On-Campus JD

Three students in business attire walk down the steps of a building together.

Earning your Juris Doctor (JD) on campus at Case Western Reserve University places you in reach of countless opportunities across Cleveland and beyond—especially thanks to our innovative curriculum

Our strong local network can take you from Cleveland to locations around the world, all customizable through experiences such as externships that match your professional goals. Plus, you’ll benefit from our 11,000-member global alumni network, including prominent leaders in law, government, and nonprofit sectors. 

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As a 1L, you will:

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In your 2L and 3L years, you can:

  • Take an advanced LLEAP course in litigation, appellate advocacy, or transactional skills—working like a junior attorney.
  • Complete an externship during a semester or summer with judges, law firms, nonprofit and government agencies, or organizations worldwide.
  • Join one of our mock trial or moot court teams.
  • Join one of our journals and engage with cutting-edge scholarship shaping the profession.
  • Participate in labs and practicums, collaborating with courts and practitioners on active legal cases.
  • Complete a semester-long capstone, serving real clients in one of our ten in-house clinics or through a capstone externship locally, nationally or abroad.

Explore the School of Law’s JD curriculum, including a full list of course offerings.

Caren Teague

Law school at [CWRU] is providing me with a deeper level of analysis. Where I used to think in one layer, I now think in three or four just to make one singular point. My public speaking skills have grown as well, especially in my appellate legal class on oral advocacy.”

Caren Teague, Class of 2026

Take Your Studies Abroad 

If you wish to expand your legal perspective off campus, we offer semester-long study abroad programs with numerous partner law schools across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

When you immerse yourself in a new culture, you can gain firsthand experience in international law—an invaluable advantage in today’s global legal marketplace.