Chicago-Kent College of Law

Chicago-Kent Library

Future Focused, Practice Ready

What’s Your Vision for the Future?

Nicole Papanton '27 took advantage of Chicago-Kent's 1L Your Way program to get a jump start on her career in family law. Now, she's ready to start healing families and changing lives.

Chicago-Kent alumni are steadfast about hiring other Chicago-Kent alumni and students. I got my job at my firm—my dream firm—partly because I met an alumnus at a networking event at Conviser Law Center. He took me for coffee a week later, and I got an interview soon after. I was fast-tracked and hired before the recruiting cycle formally began.

Nicole Papanton '27
Nicole Papanton
LAW '27
Family Focus

Leeandre Mahomes ’26 is combining rigorous, practice-focused training, hands-on legal experience in Chicago, and strong community support to prepare for a future at the forefront of intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and ethical innovation.

The most impactful experience has been seeing how much professional experience I’ve gained as a law student and how directly it connects back to what I learned in the classroom. Applying legal theory to real clients and real problems reinforced the value of a practice-focused education.

Leeandre Mahomes '26
Leeandre Mahomes
LAW '26
A Practical Education

When the world threw Nicole Hentges '26 a curveball, Chicago-Kent's alumni community made sure she was still able to chase her public service dreams.

I heard horror stories about law school students being cutthroat and ripping pages out of library books to prevent others from effectively studying. What I experienced at Chicago-Kent could not be more different. Everyone is genuinely friendly and willing to help each other.

Nicole Hentges '26
Nicole Hentges
LAW '26
A Community of Helpers

Three important qualities combine to make Chicago-Kent a one-of-a-kind law school: our emphasis on foundational skills training, our ability to get students practical hands-on experience before graduation, and our location in one of the most thriving legal markets in the country.

Foundational Skills Practical Experience Life in Chicago
Academic Programs

A Culture of Academic Excellence

Future-focused, foundational skills training from dedicated instructors
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Chicago-Kent classroom

J.D. Program

Chicago-Kent College of Law’s many distinguished programs, including top-ranked programs in Intellectual Property Law and Labor and Employment Law, prepare our students not just to succeed, but also to excel in their fields. We offer twelve formalized J.D. certificate programs as well as a number of other focused areas of study.

12th

in the nation for TRIAL ADVOCACY (U.S. News and World Report 2024-2025 rankings)

9th

in the nation for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW (U.S. News and World Report 2024-2025 rankings)

90.57%

ULTIMATE BAR PASS RATE based on 2021 law school graduates who passed the bar exam in any jurisdiction within two years of graduation. (Please see our ABA Required Disclosures)

89.3%

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT RATE 10 months post-graduation for 2024 graduates, which includes graduates working in bar passage required, J.D. advantage or professional positions. (Please see our ABA Required Disclosures)

LL.M. Program

The Chicago-Kent Office of International Programs has a 25-year history of educating LL.M. students from over sixty countries. Our students enjoy a dynamic, enriching, and welcoming community with colleagues from the U.S. and from around the world.

Non-Degree Certifications

In addition to our J.D. programs, we also offer several certifications, mostly geared toward working professionals who wish to receive specialized training but don’t want to enroll in a formal degree program.

Joint Degree Programs

Chicago-Kent offers a number of joint-degree programs for students who wish to pursue two degrees concurrently, both at Illinois Institute of Technology and other area universities.

We’re Shaping Law, Today

Read the latest Chicago-Kent headlines
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Chicago skyline
Study Law Where It’s Happening

Life in Downtown Chicago

Be at the epicenter of a bustling, vibrant city known for its music, food, sports, theater, and world-class museums—and also a city that’s home to one of the top legal markets in the nation, ready to challenge and support you as you start your career.

Explore Life in the Windy City

Study, Work, and Play

A thriving nightlife and restaurant district lies within walking distance of the Chicago-Kent campus—and public transportation can conveniently take you anywhere from Lake Michigan’s iconic beaches to the city’s many diverse neighborhoods.

Practical Experience

Take advantage of our deep connections within the Chicago legal community to intern or extern with one of the numerous governmental agencies, law firms, corporations, and advocacy organizations located just blocks away from our campus.

Alumni Network

The Chicago area is home to more than 9,000 Chicago-Kent alumni: fellow legal professionals who are ready to help you find your footing in one of the most dynamic and hardest-working cities in the world.

Voices of Chicago-Kent

Chicago-Kent is home to an amazing community, with a diverse range of interests and backgrounds. Hear stories from students, recent graduates, and alumni of note.
All Student & Alumni Stories
Eileen O'Neill Burke '90

A Full Circle Legal Journey

Eileen O’Neill Burke ’90 was in the sixth grade when former justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow spoke to Burke’s class about her career as a judge. McMorrow went on to...

The Other Way Around

Editor's note: this is a story from the the Fall 2025 Chicago-Kent Magazine. To read the magazine in full, follow this link . “When I started [my firm] Incubate IP...

Building a Talent Pipeline

Editor's note: this is a story from the the Fall 2025 Chicago-Kent Magazine. To read the magazine in full, follow this link . “We have about 65 lawyers and 13...

Deep Roots

When other mayors ask Jeffrey Sherwin (LAW ’78) how he’s been elected to office for eight terms—and has run unopposed in the town of Northlake, Illinois, for the last seven—he...