Updated 3:25 p.m. Jan 13 to include information from an Elon University press release. 

Elon University is seeking approval from the American Bar Association to establish a new full-time law program in Charlotte, according to Elon University President Connie Book’s email to students Jan. 13. 

According to Book, the university plans for the upcoming program to begin in fall 2027. According to a press release, Elon Law plans to operate both law programs from the Queens University of Charlotte campus.

The curriculum will mirror Elon Law’s current full-time programming in Greensboro. 

“The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to serve with integrity, skill and purpose from their first day in practice; and to do so in a community where their education is closely connected to the legal needs of the region,” Book wrote.

The upcoming full-time program will not be Elon Law’s first presence in Charlotte. Elon Law’s Flex Program began in fall 2024 as a part-time program. Dean of Elon Law Zak Kramer said in a previous interview with Elon News Network that developing a law program in Charlotte is important because North Carolina needs more lawyers to eliminate legal deserts. He said it is important not only to bring students from across the country to North Carolina, but to keep them here. 

“We want to make sure that we are supplying North Carolina with ethical and innovative lawyers,” Kramer said.

A later press release from Elon University states that once the additional program is approved and launched, Elon Law will offer three North Carolina-based options: a full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Charlotte; a part-time, four-year Elon Law Flex Program in Charlotte; and a full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Greensboro.

The release states that Elon Law will maintain a full-time presence in two cities with federal courts, such as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in Greensboro and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte. 

According to the release, the full-time Elon Law program plans to enroll about 75 students per class. Each student will complete a full-time, course-connected residency-in-practice with a practicing attorney or judge during their second year. 

Applications for the program will open August 2026.