Deadlines and Events

Please take note of the important dates outlined below to ensure a smooth and successful graduation experience. Additionally, the information on this website may include links to other websites or content provided by third parties. We recommend checking regularly, as updates may occur.

Thank you for your attention, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Questions? Email [email protected].

February 11
JG 104  
(JG 106 overflow)
 12:10 - 1:10 pm
 
Graduation Information SessionCome hear from various offices at Columbia about your Graduation Class Day Ceremony and post-graduation benefits. Find out how to get your Law School Grad Regalia, Class Day Tickets, and University Commencement Tickets. Want to be the JD or LL.M. class speaker? Serve as a Marshall? Your Grad Co-chairs will let you know how! Register here.
February 11-25Interested Graduation Speakers (JD and LLM)Submit a 90-second video. The deadline is on 2/25 at noon. Please submit all videos to: [email protected] with the subject line: " JD or LLM GRAD SPEAKER VIDEO SUBMISSION". Note that Graduation Day Committee Senators cannot serve as speakers.
February 13Columbia Law School Graduation Registration FormEligible graduates will receive an email with instructions to complete the Graduation Registration Form. This form helps us the record the correct pronunciation of your names, collect your hometown, the name that you would like to appear on the graduation program (not on your diploma) and even create a graduation page for yourself.  

Completing the Graduation Registration Form also allows you to order your rental regalia free of charge through the CU Bookstore, beginning at the Graduation Fair on February 17. Please note that graduates nees to purchase their own tam (cap).

If you do not complete the Graduation Registration Form, you may be unable to order graduation regalia during the Graduation Fair at the CU Bookstore (from February 17 to April 3, the last day to order rental regalia) and could result in a late fee. The fees are as follows: doctoral gown $84 and doctoral hoold $45.
February 15 Bar Housing If intending on registering for the New York State Bar Exam, please begin applying for the Bar Housing Extension request via the Housing Portal. For residents registered for the NYS Bar Exam only. Remember that bar housing is not guaranteed
February 17-20Graduation FairGraduation Fair at the Bookstore, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., University Bookstore, Lerner Hall. Cap and gown fitting/ordering and graduation vendors (rings, announcements, diploma frames, etc.). If you are unable to go to the bookstore, please email your information on or before April 3rd. The bookstore will NOT accept your measurements if you did NOT complete your Graduation Registration form on or before February 17.

Only for students who completed their Graduation Registration Form on or before February 17th.
March 1Pro Bono Requirement
(JDs Only)
Deadline: Completion of pro bono service requirement (JDs Only). Please see the Pro Bono Program and the FAQs for details. Failure to comply prohibits you from getting your Columbia Law School Class Day Tickets. For further questions, contact, Estelle Mitchell at [email protected]
March 1 – 31NY Bar ApplicationApplication periods for the July administration of the NY State Uniform Bar Examination.  Make sure to submit your application during this period; New York does not accept late applications.
March 2 - 4 Student Speakers
(1st round)
JD and LLM Graduation Speaker 1st round voting ends at 4 pm on March 4th. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey.
March 2 - 6Graduation MarshalsGraduation Marshal Applications are due no later than 3 pm on March 6th. Sign Up HERE, if you are interested.
March 2 - 6Willis L.M. Reese PrizeThe Willis L.M. Reese Prize for Excellence in Teaching voting. The prize is awarded annually at graduation by the graduating class to a professor who exemplifies excellence in teaching at Columbia Law School. Voting ends at 3 pm on March 6th. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey. Voting on adjunct faculty award TBA.

See  past recipients HERE.
March 5 - 6Student Speakers
(Runoff)
JD and LLM Graduation Speakers Runoff, voting ends at 3 pm on March 6th. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey.
March 15Bar Housing 
Deadline
Deadline: Bar Housing Extension via the Housing Portal. For residents registered for the New York State Bar Exam only.
March 30Graduate Employment Verification
(JDs Only)
Deadline: Please provide your graduation employment information in Symplicity. Failure to comply prohibits you from getting your Columbia Law School Class Day Tickets. Questions? [email protected]
March 30-April 1Graduation HeadshotsPortrait shots with GradImages, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Student Services Lounge. No appointment is needed. You only pay when you would like to purchase the photo. Graduation regalia and hood will be provided.
March 31NY Bar ApplicationsDeadline: Filing applications to take the July bar exam in New York State and in most states.
April 1 Writing CreditsDeadline: Submission of the final draft of the J.D. Major Writing Credit paper, and for all Fall 2025 outstanding written work for J.D. and LL.M. degree candidates (unless the instructor specifies an earlier due date).
April 3Graduation RegaliaDeadline: Students who have completed the Tassel Form can order their cap and regalia at the bookstore. Failure to order by this date will delay your regalia and may result in a fee.
April 7-22Graduate Portrait SessionsThe University Ceremonies Office is hosting outdoor portrait days at three iconic locations on the Morningside Campus. Capture your milestone in the places that mean the most to you. These spaces will be reserved exclusively for professional photographers from GradImages, with a variety of portrait packages available for purchase directly through GradImages.
April 15 - 30Class Day TicketsColumbia Law School Class Day Tickets (May 17th): Students will have six (6) tickets for Class Day with a chance of requesting additional tickets.
TBDUniversity Commencement TicketsUniversity Commencement Tickets (May 20th): Students will have two (2) tickets for the University Commencement. Students will not be able to request additional tickets for the University Commencement.
April 20Graduation Regalia DistributionFor students who ordered their regalia on or before April 3.
Rental gown distribution to students begins and continues through the morning of Law School Graduation. The gowns are to be picked up at the Columbia Bookstore.
April 29Last day of Spring 2026 classes.Last day of Spring 2026 classes.

TBD

May 1Outstanding Spring 2026 Written WorkDeadline: to submit all outstanding Spring 2026 written work for May 2026 JD and LL.M. Degree candidates (unless the instructor specifies an earlier due date). Last day to file the final copy of LL.M.  Essay with the Office of Graduate Degree Programs.
May 4Class Day Extra TicketsStudents who requested additional Class Day tickets will begin receiving them based on the number of unclaimed tickets remaining.
May 5Bar Housing Bar housing decisions are issued by Columbia Residential.
May 15Bar Housing Decision


Grading Deadline
Bar Housing decisions issued. Columbia Residential will send an email.
Deadline to Sign Extension Agreement.


Grading deadline for all grades for May 2026 degree candidates.
May 17Columbia Law School
Class Day
Columbia Law School Class Day. At this ceremony, student's names are ready as you cross the stage.

Watch it live HERE (tbd).
May 20University CommencementAll eligible  graduates, from all schools and colleges affiliated with Columbia University, are encouraged to participate in the celebration. You will receive information from your individual school about how to register your family and friends to join the Commencement ceremony. 
May 30Graduation Regalia ReturnDeadline: Last day to return rental regalia to the Columbia Bookstore. The cap is yours to keep. The tam (cap) is yours to keep.

 

July 31IT AccessLaw school (LawNet) network accounts remain accessible through July 31.
July 31 NY Bar HousingDeadline: Move-Out Date for students who stayed in Columbia Housing and took the NY Bar exam only.
August 14Student InsuranceInsurance current plan year ends.