University of Montana School of Law

Founded in 1911, UM School of Law is part of the University of Montana and remains the only law school in the state. It offers an exceptional environmental law specialty with other concentrations in Indian law, Business law and Tax law. It also has an Indian Law Clinic and Native American Law Student Association. It only accepts around 84 students each year and attempts to pull at least 25 students from states around the country with the remaining 59 coming from the state of Montana.

The spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains provides a sense of serenity for both residents and students. The law building faces north and this is certainly advantageous to anyone looking out from the top floor. There are both teaching and research activities within the building and perhaps the most impressive is the fact that it serves as the legal center for the state as a whole.


The law school completed a $14.9 million addition in 2008. It added more than 45,000 square feet to the existing building and an additional three stories. New foyers and balconies lend to the sense of openness the school prides itself on. Completing its overhaul, major investments were made in the classrooms for better technology and acoustics and the renovated law library draws students around the clock. Further, it is open to not only the student body and faculty, but to others in the legal profession as well as the general public. The contemporary architecture is framed by the wide open spaces Montana is so well known for.

If you're wondering what the admissions board searches for, it's actually quite simple. ''We base our admissions decisions on several criteria that we use as indicators of good moral character and intellectual promise''. While one's LSAT scores and other academic achievements are important, because there is limited admission, it's important to ensure the right candidates are selected. The average LSAT score is 154 and the average undergraduate GPA was 3.44.

The school's Career Services is committed to helping recent graduates in their pursuit of employment. It works to provide job postings around Montana, provides resources for those looking to relocate out of the state and also provides assistance with preparing resumes and cover letters. There are several career workshops offered throughout the course of the academic year, whereas attorneys from across the state attend.

The University of Montana School of Law remains one of the most well known and highly ranked schools in the country. In 2009, it was ranked #6 for the best value in National Jurist Magazine. For more information on the school, visit the site at UMP.edu/law.