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Duncan School of Law

Welcome to the Duncan School of Law at Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville, Tennessee! 

In the spring of 2008, Lincoln Memorial University announced plans to seek approval to offer legal education leading to the Juris Doctor degree.  The law school is located in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee in the building commonly referred to as “Old City Hall.”  Mirroring the values established by the University, the Duncan School of Law is committed to teaching, research and service while supporting Appalachia and the people of East Tennessee.

Lincoln Memorial University grew out of love and respect for Abraham Lincoln, himself a lawyer. The law school will continue honoring his memory while providing a unique education experience using the latest in technology and instructional methods for legal education. Faculty will be drawn from a variety of backgrounds and will teach with an emphasis on effective communication, problem-solving and real world applications of legal context.

Many great people have been instrumental in the opening of the law school.  The law school is fortunate to have an Advisory Board of individuals committed to helping create a unique educational experience which is attuned to current trends in the legal profession.   The Advisory Board is a Who’s Who in Knoxville-area law, and includes  Robert Watson (Chair), Congressman John J. Duncan (2nd district Tennessee), Judge Wheeler A. Rosenbalm (Knox County Circuit Court), Judge John D. McAfee (Claiborne County Circuit Judge 8th district), Attorney General Randy Nichols, Assistant District Attorney Ta Kisha Monette Fitzgerald, attorneys Patti Jane Lay, J. Douglas Overbey, Sam Anderson, Mary Ann Stackhouse, Daniel H. Rader, David Yoder, Mark A. Brown, Debra Thompson, Denise Stapleton and Hulet Chaney. LMU trustee Gary Burchett also serves on the advisory board.

In August of 2008 LMU began an extensive renovation of the building.  The renovations are near completion.  In Spring of 2010 it is expected that the law school will have completed a state-of-the-art courtroom which will also serve as an advanced classroom. 

The pieces are falling into place as LMU pursues accreditation for the school of law. In February of 2009, the law school received approval from the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners which grants permission to Duncan School of Law graduates to apply to take the Tennessee Bar Examination.  

The Dean is fully informed as to the Standards and Rules of Procedure for the Approval of Law Schools by the American Bar Association. The Administration and the Dean are determined to devote all necessary resources and in other respects to take all necessary steps to present a program of legal education that will qualify for approval by the American Bar Association. The Law School makes no representation to any applicant that it will be approved by the American Bar Association prior to the graduation of any matriculating student.

The first class of law students at Lincoln Memorial University are part-time students.  This enables working adults to pursue their lifetime dream of becoming a lawyer and practicing attorney in the state of Tennessee.

Again, welcome!  We look forward to working with you in the near future on your educational goals.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. 

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee.