About

Michael Loch joined the College of Law in 2024 as the Director of Academic Success and Bar Support, and he was named a Lecturer in Law in 2025. He graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 2012, where he served as an editor on the DePaul Health Law Journal. After graduation, he became an attorney in the great state of California.

Prior to coming to the University of Illinois College of Law, Michael served as the Director of Academic Excellence at the University of Oregon School of Law, teaching a variety of law school and bar exam skill courses, while also developing the 1L skills program. He has also worked at building and developing courses and workshops in the academic success programs at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego, California.

Prior to joining academia, Michael was a litigator at what was then known as Morse, Geisler, Callister, & Karlin, where he defended worker’s compensation claims throughout southern California. He also was an attorney at Albertson & Davidson, specializing in trust & estate litigation and estate administration throughout all of California.

Prior to enrolling in law school, Michael was a teacher at several schools in the Chicagoland area, focusing on English and Literature while also coaching track and cross country athletes. He lives in Champaign with his wife Lauren, their six children, two dogs, and two ferrets.

Education

J.D., DePaul University College of Law
M.Ed., Loyola University Chicago
B.A., Indiana University (Bloomington)

Bar Exam
Law School Skills
Noncognitive Barriers to Success

Selected Publications

“The NextGen Uniform Bar Exam and Forum Choice: A Dilemma for Repeat Takers” (with Dr. Andrew Realon), Seton Hall L. Rev. (Forthcoming 2026)

“Overcoming the Forgetting Curve in Law School in Two Minutes or Less,” The Learning Curve (Summer/Fall 2026)

Advanced Legal Analysis
Law 101

Loch shares tips for overcoming the forgetting curve (AALS The Learning Curve, September 3, 2026)