Maurer School of Law

Maurer School of Law
Name	Maurer School of Law
Established	1842
Type	Public law school
Parent	Indiana University Bloomington
Dean	Christiana Ochoa
City	Bloomington, Indiana
Country	United States
Website	https://law.indiana.edu/

Maurer School of Law is a public law school and a constituent school of Indiana University Bloomington. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest professional school at the university and one of the oldest law schools in the Midwestern United States. The school is named for Michael S. "Mickey" Maurer, a prominent Indiana businessman and philanthropist whose 2008 gift facilitated its renaming. It is known for its strong programs in intellectual property law, international law, and environmental law.

History

The law school was established by David McDonald, a local judge, and began instruction with just four students. It was originally housed in a single room on the campus of the Indiana State Seminary, the precursor to Indiana University. The program grew steadily, and by 1877, it had become a formal department of the university. A significant early figure was William A. Rawles, who served as dean from 1893 to 1913 and helped establish the school's first dedicated law library. The school awarded its first Bachelor of Laws degree in 1871 and began conferring the Juris Doctor degree in 1967. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its faculty and curriculum, moving into its current primary building, Baier Hall, in 1964.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, as well as several dual-degree programs in conjunction with other schools at Indiana University Bloomington, such as the Kelley School of Business and the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. It also grants the Master of Laws for foreign-trained lawyers and a Doctor of Juridical Science. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through its extensive clinical legal education program, which includes the Wilhelm Legal Clinic. First-year students follow a standard curriculum covering subjects like contracts, torts, civil procedure, and constitutional law, while upper-level coursework offers specializations in areas such as business law, criminal law, and human rights law.

Campus and facilities

The law school's main building is Baier Hall, named for alumnus Frederick F. Baier. The hall contains classrooms, faculty offices, the Jerome Hall Law Library, and the Moot Court Room. The library is a primary research facility, housing one of the largest collections in the Midwestern United States and serving as a depository for United States government documents. Adjacent to Baier Hall is the Lewis Building, which houses additional faculty offices and the school's clinical programs. The campus is integrated with the broader Indiana University Bloomington grounds, providing students access to facilities like the Herman B Wells Library and the Indiana Memorial Union.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty includes scholars such as Daniel O. Conkle, an expert in constitutional law and law and religion, and Hannah L. Buxbaum, a specialist in international business law. Historically, notable professors have included Roger D. Alford and the late Alfred C. Aman Jr.. Its alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields, including the federal judiciary with judges like John D. Tinder of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and Sarah Evans Barker of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Other distinguished graduates include Evan Bayh, former Governor of Indiana and United States Senator; Lee Hamilton, former U.S. Representative and vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission; and Jimmy Gurulé, a former U.S. Treasury official.

Centers and programs

The school hosts several interdisciplinary research centers. The Center for Intellectual Property Research is a leader in the field, organizing the annual IP Theory conference. The Center for Law, Society, and Culture fosters scholarship on law's role in social and historical contexts. The Center for Constitutional Democracy works on constitutional design and reform in emerging democracies. Specialized programs include the Program in Law and Political Economy, the Environmental Resilience Institute, and the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, a faculty-edited publication. The school also manages exchange programs with institutions like the Bucerius Law School in Germany and the University of Hong Kong.

Rankings and reputation

Consistently ranked among the top public law schools in the United States, it is often placed within the top 30 law schools overall by U.S. News & World Report. Its intellectual property law program is frequently ranked in the top 10 nationally. The Princeton Review has regularly included it in lists for best classroom experience and best quality of life. Employers from major legal markets like Chicago, Indianapolis, and Washington, D.C., actively recruit its graduates. The school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is accredited by the American Bar Association.

Category:Indiana University Category:Law schools in Indiana Category:Educational institutions established in 1842 Category:1842 establishments in Indiana