After receiving full ABA accreditation in December 2016, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law is already cultivating a strong reputation for producing lawyers committed to public service.
About one third of UMass Law graduates go on to practice in public service, which is made possible by the low cost of attendance. As the state’s only public law school, tuition at UMass Law is almost half that of its private counterparts. Close to 99 percent of students received grants or scholarships for the 2018-2019 year, and eligible students may also qualify for the law school’s Public Interest Fellowship that awards a 50 percent tuition scholarship.
“As the Commonwealth’s school of law, we have a duty to serve the cause of justice in every corner of the state,” Dean Eric Mitnick said. “Our students choose to serve long before they graduate and become lawyers, and they are supported in their initiatives by dedicated faculty and staff.”
UMass Law requires all students to complete at least 30 hours of pro bono service in order to graduate. The pro bono requirement is part of the law school’s integrated approach to developing practice-ready, justice-centered attorneys.
The school’s mission to support students entering public service extends beyond the J.D. program. Graduates have the opportunity to participate in the Justice Bridge incubator, which supports new lawyers as they set up solo law firms that serve clients of modest needs.