Cumberland School of Law

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.

According to ABA bar passage data from first-time test takers in 2025, Cumberland School of Law placed 51st in the natio...
06/12/2026

According to ABA bar passage data from first-time test takers in 2025, Cumberland School of Law placed 51st in the nation!

The 90.44% passage rate places Cumberland in the top quarter of U.S. law schools, an achievement reflecting the strength of our Academic and Bar Success Program, our investment in student support, and the dedication of our faculty, staff and students.

Read the full story: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Ranks-51st-in-the-Nation-for-First-Time-Bar-Passage

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Scholars of Merit and CALI Award recipients!Since 1995, Cumberland School of Law facu...
06/09/2026

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Scholars of Merit and CALI Award recipients!

Since 1995, Cumberland School of Law faculty have recognized students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement by earning the highest exam score or distinguishing themselves as the top performer in their class.
Through our partnership with the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI), these honorees are also recognized with Excellence for the Future Awards®, a distinction that highlights their achievement to future employers.

We are proud to celebrate your hard work and dedication!

https://www.samford.edu/law/files/Scholar-of-Merit.pdf

William G. Ross, the Albert P. Brewer Professor of Law and Ethics, testified recently at a hearing of the U.S. House of ...
06/05/2026

William G. Ross, the Albert P. Brewer Professor of Law and Ethics, testified recently at a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives examining proposals to alter the number of Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The hearing was held May 21 in Washington, D.C., before the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on Courts. Ross was one of four experts, including Harvard Law Professor Nikolas Bowie, who discussed the constitutional and institutional implications of altering the size of the nation's highest court.

Ross shared his scholarly perspective on the constitutional, institutional and practical considerations surrounding changes to the Court's composition, drawing on his extensive research in constitutional law and legal history.

A nationally recognized scholar in constitutional law, legal history and legal ethics, Ross has published books and articles that include discussions of efforts to curtail the Court's power and to alter its composition. In 2021, he submitted written testimony at the request of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States on related questions.

Ross's participation in the congressional hearing underscores Cumberland's commitment to contributing to important national conversations on the rule of law and the structure of American government.

Now in session: Cumberland School of Law summer study abroad! This week, our law students arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland...
06/03/2026

Now in session: Cumberland School of Law summer study abroad!

This week, our law students arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, to kick off the 2026 summer study abroad programs.

The Edinburgh program offers a unique opportunity to engage with international legal perspectives while experiencing the culture, history and tradition that shape the Scottish legal system.

We look forward to sharing more from their journey, as well as experiences from our students headed to Cambridge, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇬🇧 🇮🇸

Another Cumberland lawyer on the bench! Congratulations to Hunter Fikes, JD '14, who has been appointed as district judg...
06/01/2026

Another Cumberland lawyer on the bench!

Congratulations to Hunter Fikes, JD '14, who has been appointed as district judge in Marion County, Alabama, filling a vacancy left by the recent retirement of longtime District Judge Mark Hammitte.

thealabamanewswire.com/news/local/ivey-names-hunter-fikes-new-marion-county-district-judge/article_b02d8a6a-8cd3-46d9-bc1b-27330779331b.html

By: STAFF WRITER

05/29/2026

Cumberland School of Law recently hosted the second annual Cumberland Connection Program, welcoming 25 undergraduate students from 22 universities for an immersive introduction to law school and the legal profession.

Designed to expand access to legal education, the program provides students—many without prior exposure to the field—with hands-on learning, mentorship and guidance on the law school journey.

Through faculty-led sessions, advocacy exercises and connections with alumni and attorneys, participants gained valuable insight and confidence in pursuing legal careers.

🔗 Watch below and read more: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Cumberland-School-of-Law-Welcomes-Second-Cohort-for-Immersive-Pre-Law-Program

In the May episode of Cumberland Research Radio, Brigham Daniels, professor and co-director of the Wallace Stegner Cente...
05/28/2026

In the May episode of Cumberland Research Radio, Brigham Daniels, professor and co-director of the Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and the Environment at The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, talks with Dean Blake Hudson about the environmental importance of, and threats to, the Great Salt Lake and federal, state and local efforts to save it.

Listen to "Saving the Great Salt Lake" on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

samford.edu/law/podcast

Since graduating from Cumberland School of Law in 2023, Capt. Walker McCrary has launched a career defined by service, l...
05/27/2026

Since graduating from Cumberland School of Law in 2023, Capt. Walker McCrary has launched a career defined by service, leadership and advocacy through the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.

This month, McCrary is transitioning into a new role as trial counsel for the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command at Smith Barrack Kaserne in Baumholder, Germany.

“While at Cumberland, I was able to develop my negotiation, adaptability and client control skills that have directly translated to skills needed to advise commanders on military justice, administrative and fiscal law issues.” McCrary said. “Cumberland’s advocacy program directly impacted my ability to advise commanders, lead soldiers and litigate within the military justice system.”

Read Capt. McCrary's story: samford.edu/law/news/2026/Walker-McCrary-Takes-on-Military-Counsel-Role

Cumberland School of Law's Dean's List recognizes excellence in academic achievement including students whose end-of-sem...
05/26/2026

Cumberland School of Law's Dean's List recognizes excellence in academic achievement including students whose end-of-semester GPA is 3.3 or higher.

Congratulations to the students who qualified for the spring 2026 Dean's List.

samford.edu/law/files/Deans-List.pdf

Associate Professor Maryam Stevenson is contributing to an important national conversation on health care access through...
05/26/2026

Associate Professor Maryam Stevenson is contributing to an important national conversation on health care access through her recent scholarly publication in the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.

In her newest published article, “Doctor, Doctor: Reforming Physician Immigration Policy to Improve Access to Healthcare,” Stevenson examines how current U.S. immigration policies affect the availability of physicians, particularly in underserved communities. Drawing on her expertise in immigration law, she analyzes the structural barriers that limit foreign-trained doctors from practicing in the United States and proposes reforms aimed at strengthening the health care workforce.

Her work highlights the intersection of immigration law and public health, emphasizing how policy decisions can directly shape access to care. By identifying inefficiencies in existing visa programs and regulatory frameworks, the article outlines practical, policy-driven solutions to address physician shortages nationwide.

samford.edu/law/faculty/Cumberland-Law-Professor-Publishes-on-Physician-Immigration-Policy-in-Georgetown-Immigration-Law-Journal

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