Cornell Law School

Cornell Law School
Name	Cornell Law School
Established	1887
Parent	Cornell University
Dean	Jens David Ohlin
City	Ithaca, New York
Country	United States
Website	https://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/

Cornell Law School is the law school of Cornell University, a private Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York. It was founded in 1887 as the Cornell University College of Law through an endowment from Cornell University's founder, Ezra Cornell. The school is known for its rigorous academic programs, its historic Myron Taylor Hall, and its influential graduates who have served in prominent roles across the judiciary, government, and legal academia.

History

The establishment of the law school was formalized by the Cornell University Board of Trustees in 1887, with Douglas Boardman serving as its first dean. Its early development was significantly advanced by a major gift from Myron C. Taylor, a prominent industrialist and diplomat who chaired the U.S. Steel finance committee. This donation funded the construction of Myron Taylor Hall, a Gothic Revival building designed by the architectural firm Day & Klauder, which opened in 1932 and remains the school's central home. Throughout the 20th century, the school expanded its curriculum and influence, with deans like Roger C. Cramton and Peter W. Martin overseeing periods of growth. A key modern expansion was the 1998 addition of Hughes Hall, named for Charles Evans Hughes III, grandson of the former Chief Justice of the United States Charles Evans Hughes.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, as well as the Master of Laws and the Doctor of the Science of Law for international and research-focused students. Its Lawyering Program provides foundational skills training, while upper-level students can pursue concentrations in areas like international law, business law, and criminal law. The school operates several legal clinics, including the Cornell Legal Aid Clinic and the International Human Rights Policy Advocacy Clinic, which provide practical experience. Students may also pursue joint degrees, such as the J.D./M.B.A. with the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management or the J.D./M.P.A. with the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. The Law Library, one of the nation's largest, supports this academic mission with extensive collections.

Campus and facilities

The primary facility is the iconic Myron Taylor Hall, a National Register of Historic Places-listed structure connected to the modern Hughes Hall. This complex houses classrooms, faculty offices, the Moot Court room, and the Law Library. The library features the Berger International Legal Studies Room and special collections. The school also maintains the Cornell Law School in New York City program, which facilitates externships and networking in Manhattan. Other notable spaces include the MacDonald Moot Court Suite and the Bishop Mediation Clinic.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty has included eminent scholars such as former dean and labor law expert Alfred W. Baysinger, constitutional law authority Michael C. Dorf, and international law scholar Jens David Ohlin, the current dean. Distinguished alumni span the highest levels of public service and the private sector, including former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former U.S. Attorney General John N. Mitchell, and former President of the Philippines Diosdado Macapagal. Other notable graduates are Mitch McConnell, the longtime Senate Minority Leader; Jane L. Corboy, a pioneering Illinois Appellate Court judge; and Michele Coleman Mayes, former general counsel for the New York Public Library and Allstate.

Publications and centers

The school publishes the flagship Cornell Law Review, one of the most cited legal journals in the nation, along with the Cornell International Law Journal and the Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy. Its research centers drive interdisciplinary study, including the Clarke Program in East Asian Law and Culture, the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice, and the Legal Information Institute, a pioneer in free online access to legal materials. The Berger International Legal Studies Program and the Death Penalty Project are also key initiatives.

Rankings and reputation

Consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States, it is placed within the "T14" group of elite institutions. The 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked it highly for specialties in international law, business law, and legal writing. It is recognized for its selective admissions, strong bar examination passage rates, and high employment outcomes for graduates at major law firms, the federal judiciary, and public interest organizations. The school's reputation is bolstered by its influential faculty, its historic Ivy League affiliation, and the professional achievements of its alumni network.

Category:Cornell University Category:Law schools in New York (state) Category:Ivy League law schools Category:Educational institutions established in 1887