Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Miami Law is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the student body, faculty, and the legal profession. Miami Law’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths and enhances the quality and breadth of our curriculum, enriches our classroom experiences, better informs our decision-making, and helps prepare our students for the demands of practice in a richly diverse region, nation, and world. We foster diversity, promote a culture of inclusion and thoughtful and civil engagement, and ensure that all members of our community feel at home, valued, and welcome to engage as an important part of the Miami Law family.

Orientation and Graduation

Inclusion is prioritized starting on your first day as a student at Miami Law. At orientation, Professional Identity and Inclusive Excellence is a workshop for all sections and an integral part of orientation. 

Miami Law students participate in campus-wide diversity programming. We also offer inclusive graduation ceremonies. As an example, the Senior Mwambo pre-commencement celebration honors students for their academic and civic achievements. This is an African rite of passage ceremony that marks the transition of black graduates from their lives at the University of Miami to advanced education and professional careers. The Senior Mwambo has been a part of UM for nearly 30 years. In 2018, Miami Law grad Christopher Lomax, J.D. ’08 was the keynote speaker.

The University of Miami honors graduating LGBTQIA+ students and allies by hosting The Lavender Celebration, an event that recognizes LGBTQIA+ leadership, achievements, and contributions to the campus community. Participants receive a rainbow graduation cord to wear at their commencement ceremony, allowing them to showcase their pride as distinguished members of the UM family.

At a Glance (Entering Class of 2023)

• 55% students of color
• 65% speak one or more foreign languages
• 15% first-generation college students
• 56% women
• 51% out of undergraduate for 1+ year 
• J.D. students from 34 states + DC, and 24 countries
• LL.M. students from 24 countries
• Age range: 19-39

• School of Law Services
• University of Miami Services

Our students have the benefit of a diverse student population who come from myriad races, ethnicities, sexual and gender identities, economic backgrounds, and life experiences to help inform them and support our commitment to diversity. Miami Law’s 55+ extracurricular student-run organizations and publications reflect this diversity and provide programming and events focused on mentorship, networking, and law school success.

The Miami Law community works closely with and provides support to student organizations that are committed to diversity. Some of these organizations include: Black Law Students Association; First Generation Law Association; Hispanic Law Students Association; Miami Law Women; Older Wiser Law Students; OUTLaw; and South West Asian and North African Law Students Association. Many of these student organizations also provide programming and events focused on mentorship, networking, and law school success.

See all organizations

• Events
• Programs & Projects
• Courses

Mentorship programs aim to provide students with knowledge about employment opportunities in various practices of law. These programs also give students an opportunity to meet experienced attorneys, learn about professionalism and the practice of law. Students have a variety of options and opportunities to participate.

One widely known South Florida mentorship program is the John W. Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation (KMMF). KMMF pairs minority students with community attorneys and members of the judiciary who serve as mentors throughout students' law school careers. Meeting at mentors' offices, in the courtroom, and at community events, mentors and students often continue their relationships as professionals after graduation.

In addition, Miami Law's Office of Career and Professional Development connects students with multitudes of diverse, networking opportunities and job fairs.

Pathway Programs

Miami Law is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession by hosting programs that encourage diverse and talented high school and college students to study law. Our pathway programs include the Summer Legal Academy High School Program and College Program and First Star Academy. The Summer Legal Academy is a 3-week, online summer program launched in 2020 that exposes 200+ high school and college students to various aspects of law school and the legal profession. First Star Academy is a holistic college prep program for youth impacted by the child welfare system and accepts rising 9th graders to participate in four years of Academy programming with a focus on academics, life-skills and caregiver support.

In the News

• The Criminal Justice and Legal Studies magnet partners with Miami Law’s Black Law Students Association mentors
• Grant Awardees Address Inequities, Promote Racial Justice
• Food, Housing, and Racial Justice Symposium at Miami Law
• Miami Law Starts New Immigration Legal Assistance Program
• Alumni Take Awards from the Hispanic National Bar Foundation
• First Generation Student Optimizes Career and Student Resources
• First Generation Pakistani American is Student Commencement Speaker
• Top 10 in Diverse Faculty and Minority Resources in Princeton Review 2022 Best Law School Rankings
• Jaret Davis, JD ’99, Reaffirms Commitment as Social Justice Advocate at Miami Law Workspace Rededication
• OUTLaw Expands Network and Advocacy, Making a Difference for LGBTQ+ Students
• Marilu Marshall, J.D. '69: A Leader for Inclusion and Diversity
• Indigenous Alum and First Miccosukee Indian Lawyer Now Assistant Public Defender
• Technology Law Club and Black Law Student Association Bring Startup Leaders to Address Access to Venture Capital for Black Founders
• Immigration Clinic Helps Overturn Florida’s Racist Anti-Immigrant Law in Federal Court
• First-Generation Law Student Selected as Inaugural Meenu Sasser Family Scholarship Recipient
• Miami Law Joins Pulitzer Center, Howard University Law, Squire Patton Boggs, in 1619 Project
• Miami Law Students Receive Cuban American Bar Association Foundation Scholarships

Policies, Resources, and Forms

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of the University of Miami School of Law that no person within the jurisdiction thereof shall, on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected factor be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination or harassment (including all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence) under any program or activity of the University, regardless of whether such program or activity occurs on-campus or off-campus. Retaliation against an individual who files a complaint of discrimination, opposes a policy/procedure/practice because he/she believes it to be discriminatory, or who participates in the investigation of a discrimination complaint, is prohibited.

Students can submit a Bias Incident Report by clicking here.

Student Policies and Resources

• Student Handbook
• Student Honor Code
• LBGTQ Resources
• Information for Pregnant Students
• Scholarships
• Racial Justice Resources

Disability Policies and Resources

• Disability Services Policies and Procedures
• University of Miami Disability Services Grievance and Appeal Policy
• US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Disability Discrimination Student Complaint and Grievance Policy

Military and Veterans Resources

• Standing Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Veterans Unite

Health, Safety, and Misconduct Policies

• Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX)