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While pre-law is not a major at Cornell University, any major can lead to law school, and ILR has long been a top choice among Cornell students pursuing a legal career.

ILR hosts world-class faculty who research and teach from many disciplines (sociology, economics, history, business, and more) in order to understand how people work in the context. ILR undergraduates explore issues within the framework of American society. They learn to analyze texts and empirical data with methods from social sciences, humanities, and legal professions. Read more and find out about our Global Labor and Work department, which offers a wide range of applied coursework that explores mediation, negotiation, racial and gender discrimination, and conflict resolution.

Students can also join clubs that support their pre-law goals, such as the Cornell Mock Trial Association and Cornell Speech and Debate Society.

ILR Law Stories

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Storm Bohling

A Walt Disney World internship during his senior year introduced Michael Storm Bohling ’14 to an exciting world of work.
Michael Bohling ’14
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Storm Bohling

Alum Earns Labor and Employment Law Award

Known internationally as a scholar in the field of comparative labor and employment law, Susan Bisom-Rapp is associate dean and professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Susan Bisom-Rapp presented the 2019 Paul Steven Miller Memorial Award
Alum Earns Labor and Employment Law Award

Rosen will be Honored on April 11

The Alpern Award will be presented to Diane Rosen ’78 in recognition of her ILR support and service.

Diane Rosen, Cornell University, ILR School
Rosen will be Honored on April 11

Richmond ’91 Receiving Groat Award on April 11

An employment attorney who focuses on the restaurant industry, Richmond grew up in a Cornell family.

Carolyn Richmond, 2019 Groat Award Winner
Richmond ’91 Receiving Groat Award on April 11

Cathy Creighton ’87: Union value and common decency

As a child growing up in New York City, labor lawyer Cathy Creighton ’87 saw firsthand the value of unions.
woman smiles at camera
Cathy Creighton ’87: Union value and common decency

ILR grad Rob Manfred's major league career

Cornell Chronicle
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. ’80 got his start in the foothills of the Adirondacks in a small city where copper-bottomed pots and pans were manufactured.
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ILR grad Rob Manfred's major league career