Established in 1891 as Madras Law College, later, in 1990, Govt. of Tamil Nadu renamed the college as Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in commemoration of the birth centenary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

At present, the college is affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai was formerly affiliated with the University of Madras.

The law college acquired a hostel of its own in 1959. The college celebrated its Platinum Jubilee in 1968. In 1991 the college completed 100 years. In 1999 the Building Centenary was celebrated. In the early seventies, the Law College was upgraded as a Post Graduate Institution with the introduction of M.L. Courses.

From 1973-74 the Tamil Language has also been made as a medium of instruction in Law as part of a Government Policy to introduce Tamil as Official Language at all levels in the State.

The college offers 5 years Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Law, 3 years Bachelor of Law and also offers two postgraduate courses in Masters of Law.