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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

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

Michael Gold Q&A

In his nearly 45 years at ILR, Gold has taught numerous courses on labor law and employment discrimination.
Michael Gold
Michael Gold Q&A

Harris '83 Named to White House Post

Seth Harris, who was the acting secretary of labor and deputy U.S. secretary of labor from 2009-14 and served for six and a half years during the Clinton Administration, will serve as President Joe Biden’s top labor adviser.

Seth Harris '83 speaks to ILR students in Dougherty Lounge in 2014.
Harris '83 Named to White House Post

Josh Mendelsohn ’04

Josh Mendelsohn is the author of "The Cap: How Larry Fleisher and David Stern Built the Modern NBA," published in October.
Josh Mendelsohn ’04
Josh Mendelsohn ’04

Alumni Spotlight: Michael Storm Bohling

A Walt Disney World internship during his senior year introduced Michael Storm Bohling ’14 to an exciting world of work.
Michael Bohling ’14
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Storm Bohling