The J. David Rosenberg College of Law is a college of the University of Kentucky. Founded initially from a law program at Transylvania University in 1799, the law program at UK began operations in 1908; it was one of the nation's first public law schools. In 1913, the college became the first in the nation to institute a trial practice program, and is host to the tenth-oldest student-run law review publication in the United States. The dean of the College of Law is Mary J. Davis. According to the most recent publication of US News and World Report, the Law School is ranked #70 among all public and private universities. Among the three law schools in the commonwealth, the University of Kentucky College of Law ranks the highest. Among public law schools, the program is tied at #31. The Rosenberg College of Law is home to two entirely student-run publications: the Kentucky Law Journal and the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture & Natural Resources Law. The Kentucky Law Journal is one of the oldest law reviews in the United States. According to University of Kentucky's 2018 ABA-required disclosures, 87% of the Class of 2018 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo practitioners.
History
The UK College of Law began operations in 1908. It was housed in a structure now known as the Gillis Building from 1927 to 1936. In 1936, the college moved into the newly built Lafferty Hall. Lafferty Hall was named after William T. Lafferty, the first dean of the College of Law. The College of Law again relocated to its current building located on South Limestone in 1965. That building underwent a major renovation and expansion during 2017-2019, during which the building was taken down to its structural core and completely reconfigured. In 1913, the college began publication of the Kentucky Law Journal. The KLJ is the tenth-oldest student-run law journal in continuous publication in America. In 1925, the college was approved by the American Bar Association and was elected to the Order of the Coif in 1931. In 2019, the college was renamed the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. This occurred after Rosenberg, a 1974 alumnus, donated $20 million to the college's endowment, earning him the naming rights to the school.
Law building
Constructed in 1965, the University of Kentucky College of Law Building houses the Alvin E. Evans Library, classrooms, and faculty offices.. The Alvin E. Evans Library is the largest law library in the Commonwealth and contains approximately 470,000 volumes, along with a vast array of electronic materials. It also provides access to all "U.S. reported court decisions, statutes and administrative materials" along with international materials. A 2002 study suggested that if a new College of Law structure was to be constructed, it should relocate closer to downtown Lexington. The suggested site was a block or two north, on Scott Street near the College of Education. A plan for five structures and two courtyards was abandoned because of funding difficulties. Now the school will renovate and expand its current building, a $56 million project, with state bonds paying $35 million on the condition that tuition not go up as a result. The work is to be completed in 2019.
Employment
According to University of Kentucky's official 2018 ABA-required disclosures, 87% of the Class of 2018 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo practitioners. University of Kentucky's Law School Transparency under-employment score is 4.6%, indicating the percentage of the Class of 2018 unemployed, pursuing an additional degree, or working in a non-professional, short-term, or part-time job nine months after graduation.
Costs
The total cost of attendance at University of Kentucky for the 2014-2015 academic year is $53,700. The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $204,646.
