William H. Bowen School of Law

The William H. Bowen School of Law is a public law school and part of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock). UA Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law is both American Bar Association (ABA) accredited and a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).The school awards the Juris Doctor (JD) degree in its full-time and part-time programs. The school follows a traditional doctrinal curriculum while also blending hands-on practice into the student experience. The first year begins with the Bowen Student Success Program and the Professional Mentor Program where students are matched with a practicing lawyer or judge. Before graduating, students are required to take skills courses such as Evidence and Lawyering Skills I & II, required to participate in an externship or clinic, and are encouraged to participate in the Bowen Concurrent Bar Preparation Program.HistoryThe first law school established in Arkansas was in Little Rock. However, politics caused the school faculty to reform themselves as a private law school in the 1910s. Subsequently, the state law school in Fayetteville was established. The private law school disbanded in the 1960s. The latest incarnation of the law school started as a part-time program that was an extension of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law, and by 1975 was given autonomy and became a unit of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.The school resided in various locations, primarily the old Federal Courthouse in downtown Little Rock. The building was adjacent to the Pulaski County Courthouse, which afforded students the chance to see law in action. However, the facility was plagued with poor parking and was insufficient to handle the growing student population.