University of Denver Sturm College of Law: An Overview

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law, founded in 1892, stands as one of the oldest law schools in the Mountain West. Located on the University of Denver's campus, about seven miles south of downtown Denver, the Sturm College of Law is the professional graduate law school of the University of Denver. It is one of two law schools in the state of Colorado. Since the fall of 2003, the Sturm College of Law has resided in the Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building.

A Pioneer in Legal Education

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law opened its doors in 1892 and has been breaking ground in legal education ever since. The University of Denver College of Law opened its doors in 1892, laying the foundation for legal education on America’s frontier and graduating many of the attorneys and judges who built the legal structure of the Mountain West. In 1904, the College of Law started its Legal Aid Dispensary, creating the first clinical program in the nation. A frontrunner in serving Denver’s indigent populations, the dispensary saw several incarnations before it evolved into the law school’s present-day clinical programs.

The Sturm College of Law has been an innovator in legal education since it opened its doors in 1892. The school launched the first Student Law Office (SLO) in the United States in 1904. Denver Law has reflected the promise of diversity and inclusiveness since its very first class of 14 students. The 1892 inaugural class included a woman, an African American and a foreign national from Japan. In September 2004, upon receipt of a generous $20 million gift from Denver Law graduate Donald L. Sturm, LLB’58, and his wife, Susan M. Sturm, the University of Denver’s College of Law became the Sturm College of Law.

Academics and Curriculum

Denver Law provides a solid foundation of core classes on which to build your career in law. Denver Law’s curriculum is innovative and global in its perspective. The first-year curriculum includes an innovative LP program, which provides first-year students an introduction to the law and the legal system, and teaches students how to research legal questions and write about them in several formats.

The Sturm College of Law offers a wide array of programs and courses. Among the programs/courses offered are clinical training, dispute resolution, environmental law, health care law, intellectual property law, international law, business/corporate law, constitutional law, contracts/commercial law, and criminal law. The school also offers JD/LLM International Business Transactions, JD/LLM Taxation, JD/MA Economics, JD/MA International Studies, JD/MA Social Science, JD/MBA, and MLS/Master of Social Work programs. The school focuses on substantive coverage and experiential learning.

Denver Law focuses on substantive coverage and experiential learning. We also offer substantive law courses and numerous unique writing courses that teach students how to draft pre-trial motions, as well as negotiate and draft agreements, and much more.

Experiential Learning

University of Denver Sturm College of Law students don't just study law, they experience it. Denver Law has top-ranked practical training programs (Clinical Training: #8, Trial Advocacy: #8, and Legal Writing: #17). The Sturm College of Law has also earned an A+ for Practical Training from preLaw Magazine for eight consecutive years.

Our Experiential Advantage Curriculum combines live-client clinics, high-quality externships-including a Semester in Practice Externship-and legal simulation courses. Among the simulation courses are the Carnegie Integrated Courses, which provide training in doctrine and in written and oral skills, and emphasize the development of professional identity. Our faculty prides itself in training students for successful careers as legal practitioners by offering a variety of challenging and exciting courses in addition to experiential learning opportunities through our Student Law Office, externships with law firms, and clerkships with judges.

In 1904 Denver Law launched the first Student Law Office (SLO) in the United States. The SLO offers the following clinics: Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Community Economic Development, Criminal Defense, and Environmental Law. Students represent indigent clients at all levels of the dispute resolution process.

Specialized Programs

In addition, we offer a wide range of specialized classes that permit our faculty to bring their scholarship into the classroom. Our academic specialty programs provide opportunities to pursue your passions in areas such as International Law, Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Workplace Law, Constitutional Rights and Remedies, Corporate and Commercial Law, and Intellectual Property Law.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Drawing upon its location in one of the nation’s natural resource and energy capitals, Denver Law offers a rich program in environmental and natural resources law. Extensive course offerings are supplemented with abundant opportunities for externships at local natural resource companies, environmental advocacy and protection groups, and government enforcement agencies. The International Legal Studies program is designed for students interested in international comparative law, international organizations, or transnational business. Students in the program may work on the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy as staff members and editors. As one of the nation’s biggest tourism magnets, Denver provides a practical backdrop for students interested in the areas of corporate law, commercial law, and bankruptcy. Students are provided with sufficient background and experience to attain an in-depth understanding of intellectual property law and develop the skills and knowledge base that will be valuable to employers hiring recent law graduates. The Environmental LLM at Denver Law is considered one of the best programs in the world. I wanted a program with national credentials and reputation.

Advocacy Program

The University of Denver's Center for Advocacy (CFA) was established in 2009 with a focus on providing Professional Education for its law students. It emphasizes synthesizing critical thinking, the law, and the professional knowledge required to succeed in the practice of law. The majority of the law school's graduates ultimately practice in litigation or litigation-related careers.

The CFA offers a wide array of professionally-focused courses that provide students the opportunity to earn a Concentration in Trial & Litigation with a Focus in Criminal Litigation or Civil Litigation. The CFA's teams have a rich history of winning championships in both national “open” tournaments and national invitationals. The school's National Trial Team participates in the trial advocacy arena (mock trial), and the school's 14 appellate teams compete in the moot court arena. The CFA hosts numerous intra-school trial advocacy and appellate based educational tournaments throughout the academic year.

The Advocacy Department at Denver Law provides its students with the highest quality preparation for success in their professional careers by providing education and simulation in the four areas of advocacy-client advocacy, pretrial advocacy, trial advocacy, and appellate advocacy. The department achieves this through innovative professional skills courses, simulated courtroom situations, and competitive tournaments.

Campus and Resources

Since the fall of 2003, the Sturm College of Law has resided in the Frank H. Ricketson Jr. Law Building. Our new building, with over 181,000 square feet spanning four stories, is the first law building to be awarded the Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the US Green Building Council.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Online Learning

The University of Denver uses Canvas for all online course content delivery. Part-Time JD Program courses also deliver the online course content through Canvas. While all professors structure their online courses differently, your JD courses will have a similar design. Not only does Canvas display and capture all the online activities of your law courses, but they also include information about your on-campus face-to-face (F2F) class sessions as well. Many of our faculty offer structured Office Hours online during the week between your on-campus F2F class sessions. All online activities are meant to prepare you for or reinforce the on-campus F2F classes. The combination of the online activities and the on-campus F2F courses are called “modules.” With eight weekends of courses, you will experience eight modules in each course. Many incoming Professional JD Students ask what type of activities are included in the online classroom portion of their courses. All faculty have academic freedom to structure their courses, including their online activities, as they see appropriate for their approach and subject matter.

Journals and Student Organizations

Six scholarly journals are edited at Denver Law, allowing students to participate in research in varied fields. A wide range of student organizations contribute to the vibrant environment of the Sturm College of Law. Among those groups are the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association, Black Law Students’ Association, Business Law Society, Christian Legal Society, Diversity Advocates, DU Law Democrats, DU Law Health and Wellness Commission, Federalist Society, Intellectual Property Law Society, International Law Society, J.

Admissions and Financial Aid

All applications should be submitted online and reach the Sturm College of Law between September and February to receive maximum consideration for admission for the following August. Students may only begin law study in the fall semester. Applicants must take the LSAT and register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service. LSAT scores and records of academic performance are individually evaluated in the admission process. All admitted students are considered for scholarships. No additional application is required, except for the Chancellor Scholarship. The Chancellor Scholar program is offered to students with a demonstrated history of excellence in scholarship and public service. The program awards full-tuition scholarships to a limited number of qualified students committed to public interest issues. Additional one-year scholarships may be offered to continuing students based on law school performance. The Denver Law Admissions team is here to help you. We invite you to connect with or visit us at any stage of the application process.

Denver Law offers numerous scholarship opportunities for first-year students from the Sturm Elevation Initiative to a wide array of other merit-based scholarships. DU is also proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which covers tuition costs for American Military Veterans.

Tuition for the 2014-15 academic year is $42,120 for full-time students and $30,888 for part-time students. For full-time students in the class of 2016, Law School Transparency estimates that the total debt-financed cost of attendance for students who do not receive any scholarships is $208,407.

Career Development

The Career Development Center assists students and alumni in the formulation of career plans and connects potential employers with qualified applicants. At the Sturm College of Law, we balance academics with the outside world and help you focus on what matters to you: your career, your future and your life in law. Denver Law is dedicated to meeting your educational goals, whether you are a full-time student or a professional looking to advance your career. Our global, innovative classroom curricula, hands-on educational experiences and location in one of the most dynamic cities in the nation gives our JD, LLM and Master's students a significant advantage in the legal marketplace.

Location and Environment

Often ranked No. 1 for our economy, Denver is one of the nation's fastest-growing, economically dynamic cities, and we provide a unique professional gateway to the Mile High City. Our hometown is the location of the state capital, state and federal government agencies, start-up tech companies, law firms, global business and more. In 2022, National Jurist ranked Denver as a Best City for Young Attorneys. All of that comes along with Denver's multitude of opportunities and advantages: close proximity to the mountains, a strong public transportation system, numerous entertainment options, cultural offerings and so much more. It’s important to balance work and play when in law school, and there’s no better place for that than Denver Law. Denver and the surrounding region offer countless recreational and cultural opportunities within minutes of the classroom. and the best city for business and careers.

A Look at the Numbers

The student-faculty ratio is 7:1.

Employment Statistics

54.1% of the Class of 2013 were found to be employed in long-term, full-time legal jobs (excepting solo practitioners) nine months after graduation. 31% of the Class of 2011 were employed in part-time or short-term jobs, unemployed and seeking employment or pursuing additional education. The employment status of 1.4% of the Class of 2011 was unknown. 0.7% of the Class of 2011 obtained a federal clerkship. 4.5% of the Class of 2011 were known to be employed in law firms of 101 attorneys or more. 18.1% of the Class of 2011 were known to be employed in full-time, long-term government or public interest jobs. 9.8% of the Class of 2011 were employed in school funded jobs.

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