Originally established as a private school, the University of North Carolina School of Law remained independent from its founding by North Carolina Supreme Court Justice William Battle until its incorporation into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 1899. Academically, UNC Law emphasizes public service law; close to a third of its alumni pursue careers in the public sector or government after graduation. The school also runs centers on civil rights and poverty awareness. Through an inter-institutional program, students at UNC Law can take courses at either Duke Law or North Carolina Central University Law for credit towards their JD.

Like at most schools, core requirements for JD students are concentrated in the first year, tapering off into an electives,based curriculum the last two years. UNC Law has 10 joint JD/master's programs available, including a JD/MBA and a JD/MPP with Duke University. For students interested in intellectual property law, the school has a specialized curriculum track in the area.

UNC Law is a prominent name amongst employers in the Southeast, and the alumni network is strongest in Richmond, Charlotte, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. According to Vault's survey, students love the Chapel Hill area, citing its warm, college town feeling and proximity to other big schools as big pluses. Franklin Street is the main drag for bars and restaurants, and students also rally around UNC basketball.