University of Maryland School of Law - Law School Complex and Library

Law School Complex and Library

The School of Law and the Thurgood Marshall Law Library occupy a state-of-the-art complex that supports the school’s programs integrating classroom and experiential learning. The facility opened in 2002 and contains three courtrooms, including the Ceremonial Moot Courtroom, where state and federal trial and appellate courts regularly sit in session to hear cases. Classrooms and courtrooms are equipped with the latest in educational technology, as well as wired and wireless Internet access for student use. In addition to their own notebook computers, students can use public computers located throughout the facility for writing and research.

The Thurgood Marshall Law Library houses a collection of more than 495,000 volumes and equivalents accessible through the online catalog. A staff of 23, including 11 librarians, provides customized reference and consulting services to faculty and students. In addition to LexisNexis and Westlaw, the library offers an extensive array of legal and non-legal Web-based electronic databases.

Contrary to the commonly accepted history, Thurgood Marshall was not denied entry to the University of Maryland. In fact he never applied, as it was then common practice to deny all African Americans admission to the University of Maryland. Marshall went on to attend law school at Howard University.