This collection brings together three works by Professor Emeritus Robert C. Downs, chronicling the history of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law. Downs traces the school’s evolution from its founding in 1895 as the Kansas City School of Law to its integration into the University of Missouri system, highlighting key milestones, faculty contributions, and the institution’s lasting impact on legal education.
The collection also examines the experiences of historically underrepresented groups, focusing on the challenges and progress of minority and female students. Downs critically explores the school’s early inclusivity efforts within the context of segregation and systemic barriers, as well as the struggle for gender equality in legal education. Through institutional history, personal narratives, and social commentary, this collection offers a compelling perspective on UMKC Law’s legacy and its role in shaping the legal profession.
The First 100 Years: UMKC School of Law: An Abridged History, Robert C. Downs
A Partial History of UMKC School of Law: The 'Minority Report', Robert C. Downs, Harry D. Pener, and Steven D. Gilley
From Petticoats to Briefs: History of Women at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Robert C. Downs, Brooke Grant, and Elizabeth Sterling