University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law

While it may not have Ivy League name recognition, the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law’s “reputation far exceeds [its] rank.” As “the only law school in Memphis,” the University of Memphis’s students over and over again call it “a gem” and “a diamond in the rough.” “I came to this school despite options to go to tier 1 schools in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings. The academic life is as rigorous as any intellectual could want, and the social atmosphere of the school as is team-oriented as it gets.” The U of M’s professors, who are “down to earth, speak for their chosen fields eloquently, and very respectful”, “combine Ivy League educations with real-world experience to create classroom experiences that are both challenging and relevant.” “I was surprised at how approachable and genuinely interested the administration and professors were in students' opinions and their overall well-being.” While approachable, the faculty is “entrenched in the Socratic method” and rigorous. One student notes the presence of those old-school “‘I will haze you by employing the Socratic Method’ type profs.” Some students say they wish the law program was “more practical,” or had more “curriculum diversity:” the “abundance of opportunities to work in criminal law, family law, elder, and housing in Memphis” may make it harder to practice an “area of the law that is not so much in need here (business, intellectual property).”
Also among the U of M’s prime features are shining facilities: the school recently “opened in a new, restored historic courthouse and customs building, and all of the facilities, library, and classrooms were (and still are) top notch.” Classrooms boast “great wireless internet, acoustics, and seating arrangement,” and students take pride in their “beautiful” surroundings, asserting that “since the move into the renovated building downtown, there's no way we can't compete with any school in the country on facilities.”
What students arguably love the most, though, is how the University of Memphis competes in “bang for your buck.” “The price...is very low compared to the national average, and in my book that meant getting a huge value for my legal education.” This value doesn’t sacrifice job readiness: students report that the university is “dedicated to ensuring our graduates hit the ground running.” Extracurricular and internship opportunities include the “Law Review, Mock Trial (both inter and intra school competitions), clinics, and the school's dynamic Memphis Association of Law and Business,” as well as “opportunities to volunteer for first year students, such as the Saturday Legal Clinic and the weekday divorce clinics,” and “networking opportunities with local professionals and the Memphis Bar Association.”

“The school's location in the heart of downtown” Memphis strikes students as “perfect:” “The proximity of the campus to downtown restaurants, national and college sports arenas, and other venues really make the school appealing.” There’s “a great connection between the school and the city” both socially and professionally; U of M students enjoy a campus situated “within blocks of all the courts and numerous attorney offices which makes for easy field trips or internships.” Apart from the job-seeking grind, popular activities and destinations include local “Grizzlies games,” and “Beale Street,” where it’s easy to run into “my boss and other lawyers” and “build relationships.” Plenty of amenities are available on campus, as well: “The law building sits right on the Mississippi river and has a great book/food store and also some recreational equipment in the lounge.” “Our small class sizes create a friendly atmosphere both inside and outside the classroom,” and students “cannot stress enough how awesome it is to live, go to school, gain outside experience, and have a fun social life all within half a mile.”