A Message form the Chancellor
At the Blackwell Institute for Legal Studies, we are doing more than building an academic institution—we are forging a movement. For too long, legal education has drifted toward positivism, severing law from its moral foundation. Courts have grown powerful, yet justice has grown distant. We believe it is time to restore law to its rightful place: rooted in natural rights, bounded by constitutional order, and oriented toward liberty.
This Institute exists for those unwilling to accept the status quo. Here, students do not simply memorize statutes—they learn to interrogate their origin, question their morality, and shape their reform. They emerge not only as practitioners of law but as architects of a legal tradition grounded in enduring truths.
Our programs—spanning the Pre-J.D., Academic J.D., and S.J.D.—set a standard unmatched in rigor. We unite legal doctrine, classical philosophy, and Austrian economics into a curriculum that equips our graduates to influence courts, legislatures, and public discourse. Through The Blackwell Legal Review and the Madison Center For Constitutional Law our students and faculty engage the pressing legal questions of our age, publishing ideas that reach beyond the academy into the heart of culture.
To those considering joining us: understand that this is not merely an academic path but a calling. We demand excellence, discipline, and courage. The work will test you—but it will also form you. When you leave Blackwell, you will not only know the law; you will know why it matters and how to wield it for the good of a free society.
Welcome to the first institute of its kind. Welcome to the future of legal education.
— Dr. Byron Gillory
Chancellor, Blackwell Institute for Legal Studies
Apply to the Blackwell Institute for Legal Studies
Pioneering a New Legal Tradition. Join Us.
The Blackwell Institute’s degrees are conferred exclusively within the ranks of the Blackwell Legislative Society — the premier fellowship of jurists, scholars, and advocates dedicated to restoring the moral foundations of law. Admission is selective; graduation is transformative.
Prospective students must first be admitted into the Blackwell Legislative Society
Why Apply to BILS?
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A New Standard in Legal Education: Our Academic J.D. and Pre-J.D. programs integrate natural law, libertarian jurisprudence, and Austrian economics, surpassing conventional models.
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Scholarship Meets Strategy: Prepare not only to interpret law but to reform it—combining doctrine, philosophy, and policy.
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Publishing and Thought Leadership: Students engage directly in scholarship through The Blackwell Legal Review and policy initiatives via the Blackwell Center for Jurisprudence and Policy.
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Mentorship by Leading Scholars: Faculty are drawn from experts in constitutional theory, legal philosophy, and economic jurisprudence.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Program Requirements
Ensure you meet the prerequisites for your program of choice.
Step 2: Prepare Application Materials
Gather transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and recommendation letters.
Step 3: Submit Application Online
Complete our secure application form and upload your documents. Application fees may apply.
Step 4: Interview and Decision
Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview. Admissions decisions are communicated within six weeks.