Have you ever wondered if trial team is right for you? Take it from these successful trial team students!
You can be part of the next group of great trial lawyers by joining the College of Law’s Trial Team, recognized as a top 5 mock trial program in the nation. Tryouts are held each April and are open to all 1Ls and 2Ls.
Valuable foundational and experiential skills are becoming more important than ever!
About the NextGen Bar Exam
CHANGES TO UPCOMING BAR EXAM – NEXTGEN
Set to debut in July 2026, the NextGen bar exam will test a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. Designed to balance the skills and knowledge needed in litigation and transactional legal practice, the exam will reflect many of the key changes that law schools are making today, building on the successes of clinical legal education programs, alternative dispute resolution programs, and legal writing and analysis programs.
The content scope document outlines the breadth of material to be covered in the areas of legal knowledge and categories of practical skills and abilities that will be tested on the NextGen bar exam.
- Foundational concepts and principles: civil procedure, contract law, evidence, torts, business associations, constitutional law, criminal law, real property
- Note: Starting in July 2028, family law will be included in the foundational concepts and principles tested on the NextGen bar exam.
- Foundational lawyering skills: legal research, legal writing, issue spotting and analysis, investigation and evaluation, client counseling and advising, negotiation and dispute resolution, client relationship and management
Illinois to Administer NextGen Bar Exam in 2028
CHANGES TO UPCOMING ILLINOIS BAR EXAM – NEXTGEN
MADISON, WISCONSIN, May 29, 2024—Illinois has announced that it will administer the NextGen bar exam beginning in 2028; 19 jurisdictions in total have now announced plans to adopt the new exam.
“The new bar exam places a greater emphasis on testing the foundational skills required to practice law instead of memorizing legal concepts and principles,” said Mary Jane Theis, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
The new exam will balance the skills and knowledge needed in litigation and transactional legal practice and will reflect many of the key changes that law schools are making to their own curricula, building on the successes of clinical legal education programs, alternative dispute resolution programs, legal research, and legal writing and analysis programs. Visit [this link] for detailed outlines of the legal doctrine and skills that will be tested on the exam.
BEFORE the BAR
- Law school competition teams: Practicing for practice
by Rick Bales
“Joining a law school competition team can be a terrific way to learn [practice] skills and have fun in the process.” - Law Competitions…
- give students opportunities to learn-by-doing in a safe environment
- give students immediate feedback
- foster teamwork
- provide networking opportunities
- look good on resumes
- provide travel opportunities and a chance to see techniques different from those taught at your school.
Illinois Law named Top 10 ABA Competition Law School
The award was created to recognize law schools that go above and beyond to help prepare their students for practice. Success in these competitions illustrate each school’ commitment to providing a well-rounded curriculum and preparing students to become highly skilled lawyers.
Top Ten ABA Competition Law Schools by Points
1. Stetson University College of Law
2. Texas Tech University School of Law
3. Drake University Law School
4. Liberty University School of Law
5 (tie). University of Oklahoma College of Law
5 (tie). Michigan State University College of Law
7 (tie). Chapman University School of Law
7 (tie). University of Illinois College of Law
9. Southern Methodist University – Dedman School of Law
10 (tie). South Texas College of Law
10 (tie). Texas A&M University School of Law