent years include: Domestic Abuse Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, and Mediation Clinic.
Alumni in the Judiciary
The NIU Law faculty is committed to not just teaching the law but teaching the law with an emphasis on public service. This emphasis on public service coupled with the strong foundation of skills necessary for the practice of law creates opportunities for graduates to excel in the local legal community. NIU Law is proud to have 74 graduates as members of the judiciary across the country.NIU Alumni in the Judiciary
Public Interest Service
NIU Law was ranked first in the nation for government placement according to U.S. News and World Report. Approximately one-third of its graduates choose a career in public interest, including 74 alumni in the judiciary. Since its inception, the college has had approximately 3,000 graduates.In 2001, the college received the Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award.
Rankings
In 2010, the National Jurist ranked NIU College of Law as the 13th Best Value Law School in the nation considering such factors asbar passage rate, indebtedness at graduation, and employment rate.
In evaluating law school faculty diversity, The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
in its 2008 edition of Best 170 Law Schools ranked Northern Illinois University College of Law among the top ten law schools in the country.
Northern Illinois University College of Law is currently unranked in the fourth tier of U.S. News & World Report's 2012 Law School rankings.