How do STEM and law intersect?
Did you know that STEM majors can (and do!) go to law school? While it may be true that liberal arts majors, including political science, are the most common majors associated with future interest in law school, do not be fooled! Many practicing lawyers and law students obtained undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in STEM subjects. While STEM stands for Science – Technology – Engineering – Mathematics, there are numerous unique majors that may fall within these broad categories, including majors related to Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer science, Engineering, Earth sciences, Health sciences, Information Technology, Mathematics, and Physics!
Law intersects with every industry and every aspect of society; it makes sense that the profession needs people who are well-versed in STEM fields amongst the thousands of students entering law school each year. This is especially true in today’s world where so many emerging industries, challenges and opportunities in our society, and growth in the legal profession revolve around topics related to STEM fields.
While STEM plays a large role generally in our society, it is very common for STEM majors to question how well suited their major and background may be for a future in law. However, if you enjoy STEM courses, it could be a great possibility for you to explore. Having a STEM background can open many different pathways within the law. For example, lawyers who sit for the Patent Bar are required to meet specific educational requirements in specific science fields as prescribed by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Those who successfully sit for the Patent Bar, are eligible to practice before the USPTO as either a patent agent (no JD required) or as a patent attorney (JD required).
While having a STEM degree or coursework may make an individual uniquely eligible for the Patent Bar, many lawyers who have earned STEM degrees choose practice areas outside of patent law. STEM majors may utilize their background in other areas of IP law, health, privacy and information, business, technology, food and drug, environmental, agricultural, personal injury, government, security and beyond! Others may use their skills and knowledge to work in specialized roles such as consulting or forensics purposes, lending a unique perspective to a wide-range of cases; while others may ultimately choose to pursue paths in law that are entirely unrelated to their STEM major.
In short, STEM can take you anywhere in the law you wish to go. Law schools are looking for a wide variety of perspectives and experiences. There is room in the legal profession for students of all majors and interests; you just have to find out where you fit. And, if you follow your interests, you will always find your place in law school. Having a STEM background will allow you to contribute your unique perspectives and enrich the law school experience for everyone!
Want to learn more?
Check out some of our legal specialties’ resources on the PLAS Canvas page for a quick overview of some common practice areas: Exploring Legal Specialties: Pre-Law Advising Services Resources
Don’t take our word for it…
Continue reading to hear from current undergraduate pre-law + STEM students, current law students with STEM degrees, and practicing attorneys who attribute part of their success in their fields to their STEM backgrounds. Finally, the PLAS office has some STEM-focused events specifically for students interested in law. Read to the end to learn more!
Hear from current STEM majors with a pre-law designation!
Julia Trevino, Information Science, Class of 2027
Why did you choose your STEM major? How did your STEM major inform your interest in law?
“I chose my major because it was both intellectually challenging and closely aligned with my interests. With my technical background, it felt natural to continue building my skills in a rigorous field while exploring how innovation shapes the world around us. That experience also deepened my interest in law. The more I studied technology, the more interested I became in the legal questions surrounding it, especially privacy, intellectual property, regulation, and ethics. My STEM major gave me the technical foundation to understand these challenges and ultimately led me to my interest in technology law.”
How do you foster community while being a STEM major with an interest in law?
“I foster community by intentionally connecting with other STEM pre-law students, building relationships with peers in my major, and joining pre-law organizations. Although I appreciated the opportunities those organizations provided, I often felt isolated within them. This pushed me to become more rooted in my major, focusing on the subjects I care most about and shaping my own path around those interests. I have also built a community through outreach to attorneys and legal
professionals with similar backgrounds. Those conversations have been especially meaningful because they have shown me that my interests in STEM and law can coexist and strengthen one another. Through both peers and mentors, I have found a sense of belonging in a path that can otherwise feel uncommon.”
What are some activities or experiences that have helped you explore an interest in law as a STEM major?
“Research has been one of the most important ways I have explored my interest in law as a STEM major. Last semester, I completed an independent study on the constitutionality of model weights, which gave me the opportunity to examine constitutional law through the lens of artificial intelligence. Studying both the technical and legal dimensions of that issue confirmed how much I value working at the intersection of law and technology.
I also began working as a research assistant focused on the regulatory landscape of enacted privacy and AI laws. That experience has allowed me to engage with pressing legal questions surrounding emerging technologies while also showing me the real-world impact of legal research. Together, these experiences have been deeply rewarding, helping me refine my professional interests and better understand which law schools would best support my goals.”
What advice would you give to students who have a STEM major but also an interest in law?
“Find ways to connect your STEM major with your interest in law rather than viewing them as separate paths. The more deeply you engage with your major, the more opportunities you will discover that bring both fields together. Pursue what genuinely interests you, stay passionate about it, and trust your own direction. It is also important not to be discouraged by outside noise, especially from people who may not understand the STEM-to-law path. You know yourself best and have the clearest sense of where you want to go. Staying grounded in that confidence will help you build a path that is meaningful, intentional, and uniquely your own.”
Lev Linderman, Biology, Class of 2029
Why did you choose your STEM major? How did your STEM major inform your interest in law?
“I chose my STEM major because I had thoughts about being Pre-Med, but once I realized that I didn’t want to be a doctor, I thought that I could potentially go into patent law because science was still of interest to me.”
How do you foster community while being a STEM major with an interest in law?
“I think that there are more people in the STEM fields with an interest in law than one might think. I have met a great deal of people in my classes who also have an interest in patent/intellectual property law. Many of them are engineers. I believe that it is something that you can definitely find that you have in common with people in your classes.”
What are some activities or experiences that have helped you explore an interest in law as a STEM major?
“I am currently minoring in Political Science along with my STEM major, so I think that definitely helps bring the two together, and that definitely fosters my interest in law with a science background for sure.”
What advice would you give to students who have a STEM major but also an interest in law?
“I think it is great to do a STEM major if you are interested in law. It is pretty easy to take political science classes at the same time if you want, and it also will make you feel good about the expertise you might have in a certain field going into law.”
Hear from current law students with STEM backgrounds!
Allie Johnson
Animal Science & Political Science
University of Illinois College of Law Class of 2027
Marcos Lopez II
Chemistry and Biological Chemistry
University of Illinois College of Law Class of 2027
