Union College of Law

Union College of Law was a law school that operated from 1853 to 1882 in Chicago, Illinois, and was affiliated with Northwestern University. The college was founded by John Marshall Harlan, Lyman Trumbull, and Owen Lovejoy, among others, with the goal of providing a comprehensive legal education to students in the Midwest. The college's faculty included prominent lawyers and judges, such as David Davis and Stephen Douglas. The college was also supported by notable figures, including Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.

● History

The Union College of Law was established in 1853, with the first class graduating in 1855. The college's early years were marked by a strong faculty, which included John Dean Caton, Thomas Drummond, and Benton McMillin. The college was also known for its rigorous curriculum, which included courses on Common law, Equity, and Constitutional law. During the American Civil War, the college continued to operate, with many of its students and faculty serving in the Union Army, including Ambrose Burnside and Joseph Hooker. The college also had ties to the Republican Party, with many of its faculty and alumni, such as Salmon P. Chase and Edward Bates, playing important roles in the party.

● Academics

The Union College of Law offered a comprehensive legal education, with a curriculum that included courses on Tort law, Contract law, and Property law. The college also offered courses on International law, with faculty members such as Francis Lieber and Henry Wheaton teaching on the subject. The college's academic program was designed to prepare students for the Bar exam, with many of its graduates going on to practice law in Illinois, Indiana, and other states. The college also had a strong focus on Moot court, with students participating in mock trials and debates, often judged by prominent lawyers and judges, such as Stephen Field and Joseph Bradley.

● Notable Alumni

The Union College of Law had many notable alumni, including Melville Fuller, who later became the Chief Justice of the United States. Other notable alumni include John Marshall Harlan, who served on the Supreme Court of the United States, and Owen Lovejoy, who was a prominent abolitionist and congressman. The college also had alumni who went on to serve in the United States Senate, such as William E. Chandler and George F. Edmunds. Additionally, the college had alumni who became prominent lawyers, such as Robert Todd Lincoln and James A. Garfield.

● Campus

The Union College of Law was located in Chicago, Illinois, with its campus situated in the heart of the city. The college's building was designed by prominent architect William W. Boyington, and featured a large lecture hall, library, and offices for the faculty. The college was also located near other prominent institutions, such as the Chicago Tribune and the Illinois State Capitol. The college's campus was also close to the Great Lakes, with many students and faculty taking advantage of the city's transportation options, including the Illinois Central Railroad and the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company.

● Organization

The Union College of Law was organized as a private institution, with a board of trustees that included prominent lawyers and businessmen, such as Marshall Field and Philip Armour. The college was also affiliated with Northwestern University, with many of its faculty and alumni having ties to the university. The college's faculty was organized into departments, with each department focusing on a specific area of law, such as Civil procedure or Criminal law. The college also had a strong focus on Clinical legal education, with students participating in legal clinics and externships.

● Legacy

The Union College of Law played an important role in the development of legal education in the United States, with many of its alumni going on to become prominent lawyers and judges. The college's legacy can also be seen in the many institutions that it influenced, including Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and the University of Chicago Law School. The college's focus on Practical law and Clinical legal education also influenced the development of legal education, with many law schools today offering similar programs. Additionally, the college's alumni have had a lasting impact on the Supreme Court of the United States, with many serving as justices, including Melville Fuller and John Marshall Harlan. The college's legacy is also remembered through the American Bar Association, which was founded in part by the college's alumni, including James O. Broadhead and Simeon E. Baldwin. Category:Defunct law schools in the United States