Kentucky's premier law school, one of the nation's first public law schools, founded 1908.
The Rosenberg College of Law offers a three-year, full-time Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Students may pursue dual degrees combining the J.D. with a master's degree in fields such as Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), or Health Administration (MHA). First-year curriculum includes torts, criminal law, contracts, legal research and writing, constitutional law, civil procedure, and property. All first-year students complete an oral argument requirement as a hallmark event in their legal education.
Founded in 1908, UK Law was one of the nation's first public law schools. In 1913, it established the nation's first law school trial practice program. The Kentucky Law Journal, founded in 1913, is the tenth-oldest student-run law review in continuous publication in America. The college was approved by the American Bar Association in 1925 and elected to the Order of the Coif in 1931. In 2019, it was renamed the J. David Rosenberg College of Law following a $20 million donation from alumnus J. David Rosenberg.
The law building, constructed in 1965 on South Limestone, underwent a major $56 million renovation and expansion from 2017–2019, during which it was taken to its structural core and completely reconfigured. The Alvin E. Evans Library is the largest law library in Kentucky, containing approximately 470,000 volumes and extensive electronic materials covering U.S. court decisions, statutes, administrative materials, and international resources.
The college accepts first-year applicants and transfer/visitor applicants through regular decision and early decision options. According to 2023 ABA disclosures, 86% of the Class of 2023 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation (excluding solo practitioners). The Class of 2024 achieved a 97.12% employment rate and 83% first-time bar passage rate. The school is ranked 19th for best value by National Jurist Magazine (2024).