Wayne State University is located in the heart of the University/Cultural Center area about four miles from downtown Detroit. Its campus features pedestrian malls, green spaces, mature trees, and many architecturally significant buildings. Within walking distance of campus are the Detroit Public Library, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the International Institute, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Science Center, and the Museum of African-American History. South of the main campus are the Detroit Medical Center and the Wayne State University Medical School, as well as the University's Hilberry Theatre, which houses one of the most distinguished graduate theater repertory companies in the United States.
Many Wayne Law students find internships, summer jobs, and permanent employment in the nearby downtown area, which is home to state and federal courts, governmental agencies, major law firms, public interest organizations, as well as corporate headquarters. Downtown also boasts the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Opera Theater, the famous Fox and State Theaters, and other cultural venues; the homes of the Tigers, the Lions, and the Red Wings; and a large and growing variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and galleries. Every year, downtown Detroit hosts one of the nation's largest outdoor jazz festivals and an internationally popular electronic music festival.
The Detroit metropolitan area is the eighth largest in the nation and the home of the country's busiest international border crossing, shared with the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Metro Detroit residents live in a wide array of urban and suburban neighborhoods, enjoy proximity to a modern international airport and major airline hub, and take advantage of the natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities that the Great Lakes State has to offer. Spurred by the automotive industry and the many area institutions of higher education, the region is developing a vigorous high-tech economy.
Return to Top
The Law School Complex
In August of 2000, the Law School moved into a $17 million, 56,000 square foot building addition. The addition was financed in part by funds from the University and in part by generous contributions from our alumni and other supporters in the community.
The central feature of the building is the 250-seat Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium, which serves as the focal point of the Law School 's connection to the legal and scholarly communities.
The Auditorium hosts symposia and conferences, lectures and classes, and also serves as a courtroom; the Michigan Supreme Court has convened there on several occasions.
Every detail of the most recent building was designed with students in mind. It features comfortable study lounges, conveniently located student services, and quiet places where students can meet and socialize. Many student organizations are housed in the building, including both of our law reviews, Moot Court, and the Student Board of Governors. With this addition, the Law School truly became a home away from home for many of our students.
Beyond these physical amenities, the newest building is wired for the digital age. Our enhanced computer systems and our multi-media distance learning capabilities provide our law students with the tools necessary to compete successfully in today's and tomorrow's highly technological global workplace.
Specific features include:
- the innovative 250-seat Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium, used for lectures, visiting court sessions, and public events
- a moot court facility
- seminar rooms and five large lecture halls with multimedia equipment and terraced seating
- casual seating areas for student conversation and study
- offices for student services and organizations
- facilities for the Law School's clinics
- faculty and administrative offices
- the Arthur Neef Law Library
Library Resources
The Law School's prestigious Arthur Neef Law Library serves our students, our faculty, and practitioners across the state. Notable features of the Law Library include:
- 620,000 volumes in all formats
- 5,000+ electronic resources, including Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw, and CALI
- a 25-station computer lab
- a completely wireless environment
- private rooms for group discussion and study
- well-lighted reading areas and individual study carrels
- annual resource expenditures of over $2,500 per law student
- access to the combined collections of the University's seven libraries, exceeding three million volumes
- special collections in international law, antitrust law, Jewish law, and U.S. and Michigan Supreme Court historical records and briefs, among others.
Getting to the Law School
The Law School is located on Palmer Street just west of Cass Avenue at the northeast corner of the University's main campus. Access to the Law School is easy from I-94, I-96, I-75, and the Lodge Freeway (M-10).
- For a map of the Wayne State University campus, go to the Campus Map page.
- For driving directions to the Law School from the major freeways go to the Driving Directions page.
