In conjunction with the James W. Martin School of Public Administration, a unit of the Graduate School, the College of Law offers a program in which students may obtain both the Juris Doctor and Masters in Public Administration degrees in four years, one year less than the time for both degrees if pursued independently. Applicants for the dual degree must meet admission criteria for both the Graduate School and the Law School. For more information, contact the Associate Dean for Admissions at the College of Law. The College of Law's Legal Clinic, directed by Professor Allison I. Connelly, UK Law '83 and former Kentucky Public Advocate, opened its offices across the street from the College of Law in 1998. Under the Kentucky Supreme Court's limited practice rule, and with the supervision of the clinical director, students represent clients in negotiations with federal and state agencies, in administrative hearings, and in court proceedings.
Students also interview clients, draft legal documents, file pleadings and conduct discovery.
The clinic allows students to integrate their knowledge of substantive and procedural law with practice skills, including problem identification and solving, legal analysis, legal research, interviewing, investigation, counseling, negotiation, drafting, case planning and management, and the recognition and resolution of ethical problems. In addition, the Law School offers four externships in which students can obtain experience in applied research, fact gathering, interviewing, counseling, mediation, negotiation and trial advocacy. First, third-year students serve as law clerks to local state or federal judges. Experienced in working with students, the participating judges see that students are exposed to every aspect of motion and litigation practice. A course for third-year students interested in criminal law places students in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, where they gain criminal trial experience.