Southern University Law Center in Louisiana Law Schools
Southern University Law Center (SULC) — Overview
1. History and Mission
SULC was established in 1947 in Baton Rouge as part of the historically Black Southern University System.
Its primary mission is to provide legal education to students in Louisiana, with a strong emphasis on serving local communities and producing lawyers familiar with Louisiana’s civil law tradition.
2. Accreditation
Fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Offers the standard Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program with part-time and evening options.
3. Location and Strategic Advantage
Located in downtown Baton Rouge near the Louisiana State Capitol, courts, and government offices.
Proximity allows students to gain hands-on experience through internships, externships, and clinical programs.
4. Academic Programs
Core J.D. Curriculum: First-year courses include Civil Procedure, Contracts, Torts, Property, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Legal Writing. Upper-level courses include Business Organizations, Oil & Gas Law, Family Law, and advanced litigation topics.
Clinics and Experiential Learning: Criminal Clinic, Juvenile Law Clinic, Domestic Violence/Family Law Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, Tax Clinic, and Mediation Clinic.
Externships and Moot Court: Students can work with judges, government offices, and legal aid organizations. Moot court and trial advocacy programs provide practical skills.
5. Admissions and Student Profile
Median LSAT and undergraduate GPA are moderate, reflecting a regional law school profile.
Admissions are competitive for in-state students, particularly those committed to practicing in Louisiana.
6. Bar Passage and Employment
First-time bar passage rates vary year-to-year.
Graduates primarily practice in Louisiana in government, small law firms, transactional roles, and public-interest positions.
Placement into national firms or outside Louisiana is less common.
7. Strengths
Strong focus on Louisiana civil law and state-specific legal practice.
Opportunities for hands-on clinical work and strong local networking.
Ideal for students planning to practice in Baton Rouge or elsewhere in Louisiana.
8. Weaknesses / Considerations
Bar passage rates are sometimes below national averages.
Limited national exposure for students seeking large firm careers outside Louisiana.
Key Louisiana Case Law Relevant to SULC Curriculum
1. Ramos v. Louisiana (2020)
Facts: Conviction by a non-unanimous jury (10–2) in Louisiana.
Issue: Does the Sixth Amendment require unanimous jury verdicts in state criminal trials?
Holding: Yes, the Supreme Court required unanimous verdicts; non-unanimous convictions are unconstitutional.
Significance: Affects postconviction appeals in Louisiana and teaches incorporation of federal rights against the states.
2. Duncan v. Louisiana (1968)
Facts: Denial of a jury trial for a simple battery charge.
Issue: Does the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial apply to the states?
Holding: Yes; the right is incorporated via the Fourteenth Amendment.
Significance: Foundational for teaching criminal procedure and incorporation doctrine.
3. Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008)
Facts: Louisiana allowed the death penalty for non-homicide crimes (child rape).
Issue: Is the death penalty constitutional for non-homicide offenses?
Holding: No; the Eighth Amendment prohibits the death penalty in such cases.
Significance: Guides proportionality analysis in criminal law and constitutional law courses.
4. Posecai v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (1999)
Facts: Plaintiff robbed in a store parking lot sued for lack of security.
Issue: When does a business owe a duty to protect patrons from criminal acts of third parties?
Holding: Duty exists only if the risk is foreseeable and burden of protection reasonable.
Significance: Teaches duty-risk analysis in torts and premises liability.
5. Halphen v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp. (1986)
Facts: Asbestos exposure case regarding manufacturer liability.
Issue: Can a manufacturer be held strictly liable even without knowledge of hazard?
Holding: Yes; products can be unreasonably dangerous per design or warnings.
Significance: Core for products liability and torts courses.
6. Nunez v. Wainoco Oil & Gas Co.
Facts: Dispute over mineral unitization and royalty rights.
Issue: Authority of the Commissioner of Conservation to unitize land and effect on owners.
Holding: Statutory authority allows unitization, impacting property and mineral rights.
Significance: Central for Louisiana property and oil & gas law classes.
7. Bienvenu v. Various Defendants (2024)
Facts: Review of Louisiana’s statutory revival of previously time-barred child sexual abuse claims.
Issue: Constitutionality of retroactive revival statutes.
Holding: Louisiana Supreme Court upheld the statutory revival.
Significance: Important for civil procedure, statutory interpretation, and mass tort litigation studies.
Summary: SULC is a state-focused law school emphasizing Louisiana civil law, local practice, and practical legal training. Students learn both doctrinal law and its real-world application through clinics, externships, and state-specific case law. Core Louisiana Supreme Court and federal cases illustrate civil law, criminal procedure, tort, property, and constitutional principles essential to legal practice in Louisiana.
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