Parents & Partners of Law Students

Group photo of students with their families

As law students transition from undergraduate school or the working world into the academic rigors of law school, the University of Miami School of Law views parents, partners, and other family members as invaluable support groups. Here are some resources to help aid parents and partners with students’ success in law school.

Understanding the Law School Process: The Basics

For those not familiar with the law school process, here are a few things to know:

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  • Academic Calendar

    • The law school year generally runs from early/mid-August to mid-May with a break in the winter and the spring. Summer sessions are optional.
    • Law students often spend their summers clerking for judges, interning at firms, working at public interest organizations, or engaging in externships. Most lawyers will tell you that summer work experience creates networking opportunities that are essential to law education and finding a job following law school.
    • Miami Law also offers summer abroad options, usually taken after the first year.

     

    See the Academic Calendar

  • Three Years of Study

    • Law School typically takes three years:
      • The first year is all planned out (except for one elective in the second semester), but the second and third years allow flexibility in class choice.
        • In the first year, the typical day varies from section to section. In general, the earliest classes begin at 8 a.m. and the latest classes end around 5:30 p.m.
        • Miami Law does not allow students to work their first year. Upper division students may choose to work up to 20 hours per week.
      • The University of Miami does not offer an evening or part-time program.
      • Miami Law only admits first-year students in the fall semester.
    • Finances: a majority of students receive financial aid through FAFSA and there are institutional and external scholarships and upper-division fellowship options as well.
    • Study habits: some students spend many hours studying in the library while some prefer to study off campus.
    • In addition to studying during the week, many students are engaged in law school work in the evenings and on the weekends. Generally, students who treat their law studies like a full-time demanding job and utilize our program resources will succeed.

Law Parents & Partners Committee (LPP)

The Law Parents and Partners Committee is an organization recruited and managed by the Office of Alumni Relations and Development at the University of Miami School of law in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students at the School of Law.

The goal of the organization is to enhance the quality of student life at the University of Miami School of Law and to support and recognize the leadership, service and collaborative initiatives of our students. There are ways in which LPP support directly benefits our students and makes an immediate difference in our students’ lives:

  • Welcome new students during law school orientation with refreshments and a welcome gift.
  • Volunteer to open their home to our out-of-town students for home cooked meals and special holidays and religious celebrations.
  • Welcome reception: The LPP in partnership with the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors host an annual welcome reception for parents and partners of incoming law students. The reception provides new law parents and partners an opportunity to meet the Dean, members of the faculty and administration and the Alumni leadership as well as meet other more “seasoned” parents and partners.
  • Sponsorship fundraising: The Committee also raises sponsorship funds to provide needed support upon the recommendation of the Dean and the Dean of Students to student organizations for their participation in conferences, professional development opportunities and with pro bono efforts.

Parents, spouses and partners of Miami Law Students who are interested in making a tangible difference in the lives of our students are welcome to join the LPP committee.

Join the Law Parents & Partners Committee


For more information contact or visit the Office of Alumni Relations and Development.

 

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Family Resources in Miami

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