Simmons Law School

Founded in the public interest to serve the public good, SIU Simmons Law School prides itself on being a collaborative, tight-knit community that allows our students to thrive. Through relationships, experiences, and connections, Simmons Law School opens doors that lead to meaningful legal careers.

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Last Updated: Sep 24, 2026, 03:20 PM

  • Affordable Quality

    Simmons Law is one of the few ABA-Accredited law schools in the nation in which students should not need to take out private loans for their education, regardless of whether they are an in- or out-of-state resident.

  • Serving the Public Good

    Since the first class graduated in 1976, the number of graduates has grown to more than 5,133 including 200+ local, state, and federal alumni judges. Alumni practice law in all 50 states and internationally in 10 countries.

  • Small Town Charm, Big City Diversity

    Just hours from the major midwest cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, and Memphis, and easily accessible by airports, railways, and interstate highways.

Meet Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson

Welcome to the Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School. I am honored to serve as Dean and look forward to introducing you to our vibrant community. Like many of you, I am new to SIU this year. It was an easy decision for me to return to my home state of Illinois and join this great institution. Here are just a few of the things I think you will love about our law school.

Hannah Brenner Johnson

Juris Doctor Program

The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a post-baccalaureate program designed for those who wish to practice law. Traditionally, the 90-credit hour program takes three years to complete. This program is a full-time, day-time program with fall admission only. This program is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

Law students at commencement ceremony

SIU Simmons Law in the News

  • SIU Simmons Law prof to discuss upcoming Supreme Court trademark case

    Research by an SIU Simmons Law School assistant professor on how courts decide trademark disputes is part of a case expected to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court during its next term.

    Thomas A. Reichert will discuss his research — and its correlation to a case involving PepsiCo and a small New York-based coffee brewing company — during a “Scholars in Conversation at Simmons Law School” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the law school’s Hiram H. Lesar Law Building formal lounge. The discussion, “Factors and Fictions: Trademark's Confusion Test at the Supreme Court,” is free and the public is invited. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

  • SIU’s Ryan Bioethicist lecture focuses on using artificial intelligence in health care

    Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, a healthcare strategy executive and technology leader, will talk about the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care when he delivers the 2026 John and Marsha Ryan Bioethicist in Residence lecture at the SIU Simmons Law School on Monday, Sept. 21.

    Balasubramanian, who works at the intersection of healthcare, AI digital innovation and policy, will present “AI in Healthcare: The Abundance Paradox” at 5:30 p.m. in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building Auditorium, following a 5 p.m. reception in the law school’s formal lounge. The hybrid lecture is free and open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged but not required. The lecture will also be available online via Microsoft Teams.

  • SIU Simmons Law School summer initiatives showcase legal careers for students

    Thirteen high achieving college students gained insight on legal careers and preparing for law school last week through Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School’s Pipeline to Practice program.

    In June, 36 high school students, primarily from the Metro East area, attended the “Crime Scene to Courtroom” program at Southwest Illinois Center for Justice and Workforce Development in Belleville.

    The two free summer programs, hosted by the law school, help high school and college students learn more about law school, the legal profession and criminal justice.

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