Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Cleveland-Marshall is a student-centered law school dedicated to creating opportunities. As part of its strategic plan, the school looks to enroll a diverse set of individuals – and does everything in its power to shape an educational experience that meets the needs of each individual to give them an advantage as they look to reach their ultimate goals. The key to Cleveland-Marshall’s success in its focus on the individual is the superior foundation of resources at its disposal for the benefit of each student and graduate. Located in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University fuels one of the nation’s most thriving legal markets. The nearly 120-year-old institution was the first law school in Ohio to admit women and it was one of the first law schools in Ohio to admit minorities. A commitment to diversity remains one of the school’s strongest values, and in 2010, Cleveland-Marshall became the first-ever recipient of the Diversity Matters Award presented by the Law School Admissions Council. The school has a long-standing tradition of opportunity, and is consistently recognized for its part-time program. The school’s exceptionally strong clinical presence, along with a thriving pro bono program that clocks over 11,000 student volunteer hours per year, has made Cleveland-Marshall a pillar in the community. The 21st century C|M|LAW is proving that a school of opportunity can also be a school of excellence. Students are exposed to state-of-the-art litigation technology in the Trial Courtroom, the most technologically advanced learning courtroom in Ohio and one of the first in the country. The Center for Health Law and Policy directly con­nects students to the expansive medical network of the region, and the groundbreaking Great Lakes Sports and Entertainment Law Academy immerses students in practical training in a growing field of law. Cleveland-Marshall boasted a 93 percent bar passage rate on the July 2013 Ohio Bar exam, second only to Ohio State among Ohio’s nine law schools. Driving the achievement is Cleveland-Marshall’s strategic bar preparation program, including an innovative partnership with a bar prep provider, Barbri, that gives all Cleveland-Marshall students an edge toward success. The school is one of the first law schools nationally to offer strate­gic support for entrepreneurial students. Successful Solo Practitioners formed a task force to offer training, support, and guidance to students interested in starting their own practice, capped by the Solo Law Practice Incubator, opening in spring 2014. The incubator is one of less than 10 nationwide housed on a law school campus and will supply office space, resources and support for graduate entrepreneurs. Accomplished faculty provide a solid academic foundation and bring a broad range of scholarly and practical expertise. Cleveland-Marshall employs influential faculty who are knowledgeable on the latest issues facing their field of specialty, because they are among the leading researchers and practitioners in those fields. Teaching is the first priority for the faculty, who exhibit exceptional dedication and a willingness to work with individual students. Cleveland-Marshall faculty members are experts in relevant and rapidly growing areas of practice, including environmental, healthcare and space law. Cleveland-Marshall's concentration is on the student. Students choose their own path, and are encouraged to create a mix of classes and engagement experiences to best prepare to work in the litigation, administrative or advocacy career of their choosing. More than 30 student organizations, including three well-respected student journals, expand on classroom studies and develop students further in specialized areas of their choosing. The practical application of classroom studies is a focus starting from the very first week of law school. During orientation week, students are exposed to law in action during an innovated engaged learning day. Every student is guaranteed to receive practical experience before graduating through an engaged learning requirement, fulfilled through a clinic or externship. Along the way, students listen to and engage with thought-leaders who provide exceptional insights from years spent in their given field. Cleveland-Marshall fosters a culture of collaboration. In the C-M environment students often view one another as allies, not adversaries. The school’s students have a reputation for working together for their mutual benefit, as they push through the shared challenges of law school. Students and graduates consistently reference classmates as some of their closest friends, and often times build positions and even careers around working with fellow Cleveland-Marshall graduates. Central to Cleveland-Marshall’s success is its strong alumni base, arguably one of the most engaged and supportive legal networks in the nation. Cleveland-Marshall alumni are represented in judicial seats in local state and federal levels, and as prominent business leaders, public servants and general counsel in all fifty states and internationally. Talented alumni routinely give back to the school and help guide and mentor our students into the legal profession. The Cleveland-MCleveland-Marshall connection does not end when a student walks out the door as a graduate. The Cleveland-Marshall family of alumni is a lifelong resource of practitioners who are integral in helping one another reach their dreams. The exceptional Office of Career Planning is available for not just for graduates obtaining their first position, but to help alumni grow throughout their careers. Graduates interested in an entrepreneurial setting are offered invaluable strategic support, including the innovative new Solo Practice Incubator. Cleveland-Marshall's strong connection to the legal community ,along with an evolved approach to experiential learning and a focus on career planning for success, positions Cleveland-Marshall as a leader in evolved, innovative legal education.