News about College of Law students
The first year of law school is a unique experience. Though some students may have the option to enroll in pre-law minor, there is no requirement for any specific curriculum to be admitted to law school, which makes the first year a foundational year that can be challenging, surprising, and inspiring in a short period […]
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled that the Wisconsin Department of Justice must release its list of approximately 16,000 law enforcement officers currently certified in the state. The judge rejected the DOJ’s arguments that releasing the list would identify undercover officers, subject officers to harassment, or put them […]
The Rickert Awards are the most prestigious awards conferred upon students at the University of Illinois College of Law and recognize excellence in student achievement. The Rickert Awards Program was established in the fall of 1976 and was named in memory of Joseph W. Rickert, a distinguished lawyer who practiced law in southern Illinois for […]
The College of Law welcomed our newest JD, LLM, MSL, JSD, and study abroad students at new student orientation beginning Wednesday, August 20. The program offered a chance to hear from professors, staff, alumni, and fellow students, welcoming them to law school and preparing them for the challenge that awaits. On August 21, Dean Jamelle […]
The College of Law is pleased to announce that Kelly Salefski has been appointed the next Assistant Dean of Academic Administration and Dean of Students, effective immediately. Few individuals are as dedicated to Illinois as Kelly. A double Illini, graduating with an undergraduate degree in integrative biology in 2002 and JD in 2005, she began […]
Bobby Mannis and Vindy Murthy, 2025 graduates, join the podcast to discuss their artificial intelligence-powered learning tool, NomosLearning. They share some background on how their education at Illinois inspired the building of this tool and how they came together to create a tool that all Illinois students can use. NomosLearning harnesses the power of AI […]
Elsa Zawedde, a JSD candidate at the University of Illinois College of Law, has been awarded a BRIDGE Global South Fellowship. The program supports the professional development of early-career researchers from universities in the Global South. As a visiting fellow in the College of Law, she will have the opportunity to gain insight into the […]
The Rickert Awards are the most prestigious awards conferred upon students at the University of Illinois College of Law and recognize excellence in student achievement. The Rickert Awards Program was established in the fall of 1976 and was named in memory of Joseph W. Rickert, a distinguished lawyer who practiced law in southern Illinois for […]
Trying to navigate the morass of state-level abortion laws in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade is “a hot mess,” according to Professor Robin Fretwell Wilson. To help individuals understand the laws where they reside, Wilson and a team of students led by Sara Peal ’25 created a website feature a […]
Akanksha Balekai, class of 2026, has been selected as a 2025 Next Generation Leader by the American Constitution Society. Thirty-one students from law schools around the United States were selected to be part of the 2025 cohort. The selected students were those who demonstrate strong legal skills, a commitment to public service, and a track […]