Concordia: The cornerstone for success
Concordia University School of Law was founded in 2007 and was the first law school to be established in Boise, Idaho. The School of Law is rooted in the 100+ year legacy of its home campus, Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1905, Concordia University is a Lutheran liberal arts university with a mission of preparing leaders for the transformation of society. It is the largest private, nonprofit university in the state of Oregon, and is one of nine universities operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Bringing Concordia to Boise
For years, Boise remained one of the only state capitals in the United States without a law school – despite the fact that the city houses the majority of Idaho's law firms, attorneys, and judicial institutions.
In 2007, when this fact came to the attention of several Concordia University board members – all distinguished lawyers, many with connections to Idaho – and university president emeritus Charles Schlimpert, they asked the question, "Why not start a law school in Boise?"
Thanks to visionary leadership from Founding Dean Cathy Silak, unprecedented hard work and determination from the Dean's Advisory Council, and generous financial support from long-time Boise resident (and Concordia benefactor) George R. White, the Concordia University School of Law welcomed its first class in the fall of 2012.
A visionary approach
Today, Concordia University School of Law has gone from vision, to visionary. Fully approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), it is a touchstone of the Boise legal community. Concordia University School of Law will continue to make a lasting impact in the community at large through visionary pro bono service and clinical opportunities through 5th & Front.
Concordia University School of Law is fully approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.