University of Kansas in Kansas Law Schools
University of Kansas School of Law – Kansas
1. Overview and History
Founded in 1878, the University of Kansas School of Law is the public law school of the University of Kansas located in Lawrence, Kansas.
It was established to provide accessible legal education for residents of Kansas and the surrounding region.
The school emphasizes public service, professional ethics, and practical legal skills.
2. Academic Programs
Juris Doctor (JD)
The JD program requires 90 credit hours and can be completed in three years of full-time study.
Offers a Day Program for full-time students and an Evening Program for part-time students.
Curriculum includes:
Core courses: Contracts, Torts, Property, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law.
Advanced courses: Business Law, Intellectual Property, Environmental Law, Family Law.
Skills courses: Legal writing, negotiation, trial advocacy, and clinic work.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
The LL.M. program is designed for international lawyers and U.S. lawyers seeking advanced specialization.
Students can focus on areas such as energy law, health law, or business law.
Clinics & Practical Training
Kansas Law emphasizes experiential learning through clinics, externships, and simulation courses.
Clinics include:
Civil Practice Clinic – representing clients in civil disputes.
Criminal Defense Clinic – assisting in criminal defense matters in local courts.
Entrepreneurship and Business Law Clinic – supporting startups and small businesses.
3. Case Law Connections in Kansas
University of Kansas Law School integrates Kansas case law and key U.S. Supreme Court rulings into its curriculum. Some illustrative cases:
State v. Brown (1979)
Kansas Supreme Court case addressing the admissibility of confessions.
Used in criminal procedure courses to illustrate Miranda rights application under Kansas law.
Hays v. Kansas Department of Revenue (1996)
A case interpreting state tax statutes.
Shows how statutory interpretation works in Kansas courts, useful in business law classes.
State v. Limon (2005)
Landmark Kansas Supreme Court case on equal protection.
The court ruled that imposing harsher sentences based on sexual orientation violated the Kansas Constitution.
Frequently discussed in constitutional law courses to examine state-level equal protection standards.
Kansas v. Hendricks (1997)
Involved civil commitment of sexual predators under Kansas law.
Used to discuss due process and civil liberties, showing how Kansas law interacts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent.
4. Law Review and Publications
The Kansas Law Review publishes scholarly articles, student case notes, and comments on Kansas and federal law.
Provides a platform for students to analyze and critique Kansas Supreme Court and federal court decisions.
Law Review articles often influence litigation strategies in Kansas courts and occasionally appear in judicial citations.
5. Notable Alumni & Legal Influence
Judges: Several alumni serve on the Kansas Supreme Court, federal courts, and appellate courts.
Public Officials: Alumni have held positions such as Kansas Attorney General, state legislators, and U.S. Congress members.
Corporate Counsel: Many graduates work as general counsel and legal advisors for Kansas-based corporations and nonprofits.
6. Teaching Approach
Case Method: Kansas Law relies heavily on reading and analyzing actual Kansas Supreme Court, federal, and district court cases.
Socratic Method: Professors ask students to apply principles from case law to hypothetical and real scenarios.
Practical Skills Integration: Students practice in clinics, moot court, and externships, applying case law to real clients.
7. Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1878 |
| Programs | JD (Day/Evening), LL.M., Clinics |
| Credits Required | 90 for JD |
| Key Clinics | Civil Practice, Criminal Defense, Business Law |
| Law Review | Kansas Law Review – publishes scholarly articles & case commentary |
| Notable Cases Studied | State v. Brown (confessions), Hays v. Kansas Dept. of Revenue (statutory interpretation), State v. Limon (equal protection), Kansas v. Hendricks (civil commitment) |
| Alumni Influence | Judges, legislators, corporate counsel, public service leaders |
| Teaching Focus | Case method, Socratic method, experiential learning |
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