2025-2026 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/
Winter Intersession 2026
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.
Calendar
| Date |
Event |
| December 2025 |
|
| 19-Jan 11 |
Winter Break |
| 19 |
Winter Intersession courses begin |
| 24 |
Winter Recess - University Closed Through Jan 1 |
| January 2026 |
|
| 11 |
Winter Intersession courses end |
Summer Term 2026
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.
Calendar
| Date |
Event |
| May 2026 |
|
| 7 |
Spring semester exams end |
| 15 |
Law School Convocation ceremony |
| 26 |
Memorial Day - University Closed |
| 27 |
Summer practica classes begin |
| June 2026 |
|
| 5 |
Spring grades post |
| 15 |
Summer term non-practica classes begin |
| 19 |
Juneteenth Holiday - University Closed |
| 22 |
Degree conferral |
| July 2026 |
|
| 4 |
Independence Day Holiday - University Closed |
| August 2026 |
|
| 10 |
Summer term classes end |
| 12-14 |
Summer term exams |
| 24 |
Fall semester classes begin |