Birmingham, Alabama
Answer the call to invest in your surroundings.
“Smack-dab in the middle of Alabama is where the ‘Magic City’ has come to rise. Right in a valley, surrounded by forested mountain ridges, Birmingham is riding an alluring evolution. Young people are flocking home to open up restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, and startups—and it’s as if this Southern city has been waiting just for them.” — Vogue
Nicknamed the “Magic City” because of its rapid growth after the city was founded in 1871, the metro Birmingham area has a population over one million people. Birmingham boasts incredible opportunities for career, service, community and fun.
More than 5,000 practicing attorneys are located in the metropolitan area, with a large number of major law firms making their headquarters in Birmingham. A majority of the largest law firms in the state of Alabama, including eight out of the top 10 private law firms, call Birmingham home. Midsized and smaller firms, as well as solo practices, round out Birmingham’s lively legal landscape, providing a multitude of convenient job opportunities for Cumberland School of Law students and graduates.
Birmingham pairs a vibrant foodie culture with an outstanding music and performing arts scene. Not to mention, it’s home of the James Beard Foundation’s most outstanding restaurant in America, Highlands Bar & Grill, awarded in 2018, and other restaurants hailing chefs with prestigious James Beard recognitions.
Cumberland School of Law is a great place to study, but when you’re looking at law schools to attend, it’s important to consider the city you’ll be living in, too.
Join four Cumberland students as they share why they love going to law school in Birmingham, Alabama.
A Few of Our Favorite Things
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to communicating the state’s athletic history.
Alabama Theatre
Built by Paramount’s Publix Theater chain in 1927, the historic theatre hosts live music, classic movies, and numerous shows and events year-round.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest motorcycle collection. The museum also features the world’s most extensive collection of Lotus cars, plus an assortment of other rare and unusual cars.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a center for discussion and education about human and civil rights issues.
Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) in downtown Birmingham is a hub for entertainment. Its Legacy Arena and Concert Hall are great venues for live performances. The complex is also adjacent to the downtown entertainment district and the newly built Protective Stadium which will play host to the 2022 World Games.
Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art is home to more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawing, and decorative arts from diverse cultures.
Birmingham Zoo
First opened in 1955, the Birmingham Zoo is home to almost 800 animals stretching over 200 species. It also includes many endangered species from six continents.
Lyric Theatre
The Lyric is one of the last theaters still in existence that was created to maximize acoustics and close seating for vaudeville shows. It hosts concerts, symphonies and community events.
Oak Mountain Park and Amphitheater
Oak Mountain hosts an array of outdoor activities including mountain biking, camping, hiking, and boat rentals. The amphitheater is the largest outdoor music venue in Alabama.
Pepper Place Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday morning, vendors from all over Birmingham gather at Pepper Place. The stands range from fresh flowers, food, handcrafted goods and more.
Railroad Park
This 19-acre green space adjacent to Regions Field is the perfect place to study or have a picnic. It hosts cultural events, concerts, and is surrounded by downtown Birmingham’s dining scene.
Red Mountain Park
Once the site of iron ore mining, Red Mountain Park hosts over 15 miles of trails, and two city overlooks. There’s also an off-leash dog park, zip lining, and three unique tree houses.
Regions Field and Birmingham Baron’s Baseball
Regions Field is home to the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Rotary Trail
This half mile trail spearheaded by the picturesque “Magic City” sign boasts skate parks and places to view the city and ends at The National Historic Landmark Sloss Furnaces.
Pizitz Food Hall
This modern food hall serves global bites along with the classics. It has been publicly recognized in Garden & Gun, The New York Times, Food & Wine, and more.
Sidewalk Film Festival
The annual film festival showcases over 250 filmmakers and welcomes 15,000 film lovers to Birmingham to see their independent films every August.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Once the largest manufacturer of pig iron in the world, Sloss Furnaces has been turned into a unique museum and event center.
TopGolf
Competitive and exciting golf games for a few friends or a group of friends. Play a round of golf on a hitting bay while enjoying food and drinks.
Vulcan Park and Museum and Kiwanis Centennial Park
Vulcan Park and Museum is the home of Vulcan, the world’s largest cast iron statue. The park boasts some of the best views of downtown Birmingham.
“Birmingham is a fun city where you never run out of things to do...
...Even in the midst of COVID-19, there were plenty of things to do outdoors, like hiking at numerous parks. Birmingham is the perfect mix of a city feel, but not too big to where it’s overwhelming. My favorite thing is visiting the many local restaurants that all have a specific niche.”
Tyler E. Yarbrough
More Local Resources
In addition to offering outstanding opportunities for networking, internships and externships, and job placement, the “Magic City” offers a rich history and a variety of activities to engage in during your time in law school. These external resources provide a wealth of information on our vibrant city.
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Birmingham Business Alliance
The Birmingham Business Alliance promotes economic growth in Birmingham, Jefferson County and throughout the seven-county metropolitan area. Their OnBoard Birmingham platform is a one-stop resource for information about available jobs and living and working in Birmingham.
Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitor Bureau
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitor Bureau promotes Birmingham’s tourism industry. Their website provides extensive information on activities, dining and nightlife, outdoor adventures, attractions and more.
Conde Nast Traveler Top 22 Places to Go in 2022
In December 2021, Conde Nast Traveler listed Birmingham, Alabama, as one of the top 22 places to visit in 2022.
Birmingham Bar Association
The Birmingham Bar Association is one of the oldest local bar associations in the United States. The organization supports its members in their practices, promotes justice and encourages public service, while allowing opportunities for students to engage during law school.
Magic City Bar Association
The Magic City Bar Association promotes and facilitates the professional advancement of minority attorneys and provides a forum for discussing and addressing a wide variety of community issues and concerns.
Travel + Leisure’s Top 50 Places to Visit in 2021
Travel + Leisure published the 50 best places to travel to in 2021. Birmingham, Alabama, came in at #5.
Vogue’s Birmingham Weekend Guide
This Birmingham weekend guide by Vogue highlights how to best spend a weekend in the Magic City.
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