Learn about the School of Law
St. Thomas prepares lawyers to lead through faith and reason through service to their communities, to create a more just and equitable society and to defend swiftly against emerging threats to the rule of law. The power to change lives starts with St. Thomas Law.
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School of Law Overview
Get more than a career. Get a mission.
St. Thomas gives students opportunities to start making an impact from day one. They work side-by-side with their professors, while lawyers and judges mentor them through our award-winning Mentor Externship Program. Turns out, when bright, caring people put their energy toward advancing the common good, everyone wins.
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A Distinctive Legal Education
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Our law school is inspired by justice, guided by faith, grounded in reason, committed to excellence and devoted to advancing the common good.
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A Caring Community
Committed to Diversity and Belonging
St. Thomas School of Law has a unique mission founded on the precepts of diversity, community and inclusiveness. We are intentional about building an inclusive and diverse law school that is oriented toward cultivating a strong sense of belonging and support within our school and promoting justice in our world.
A National Leader in Practical Training
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Inspiring New Lawyers
A Mentor for Every Law Student
St. Thomas Law’s award-winning Mentor Externship Program pairs students, each year of law school, with a lawyer or judge working in their area of interest who will help them gain work experience, develop relationships and navigate the legal field.
Centers and Institutes
School of Law News
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Metrics Are Great, but Can’t Capture It All
We have so much to celebrate as we end 2023-24! Highlighting what’s great about St. Thomas Law has been one of the best parts of serving as interim dean, so I’m delighted to do so one last time as I depart this role. By any metric, it was a banner year. It’s so gratifying that… The post Metrics Are Great, but Can’t Capture It All appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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Travis Clark Impacts Native American Policy From Washington, D.C.
As a paramedic, Travis Clark (Tzi-Zho-Ki-He-Kah – Eagle Chief) responded to hundreds of calls across Cherokee Nation. It didn’t take long before he started to notice patterns. “Every day was Groundhog Day – seeing the same health emergencies over and over again,” Clark said. “I felt like a gerbil on a wheel.” An enrolled citizen… The post Travis Clark Impacts Native American Policy From Washington, D.C. appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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The Sharpening of a Scholar
Professor Michael Stokes Paulsen is known for shining a light on obscure corners of constitutional history, often employing his irreverent wit in journal articles like “Is West Virginia Unconstitutional?” and “Let’s Mess with Texas.” Though Paulsen’s writing can be playful, he almost always has a serious purpose: to illuminate a neglected or misunderstood aspect of… The post The Sharpening of a Scholar appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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Dan Kelly: New Law School Dean Is Ready to Listen, Learn and Lead
Dan Kelly, the newly appointed dean of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, recalls an early memory watching the Minnesota Twins defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1987 World Series. “My father and brother are both named ‘Tom Kelly,’” he said. “So, I thought it was cool that legendary Twins’ manager, Tom… The post Dan Kelly: New Law School Dean Is Ready to Listen, Learn and Lead appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.