University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law
Encyclopedia
The William H. Bowen School of Law is part of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
(UALR) and was established in 1975. The law school
is public, and has approximately 450 law students enrolled in full-time and part-time divisions. The annual entering class is approximately 155 students. UALR School of Law is both American Bar Association
(ABA) accredited and a member of the Association of American Law Schools
(AALS). The school ranks as the second most prestigious of the University of Arkansas System
, distinctly maintaining highly competitive admissions.
The school awards the Juris Doctor
(JD) degree. The law program follows a traditional curriculum that blends theory and practice. Before graduating, students are required to take courses such as Evidence and Lawyering Skills. Students gain experience with interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting pleadings and interrogatories
, and trying a mock trial
before a judge
.
For the fourth time in six years, the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law was ranked in the top 25 law school writing programs in the U.S. News and World Report. Bowen’s legal writing program was ranked No. 22 in this year’s report. The ranking was a tie with the University of Michigan, Marquette University, and Duquesne University’s writing programs.
In addition to Bowen’s standing as one of the top legal writing programs in the country, the school’s part-time law school program was ranked No. 38 among part-time programs.
The law school also offers several concurrent degrees: JD/MBA (Masters of Business Administration), JD/MPA (Masters of Public Administration), JD/MPH (Masters of Public Health), JD/MPS (Masters of Public Service), and JD/MD (Medical Doctor).
Three available clinics include the Tax Clinic, Mediation Clinic, and Litigation Clinic. These clinics allow students the opportunity to learn by practicing law while under supervision. An available Public Service Externship offers experience with a government agency, non-profit agency, a member of the judiciary
, or the Arkansas Legislature
.
The law school has over forty five student organizations, most of which are very active on campus and within the community. These organizations include the American Bar Association Law Student Division (ABA/LSD), American Constitution Society, Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers-Law Student Division, Arkansas Bar Association Law Student Division (ABA/LSD), Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), Black Law Students Association, Bowen Athletic Department, Bowen Lambda, Christian Legal Society, Delta Theta Phi
Legal Fraternity (DTP), Environmental Law Society, Federalist Society, Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA), Intellectual Property Law Society, International Law Society, Irish American Law Students Society (ILSS), J. Reuben Clark Society, Law Review, Moot Court Board, Out of State Student Association (OSSA), Phi Alpha Delta
(PAD), Part-time Student Association (PTSA), Pulaski County Bar Association, Student Division (PCBA), Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS), “Street Law” Mentor Program (Street Law), Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF), Student Bar Association (SBA), Young Democrats, and Young Republicans.
was in Little Rock. However, politics caused the school faculty to reform themselves as a private law school in the 1910's. Subsequently, the law school in Fayetteville was established. The private law school disbanded in the 1960's. The latest incarnation of the law school started as a part-time program that was an extension of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law, and by 1975 was given autonomy.
The school resided in various locations, primarily the old Federal Courthouse in downtown Little Rock. The building was adjacent to the Pulaski County Courthouse, which afforded students the chance to see law in action. However, the facility was plagued with poor parking and was insufficient to handle the growing student population.
The law school's current campus is located adjacent to MacArthur Park, near the Arkansas Center for Fine Arts. The building was originally built for the medical school of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
, which moved to its current campus in the central part of Little Rock in 1956. The current building was extensively renovated in 1992.
The law school is named after William H. Bowen, a former dean.
just a few minutes from most of Arkansas's largest law firms and corporations, state and federal courts, and the Arkansas State Capitol
building. Other attractions within close proximity to the law school include the Clinton School of Public Service
, museums, restaurants, Little Rock River Market District
, and the Clinton Presidential Library
.
The school is unique among law schools in that it plays host to the Pulaski County Law Library, making it the only metropolitan law school library that is also the library for a county.
The law school is housed separately from the main campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and is located at 1201 McMath Avenue (named after former Arkansas Governor Sid McMath
).
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock , is a public research university located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, and the second largest university by enrollment in the state of Arkansas....
(UALR) and was established in 1975. The law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
is public, and has approximately 450 law students enrolled in full-time and part-time divisions. The annual entering class is approximately 155 students. UALR School of Law is both American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
(ABA) accredited and a member of the Association of American Law Schools
Association of American Law Schools
The Association of American Law Schools is a non-profit organization of 170 law schools in the United States. Another 25 schools are "non-member fee paid" schools, which are not members but choose to pay AALS dues. Its purpose is to improve the legal profession through the improvement of legal...
(AALS). The school ranks as the second most prestigious of the University of Arkansas System
University of Arkansas System
The University of Arkansas System comprises six main campuses within the state of Arkansas; a medical school; two law schools; a unique graduate school focused on public service; statewide research, service and educational units for agriculture, criminal justice and archeology; and several...
, distinctly maintaining highly competitive admissions.
The school awards 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...
(JD) degree. The law program follows a traditional curriculum that blends theory and practice. Before graduating, students are required to take courses such as Evidence and Lawyering Skills. Students gain experience with interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting pleadings and interrogatories
Interrogatories
In law, interrogatories are a formal set of written questions propounded by one litigant and required to be answered by an adversary, in order to clarify matters of fact and help to determine in advance what facts will be presented at any trial in the case.In civil cases, the issues to be decided...
, and trying a mock trial
Mock trial
A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
before a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
.
For the fourth time in six years, the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law was ranked in the top 25 law school writing programs in the U.S. News and World Report. Bowen’s legal writing program was ranked No. 22 in this year’s report. The ranking was a tie with the University of Michigan, Marquette University, and Duquesne University’s writing programs.
In addition to Bowen’s standing as one of the top legal writing programs in the country, the school’s part-time law school program was ranked No. 38 among part-time programs.
The law school also offers several concurrent degrees: JD/MBA (Masters of Business Administration), JD/MPA (Masters of Public Administration), JD/MPH (Masters of Public Health), JD/MPS (Masters of Public Service), and JD/MD (Medical Doctor).
Three available clinics include the Tax Clinic, Mediation Clinic, and Litigation Clinic. These clinics allow students the opportunity to learn by practicing law while under supervision. An available Public Service Externship offers experience with a government agency, non-profit agency, a member of the judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
, or the Arkansas Legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
.
The law school has over forty five student organizations, most of which are very active on campus and within the community. These organizations include the American Bar Association Law Student Division (ABA/LSD), American Constitution Society, Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers-Law Student Division, Arkansas Bar Association Law Student Division (ABA/LSD), Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), Black Law Students Association, Bowen Athletic Department, Bowen Lambda, Christian Legal Society, Delta Theta Phi
Delta Theta Phi
Delta Theta Phi is a professional law fraternity and a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. The smallest of the three internationally recognized law fraternities , Delta Theta Phi is the only one of the three major law fraternities to charter chapters in the United States at...
Legal Fraternity (DTP), Environmental Law Society, Federalist Society, Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA), Intellectual Property Law Society, International Law Society, Irish American Law Students Society (ILSS), J. Reuben Clark Society, Law Review, Moot Court Board, Out of State Student Association (OSSA), Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Alpha Delta
ΦAΔ , or P.A.D., is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 300,000 initiated members...
(PAD), Part-time Student Association (PTSA), Pulaski County Bar Association, Student Division (PCBA), Sports and Entertainment Law Society (SELS), “Street Law” Mentor Program (Street Law), Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF), Student Bar Association (SBA), Young Democrats, and Young Republicans.
History
The first law school established in ArkansasArkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
was in Little Rock. However, politics caused the school faculty to reform themselves as a private law school in the 1910's. Subsequently, the law school in Fayetteville was established. The private law school disbanded in the 1960's. The latest incarnation of the law school started as a part-time program that was an extension of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law, and by 1975 was given autonomy.
The school resided in various locations, primarily the old Federal Courthouse in downtown Little Rock. The building was adjacent to the Pulaski County Courthouse, which afforded students the chance to see law in action. However, the facility was plagued with poor parking and was insufficient to handle the growing student population.
The law school's current campus is located adjacent to MacArthur Park, near the Arkansas Center for Fine Arts. The building was originally built for the medical school of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is part of the University of Arkansas System, a state-run university in the U.S. state of Arkansas...
, which moved to its current campus in the central part of Little Rock in 1956. The current building was extensively renovated in 1992.
The law school is named after William H. Bowen, a former dean.
Admissions
- Enrolled: 154 (full-time 93, part-time 61)
- GPA (75/25): 3.60/3.03
- LSAT (75/25): 155/149
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Bar Passage Rate: 77.23% (2008/2009)
Location
The law school is located in downtown Little RockLittle Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
just a few minutes from most of Arkansas's largest law firms and corporations, state and federal courts, and the Arkansas State Capitol
Arkansas State Capitol
The Arkansas State Capitol Building, located in Little Rock, is the main house of government of the state of Arkansas.-History:In 1899, the St. Louis architect George R. Mann visited the governor of Arkansas Daniel W. Jones, and presented his drawings of his winning competition design for the...
building. Other attractions within close proximity to the law school include the Clinton School of Public Service
Clinton School of Public Service
The Clinton School of Public Service is a branch of the University of Arkansas system and is the newest of the presidential schools. It is located on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. The school is housed in a former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad station...
, museums, restaurants, Little Rock River Market District
Little Rock River Market District
The Little Rock River Market District is the downtown area of Little Rock, Arkansas along the Arkansas River. It consists of the area east of Cumberland Street to the William J...
, and the Clinton Presidential Library
William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is the presidential library of Bill Clinton. The center was established by Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation,...
.
The school is unique among law schools in that it plays host to the Pulaski County Law Library, making it the only metropolitan law school library that is also the library for a county.
The law school is housed separately from the main campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and is located at 1201 McMath Avenue (named after former Arkansas Governor Sid McMath
Sid McMath
Sidney Sanders McMath was a decorated U.S. Marine, attorney and the 34th Governor of Arkansas who, in defiance of his state's political establishment, championed rapid rural electrification, massive highway and school construction, the building of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,...
).
Former
- Morris S. "Buzz" ArnoldMorris S. ArnoldMorris Sheppard "Buzz" Arnold is a senior-status jurist of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. A Republican, he was appointed to the appeals court by U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush. His tenure began on June 1, 1992. For his first twelve years, until 2004, he...
, a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eighth CircuitThe United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Arkansas* Western District of Arkansas... - Dan GreenbergDan GreenbergDaniel "Dan" Greenberg is an American politician. He was a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2006 through 2011...
, former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
Notable alumni
- Bud CumminsBud CumminsHarry Earnest "Bud" Cummins III is a former United States Attorney of five years in the Eastern District of Arkansas.-Career:...
(born 1959), former U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Arkansas - Vic FlemingVic FlemingVictor Anson "Vic" Fleming is an American judge, teacher and author residing in Little Rock, Arkansas.He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and educated at Davidson College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, where he has taught Law and Literature as an adjunct faulty...
(born 1951), district judge for the City of Little Rock - Dan GreenbergDan GreenbergDaniel "Dan" Greenberg is an American politician. He was a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2006 through 2011...
, former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives - Sheffield NelsonSheffield NelsonSheffield E. Nelson is a lawyer, businessman, and politician from Little Rock, Arkansas. Originally a Democrat, Nelson in 1990 ran for governor of Arkansas as a Republican against then governor and future U.S. President Bill Clinton and in 1994 against the Democratic Governor Jim Guy Tucker.Nelson...
, (born 1940), Arkansas Republican National Committeeman; gubernatorial candidate in 1990 and 1994, chairman of Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company - Andree Layton RoafAndree Layton RoafAndree Layton Roaf was an Arkansas lawyer and jurist. She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court, and is the mother of former NFL offensive lineman Willie Roaf.-Early life:...
(1941–2009), first African-American woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court - Vic SnyderVic SnyderVictor F. "Vic" Snyder is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
(born 1947), former U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 2nd congressional district - Mary WisemanMary WisemanMary L. Wiseman is an American lawyer and judge from the state of Ohio. On October 22, 2007, Governor Ted Strickland appointed her to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.-Early life and political career:...
(born 1961), Judge of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas