Top 10 Reasons: Why Miami Law?

See the top 10 reasons students choose to study at University of Miami School of Law.

1. Learn Law at the Crossroads of the Americas

Miami and its region – South Florida – stand at the crossroads of the Americas, a location that lends you an international perspective; exceptional career-building opportunities in courts, corporations and clinics; and rewarding careers in this exciting environment. No other law school in the nation is located in a region that affords this exceptional mix of diverse perspectives and opportunities. Some statistics*:

  • More than 100 countries represented and 100+ languages spoken
  • #2 International banking center in the U.S.
  • 1,400+ multi-national companies and #2 for foreign consulates and trade offices in the U.S.

2. Develop Your Legal Area of Interest

student libraryThere are a variety of ways to focus your legal studies as you develop specific areas of interest. You can focus your studies with concentrations in Social Justice, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Law and Technology, Business Compliance and Sustainability, Environmental Law, or Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship Law.

Take advantage of Miami Law's expertise in the following 18 legal areas of study: Business Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Environmental Law, Family Law, Health Care Law, Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property(IP), International Law, Immigration Law, Litigation, Maritime Law, Real Estate, Social Justice/Public Interest, Sports & Entertainment Law, Tax or Technology Law.

Interdisciplinary study is another way to complement legal studies and Miami Law offers a wide variety of joint degree programs and 25+ study abroad options in 13 different countries.

3. Access Experiential Learning Opportunities

students courtroomTop local attorneys and alumni serve as adjunct professors and mentors and you have unparalleled opportunities to work side-by-side with faculty, practitioners, and clients via externships and practicums. Lawyers in South Florida practice in numerous courts, including the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the area provides you access to dozens of agencies and courts - state and federal, trial and appellate, bankruptcy, immigration, family and more.

In Miami Law’s clinics you can get involved in relevant issues and make meaningful contributions in immigration law, family law, bankruptcy law and many more.

4. Draw Upon Distinguished Faculty & Alumni

sergio campos teaching classroomMiami Law has preeminent faculty and visiting professors whose expertise cuts across all areas law. Miami attracts top local, national and international scholars to teach over 300 distinct courses & seminars annually. In addition, Miami calls upon the leading practitioners from across the globe to teach innovative compressed courses in unique legal topics. 

With a 7:1 faculty/student ratio, professors mentor students and bring to them their depth of experience as dedicated educators. Many have extensive expertise in various legal areas of study including: business law, criminal law, international law, immigration law, health care law, entertainment/sports law, intellectual property law, and human rights law.

With 25,000+ law alumni represented in all 50 states, D.C., several territories and 85 countries, you have access to a network of professional support.

5. Get the Support You Need

professor talking with students outsideMiami Law wants to see you succeed. There is a reason we have a great graduation rate - students are supported here. There is a 7:1 faculty to student ratio - one of the best in the U.S., and Miami Law professors know your name and are engaged and approachable.

When you arrive you not only get access to the Dean of  Students office, but also a variety of advisors each specifically helping with academic guidance, career advising, professional support and personal satisfaction with law school. Miami Law offers a slew of wellness options including one of the only Mindfulness in Law Programs in the U.S. and an Office of Accessibility and Student Inclusion.

6. Join a Collaborative Community

students talking lounge with laptopMiami Law is challenging, but it is a collaborative community where students support and look out for each other.

There are student groups for everyone, crossing all areas of interest. Choose from 55+ student organizations to join like-minded peers in societies focused on business, environment, reproductive justice and tax to legal areas of thought such as the Democratic Law Students Association and the Federalist Society.

Affinity groups are also options including Miami Law Women, Black Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society and OUTLaw. See all student organizations and law reviews.

7. Study on a Great Campus with Unbeatable Weather

students in front of student centerThe University of Miami School of Law is on the 260-acre main campus of one of the largest private research universities in the U.S. with premier graduate schools with which the law school offers 26 joint degrees including the Frost School of Music, Miller School of Medicine, Rosensteil School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, and School of Business Administration.

The law school's proximity to 20 beaches, the Port of Miami, and Everglades National Park enables students to specialize in Environmental Law and Maritime/Admiralty Law.

Miami enjoys a tropical climate with summers similar to those of the Caribbean and mostly dry winters in the 60s and 70s. With more than 500 public parks, South Florida is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. 

8. Partake in Miami's Emergence as a Hub for Innovation & Business

Miami ocean with fireworks and downtownDid you know in The 2020 The Kauffman Index, which measures new business creation, named Miami #2 most entrepreneurial city in the U.S. with the country's highest startup density?

Home to nearly 1,400 corporations, Miami hosts the headquarters for multinational corporations including Disney, Sony, and FedEx; and dozens of headquarters for U.S. companies, including Office Depot, American Airlines, and Hewlett-Packard.

You can take advantage of the location specializing in business law, real estate, immigration, intellectual property, or international law.

Federal agencies – including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – have offices here. As the largest financial capital in the U.S. after New York City, South Florida has become a leading center of international tax planning, arbitration, and asset management.

9. Participate in Vibrant Culture & Sports

wynwood art gallery with peopleLaw students capitalize on Miami's culture-rich environment to specialize in entertainment law, sports law, arts law, music industry and live entertainment management.

Miami boasts a thriving international arts community with the world-acclaimed City Ballet, International Film Festival, and music venues offering opera and classical to contemporary performances. The City is host to Art Basel – one of the most important art shows in the world – and has the Perez Art Museum as well as many other cultural offerings.

For sports fans, South Florida is home to professional teams for all of the major sports including the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers – and certainly not least, Miami Hurricanes sporting events. The University of Miami campus is also replete with culture as home to the Lowe Art Museum and the Beaux Art Festival, Miami's oldest juried fine arts fair.

10. Experience Coral Gables: A Great Neighborhood for a University

coral gables skylineCoral Gables, known as one of Florida's most desirable residential areas and increasingly recognized as an international business center, offers all the benefits of large-city living in a relaxed suburban setting. Its main street, Miracle Mile, is filled with restaurants and shops. Next door to Coral Gables is the Greater Miami area with many distinctive neighborhoods where students live such as South Miami, Dadeland, Coconut Grove, Brickell, the Art Deco inspired South Beach, and "Little Havana."

More Information on South Florida

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