2025-26 Law School Academic Calendar

FALL TERM 2025

Thursday, August 7 IALS and General LL.M. Orientation Begins 
Tuesday, August 19 J.D. Orientation Begins
Monday, August 25 Instruction Begins 
Monday, September 1 Classes held, rest of university/building closed
Saturday-Sunday, October 13-17 Fall Break 
Wednesday, October 22 1L Practice Exam 
Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28 Thanksgiving Recess Begins 
Monday, December 1 Cornell Law School will follow a Thursday Schedule
Tuesday, December 2Cornell Law School will follow a Friday Schedule
Wednesday, December 3 Fall Instruction Ends 
Thursday-Friday, December 4-5 Reading Period 
Monday-Friday, December 8-19 Final Examinations 

SPRING TERM 2026

Tuesday, January 13 Lawyering Program Instruction begins for first-year J.D. students
Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – No classes 
Tuesday, January 20Spring Term Begins for All Other Courses 
Monday-Tuesday, February 16-17February Break
Monday-Friday, March 30-April 3 Spring Break 
Wednesday, April 29 Monday Class Schedule – Spring Instruction Ends
Thursday-Friday, April 30-May 1 Reading Period 
Monday-Friday, May 1-15 Final Exam Period 
Sunday, May 17 Law School Convocation 
Friday-Sunday, May 22-24 University Commencement Weekend