Law School Calendar
2026-2027 Academic Calendar
The Law School operates on a semester calendar, with optional terms during the Winter and Summer break periods. The Law School reserves the right to make changes in this calendar. A detailed current calendar can be found at https://www.law.northwestern.edu/academics/acad_calendar/
Fall Semester 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | |
| Jul 31-4 | Fall bidding - round 1 |
| 7-11 | Fall bidding - round 2 |
| 7 | Summer classes end |
| 10-14 | Summer term exams |
| 14-17 | Last chance to cancel Fall bids |
| 20 | Fall open enrollment (through Sep 4) |
| 17-21 | Orientation |
| 24 | Fall semester classes begin |
| 28 | Last day to drop a clinic |
| September 2026 | |
| 4 | Last day to add any law course; last day to drop any law course other than clinic |
| 7 | Labor Day Holiday - University Closed |
| 11 | Summer grades post |
| 29-30 | Winter Intersession bidding |
| October 2026 | |
| 2-5 | Last chance to cancel Winter bids |
| 7 | Follow Thursday schedule |
| 8 | Follow Friday schedule |
| 9 | Fall Break - no classes |
| 30-Nov 3 | Spring bidding - round 1 |
| November 2026 | |
| 3 | Day of Civic Service- no classes |
| 6-10 | Spring bidding - round 2 |
| 13-16 | Last Chance to cancel Spring bids |
| 25 | Fall semester classes end |
| 26-27 | Thanksgiving Holiday - University Closed |
| 30-Dec 4 | Reading period |
| December 2026 | |
| 5-17 | Fall semester exams |
Winter Intersession 2027
Intersession offers 2L, 3L, and LLM students the option to enroll in one class during the Winter break. 1L and Tax students are not eligible for Intersession courses. Intersession is an optional term that does not count toward the residence requirement.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2026 | |
| 18-Jan 10 | Winter Break |
| 18 | Winter Intersession courses begin |
| 24 | Winter Recess - University Closed Through Jan 3 |
| January 2027 | |
| 10 | Winter Intersession courses end |
Spring Semester 2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2027 | |
| 6-22 | Spring open enrollment |
| 11 | Spring semester classes begin |
| 15 | Fall grades post |
| 15 | Last day to drop clinic |
| 18 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - University Closed |
| 22 | Last day to add any law course; last day to drop any law course other than clinic |
| February 2027 | |
| 5 | Winter grades post |
| March 2027 | |
| 21-29 | Spring Break - no classes |
| 30 | Spring semester classes resume (follow Monday schedule) |
| April 2027 | |
| 20 | Spring classes end |
| 21-23 | Review sessions and reading period |
| 24 - May 6 | Spring semester exams |
Summer Term 2027
Summer Term offers 1L and 2L students the option of enrolling in up to two courses during the break. Summer is an optional term that does not count toward the JD residence requirement.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2027 | |
| 6 | Spring semester exams end |
| 14 | Law School Convocation ceremony |
| 31 | Memorial Day - University Closed |
| June 2027 | |
| 1 | Summer practica classes begin |
| 4 | Spring grades post |
| 14 | Summer term non-practica classes begin |
| 17 | Degree conferral |
| 18 | Juneteenth Holiday - University Closed |
| July 2027 | |
| 5 | Independence Day Holiday - University Closed |
| August 2027 | |
| 6 | Summer term classes end |
| 9-13 | Summer term exams |
| 23 | Fall semester classes begin |