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.

Only at SLS

Slides: Roll Fold - Only at SLS 2024

Only at SLS
Discover the unmatched advantages that distinguish Stanford Law School— and that transform SLS students into exceptional lawyers and leaders. Images: SLS campus; students in class.
Stanford University: Explore the universityʼs top-ranked schools and departments, an innovation-driven intellectual community, and diverse sports and cultural activities. Joint Degrees: Choose from 32 or design your own. Interdisciplinary Living and Learning: Share space with graduate students from across campus in modern Munger Residences, designed to foster community, interaction, and discussion. Images: SLS campus photos.
Legal Luminaries: Study with faculty members who are opening new frontiers in law, from net neutrality to Supreme Court practice and criminal procedure. Faculty Discussion Seminars: Explore election law, the interplay between religion and the profession of law or biases present in technologies, and other provocative topics with faculty and classmates. New Areas of Law: Learn lawʼs role in the digital realm at the law school whose pioneering programs cover everything from artificial intelligence and machine learning to cyber security. Images: Faculty and students on the steps of the US Supreme Court; students and faculty during a faculty discussion seminar.
Full-time Clinics: Immerse yourself in individualized, hands-on learning through any of the 11 full-time clinics, without the distraction of any other coursework. Law & Policy Lab: Evaluate corporate performance standards on racial and economic equity, assess nature-based climate solutions, and study wildfire science and policy, among many other critical questions. Global Opportunities: Spend a week with professors and peers in Colombia or Poland or spend 10 weeks immersed in international law and finance through the Global Quarter at SLS and abroad. Images: Faculty and students in front of the Palo Alto Courthouse; students in Colombia during The Global Quarter.
Projects with Impact: Get involved with projects making a real-world difference through our many programs and centers focused on issues as wide-ranging as cyber policy, the legal profession, criminal justice, and regulation, evaluation and governance. Public Interest/Public Service: Prepare to advance the public good and social justice, through dedicated classes, clinics, pro bono work, externships, and mentorships, with career support and financial assistance. Images: Faculty member Erik Jensen lecturing; group of students.
Clerkships: Learn the inner workings of the judicial system, hone your skills, and advance the law by clerking for a justice on the U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court, or U.S. Supreme Court—a strong SLS tradition. From Student to Scholar: Gain exposure to legal scholarship, produce it, and prepare to be the next generation of law professors or academics. California Comforts: Ponder your moot court argument on a run in the foothills or a bike trek to the coast—any day of the year. Images: Graduation procession; Faculty member Daniel Ho during a lecture.
Unconventional Community: Expand your horizons as part of the unique start-up culture that thrives in our anything-is-possible Silicon Valley neighborhood. Open-Minded Community: Join a community that values open discussion about the critical and controversial issues of our time. Images: Students walking on a trail path; Class of 2024.
Photos of campus; students in class.
Photos of campus; students walking.
Jenny S. Martinez
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.

Jenny S. Martinez, Provost, Former Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean of Stanford Law School

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

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

Applications for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program are due in early Autumn, one year prior to enrollment. View dates and deadlines. You can also sign up for Knight-Hennessy Scholars email alerts to stay up to date on the availability of their online application.

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Knight-Hennessy Scholars

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