The University of Illinois College of Law values and is committed to inclusive excellence. Some of the most important challenges our society faces result from the effects of discrimination.
We believe that the legal profession is more effective and creative when its members come from diverse backgrounds and bring varied perspectives to further the pursuit of justice. Excellence and diversity go hand in hand. Accordingly, we are committed to fostering and maintaining a law school environment that is welcoming to individuals of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions or lack thereof, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are committed to challenging and addressing bias and discrimination in all its forms and creating an environment at the College of Law in which every student can excel.
(ABA Standard 509 Information Report)
Academics and Programming
Inclusive Excellence
A suite of pipeline, recruiting, and educational programs that foster collaboration and understanding within the College of Law community, Inclusive Excellence brings together students with varied perspectives and backgrounds (e.g., first-generation students, students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, veterans, students with disabilities) and shows them how to fully participate in the College’s intellectual life.
Jumpstart
Jumpstart is an educational program that was established by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism to support first-year, minority law students who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. The curriculum, which is designed in collaboration with law schools, provides context for success in law school and beyond. Learn more.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Lecture Series
In honor of his deep concern for the dignity and rights of all people, Professor David Baum’s family established the David C. Baum Memorial Lecture on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights upon his death. The College of Law hosts at least one David C. Baum Memorial Lecture each year. Recent guest speakers have included James Forman Jr. (Yale Law), Richard Epstein (NYU Law), Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.), Jonathan Rauch (Brookings Institute), Teresa Sullivan (President Emerita, UVA), and Kristen Clarke (President, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law).
Cultural Student Organizations
The College of Law has over 30 student organizations, for which membership is open to all students. The following groups are related to culture and diversity:
Asian Law Students Association (ALSA)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Christian Law Students Association (CLSA)
Disability Law Society (DLS)
International Student Association (ISA)
Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA)
Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA)
Myra Bradwell Association for Women Law Students (WLS)
OUTLAW
Women Lead WITH Illinois Law
The College of Law is committed to the advancement of women in the legal profession. Women Lead WITH Illinois Law aims to gather the members of our community—students, faculty, alumni, and guests—for a variety of programming intended to inspire and empower women to embrace positions of leadership in the law, to create meaningful connections, and to support each other’s personal and professional goals. Learn more about this initiative.
Campus Resources and Programming
The following is a list of campus resources available to ALL University of Illinois students, including those attending the College of Law.
Inclusive Spaces
Our cultural houses and resource centers work to provide open and safe places for people of all backgrounds to build support systems on campus.
