Welcome to the School of Law
As a new student at the School of Law, you are joining an extraordinary community where students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are bound to each other by powerful connections.
Learn about what steps you need to take after you’ve been admitted.
Our handy guide will help you create your to-do list, making sure that your transition to law school is smooth and easy!
- New Student Orientation: Aug. 24 - 28, 2020
- LAWR starts Aug. 25 and continues through the fall semester
- Doctorial class begin Sept. 2
We will continue to add information as details develop. Please stay tuned!
Academic Calendar
It's never too early to plan ahead!
Below is your Academic Calendar for 2020-21. You can also download a printable version to keep by your desk.
Keep in mind that the University at Buffalo academic calendar is set by the Faculty Senate and University President. Dates may change at their discretion. If you have questions about the Academic Calendar, please contact the Office of Records, Registration, & Financial Aid.
Fall 2020
Monday, August 24 | First Year Orientation Begins- Mandatory |
Tuesday, August 25 | 1L LAWR Classes Begin |
Wednesday, September 2 | All Upper Level and 1L Doctrinal Classes Begin |
| Monday, September 7 | Labor Day - Classes will be held |
| Friday, September 25 | Block 1 Ends |
Friday, October 23 | Block 2 Ends |
Monday, October 26 | Block 3 begins |
| Tuesday, November 24 | Block 3 Ends – Last Day of Classes |
Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27 | Thanksgiving Break |
Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, December 6 | Reading Days/Review Days * |
Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 18 | Final Exams – All exams held remote |
Saturday, December 19 | Winter Recess Begins |
Friday, January 8 | Fall Grades Due |
* Professors may schedule individual, class, and group review sessions online.
Bridge 2021
Monday, January 4 | Block 4 Courses Begin - Upper Division Students |
Tuesday, January 12 | LAWR II Begins- First year students |
Monday, January 18 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- No Classes |
Wednesday, January 27 | Last Day of Bridge/Block 4 ends |
Thursday, January 28 | Reading Day |
Friday, January 29 | Bridge Exams; LAWR II continues for first-year students |
Friday, February 5 | Bridge Grades Due |
Spring 2021
Monday, February 1 | All Spring Classes Begin/Block 5; Spring LAWR II schedule begins |
Friday, February 26 | Block 5 ends |
Monday, March 1 | Block 6 begins |
Monday, March 15 - Friday March 19 | Spring Recess- No Classes |
Friday, April 2 | Block 6 ends; LAWR II ends for First year students |
Monday, April 5 | Block 7 begins |
Friday, April 30 | Last Day of Classes – Block 7 ends |
Saturday, May 1 – Sunday, May 2 | Reading Days |
Monday, May 3 - Friday May 14 | Final Exams |
Thursday, May 13 – Sunday, May 16 | Commencement – Date/Time TBD |
Wednesday, June 2 | Spring Grades Due |
Summer 2020
Monday, May 18 | Classes begin |
Monday, May 25 | No Classes – Memorial Day |
Monday, June 29 | Last Day of Class |
Tuesday, June 30 | Reading Day |
Wednesday, July 1 | Final Exams |