J.D.

At Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Everything Becomes Possible.

It’s a bridge between those committed to justice and the communities that need them. Between a group of strong, dedicated men and women and the experts who can shape them into lawyers. Between a world that's ready for change and the ones who are going to change it. Whether our students use their law degrees to create new companies or access public benefits for low-income clients, the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law prepares students to practice law with excellence anywhere in the world.

The Law School is well known for its commitment to building practice-ready lawyers. We have one of the oldest clinical programs in the country, now ranked 32nd among over 200 ABA-ranked law schools by U.S. News and World Report. Through the clinic, our students have the opportunity to spend a significant part of their third year representing real clients under the supervision of experienced faculty. In the last several years, we have expanded our experiential offerings to include the Environmental Law & Policy Lab, the Entrepreneurship Project, and the Human Rights Advocacy Project, through which students develop their drafting and advocacy skills while serving the community. Our curriculum is supplemented by an extensive Externship program, which allows students to spend a semester working with local employers in their areas of professional interest. All of our students also participate in our Skills curriculum to help them practice the competencies they’ll need to start their law careers.

Our law school also has both civil and common law curricula, allowing our students to prepare for practice locally, nationally, and globally. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a unique comparative perspective from the first semester. We also recognize that every student has a unique learning style, so we provide individualized attention and support, starting with the small sections in the first year Lawyering course, and continuing with our extensive academic support and bar preparation programs.

Loyola’s faculty are nationally and internationally known for their scholarship but are equally (if not more) committed to their teaching. In keeping with the Jesuit tradition, our faculty are dedicated to educating the whole person, which means knowing each and every one of our students beyond the classroom. Walking the halls daily, I see our professors meeting with students to discuss papers or exams, lunching in our student center, and practicing with members of our nationally-ranked moot court and trial advocacy teams.

At Loyola, we pride ourselves on the diversity and collegiality of our student body. With our full-time, part-time, and evening programs, we make law school accessible to working professionals, parents, and others whose schedules require flexibility. Our student organizations create opportunities for students to pursue their professional interests, network in and serve the New Orleans community, and build relationships with each other. Our alumni network is strong and committed to each other, the law school, and to each generation of Loyola grads.

And of course, we’re located in one of the most amazing cities not only in the United States but in the world.

Our Mission

In 1914, the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law opened its doors and had been opening the minds of future law professionals ever since. In the Jesuit tradition of academic rigor, the pursuit of justice, and service to others, the College of Law has as its mission to educate future members of the Bar to be skilled advocates and sensitive counselors-at-law committed to ethical norms in pursuit of dignity for all. The College of Law offers both civil law and common law curriculums, full-time day and part-time evening programs, as well as three joint degree programs. Critical and analytical thinking, ethics and professionalism, and a commitment to serve the community of the 21st century are fostered and encouraged. The College of Law faculty is a community of scholars committed to academic excellence in teaching and scholarship, and service to others.

Life in New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant city on its own, and its legal community is just as active. A number of regional and national firms have offices in New Orleans, as do many large, medium, and boutique law firms based in Louisiana.

The College of Law offers many different areas of focus to serve a diverse population of corporations, entrepreneurs, environmental interests, entertainers, local and federal government agencies, military needs, international interests, families, and the community at large.

A major center for the federal and state judicial systems, New Orleans, is the perfect place to make connections and launch your legal career. There are plenty of opportunities to learn from practicing attorneys while serving the local community. Get involved with local courts and gain real-world experience. A Loyola Law degree is a path to unparalleled achievements. New Orleans, with its traditions and exciting landscape, serves as the perfect backdrop for learning and working toward justice.

Popular Destinations

• WWII Museum
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• Audubon Nature Institute
• New Orleans City Park
• French Quarter
• Magazine Street
• Preservation Hall
• St. Charles Ave. & Streetcar
• Steamboat Natchez
• Mardi Gras World

Festivals

In New Orleans, you can find and attend a festival almost every weekend of the year. There’s no shortage of topics to celebrate either, with the themes of festivals ranging from comfort food (NOLA Mac N’ Cheese Fest) to large-scale musical events like the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. The lineup of festivals hosted in New Orleans is among the nation’s best and attracts iconic national acts and quirky local performers alike. At the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, and other festivals, you’ll find something for everyone’s taste.

Of course, we can’t forget Mardi Gras. For several weeks, krewes turn the entire city into a giant party. It’s a season full of joyful decadence and colorful costumes.

Food

New Orleans is the nation's ultimate culinary melting pot! Well over 1,000 restaurants span the Greater New Orleans area. Numerous New Orleans-based famous chefs, such as Susan Spicer, Donald Link, and Aaron Sachez, are carving up the culinary industry. Whether you're looking for Creole and Cajun specialties, traditional Southern home-cooking, cutting-edge gastronomical delights, European-style fare, or the freshest seafood in the South, you'll surely find it in the Big Easy.

Music

New Orleans has a long and notable musical history. Though New Orleans has long been considered the American epicenter of Jazz and Blues music, the city features more than 80 live music venues that play host to folk, Cajun, funk, rock, and R&B music. Contemporary musicians and bands like Big Freedia, Lil Wayne, and the Revivalists are carrying the city's musical legacy into the future.

Take a moonlit walk down Bourbon Street or Frenchman Street, and you will hear live music pouring out of nearly every club on any night. You may just discover your favorite new artist.

Sports

In no other city are sports fans more passionate. The Crescent City is home to the Saints NFL football team, the Pelicans NBA basketball team, the Gold rugby team, the Jesters National Premier League Soccer team, and the Big Easy Rollergirls.

In addition, New Orleans is full of opportunities for individuals to participate. Lake Pontchartrain is a popular fishing and sailing spot. The layout of the city is ideal for joggers and bikers. For a more adventurous sportsman, DEFY New Orleans, the New Orleans Boulder Lounge, and Fly Circus Space all offer exciting challenges.

Museums

History is woven into the fabric of New Orleans. Whether you’re strolling down St. Charles Avenue or exploring the French Quarter, countless moments, sites, and figures are just waiting to be rediscovered. Here, the past inspires and guides our city’s future. Develop a greater understanding of local and national history, and let it spark new ideas in your legal journey.

New Orleans is home to a number of top-notch museums, including The National World War II Museum, The New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, and The Cabildo.