#2
For practical training, 2023
Practice with a Purpose
About the School of Law
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Founded in 1999, the University of St. Thomas School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering an innovative curriculum that emphasizes professional formation and the education of the whole person. We strive to help each student develop the professional and ethical values that are vital to long-term success in our profession, enabling them to become lawyers who lead their communities by serving them.
#8
For student quality of life, 2021
90%
Gold-standard employment, 2022
Degrees and Programs
J.D. Program
Our program combines practical skills, theoretical knowledge and mentoring with a mission that inspires our commitment to social justice and excellence.
Ethics & Compliance Programs
Online and on-campus master’s degree programs offered in partnership with the St. Thomas Opus College of Business.
LL.M. in U.S. Law
A one-year degree program for international attorneys who want to expand their knowledge about the U.S. legal system.
Interim Dean
Joel A. Nichols
The University of St. Thomas School of Law is led by Interim Dean Joel A. Nichols. He received his Juris Doctor, with high honors, from Emory Law School, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Nichols earned a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Abilene Christian University.
Associate Deans
Lisa Montpetit Brabbit
Associate Dean for External Relations and Programs
Michael Robak
Director of the Schoenecker Law Library, Associate Dean and Clinical Professor of Law
Thought Leaders
World-class Faculty
Our professors are leading experts in their fields and our students’ biggest supporters. They not only teach, they create opportunities for law students to work side-by-side with them on research, writing and advocacy work. In 2021, St. Thomas Law’s faculty was ranked #23 in the nation for scholarly impact.
An Engaged Legal Community
Minnesota Bench and Bar
St. Thomas Law is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, right in the middle of a dynamic legal and business community.
School of Law News
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St. Thomas Alumnus Helps International Company Navigate Ethics and Technology
If you are the kind of person who hears about facial recognition and imagines a dystopian, “Black Mirror”-style future, then hearing Michael Gaytko ’16, ’20 MBA, ’20 J.D., ’23 LL.M. talk about the influence of his St. Thomas education may have you feeling optimistic. Gaytko is part of the legal team at IDEMIA, the global… The post St. Thomas Alumnus Helps International Company Navigate Ethics and Technology appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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St. Thomas Faculty Share Research in Takeover of NPR’s Academic Minute
The week of Sept. 25 kicked off the University of St. Thomas takeover of NPR’s “The Academic Minute” series. The segment is a two-and-a-half-minute daily segment that features researchers from schools around the world. NPR invited five groundbreaking researchers from St. Thomas to share their findings to help listeners better understand the world. Each segment… The post St. Thomas Faculty Share Research in Takeover of NPR’s Academic Minute appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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Summer Law Extern: Allison Vasilakis, Activision Blizzard, inc.
This summer 2L Allison Vasilakis made perfect use of the law school’s off-campus Legal Externship Program, accomplishing one of its intended goals for students. She was curious if compliance was an area of the law that could be a potential career path, so she accepted a position with California-based video game company Activision Blizzard on… The post Summer Law Extern: Allison Vasilakis, Activision Blizzard, inc. appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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Summer Law Extern: Riley Smith, Wright County Public Defender’s Office
One of the goals of the law school’s Mentor Externship Program is to connect each law student with a practicing attorney who can give them practical advice and guidance they can use in law school and their career. In his summer position with the Wright County Public Defender’s Office, 2L Riley Smith found himself reflecting… The post Summer Law Extern: Riley Smith, Wright County Public Defender’s Office appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.