University of Wyoming College of Law

The University of Wyoming College of Law is Wyoming's only law school, preparing graduates for legal practice through hands-on experiential learning including nine student clinics, externships, and a Summer Trial Institute taught by experienced Wyoming attorneys. Located in Laramie, the college emphasizes practical skills alongside rigorous legal foundation within an R1 research institution.

About

The University of Wyoming College of Law is Wyoming's only law school, located in Laramie and serving students preparing for legal practice across the state and beyond. The college offers a juris doctor degree that emphasizes hands-on, practical experience alongside a rigorous legal foundation, designed to ready graduates for practice from the outset of their careers.

The law school provides a range of joint degree options that allow students to expand career opportunities while reducing both time and financial investment. Instruction is supported by a dedicated faculty and staff committed to guiding students through their legal education and toward meaningful careers serving communities throughout Wyoming and the region.

Experiential learning is central to the educational model at the college. Students gain practical skills through nine student legal clinics and practicums where they work on real matters while earning course credit. The law library, named the George W. Hopper Law Library, provides access to legal databases, research assistance from expert librarians, and study space designed to support academic success and skill development. The college also offers externships that allow students to earn credit while gaining practical legal experience in real-world settings, as well as a Summer Trial Institute—an intensive two-week course taught by experienced Wyoming attorneys focused on trial skills.

Beyond classroom and clinic work, students have opportunities to compete in local and national competitions, gaining recognition for both individual and team performance. The college publishes the Wyoming Law Review, providing students with legal writing and scholarship experience. These varied learning opportunities prepare students for the practical demands of legal work.

Admissions to the college follows a straightforward process. Prospective students submit an application that includes LSAT scores, transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The college reviews applications on a rolling basis and encourages early submission.

The college benefits from the University of Wyoming's designation as a Research Level 1 (R1) institution by the Carnegie Classification, placing it among the top research universities in the nation. Alumni of the law school have become prominent members of the legal profession throughout Wyoming and across the country.

Laramie itself offers a distinctive setting for legal study. The town has been recognized as one of the best college towns in America, combining outdoor recreation—including mountain biking, rock climbing, and winter sports—with cultural amenities and a lower cost of living than many comparable communities. Downtown Laramie received recognition as one of the nation's top three main streets in the 2022 Great American Main Street Awards.

Overview compiled from the firm's website