Emory Law in Atlanta: What to Know About Emory University School of Law

Emory University School of Law—often called Emory Law—is one of Atlanta’s most prominent law schools and a major part of the city’s legal, business, and public-service landscape. Whether you live in Atlanta, are considering moving here for law school, or are just trying to understand what Emory Law offers locally, it helps to know how this institution fits into the city.

This guide walks through what Emory Law is, where it’s located, what it’s known for, and how it connects to everyday life, careers, and public resources in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where Emory Law Is Located in Atlanta

Campus location:

• Emory University School of Law
  1301 Clifton Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30322

Emory Law sits in the Druid Hills neighborhood in northeast Atlanta, just a short drive from areas like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and Midtown. The law school is part of Emory’s main campus, near Emory University Hospital and the university’s other graduate schools.

Getting to Emory Law

If you’re in the Atlanta area, there are several ways to reach Emory Law:

• By car

  • From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta: Typically via Ponce de Leon Avenue or Freedom Parkway eastbound, then through Druid Hills toward Clifton Road.
  • From I-85: Exit at Clairmont Road, head toward Decatur, then turn toward the Emory/Clifton Road area.

• By MARTA bus
  While MARTA rail does not go directly to Emory, several MARTA bus routes serve the Clifton Road / Emory area from stations like Arts Center, Midtown, and Decatur. Riders often transfer from rail to bus to reach the law school.

• Parking on or near campus
  Visitors typically use Emory visitor parking decks, such as garages off Clifton Road. For specific lots or decks, it’s wise to check Emory’s current parking maps and visitor information before you go, as policies and availability can change.

What Emory Law Is Known For in Atlanta

Emory Law is widely recognized in Atlanta and the Southeast for:

• Strong connections to Atlanta’s legal community, including courts, firms, nonprofits, and corporations.
• Graduate programs that draw students from across Georgia and beyond.
• Specialized strengths in areas like health law, business and transactional law, litigation, public interest work, and international law.
• A significant number of local alumni practicing in metro Atlanta.

For someone in Atlanta, this means Emory Law is both:

• A major educational institution, and
• A key part of the city’s professional and civic network, influencing law, policy, and business life.

Programs Offered at Emory Law (Atlanta-Focused Overview)

Emory Law offers several degree and non-degree options that appeal to Atlanta residents and professionals.

Core Degree Programs

1. Juris Doctor (JD)
This is the standard U.S. law degree that prepares students to sit for the bar exam, including the Georgia Bar, which is required to practice law in Atlanta courts.

Common Atlanta-related paths within the JD program include:

• Business and corporate law (relevant for work with Atlanta-based companies, banks, and startups)
• Litigation and trial practice (for work in Fulton, DeKalb, and other metro-area courts)
• Health law (given Atlanta’s hospital systems and public health presence)
• Public interest and government (for roles in city, county, and state agencies)

2. Master of Laws (LLM)
For attorneys who already have a law degree—either from the U.S. or abroad—Emory Law’s LLM can help sharpen expertise. This is often of interest to:

• International lawyers settling or working in Atlanta’s global companies
• Practitioners looking to re-focus on areas like business law, tax, or health law

3. Juris Master (JM)
Aimed at non-lawyers who want legal and regulatory knowledge without becoming attorneys. Many Atlanta professionals in fields like health care, compliance, business, and public policy pursue this part-time while working.

Emory Law and the Atlanta Legal Market

For people living in Atlanta, one of the biggest benefits of Emory Law is its direct link to the local legal job market.

Local Internship and Externship Opportunities

Emory Law students often gain experience with:

• Georgia state and federal courts in and around Atlanta

  • Fulton County courts in Downtown Atlanta
  • DeKalb County courts near Decatur
  • Federal courts in the Richard B. Russell Federal Building (Downtown)

• Atlanta law firms, from large national firms with Peachtree Street offices to boutique practices in areas like Midtown and Buckhead

• Public-interest and nonprofit organizations
  Many Atlanta-based nonprofits focus on civil rights, immigration, housing, criminal justice reform, and family services, providing fieldwork and externship opportunities.

• Corporate legal departments
  Atlanta is home to regional headquarters and large corporations in transportation, finance, media, logistics, and consumer goods, many of which have in-house legal teams.

Networking in the Atlanta Area

Because Emory Law is in Atlanta, students and graduates have regular access to:

• Local bar association events, such as activities with the Atlanta Bar Association and sections of the State Bar of Georgia.
• Judicial panels, guest lectures, and conferences hosted on or near campus with Atlanta-based judges, lawyers, and policy leaders.
• A large local alumni network, which can be particularly important for job searches in metro Atlanta.

For anyone planning to build a career in Atlanta’s legal scene, these local connections are a major draw.

How Emory Law Connects With the Atlanta Community

Emory Law isn’t just a training ground for future lawyers—it also serves the broader Atlanta community in many ways.

Legal Clinics and Community-Facing Work

Emory Law operates various legal clinics and experiential-learning programs. These often involve:

• Students, supervised by licensed attorneys, working on real-world legal matters
• Focus areas such as child advocacy, criminal defense, housing, health, or transactional work

For Atlanta residents, these clinics can sometimes be a point of contact for limited legal assistance, education, or referrals. Availability, eligibility, and services can change over time, so anyone seeking help should check current program details and instructions for intake or appointments.

Public Events and Educational Programs

Throughout the year, Emory Law typically hosts:

• Public lectures and panel discussions on legal and policy issues
• Symposia and conferences that may be open to practitioners, students from other schools, or community members
• Occasional continuing legal education (CLE) programs for local attorneys

If you’re in Atlanta and interested in legal topics—even if you’re not a lawyer—these events can be a local resource for learning more about law, public policy, and civic life.

Visiting Emory Law as a Prospective Student

If you’re in or near Atlanta and considering law school, visiting Emory Law can help you understand the campus and how it fits into the city.

Common Reasons People Visit Emory Law

• Campus tours and information sessions
  Prospective students often spend time touring classrooms, the law library, and common areas.

• Meetings with admissions
  Visitors may schedule time to learn about application requirements, scholarships, and what Emory Law looks for in applicants.

• Sitting in on classes
  When permitted, this can give a realistic feel for the teaching style and academic environment.

Typical Next Steps for Prospective Students in Atlanta

If you live in the metro area and are thinking about Emory Law:

1. Check current visit options and schedules offered by Emory Law’s admissions office.
2. Plan your route to campus (consider Atlanta traffic patterns; morning and late-afternoon congestion on main corridors like I‑85 and Ponce de Leon can be significant).
3. Bring questions about:
   • How Emory Law supports students staying in Atlanta after graduation
   • Opportunities for part-time work, internships, or clinics during the academic year
   • Career services geared toward Georgia and Southeast employers

Key Campus Resources at Emory Law (for People in Atlanta)

If you’re already in the Atlanta area and connected to Emory Law—as a student, staff member, or frequent visitor—some of the most relevant resources include:

MacMillan Law Library

The MacMillan Law Library, located within the law school building, supports Emory Law students and faculty, and is a core part of the academic environment.

People in Atlanta who are not students sometimes interact with the library by:

• Using it as a research reference point for complex legal topics (subject to access policies)
• Attending events or exhibits hosted in law school spaces

Career Services

Emory Law’s career-focused offices work closely with:

• Local law firms and courts
• Government and public-interest employers
• Employers in the private sector across metro Atlanta

For Atlanta residents planning to attend, it is useful to ask about:

• On-campus interview programs with Atlanta employers
• Externship options with local courts and agencies
• Support for networking in the metro area

Emory Law vs. Other Atlanta Law Options

If you’re looking at law schools in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory Law is one of several options. Others include:

• Georgia State University College of Law in Downtown Atlanta
• Atlanta’s proximity to other Georgia law schools outside the city (such as in Athens or Macon)

From an Atlanta consumer perspective, Emory Law is typically associated with:

• A private university setting in Druid Hills
• Strong ties with major law firms and regional employers
• A broad range of specializations connected to Atlanta’s industries (health care, corporate, public interest, and more)

Choosing between Emory Law and other schools often comes down to:

• Cost and financial aid
• Campus environment (urban downtown vs. residential neighborhood setting)
• Program focus and reputation in specific practice areas
• How closely each school’s network matches your career goals in Atlanta

Practical Questions People in Atlanta Often Have About Emory Law

1. Is Emory Law a good choice if I want to practice in Atlanta?

Emory Law is widely regarded as a strong pathway into Atlanta’s legal market. Many Emory Law graduates stay in the metro area, and the school maintains close links with:

• Large and mid-sized law firms in Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead
• Courts in Fulton, DeKalb, and nearby counties
• Public-interest organizations based in Atlanta

2. How does Emory Law connect to the Georgia Bar?

Emory Law’s JD program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the Georgia Bar Exam (as well as bar exams in other states). For those planning to stay in Atlanta, this alignment is particularly important because:

• Admission to the State Bar of Georgia is required to practice law in local courts.
• Many local employers specifically seek candidates who can practice in Georgia.

3. Can Atlanta residents take classes without enrolling in a full degree?

Emory Law sometimes offers short courses, certificates, or part-time graduate options that appeal to local professionals (especially the Juris Master program for non-lawyers). Availability and structure can change, so professionals in Atlanta typically check current offerings directly with the law school.

Quick Reference: Emory Law at a Glance (Atlanta Context)

For anyone in Atlanta, Georgia, “Emory Law” usually refers to this law school in Druid Hills, with deep connections to the city’s courts, law firms, businesses, and public institutions. Whether you plan to study there, work with its graduates, or tap into its community resources, understanding Emory Law’s role in Atlanta can help you navigate local legal and professional opportunities more effectively.