University of Denver - Sturm College of Law

Simply put, the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver provides law students with an “excellent” academic experience. For starters, the program grants everyone the ability to “tailor [their education] towards [their] own interests and [desired] legal path.” Moreover, Sturm maintains a big “focus on client advocacy” and we’re told that this is heavily reflected “in each assignment, each classroom, each student, and each faculty member.” Additionally, “experiential opportunities” and “great clinic programs” abound. In fact, students often declare the ability to gain “practical” experience is one of Sturm’s greatest strengths.

As if that wasn’t enough, the University of Denver is populated with “intelligent, witty, and helpful professors, who largely do an excellent job of teaching black letter law and then examining how that law really applies in practice.” Unsurprisingly, the vast majority come to the classroom with “a lot of experience and are often respected experts in their topics.” And many are more than “willing to explore the potential and creative legal arguments students develop and often encourage students to be creative and take risks.” Praise also extends to the “incredible” library staff who are “attentive,” “organized,” and “easily accessible.” Conversely, views on the administration are decidedly mixed. Some students report that they are “very proactive” and “understanding.” While others complain that the administration is “completely disorganized…[and] lacks [the necessary] policies and continuity.”

Thankfully, when it comes to the job hunt, most students find the Career Development Office to be rather “helpful.” The folks that work there are incredibly accommodating “and will move schedules around and stay late to review resumes, give mock interviews, suggest connections, and give practical, real-world advice.” Students stress that the office’s “director is very concerned about employability” and that everyone who works there goes “well out of their way to make sure you have a good job and that law school is a good investment for you.” Nevertheless, a few people do wish they “could be more proactive [when it comes to] things like federal clerkships.” And some lament that there is “too much focus on firms/corporate rather than government work, public interest, non-traditional, or novel/up-and-coming areas of law.” However, virtually everyone applauds “the internship program, which has nearly 800 different placements in every field imaginable.” Best of all, “access to the Denver legal community is amazing.” Students love Sturm’s “willingness to work with you in order to ensure you get the best opportunities and connections possible.”

Students report that Sturm retains an air of “cooperative competitive[ness].” Certainly, “everyone...has their eye on the prize, so they are super competitive with themselves and work exceptionally hard.” However, many quickly point out that “there is no hostility among the students.” And they assert that “everyone is encouraging and friendly regardless of your academic rank.” Students also note that their classmates skew “very liberal,” with a good number “eager to serve society” and “get involved in political activities.” Of course, you are still likely to encounter a handful of “conservative students” as well. Thankfully, “everyone seems pretty cordial and willing to hear each other out.” And many appreciate that this political divide definitely leads to some “interesting” discussions!

Socially, the “school does a good job of hosting events where families are welcome.” These include “ice skating and hot chocolate with the dean at DU’s hockey arena, pumpkin carving, etc.” Conversely, some people do complain that “drinking is [now] banned at student events,” leading to “low[er] attendance.” Regardless of campus rules and regulations, attending school in Denver is “a dream.” After all, students enjoy the “comforts of city living” with the total accessibility of “nature.”