Chicago Program

The College of Law features a first-rate academic program designed to prepare students to excel in their future professional careers. Through the Chicago Program, students can combine a top-flight, interdisciplinary legal education on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the world’s premier research universities, with a formal program of study in Chicago.

The Chicago Program is designed to enrich the College’s curriculum, expand professional opportunities for students, and involve alumni and other practitioners more closely in the College’s educational mission. The Program has four principal objectives: (1) to provide enhanced skills-related training; (2) to broaden exposure to specialized areas of legal practice; (3) to orient students to the global legal market; and (4) to facilitate connections between students, alumni, and prospective employers in Chicago, the nation, and the world.

The program was launched in summer 2012 with a two-credit course on The Legal Profession, designed to expose rising 2L and 3L students to the evolving state of global legal practice. The course was taught at the Illini Center on Chicago’s signature Wacker Drive by Dean Bruce Smith, in collaboration with experienced lawyers drawn predominately from Chicago-area corporations, governmental agencies, law firms, and public interest organizations. In association with the Program’s launch, the College hosted a number of Chicago-area events (including seminars and social gatherings) for alumni and current students.

In spring 2013, the College is offering a semester-long program of Chicago-based courses and events for interested third-year students, taught by nationally recognized practitioners and College faculty. Courses include Professional Responsibility, Small Firm Practice, The Trusted Advisor, Litigation Practicum, Advanced Trial Advocacy-IP, Executive Compensation, International Bankruptcy, International Taxation, and Internet Law. Participating third-year students also have the opportunity to network with the College’s more than 4,000 Chicago-based alumni through a variety of events, alumni mock interviews, and a mentoring program.

For more information about the Chicago Program, contact:

Associate Dean Margareth Etienne
(217) 265-0878
metienne@illinois.edu

Assistant Dean Virginia Vermillion
(217) 333-1097
vvermill@illinois.edu

Executive Assistant Dean Greg Miarecki
(217) 265-5345
miarecki@illinois.edu