JD Program

Mastering legal doctrine is just the beginning of a proper legal education. Lawyers play countless roles in our society—as advocates, as advisors, as leaders in their own right. They practice law, work in business and government, put their degrees to use in science, education, and policymaking, and serve their communities in many other ways. Knowledge of the law, both its content and how to argue about it, remains critical in all these roles. But it is not enough, and a lawyer must also understand the needs of the people he or she serves and the consequences for them of different legal positions. And because those needs cross disciplinary boundaries, Stanford Law—true to Stanford University’s heritage of learning without limits— offers the opportunity for a truly interdisciplinary, multidimensional legal education.

Stanford Law has adopted a variety of innovative approaches to prepare students to think not just like lawyers but also like clients and scholars. To begin, we make it easy to experience the diverse learning opportunities that are possible only at a university like Stanford—with its breadth of highly ranked schools and departments, all located close together on a well connected physical campus. Stanford Law students have broad access to courses outside the law school that will fill out their legal education. In this way, students benefit from academic thought leaders across disciplines, not to mention the intellectual life of the campus found in the myriad of conferences and events held each year and in countless other multidisciplinary research programs.

Nor do the opportunities to broaden your legal education at Stanford Law end here. In addition, you can explore law’s intersection with a growing range of fields by pursuing a joint degree and adding a master’s or doctorate to your law degree or by taking teamwork oriented simulation courses with students and faculty from other parts of the university.

M. Elizabeth Magill 1
Life is about decisions, each choice shaping the future. Accepting an invitation to attend Stanford Law School will allow access to a community characterized by intellectual rigor, tremendous collegiality, and inspiring faculty and students eager to explore law’s impact on the big questions of our day. Now, as you choose a law school, we have a big question for you: Are you ready to shape the future? Because at Stanford Law, that’s what we do.

M. ELIZABETH MAGILL Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program awards full funding to Stanford graduate students from all disciplines, with additional opportunities for leadership training and collaboration across fields.

Apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program by September 27, 2017, and to SLS by November 15, 2017. Note that your application must be received by SLS and be deemed complete – including receipt of your electronic application, your CAS report from LSAC including all required transcripts and letters of recommendations, and a valid LSAT score (for JD candidates only) – by November 15.

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Knight-Hennessy Scholars