[6] Classes were initially held several blocks south in an old Catholic school building (St. Francis of Assisi, 300 N. 900 East),[1][7] affectionately referred to as "St. Reuben's" by the students.

Many admitted students have graduate and/or doctoral degrees in a wide range of academic disciplines, and most have spent time abroad.

[15] Among other things, the Honor Code precludes the admission and retention of students who are former members of the LDS Church,[16] or whose actions are categorized as "homosexual behavior", which includes both sexual relations and "all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings".

[17] To verify Honor Code compliance, students are required to obtain, and maintain during their course of study, an ecclesiastical endorsement from a religious leader or designated BYU chaplain.

[19] The ABA ended the review later in 2016 after BYU modified the Honor Code to make it easier for students to obtain an exemption to the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement.

In the first year of law school all students are required to take one semester each of Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, Torts, Introduction to Legal Research and Writing, Introduction to Advocacy, Legislation and Regulation, and Structures of the Constitution.

Additionally, each student must take Professional Responsibility during their second or third year and prepare a substantial paper (at least 30 pgs).

In addition to their substantive coursework, many second and third-year students participate in moot court, a scholarly publication, a clinic, or an externship.

[citation needed] The school hosts several events each year, including the World Family Policy Center / United Nations Conference (July),[24] the International Law and Religion Symposium (October),[25] and the Orrin G. Hatch Distinguished Trial Lawyer Lecture Series (November).

[35] BYU's Law School Transparency under-employment score is 20.4%, indicating the percentage of the Class of 2013 unemployed, pursuing an additional degree, or working in a non-professional, short-term, or part-time job nine months after graduation.

Co-curricular programs include Law Review, Moot Court,[37] Trial Advocacy,[38] and various other student-edited publications.

[45] Faculty include Kif Augustine-Adams, Cole Durham, Frederick Gedicks, Cheryl Preston, Brett Scharffs and Lynn Wardle.

Dee Benson, Larry Echohawk, Michael Goldsmith, James D. Gordon III, Hon.

The following people have served as deans of the J. Reuben Clark Law School: Rex E. Lee,[46] Carl S. Hawkins (1981–1985),[47] Bruce C. Hafen (1985–1989),[48] H. Reese Hansen[49] (1990–2004),[50] Kevin J Worthen (2004–2008),[51] James Rasband (2009–2016),[52] D. Gordon Smith (2016–2023),[53] and David H. Moore (2023–present).