Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School

Overview ^5-6

Founded in 1971, BYU Law School receives support from and is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our students learn in an intellectually and spiritually invigorating community where they look forward to using their legal skills in service throughout the world. The development of moral character and enlightened devotion to the rule of law are hallmarks of a BYU Law School education.

The mission of the BYU Law School is to teach the laws of men in the light of the laws of God. The Law School strives to be worthy in all respects of the name it bears, and to provide an education that is spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character building, thus leading to lifelong learning and service.

Student-Faculty Ratio ⁷

12.3:1

Admission Criteria ⁸

	LSAT	GPA
25th-75th Percentile	157-164	3.55-3.89
Median*	162	3.80

The above LSAT and GPA data pertain to the 2016 entering class.

Director of admissions	K. Marie Kulbeth
Application deadline	N/A

Law School Admissions details based on 2016 data.

*Medians have been calculated by averaging the 25th- and 75th-percentile values released by the law schools and have been rounded up to the nearest whole number for LSAT scores and to the nearest one-hundredth for GPAs.

Admission Statistics ⁸

Approximate number of applications	436
Number accepted	191
Percentage accepted	43.8%

The above admission details are based on 2016 data.

Law School Cost ⁹

Tuition and fees Full-time:	$12,310 per year (LDS member) $12,310 per year (LDS member)
Room and board	$12,252
Books	$1,796
Miscellaneous expenses	$6,304

Class Ranking and Grades ^10-11

Under FERPA, class ranking and cumulative grade point average records maintained by the law school are available to students. The law school compiles, and students may request, individual Student Progress Reports that disclose ranking to the middle of the class in 10% increments with additional disclosures at the top 25% and the top 33%. The remainder of the class is listed as bottom 50%. The law school also compiles an individual class rank for students in the top 15% of the class.

Grading Rules

All courses and seminars shall be evaluated by numerical grades unless departure from that general policy is approved by the Curriculum Committee. Individual faculty members may determine whether to grade Directed Research on a numerical or pass/fail basis. There will be a minimum grade of 1.6 for complete non-performance and a maximum grade of 4.0.

In a pass/fail graded offering, a student may receive a grade of pass, low pass, or fail. Low pass will appear on the transcript at a grade of 2.7 per credit hour. A fail will be recorded as a 1.6.

Law school grades are on a 4.0 scale using intervals of 0.1. The presumptive top grade in each class shall be 4.0; the average required for graduation is 2.7; and the minimum grade for which credit will be given is 2.2.

The J. Reuben Clark Law School uses the following grading scale:

A	4.0	Superior
	3.9
	3.8
	3.7
	3.6	Excellent
	3.5
	3.4
B	3.3
	3.2	High Pass
	3.1
	3.0
	2.9	Pass
	2.8
	2.7
Low Pass	2.6	Low Pass
	2.5
	2.4
	2.3
	2.2
No credit	2.1	Failing
	2.0
	1.9
	1.8
	1.7
	1.6

Grade Normalization (Curve)¹²

Median and Mean Grades

In all first-year courses, the median grade will be 3.3.

In all second - and third-year courses, the median grade will be 3.3 with two exceptions:

A deviation not exceeding 0 .2 points may be made if all of the following conditions are met:

The course has an enrollment of fewer than ten students;

The faculty member clearly demonstrates that there is a disproportionate number of excellent, or sub - par, student performances;

The Associate Dean for Faculty and Curriculum approves the deviation. Under this exception, i n a particular course, a deviation may occur occasionally, but in almost all years the median for that course will be 3.3. The fact that a course involves a paper, a project, skills training, or a heavy workload does not justify a deviation from the 3.3 median.

If the median GPA of the students enrolled in the course is between 3.4 and 3.499, the instructor may use a median of 3.4; if the median GPA is between 3.5 and 3.599, the instructor may use a median of 3.5; and if the median GPA of students enrolled in the course is 3.6 or above, the instructor may use a median of 3.6. The median GPA of the students in the course will be calculated as of the beginning of the semester in which the course is offered with respect to students enrolled in the course as of the end of the semester. The registrar will notify the instructor if this exception applies to the course.

A grad e is a median grade if half the students in a course receive that grade or lower.

In any course with ten or more students, the mean grade for the course may be no more than 0 .1 higher than the highest permissible median grade.

Honors ¹³

Honor	Criteria
Order of Coif	The Law School was chartered as a Chapter in The Order of the Coif in March, 1984. The Chapter may elect to membership in the Order of the Coif a graduating student (1) who has completed at least 75 percent of his or her law studies in graded courses and (2) whose grade record ranks in the top 10 percent of all graduating seniors of the school. Please see the Coif Constitution, which is available on the Internet, for complete rules regarding eligibility and election to Coif. The Coif year will be from September 1 to August 31.
summa cum laude	For graduates of the class of 2018 or later, to qualify for summa cum laude students must finish in the top 2% of the graduating class requires 3.80 or higher, or the top 2% of the class, whichever is greater
magna cum laude	For graduates of the class of 2018 or later, to qualify for magna cum laude in the next 10% of the graduating class requires a grade point average of 3.60 to 3.79
cum laude	For graduates of the class of 2018 or later, to qualify for cum laude in the next 20% of the graduating class. requires a grade point average of 3.45 to 3.59
Dean’s List	Each student achieving grades in the top 30% of his or her graduating class in any semester in which the student has completed at least 9 credit hours in graded courses will be designated as a "Dean’s List Student" for that semester. The Dean, or his or her designee, will communicate the designation by letter to each Dean’s List Student. The Law School will not post the Dean’s List publicly.

Awards ¹⁴

Public Interest Service Award	Students who perform 100+ hours of pro bono service
J. Reuben Clark Award	Exemplify academic excellent and integrity
Christensen Memorial Award	Excellence in Advocay
Schooley Outstanding Mediator Award	Excellence in alternative dispute resolution
John S. Welch Award	Outstanding Legal Writing
Distinguished Clinical Practice Award	Exceptional commitment to clinical practice of law
Meritorious Achievement and Distinguished Service	Faculty awards for varied and extensive service
Humor in the Law Award	For a healthy and wry sense of humor
Hugh B. Brown Barrister's Award	For preparation and performance in the classroom
National Association fo Women Lawyers	For contributing to the advancement of women
Margaret Rose Nelson Award	Best oralist in the Rex Lee Moot Court competition
Linda Anderson Trial Ad Competition	Exceptional advocacy
High Grade Awards	N/A
Outstanding Services Award	Dedicated service to Int'l Ctr for Law & Religion
SBA President's Award	N/A
Exceptional Service to the SBA	N/A

Journals ^15-18

The BYU Law Review is made up of second- and third-year students at the J. Reuben Clark Law School. The goal of the BYU Law Review is to produce a legal periodical for use by scholars, practitioners and judges. Members of the BYU Law Review contribute to this goal by editing and writing articles and by performing other tasks associated with the publication of the BYU Law Review that are assigned periodically throughout the year.

The BYU Law Review attracts two categories of written work. The first category includes articles, essays, and book reviews, which are typically written by professors, practicing attorneys, or other legal scholars. The second category includes shorter notes and comments written by students that briefly analyze specific cases or areas of the law.

The BYU Law Review publishes six issues each year. Each issue typically contains four to five articles and a combination of two to four notes and comments. The BYU Law Review publishes the proceedings of the annual International Law & Religion Symposium, sponsored by the BYU International Center for Law & Religious Studies, in a special issue of each volume. Once a year, the BYU Law Review hosts other symposia concentrating on timely and significant topics and publishes the articles that result.

By preparing articles, notes, and comments for publication, the members of the BYU Law Review receive intensive legal writing and editing experience. This experience improves the members’ ability to analyze and discuss legal issues and contributes significantly to the orderly development of the law. A description of the editing process and staff member responsibilities are included in the BYU Law Review Handbook. Specific aspects of the BYU Law Review’s purposes, structure, and organization are contained in the BYU Law Review Bylaws.

The BYU Journal of Public Law has been published by the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, since 1986. The Journal is dedicated to publishing scholarly articles addressing topics in public law, including the relationship between governments and their citizens, the association among governments, and the effects of governmental entities upon society.

Education laws and policy consistently occupy a position of prominence in public and professional debate, local and national legislatures, and the judicial system. Since 1992, the Brigham Young University Education and Law Journal (ELJ) has strived to provide important information and generate scholarly discussion concerning important educational issues. Published biannually, each ELJ edition highlights legal and policy issues currently affecting elementary, secondary, and higher education.

Specifically, the ELJ serves as a forum in which top legal scholars, practioners, administrators, educators, and students from across the country share diverse and thought-provoking viewpoints. This innovative student-run journal focuses exclusively on the field of education law and plays a prominent role in educational scholarship

The Brigham Young University International Law and Management Review was originally established by the Foundation for International Law and Management, a nonprofit educational corporation that provided financial and advisory support to the ILMR. The first issue was published in 2005, and the journal ceased publication in 2015 with Volume 11.

Moot Court ¹⁹

Moot Court is a program designed to give law students experience in appellate advocacy. Its benefit lies in the invaluable practical experience its members receive. All First Year students learn Moot Court skills by writing an appellate brief and giving an oral argument for their second semester advocacy class. In conjunction with the activities of their advocacy class, First Year students are encouraged to submit their brief to Moot Court and to participate in the 1L Moot Court Competition.

The 1L Moot Court Competition is the primary mechanism by which 1Ls apply to the team, and invitations to new team members will be extended during the summer.

During the first semester of their second year, Moot Court members will participate in an intraschool competition - the Rex E. Lee competition - to determine BYU's National Moot Court team. The four finalists in this competition and the two best brief writers will go on to represent the school in regional and national ABA competitions during their third year.

Others who progress in the competition may apply to compete in other competitions around the country during winter semesters of their 2L and 3L years. In years past the Law School has sent teams to ten different competitions around the country. These competitions often focus on specific topics, such as securities law, civil rights, or religious liberty. In addition, all members will also have the opportunity of acting as editors and judges for the first year competitions.

Participation in the Moot Court program is an excellent opportunity for students to hone their brief writing and oral advocacy skills in preparation for their professional lives.

Clinical Programs ²⁰

BYU Law offers a variety of live-client clinics that allow students to practice legal skills under the supervision of a faculty member or practicing attorney.

• Timpanogos Legal Clinic
• Tuesday Night Bar

BYU Law also has several dynamic Clinical Alliances that place students with high-quality legal service providers, combined with a classroom component that provides additional training and supervision.

• Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Clinic
• Government and Legislation Clinical Alliance
• Community and Economic Development Clinical Alliance
• Family Law Clinic
• Mediation Clinic

International Center for Law and Religion Studies

The International Center for Law and Religion Studies was formally established and commenced operations as of January 1, 2000, to provide the institutional base for our long-term initiatives in the field of law and religion throughout the world. During the succeeding decade, we have emerged as a recognized leader in the field of religious rights, both at the national level in the United States and internationally. Work in the United States has included Congressional testimony in support of draft legislation and participation in numerous conferences in the U.S. Internationally, ICLRS personnel are now instrumental in organizing and participating in 20-30 regional conferences and law reform consultations each year in countries around the world.

LAWHELP

Law Help is a volunteer organization that provides free legal advice to community members in need. If you are in need of our services or would like to volunteer with us, please click on "LawHelp".

Marriage and Family Law Research Project

The Marriage and Family Law Research Project was organized in 2002 to support and promote academic activities concerning laws and policies relating to marriage and family relations and institution. The goals of the M&FLRP are to facilitate, provide and promote high quality legal scholarship, especially in scholarly conferences and publications, that includes and facilitates expression and publication of insights, information, and perspectives about family life and family laws that reflect the values of the Proclamation on the Family.

Placement Facts ²¹

Starting Salaries (2015 Graduates Employed Full-Time)

Private sector (25th-75th percentile)	$65,000 - $107,000
Median in the private sector	$72,000
Median in public service	$49,500

Employment Details

Graduates known to be employed at graduation	46.6%
Graduates known to be employed ten months after graduation	65.4%

Areas of Legal Practice

Graduates Employed In	Percentage
Law Firms	44.4%
Business and Industry	17.1%
Government	15.4%
Public Interest Organizations	5.1%
Judicial Clerkships	15.4%
Academia	2.6%
Unknown	0%

Externships/Internships

Externships²²

The BYU Law Externship Program is designed to provide an in-office practical experience for students who have completed at least one year of study at BYU Law School.

In 2016, BYU Law students had over 280 externship and clinical alliance placements in the following seven areas:

• Judicial
• Government
• Legislative
• Community Economic Development
• Other Public Interest Placements
• International, both private and public interest
• Private Law Firm

In each placement, students earn one unit of law school credit for each 50 hours of work. Starting in the fall of 2015, fall and winter externships were converted to Clinical Alliances. A very limited number of externships will continue to be available in the fall or winter semesters based on a very specific set of criteria. Moving forward, most externships will be completed over the summer break.

Up to three credits (150 hours) can be earned during a fall or winter semester and up to four credits (200 hours) can be earned over the summer. The number of hours and dates of work for each externship placement are mutually arranged between the externship provider and the student.

There is no expectation that externship providers will hire student externs after the requirement for the placement have been completed.

Students may not receive compensation for their work as an extern, but they may receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the placement.

As part of the program, students are required to:

1. Submit a learning plan--a list of experiences they hope to have during the externship;
2. Perform work assignments;
3. Participate in the full range of activities available through the provider's office; and
4. Complete academic requirements such as learning plans, journals, and self-evaluations.

Supervising attorneys are asked to:

1. Provide meaningful work assignements, or put the student in the normal assignment channels for the office;
2. Review and sign off on the student's learning plan;
3. Evaluate the student's performance in online midterm and final student evaluations; and
4. Respond to the student's self-evaluation.

Student Organizations ²³

• 5th Grade Mentoring
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• American Constitution Society
• Ancient Law Foundations Association
• Asian Law Students Association
• Black Law Students Association
• Business Law Association
• Court Watch
• Environment, Energy, and Resources Society
• Family Law Society
• Federal Bar Association
• Federalist Society
• Government & Politics Legal Society
• Health Law Club
• Immigration Law Forum
• International Law Students Association
• Iron Justice Golf
• Jail Outreach
• Joint Degree Student Association
• J. Reuben Clark Law Society, BYU Student Chapter
• Latino/a Law Student Association
• Law Spouse Association
• Law School Choir
• Military and National Security
• Minority Law Students Association
• National Lawyers' Guild
• Native American Law Students Association
• Pacific Island Law Student Association
• Phi Delta Phi
• Public Interest Law Foundation
• Spirit in the Law
• Sports and Entertainment Law Society
• Student Bar Association
• Student Intellectual Property Law Association
• Tax and Estate Planning Society
• Weekly Wall Squat
• Wellness, Meditation, & Yoga Club
• Women in the Law
• Writers' League

References

1. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/home
2. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/registrar-office/
3. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/admissions_office
4. http://law2.byu.edu/site/career-services/contact-info
5. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/about/school-program
6. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/mission/
7. https://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/brigham-young-university-clark-03156
8. https://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/brigham-young-university-clark-03156/admissions
9. https://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/brigham-young-university-clark-03156/cost
10. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/policies-and-procedures/rank
11. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/policies-and-procedures/grading_rules
12. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/policies-and-procedures/grading
13. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/policies-and-procedures/honors
14. http://www.nalplawschoolsonline.org/employer_profile?FormID=296&QuestionTabID=38&SearchCondJSON=
15. http://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/lawreview/about.html
16. http://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/jpl/about.html
17. http://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/elj/about.html
18. http://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/ilmr/about.html
19. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/clubs-organizations/moot_court
20. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/clinics-centers
21. http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/brigham-young-university-clark-03156/career-prospects
22. http://www.law2.byu.edu/site/admissions/adm-externships
23. http://www.law2.byu.edu/wfpc/academic_internships.html
24. http://www.law2.byu.edu/clubs-organizations/index.php?q=current-students