Chapter One: Student Conduct

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Knowledge of Student Handbook

All students are charged with knowledge of the contents of this handbook and are responsible for complying with all of its requirements, rules, and regulations.

Students are also charged with knowledge of all information distributed by the Daily Docket; sent by mail to the student’s address on file with Student Records; sent to the student’s U of L email address (or other email addresses students use in communicating with law school staff or faculty); and appearing in course notes, course schedules, and registration materials.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information in the Student Handbook and the other modes of communication referenced above, students should contact the Office of Student Services and Diversity for clarification in the rare event of ambiguities or discrepancies in distributed information.

This handbook was last revised in 2022. It contains degree requirements, academic regulations, information regarding student rights, responsibilities and discipline, and student-related University policies. The faculty reserves the right to change requirements, regulations, and procedures applicable to students.

The handbook has been prepared to help you understand the procedural aspects of the School of Law as well as the ethical obligations that bind law students. In order to maintain a level playing field in the interests of all, we try not to depart from the policies and procedures stated here. Exceptions are rare because procedural rules lose their force when they are disregarded arbitrarily or too often.

For this reason, the burden of justification and exception is on the individual seeking it. This may seem harsh, but it is essential if we are to be fair in treating all similarly situated students in a like manner. It is also important to recognize the practice of law is a profession. Lawyers are governed by a professional code of ethics. A similar code – which is included as an Appendix to this handbook – applies to law students. From your first day here until you graduate, you should conduct yourself not only as a conscientious law student, but as a member of a learned profession.

During orientation’s oath signing ceremony, you recite the following:

 I pledge, that as a student at the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, I will support and defend the Codes of Honor and Conduct of the Law School and the University.

I will neither take part in academic dishonesty nor allow academic dishonesty to take place and should I be aware of any such practice, I will inform the Honor Council.

Further, cognizant of the trust placed in me and the responsibility I carry as a student at the School of Law, I will conduct myself in all matters with courtesy, civility, and professionalism.

Finally, I will fully and conscientiously exercise the privileges given to me as a student of the law, to be prepared to assume my full responsibilities as a future member of the bar.

From the day you matriculate at Brandeis, you will be building the reputation that you will carry with you throughout your professional life. Remember that today’s classmates are tomorrow’s colleagues. We expect you to abide by this oath, the Honor Code, and Code of Student Conduct throughout your tenure at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.

This handbook is updated each academic year and occasionally during the school year if needed. Your graduation requirements are governed by the handbook published the year you entered Brandeis. If there are other policy changes during your law school tenure, you will be notified by publication in the Daily Docket.

Please familiarize yourself with the information in this Handbook. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Student Services and Diversity. This publication was prepared by the University of Louisville and printed with state funds pursuant to KRS 57.375.

The University of Louisville is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy or veteran status.