Cumberland School of Law

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Cumberland School of Law

The official Facebook account for Samford University's Cumberland School of Law. Second, Lawyering and Legal Reasoning. Third, our location.

Founded in 1847, Cumberland School of Law is one of the nation's oldest law schools and is nationally recognized for trial advocacy and quality instruction. Our Juris Doctor curriculum trains students to practice in all areas of law, including corporate law, trial advocacy, health law, environmental law and public interest law. There are three components to the law school that combine to create it

s successful academic environment:

First, the collegial, scholarly interaction between its faculty and students. Known on and off campus simply as LLR, this comprehensive, cutting-edge writing course gives each first-year student hands-on experience in skills that range from the initial client interview through the preparation and presentation of an appellate brief. Cumberland School of Law is situated on Samford University’s campus near downtown Birmingham, one of the legal hubs of the Southeast. Our proximity to this dynamic market offers our students an environment rich with opportunities for externships and extracurricular activities that enhance the classroom experience. In addition to the Juris Doctor degree, Cumberland School of Law offers the Master of Laws (LL.M.) for lawyers and Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) for nonlawyers, both completely online. Cumberland School of Law is part of Samford University, which is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

09/02/2026

One month until the annual Cumberland School of Law alumni reunion!

Reconnect with classmates, enjoy a weekend in Birmingham and help us recognize the Distinguished Alumni of the Year!

Tickets are $50 per person.

Learn more and get your tickets here: samford.edu/law/events/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Annual-Alumni-Reunion

09/01/2026

Applications are now open for Cumberland School of Law's three professional degrees:

▶ Juris Doctor (JD)
▶ Online Master of Laws (LLM) for lawyers
▶ Online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) for nonlawyers

Whether you're preparing to practice law, want to advance your legal expertise, or want to gain valuable legal knowledge to advance your career, you'll find a program tailored to fit your goals. Both the LLM and MSL offer four focus areas, giving you the flexibility to customize your educational experience.

At Cumberland School of Law you'll become part of a collegial, supportive law school community committed to your success.

Apply today: samford.edu/law/admission

08/31/2026

In the August episode of Cumberland Research Radio, Bill Holt, associate director of Cumberland's Land Use & Natural Resources Law Center, talks with Dean Blake Hudson about his article “Ghost Towns, Dead Malls, and Foreclosed Landscapes in Post-Industrial Society” soon to be published in the American Sociological Association journal, Contexts. Holt discusses the features of U.S. law and its economy that contribute to the abandonment of developed spaces across the nation and highlights the projected changes in U.S. landscapes over the next several decades.

Listen to "What do Abandoned Places Tell Us About How We Can Better Use Land?" on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

samford.edu/law/podcast

08/28/2026

Summer Experience Spotlight: Lydia Bohannon

We’re still having awesome summer experiences flow in from our students!

Second-year student Lydia Bohannon, who is also pursuing her MBA at Samford’s Brock School of Business, spent her summer working with O'Neal Industries, gaining firsthand experience at the intersection of law and business.

Her work included reviewing upcoming lease renewals, compiling documents for a bank renewal, researching how a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could affect company operations, and assisting with a variety of transactional matters.

Through these projects, Lydia saw how legal analysis directly supports business strategy and decision-making. The experience reinforced lessons from both her law and business coursework, giving her a deeper understanding of how attorneys help organizations navigate risk, ensure compliance and achieve business objectives. It also strengthened her ability to approach complex issues from both a legal and operational perspective.

We're proud to see Lydia applying her classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and grateful to O'Neal Industries for investing in the next generation of legal and business leaders.

08/27/2026

Congratulations to William G. Ross, the Albert P. Brewer Professor of Law and Ethics, who was honored with the Thomas W. Woolley Scholarly Achievement Award during the Samford University's 185th Opening Convocation on Aug. 25.

The annual award recognizes a Samford faculty member who exemplifies the highest level of scholarly achievement and dedication.

Over a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, Ross has authored seven books and numerous scholarly articles exploring constitutional law, legal history and ethics. His work has been cited thousands of times in the nation's most respected publications, demonstrating the reach and rigor envisioned in Samford's aspiration to be known and acknowledged worldwide.

The award recognizes not only Ross' extensive body of scholarship, but also the lasting influence his work continues to have on legal education, public discourse and the broader academic community.

samford.edu/law/news/2026/Ross-Receives-Samford-Universitys-Highest-Faculty-Honor-for-Scholarship

08/21/2026

A new academic year has begun and we’re still raving about the Class of 2029!

The class of 182 members is one of the largest and most academically accomplished classes in school history.

Their credentials establish new academic benchmarks for Cumberland: median LSAT score of 157 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.70.

They represent more than 50 undergraduate majors from 54 colleges and universities.

Nearly 40 members of the class got a head start on law school through their participation in the First-Year Summer Program.

As a class, they participated in service projects across the Birmingham metro area during orientation week.

And we could go on and on.

We’re so glad they chose Cumberland School of Law!

Read more about the class: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Class-of-2029-Boasts-Record-Academic-Credentials-Commitment-to-Service

08/19/2026

Did you know?

Did you know Cumberland School of Law alumni sit at every level of the judiciary housed within the Frank M. Johnson Jr. U.S. Courthouse Complex in Montgomery, Alabama? Among them are:

⚖️ The Honorable Joel F. Dubina, JD ’73, Senior Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
⚖️ The Honorable Bill Lewis, JD ’03, District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
⚖️ The Honorable Kelly Fitzgerald Pate, JD ’04, Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

During a recent visit to the courthouse complex, Cumberland students connected with several of these alumni, as well as other members of the judiciary in the Middle District, including Chief Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr., Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen M. Doyle and U.S. Magistrate Judge Chad W. Bryan.

This “class at the courthouse” included topics such as the differences between the Alabama federal courthouses, the distinctions between state and federal courts, the lasting impact of Judge Frank Johnson’s career, how the law has changed over the years and even professional career advice.

We're grateful to the judges and Clerk’s Office of the Middle District of Alabama for making this opportunity possible; Assistant Dean of Academic and Bar Success Lynn Hogewood for helping to facilitate the experience; and recent alumni and judicial clerks Taylor Neill, JD ’24, and John West, JD ’25, for their time and involvement. Thank you for investing in the next generation of legal professionals!

08/18/2026

Starting law school can feel overwhelming, but Cumberland School of Law's First-Year Summer Program helps students begin with confidence.

This summer, nearly 40 incoming students built foundational skills in legal research, writing, analysis and case briefing while forming friendships and study groups before the fall semester even began.

Hear what some of our new first-year students had to say about getting a head start on law school: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Students-Build-Skills-Confidence-and-Community-Through-Cumberland-School-of-Laws-Foundational-First-Year-Summer-Program

08/16/2026

This summer, second-year student Haley Wilson gained hands-on litigation experience through the prestigious Mason Gibbs Plaintiffs' Pathway Fellowship, working with plaintiff law firm Singleton Schreiber in their Montgomery office.

Highlights from her fellowship experience:

⚖️ Conducted legal research, drafted complaints and demand letters, and assisted with trial preparation

🌟 Worked under the mentorship of Danielle Ward Mason, recently named to Forbes' inaugural America's Top Women Lawyers list

✈️ Traveled to Chicago to observe litigation proceedings she had helped support

🤝 Attended the American Association for Justice Annual Convention, connecting with trial attorneys from across the country

📚 Returned to Cumberland with stronger practical skills, greater confidence and an even deeper commitment to litigation and trial advocacy

Read her story: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Student-Gains-National-Litigation-Experience-Through-Prestigious-Summer-Fellowship

📸: Haley Wilson

Address

800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL
35229

Website

http://twitter.com/Cumberlandlaw, https://www.samford.edu/law/art-of-advocacy

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