Diversity & Inclusion

We invite you to join us.

Detroit Mercy Law is committed to enhancing the legal profession and advancing justice through our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We are proud of our heritage of enrolling racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people of various religious affiliations in our earliest classes. We value diversity in all forms, including gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical ability, and learning style.

Detroit Mercy Law students come from a wide range of backgrounds.

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Incoming Class Demographics

Detroit Mercy Law is committed to providing accurate information about our student body. Demographic data is primarily collected through the law school application process, where applicants have the opportunity to self-identify across a range of categories, with some preferring not to respond to every question. Some of this data is also required to be reported annually to the American Bar Association. All data is deidentified, aggregated, and reported in a way that respects individual privacy.

In addition to the data collected through applications, we conduct a voluntary and anonymous demographic survey each fall to gain a deeper understanding of our entering class. This survey allows students to self-identify in more nuanced ways and share aspects of their backgrounds and identities that may not be captured in standard reporting categories. The insights from these surveys help us better support our students and continue building a more inclusive law school community.
First-Generation

Detroit Mercy Law promotes access to legal education and the legal profession by supporting first-generation students, who often face unique challenges navigating unfamiliar academic and professional environments without family guidance. First-generation students are those pursuing a level of education that their parents or primary caregivers did not complete.

First-Generation Law Students: 84%

First-Generation College Graduates: 32%
Gender & Sexual Identity

When collecting gender information, our data collection includes options beyond the binary and allows for non-response.

Women: 54%

Men: 45%

LGBTQIA+ Community: 11%
Race/Ethnicity

For the 2025 incoming class, 48% of students identify as students of color.

Our demographic survey is designed to be inclusive and reflective of our diverse student body, offering options for students to identify as Arab/Chaldean/Middle Eastern—a category that is not uniquely accounted for in the American Bar Association or U.S. Census definitions. By providing this option, we aim to better understand and represent the unique backgrounds and experiences of all our students, ensuring that our community’s diversity is accurately recognized and supported.

"I am a Chaldean-American, was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and am the mother of three children. I chose Detroit Mercy Law because of the inviting community."

Rita Soka '22
Religious Preferences

Detroit Mercy Law welcomes students from all faith traditions and backgrounds. The incoming class includes students from a wide range of religious traditions, including those with no religious affiliation.

"Diversity in the legal field matters because it helps promote tolerance among different groups of people."

Aryell Pasternak '20

We provide all students with the tools to excel. Whatever your story, you will be valued as an individual, welcomed into our community, and supported as you pursue your goals.

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Discover our Community
Visit the Student Organizations page to learn more about the all-inclusive Student Bar Association, as well as special interest student groups, including:
- Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
- Hispanic & Latino/a Law Students Association (HiLLSA)
- Arab American Law Students Association (AALSA)
- Chaldean American Law Student Association (CALSA)
- Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA)
- Muslim Law Student Association (MLSA)
- South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA)
- Women's Law Caucus
- OutLaws (serves the LGBTQIA+ community)
Meet our Faculty: 60% women, 40% men, & 25% people of color

At Detroit Mercy Law, you will learn the art of lawyering from a diverse faculty. The law faculty is 60% women, 40% men, and 25% people of color.
Statement about Diversity & Inclusion

A critical component of helping our students achieve their personal and professional goals is preparing them to live and work in a world that is wonderfully diverse. We include, respect, and welcome into our community diverse individuals and perspectives. We value diversity in many forms, including gender, race, religion, national origin, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical ability, and learning style. We strive to reflect this value through the vibrancy of student life and the composition of our student body, faculty, staff, and administration. In accordance with the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is firmly committed to enriching and enhancing the diversity of our community.