Washington and Lee University School of Law: Ranking, Programs, and Reputation
The Washington and Lee University School of Law (W&L Law), located in Lexington, Virginia, is a private law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). As one of the smallest top-ranked law schools in the country, W&L Law offers a unique and intimate learning environment. This article delves into the rankings, programs, facilities, and overall reputation of this esteemed institution.
Historical Overview
The Lexington Law School, W&L Law's precursor, was established in 1849 by United States federal judge John White Brockenbrough, making it the 16th oldest active law school in the United States and the third-oldest in Virginia. Following the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, then president of Washington College, integrated the law school into the university in 1866, naming Judge Brockenbrough as the first dean.
In 1870, after Lee's death, the School of Law and Equity was renamed the Washington and Lee University School of Law. Significant milestones in the school's history include the establishment of the Washington and Lee Law Review in 1939, the admission of its first female students in 1972, and the opening of its current home, Sydney Lewis Hall, in 1977. In 2008, a new third-year program was announced, which became compulsory in 2011, emphasizing practice, professionalism, and service.
Campus and Facilities
W&L Law is situated on the historic campus of Washington and Lee University, with its primary facilities housed in Sydney Lewis Hall. This building was constructed in 1977, thanks to a generous $9 million donation from Sydney Lewis, the founder of Best Products, and his wife Frances. Sydney Lewis Hall houses classrooms, faculty offices, and essential legal spaces, including the 150-seat Millhiser Moot Courtroom, the Roger D. Groot Jury Room, and the Robert E. Stroud Judge's Chambers.
The Wilbur C. Hall Law Library, spanning 58,155 square feet, is a cornerstone of Sydney Lewis Hall. As a Government Federal Depository Library, it boasts an extensive collection of over 492,000 volumes, a rare book room, an audio-visual center, and a separate library for faculty. Notably, the library provides each student with a personally designated work and storage space.
Read also: Get Your Boater Card
In 1992, the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Wing was added to Sydney Lewis Hall to preserve the professional and personal papers of United States Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr., a distinguished W&L alumnus. This wing also houses other manuscript collections, rare books, and archives of the law school.
Rankings and Recognition
Washington and Lee University School of Law has consistently maintained a strong reputation as one of the premier law schools in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked the University above the top 50 law schools, reflecting its commitment to excellence. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked W&L Law as the 34th best law school in the country.
Other publications have also recognized W&L Law's strengths. Above the Law ranked the school 22nd nationally in its 2019 Top 50 Law Schools rankings. The National Jurist ranked W&L Law as the 18th best law school for library facilities.
Brian Leiter ranked W&L Law's endowment-per-student as 14th in the country, at $214,000 per student, when adjusted for cost-of-living. In 2017, Above the Law ranked W&L Law 4th nationally in their rankings for the top-rated law schools when measuring alumni satisfaction. National Jurist ranked W&L Law 15th in its list of best law schools for standard of living and 5th best value private law school in 2016.
Admissions
W&L Law is considered a competitive law school with a selective admissions process. The school's relatively small size contributes to its intimate learning environment but also means that securing admission can be challenging. For the class of 2023, the acceptance rate was approximately 49%, with 907 students being offered admission out of 1,867 applicants.
Read also: Academics at UW Bothell
Successful applicants typically present strong academic credentials, including high LSAT scores and GPAs. The median GPA for the class of 2023 was 3.41, while the median LSAT score was 160. While these figures are competitive, prospective students should note that admission decisions are based on a holistic review of each applicant's qualifications.
To apply to W&L Law, candidates must submit their applications electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). There is no application fee. Applicants should register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and submit LSAT score records to LSAC. The deadline for early decision applications is December 1, with notifications sent no later than December 15. Applicants with complete admission files by March 1 will receive a final decision no later than March 31.
Curriculum and Programs
The Washington and Lee University School of Law offers a comprehensive Juris Doctor (JD) program. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in legal theory and practice, preparing them for successful careers in various legal fields.
In the 1L year, students take required foundational courses in contract law, tort law, civil procedure, criminal law, property law, professional responsibility, administrative law, and international law. Additionally, each student is assigned a small section in which one substantive required course also serves as a legal writing course. This small section consists of approximately 20 students.
In the 2L year, students focus on advanced coursework. W&L requires evidence law and constitutional law in the second-year as well as the completion of an upper-level writing requirement. The writing requirement can be satisfied through a seminar course, through an independent writing project, or a note in one of the law journals. All other courses in the 2L year are electives and commonly include corporate law and tax law as well as many other classes and seminars.
Read also: Explore Husky Stadium's past
A distinctive feature of W&L Law is its innovative third-year program, which began in the fall of 2010. This program replaced further elective advanced coursework based on the casebook method as is the norm in most ABA law schools. Instead, the program is meant to simulate client experiences. The Fall semester begins with an immersion course. Students are allowed to choose one of two courses for the two-week immersion. Immersion focuses on either litigation and alternative dispute resolution or transactional practice. Each student is then enrolled in practicum courses of their choosing. These courses cover substantive and advanced law but do so through practical methods of drafting paperwork and problem-solving rather than casebooks and the socratic method. Students are also required to take a course in the legal profession as well as a law-related service requirement. Finally, each student is required to be involved in one of W&L's legal clinics, externship programs, or transnational programs to gain real-client experience.
W&L Law is home to centers like the Transnational Law Institute, Frances Lewis Law Center, and the Center for Law and History. The John W. The Robert J. Grey Jr. Martin P.
The Honor System
The Honor System has been run by the student body since 1905 and is derived from Robert E. Lee during his tenure as President of the University. Any student found guilty of an Honor Violation by his or her peers is subject to a single penalty: expulsion. The Honor System is defined and administered solely by students, and there is no higher review. A formal review, occasionally including referendums, is held every three years to refine the tenets of the Honor System. Students continue to support the Honor System and its single penalty overwhelmingly, and alumni regularly point to the Honor System as one of the distinctive marks they carry with them from their W&L experience.
W&L Law students enjoy several distinct benefits from the Honor System. These include more freedom in exam taking as well as an informal account system at the Brief Stop cafeteria in Sydney Lewis Hall.
Career Prospects and Employment
Attending a top-ranked law school like Washington and Lee University School of Law requires a significant financial commitment. However, the investment can pay off in the form of promising career prospects and high earning potential. The Washington and Lee University School of Law class of 2018 had an impressive employment rate of 83%. Forty-five percent of the law students secured employment in law firms, while 16% started working for business institutions. Fourteen percent of the W&L Law's 2018 graduates got government jobs. Seven percent work in the public interest sector.
Most graduates (30%) sought employment in Virginia while 8% work in New York, and a further 7% work in the District of Columbia. The median starting salary for JD graduates entering private law firms is $170,000. JD graduates pursuing public sector legal careers start at approximately $60,000. Additionally, 14.2% of graduates obtain prestigious judicial clerkships, and 9.9% pursue public interest law careers.
Student Life and Culture
Washington and Lee University School of Law is known for its close-knit community and supportive environment. The school's small size fosters strong relationships between students, faculty, and administrators. Students appreciate the accessibility of professors and the personalized attention they receive.
The student body is not very diverse, but âthe administration is consciously making an effort to bring in students from all backgrounds.â The city of Lexington is âa very slow moving place with not a lot to do other than study,â although âit's close enough to Roanoke and Richmondâ if students desire something only a âreal cityâ can provide.
Notable Alumni
Some of the notable alumni of Washington and Lee University School of Law include Newton D. Baker, John W. Davis, Robert J. Grey Jr., Martin P. John W. Charles A. Homer A. Holt, Donald W. Jeffrey P. Minear, David F. Leander J. Shaw Jr., Rodney A. Smolla, Henry St. George Tucker, William R. H. Emory Widener Jr.
tags: #washington #and #lee #university #school #of
