LAW - Rule of Law Institute
Rule of Law Institute
The rule of law underlies all political, economic, and social goods. It ensures equal access and responsibility to the law, accountability, due process, and transparency. To overcome today’s global challenges – violence, infringement of human rights, environmental destruction, economic inequality, injustice, poverty, and hunger – the rule of law is essential.
Who we are
This Institute is established within Loyola as a center for the advancement of the rule of law. We develop ground-breaking research, produce new solutions, and prompt real change that will empower individual lives, assist economic development, and advance legal standing.
By identifying expertise and commitment within the Loyola community, as well other domestic and international actors, we produce knowledge and processes that can be shared and leveraged for change. The Institute also welcomes external partners who can contribute to such research and research opportunities, serve as change partners, and expand the national and global reach of the institute and its mission.
Meet our Director
How to make a better world
Under Juliet S. Sorensen’s leadership, Loyola advances the rule of law
Read Sorensen's storyRule of Law for Development Program (PROLAW)
The mission of PROLAW is to equip legal and development professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to inspire, lead and manage national efforts to strengthen the laws and institutions required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It is the degree-granting arm of the Institute.
The Faculty and Scholar Directory
In The News
Meet two PROLAW alums advocating for justice and human rights in Africa
Nokukhanya (Khanyo) Farisè (LLM ’16) and Brenda Anugwom (LLM ’12) live and work in Africa, focusing on human rights and the law.
Learn MoreJustice for All Series
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Tsikhanouskaya is the National Leader of Belarus and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet.
View Tsikhanouskaya's video
Allan Maleche
Maleche is the Executive Director of KELIN and a legal advocate for health justice and human rights.
View Maleche's video
Hon. Virginia M. Kendall
Kendall is the Chief Judge of the Northern District of Illinois and an expert on human trafficking, public corruption, ethics, and judicial training.
View Kendall's videoEvents and Calls for Papers
The Rule of Law and the American Experiment
On October 24, 2025, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Foundation and the Rule of Law Institute hosted a symposium exploring various aspects of the rule of law in the United States through historical perspectives and discussions on democratic backsliding, national security, and the roles of lawyers and judges.
"Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs: The State of American Democracy Today" with Kristen Clarke, Former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
Monday, March 16, 4 p.m., CLC 1103
This program is presented as part of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership Ann F. Baum Speaker Series, in collaboration with the Rule of Law Institute.
If you are not a member of the Loyola University Chicago community but would like to attend this event, please email Juliet Sorensen at jsorensen2@luc.edu.
The rule of law underlies all political, economic, and social goods. It ensures equal access and responsibility to the law, accountability, due process, and transparency. To overcome today’s global challenges – violence, infringement of human rights, environmental destruction, economic inequality, injustice, poverty, and hunger – the rule of law is essential.
Who we are
This Institute is established within Loyola as a center for the advancement of the rule of law. We develop ground-breaking research, produce new solutions, and prompt real change that will empower individual lives, assist economic development, and advance legal standing.
By identifying expertise and commitment within the Loyola community, as well other domestic and international actors, we produce knowledge and processes that can be shared and leveraged for change. The Institute also welcomes external partners who can contribute to such research and research opportunities, serve as change partners, and expand the national and global reach of the institute and its mission.
Rule of Law for Development Program (PROLAW)
The mission of PROLAW is to equip legal and development professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to inspire, lead and manage national efforts to strengthen the laws and institutions required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It is the degree-granting arm of the Institute.