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While pre-law is not a major at Cornell University, ILR has long been a top choice among Cornell students pursuing a legal career.

ILR students learn from world-class faculty who research and teach from many disciplines (sociology, economics, history, business, and more). They learn to analyze texts and empirical data with methods from the social sciences, humanities, and legal professions. Read more about our Global Labor and Work department, which offers a wide range of applied coursework that explores mediation, negotiation, racial and gender discrimination, and conflict resolution.

Students can also join clubs that support their pre-law goals, such as the Cornell Mock Trial Association and Cornell Speech and Debate Society.

ILR Law Stories

Meet the Faculty: Yiran Zhang

Professor Zhang works for a fair economy.
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Meet the Faculty: Yiran Zhang

Meet the Faculty: Samuel Nelson

Senior Lecturer Sam Nelson teaches advocacy and debate at Cornell and throughout the world.
Sam Nelson headshot
Meet the Faculty: Samuel Nelson

LindaRose Piccolo '24

Linda explored the world of compliance and regulation in the investment management industry.
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LindaRose Piccolo '24

Meet the Faculty: Lee Adler

Meet ILR's Lee Adler, labor-law practitioner and ILR lecturer in employment law and union leadership. Adler discusses working with ILR undergraduates.
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Meet the Faculty: Lee Adler

Ziva Posner: Landing Labor Law Jobs with ILR Degree

ILRie Ziva Posner '18 recounts how ILR's undergraduate degree program set her up for a career in labor law after completing law school at University of California, Irvine.
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Ziva Posner: Landing Labor Law Jobs with ILR Degree

Making Incremental Change

ILRie Jim Miller supports students through internships, scholarships and career opportunities.
James E Miller ’88 Cornell Graduation 1988
Making Incremental Change