LIVING IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Located just two hours southwest of Washington, D.C., and featuring a metropolitan population of more than 235,000, Charlottesville has attracted national accolades for its ideal marriage of urban amenities and a gorgeous natural setting. In 2017, Charlottesville ranked as the No. 3 happiest city in America, according to National Geographic.
NO.5 Healthiest, Happiest
City in the United States
—GALLUP-HEALTHWAYS STATE OF AMERICAN WELL-BEING 2016 COMMUNITY RANKINGS
NO.1 Best Climate on
the East Coast
—AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE CLIMATOLOGISTS
SCOTT STADIUM
NO.6 Top 10 Cities
JOHN PAUL JONES ARENA
That Have It All
—ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT TV
NO.7 Best Place
to Raise a Family
—READER’S DIGEST
In 2007 the National Trust for Preservation named the area as a “Dozen Distinctive Destination� for its emphasis on historic preservation alongside modern development. The University of Virginia is the only university in the United States to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
WITH MORE THAN 22,000 STUDENTS and 3,000 faculty members, the University of Virginia maintains the best traditions of the past, yet is boldly oriented toward the future. The University is proud to be recognized as a major research institution with an uncommonly strong commitment to teaching. It also maintains a strong tradition of student self-governance. Forever marked by the vision and foresight of Thomas Jefferson, the architectural heritage confers a sense of place, and Jefferson’s original buildings — including the Rotunda and Academical Village — are still in use.
THE UNIVERSITY
The Law School and its faculty cultivate relationships with several University institutes, centers and schools — including the Miller Center of Public Affairs, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy — allowing opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship and event programming. Law students also benefit from a strong relationship with the University; up to 12
credits from other departments may count toward the J.D. degree. Outside of the classroom and school events, law students and faculty socialize and dine with community members on the Corner, a University gathering place since the 1800s, comprising restaurants, shops and night spots. Law students also have the opportunity to live on the Range, graduate housing just off the University Lawn.
FACULTY LIFE THE FACULTY represents an exceptional diversity of interests and includes leading scholars and acknowledged experts in all aspects of public and private law. Reflecting the Law School’s emphasis on the IN ANY GIVEN YEAR the Law School interdisciplinary study of law, a includes about 80 number of faculty also hold resident full-time faculty members, doctoral degrees in a variety of about 15 faculty who related fields, including teach a course at the Law School but who economics, history, philosophy, focus on disciplines other than law, several psychology and medicine. visiting professors, The faculty is enriched each and more than 100 lecturers, adjuncts or year by visitors from other leading part-time instructors. law schools here and abroad, as well as by new regular faculty appointees at both junior and senior levels. This infusion of new teaching and scholarly talents adds freshness and vitality to the Law School community.
Beyond the Law Grounds, faculty members are engaged by law firms, corporations and government agencies as consultants. They share their expertise with U.S. congressional panels debating proposed federal laws, with foreign governments drafting new constitutions and with federal judges trying to understand developments at the forefront of the law. They engage generously in pro bono work, and are active in the local community, in professional organizations and in service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Faculty at Virginia care about teaching and keep their doors open to students. They help them organize conferences, advise on research and careers, and help create a community outside of class.
“Being a scholar can be a very solitary experience, but that is not the case at UVA Law School. Every time I present a paper to my colleagues, I am overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, their generosity and their engagement. They offer me constructive criticism from every possible angle and improve my work immeasurably. Perhaps more important, they make the scholarly process a communal, rather than an individual, one. I feel privileged to be part of such a vibrant and supportive intellectual community.” —DEAN RISA GOLUBOFF
SUPPORTING SCHOLARSHIP Virginia is known for its collegial atmosphere and hallway conversations. Faculty members feel comfortable sharing working papers and seeking feedback from their colleagues. Each junior faculty member has a senior faculty sponsor, who offers guidance and support. Opportunities to share scholarly ideas at an early stage include incubator lunches, in which small gatherings of faculty participate. The Law School also hosts weekly faculty workshops and interdisciplinary workshops in economics, legal history and legal theory with leading professors from Virginia and across the country. The Intellectual Life Fund provides faculty with resources to fund colloquia, speakers and conferences.
BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY Virginia upholds Thomas Jefferson’s conviction that lawyers have a special obligation to serve the public interest. In addition to the many national pro bono opportunities faculty and students explore, the school has strong ties to local legal aid organizations, such as Charlottesville’s nationally recognized Legal Aid Justice Center. The Law School has also partnered with Richmond-based law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth to offer pro bono services to indigent clients in the areas of immigration/asylum and family law. Faculty members are encouraged to volunteer, and many work alongside students in joint efforts at legal reform or legal aid. Opportunities to volunteer in regional community service organizations are plentiful.
STUDENT LIFE VIRGINIA VALUES its reputation as a school that produces graduates who are skilled in law and balanced in life. Law students learn in an environment that fosters cooperative problemsolving and teamwork, building skills every lawyer needs. Students enjoy their time here, growing intellectually and personally, and at graduation join the thousands of successful alumni who recall their law school years with warmth and enthusiasm. Virginia is enriched by the scope of student organizations, extracurricular activities and the community spirit that permeates student life. Opportunities include 10 student-run academic journals, 62 interest-centered organizations, student governance and a vibrant range of social
and athletic activities. In addition, the University and local community are both large enough to offer something to meet anyone’s interests and small enough to make active participation compatible with a student’s rigorous academic schedule. At Virginia, legal studies take place in what is perhaps the most appealing physical environment found at any law school in the country. The David A. Harrison III Law Grounds feature classrooms, seminar rooms, moot courtrooms, a spacious library with a three-story reading room, new dining facilities, attractive offices for student organizations and numerous student lounges.
THE CITY
COMBINING THE BEST OF CITY LIFE with the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is both cosmopolitan and unhurried. As the picturesque and thriving metropolitan center for more than 235,000 residents, Charlottesville has kept its small-town feel. Local restaurants have been featured in publications such as Gourmet magazine and The New York Times, and an impressive array of local wineries offers award-winning vintages. The city’s proximity to Washington, D.C., as well as its reputation as one of the nation’s best places to live, has brought a global cultural infusion to Charlottesville in recent years. Scholars and students seeking a community in which they can relax, find plentiful entertainment, and appreciate abundant natural beauty to balance the intense rigors of law teaching and learning will find a home in Charlottesville. FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.charlottesville.org
“Charlottesville combines the friendliness and convenience of a small town with the cultural attractions and stimulation of a big city. Add its beauty and historical significance, and it’s hard to think of a better place in America to live.” —PROFESSOR GEORGE YIN
IN 2013, Time magazine ranked Charlottesville the No. 4 best small city for working women. IN 2016, Entrepreneurial Magazine ranked the city No. 4 for Entrepreneurship. THE UNIVERSITY’S human resources department helps spouses and partners of new faculty, or faculty who anticipate working for UVA, find jobs. Students receive support from student organizations such as Virginia Law Families, which provide networking opportunities and serve as an information resource.
NURTURING AS A $2.7 BILLION A YEAR BUSINESS, the University is the area’s top employer, with more than 16,700 faculty and staff in the areas of information technology, engineering, research and development, business, finance, administration, public relations, athletics and facilities management. UVA encompasses a vast complex of schools, a level-one trauma center and teaching hospital and research facilities, as well as arts and athletic venues. Several companies in the Charlottesville area do business nationwide. Major employers include Crutchfield Corp., LexisNexis, S&P Global Market Intelligence, State Farm Insurance, Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, Martha Jefferson Hospital and the federal government, including the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center and related contractors. Hotspots for professional employment include the UVA research parks on Fontaine Avenue and U.S. 29. The area has experienced job growth in the finance and biotechnology sectors as well.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Residents seeking to build on their skills or take courses for personal growth enjoy access to some of the best educational facilities in the nation. The University of Virginia offers several continuing education courses in areas as varied as biology, nonprofit management and gardening in the style of Thomas Jefferson. Residents can apply to be UVA Community Scholars and audit courses in which undergraduate or graduate students are enrolled. University employees receive generous educational benefits that can be applied to numerous training opportunities or tuition. Those considering an advanced degree can choose from UVA’s 10 graduate schools, featuring more than 90 graduate degrees and 50 doctoral degrees. Other area schools, such as Piedmont Virginia Community College and Mary Baldwin College, offer programs designed for working adults, including night classes.
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER was ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia in the 2017-18 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
CAREERS
HEALTH CARE
VOLUNTEER WORK Charlottesville offers many options for residents who want to volunteer, from social services organizations UVA’S MEDICAL CENTER is consistently such as Habitat for Humanity and United Way, to ranked among the nation’s top hospitals. The locally targeted groups like the Shelter for Help in University of Virginia Health Sciences Center has Emergency (offering services for victims of domestic four components: patient care, schools of medicine violence) and ReadyKids. Volunteers are also needed and nursing, and a health science library. for local English as a second language programs, Patient care is provided through an integrated Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the Arc of network of primary and specialty care, ranging from the Piedmont, which provides services to those with wellness programs to the most technologically mental and physical disabilities. Pro bono advanced care. The Health System includes a 612-bed opportunities are available through the Legal Aid hospital, a level-one trauma center and outpatient Justice Center, the International Rescue Committee, the Nature Conservancy, the Southern Environmental clinics throughout Charlottesville and neighboring counties. Law Center, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Unaffiliated with the UVA Health System, Sentara Protection of Free Expression, and the Virginia Capital Martha Jefferson Hospital provides full medical and Representation Resource Center, among others. emergency care with 176 beds. With two major campuses, the not-for-profit community hospital has FOR A FULL LIST OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: www.law.virginia.edu/cville more than 365 affiliated physicians.
SCHOOLS CHARLOTTESVILLE IS A COMMUNITY inherently interested in education and the welfare of children. Parents can choose from top-rated public school systems or from a wide variety of private schools and preschools with diverse curricula.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Charlottesville-Albemarle region has some of the best public schools in the state, with graduates continuing their education at Ivy League and top public and private universities. Average SAT scores at local public schools rank higher than state and national averages. Charlottesville and Albemarle schools also feature AP classes and a diverse curriculum, with courses ranging from Japanese and AP sta-
tistics to art history. More than 63 percent of teachers hold advanced degrees. Dual enrollment agreements with the University of Virginia and Piedmont Virginia Community College allow students to enroll in college courses for credit.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS The region offers several notable private schools, including St.
Anne’s-Belfield School, Covenant School, Tandem Friends School, Charlottesville Catholic School, Free Union Country School, Peabody School and several Montessori schools. Charlottesville boasts more than 40 preschool and daycare options, including those affliated with the University and reserved for students and employees.
FAST FACTS: PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALBEMARLE COUNTY 13,910 students 15 elementary schools 5 middle schools 3 high schools 1 charter high school 1 charter middle school 3 STEM/STEM-H Academies 1 Engineering Lab School (partnership between Albemarle County, Charlottesville and UVA)
CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE 4,313 students 6 elementary schools (preschool-4) 1 upper elementary school (grades 5-6) 1 middle school (grades 7-8) 1 high school (grades 9-12)
AND FAMILY FOR MORE INFORMATION: law.virginia.edu/cville charlottesvillefamily.com
IN ADDITION TO RENOWNED SCHOOLS, the Charlottesville area offers a veritable playground for families: parks, museums, orchards, mountains, natural areas for hiking and outdoor recreation, opportunities to get involved in theater and sports leagues, as well as access to one of the best libraries in the country at the University of Virginia. Options for outings at the beach, the state capital and Washington, D.C., are all within a three-hour drive. During the summer, children may attend an assortment of camps in the area and at the University of Virginia designed to promote intellectual curiosity and a healthy lifestyle. The Law School also hosts fall and spring picnics that bring families and friends together.
DINING AND
CHARLOTTESVILLE’S DIVERSE culinary treasures appeal to residents seeking gourmet experiences, ethnic variety or a family-friendly atmosphere. Upscale dining choices include American- and French-themed restaurants Petit Pois, C&O, and Commonwealth Restaurant and Skybar, among others. More exotic ethnic food choices include Spanish, South African, Caribbean and Ethiopian food, along with the area’s numerous authentic Italian, Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese), Indian and Mexican restaurants. The city boasts a number of fine dessert specialty shops — Chandler’s Bakery, Hotcakes, Gearhart’s Chocolates, Splendora’s Gelato and SweetHaus have avid followings.
OUTINGS
“C’ville is the center of the country’s fastest-rising wine region, a place that marries Californian expressiveness with old-world finesse, subtlety and charm.” —PROFESSOR DAN ORTIZ
“You can hop in your car after a morning class and make it to D.C. by lunch. You can go to D.C. in the middle of the week for an interview, game or concert, and make it back before class the next day. If you don’t drive, the train takes about the same amount of time.” —CHARIS REDMOND ’17
COMPELLING EXCURSIONS Charlottesville’s location in Central Virginia offers an abundance of options for day trips and longer excursions. Minutes away from town, residents can explore the homes of James Monroe, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, as well as other historic landmarks. Touring the area’s numerous wineries is another favorite weekend outing. Day trips to Washington, D.C., and Virginia’s major cities yield a variety of museums, cultural offerings and shopping options. Families enjoy being close to Virginia Beach, Jamestown and Williamsburg, the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Luray Caverns and Natural Bridge, and the Kings Dominion and Water Country USA theme parks. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, including Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke, is another popular short vacation getaway just five hours by car. Residents also have easy commuter access to New York City and other major metropolitan areas through the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport and Amtrak. Closer to home, Skyline Drive, the Appalachian Trail, the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Parkway are all within 45 minutes of town.
“The center of the action is the brick-paved historic Downtown Mall, aka Main Street, where antique books and furnishings, sophisticated restaurants and galleries, and oldschool bars and soda fountains nourish the stomach and the soul.” —JENNIFER TUNG, THE NEW YORK TIMES
LAW SCHOOL FAVORITES Fleurie fine French cuisine Aromas Greek and Middle Eastern fare Bang! Asian Fusion tapas The Flat French crêperie Ten Japanese food hotspot The Local gourmet American dishes Himalayan Fusion Indian and Tibetan dishes Tavola local, seasonal Italian cuisine The Alley Light French shared plates and craft cocktails Bodo’s Bagels familyfriendly fast food Mas Spanish tapas
RECENT ARTISTS Cirque du Soleil Beck Ariana Grande Fun. Wilco Lady Gaga Jay Z with T.I. Muse Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello Justin Timberlake Bruce Springsteen Paul McCartney Carrie Underwood Pharrell Williams Blue Man Group Taylor Swift STEPHEN COLBERT, far right, delivered the keynote address at UVA’s Valedictory Exercises in 2013. Renovated in 2000, SCOTT STADIUM holds more than 60,000 fans and occasionally features stadium concerts. The 16,000-seat JOHN PAUL JONES ARENA, home to University basketball games, concerts and other performances, was named Pollstar’s Best New Major Concert Venue of 2006.
THE HOMETOWN
of the Dave Matthews Band, Charlottesville has several theaters, nightclubs and music venues that create a thriving
CULTURE
entertainment scene. Yo-Yo Ma, Savion Glover, the Miami City Ballet and Pilobolus are just a few of the acts that have performed at the Paramount Theater, a restored 1931 venue that reopened in
2004. The Sprint Pavilion, located at the end of the bricked, pedestrian Downtown Mall and the site of free concerts on Friday evenings, recently showcased Loretta Lynn, Wilco, The Flaming Lips and
Arcade Fire. In 2006 the University opened the town’s largest venue yet, the 16,000-seat John Paul Jones Arena, where basketball games and live acts such as Cirque du Soleil and The Eagles
have played. The University’s football stadium also occasionally hosts stadium shows, including U2 and the Rolling Stones. The region has a number of smaller venues that feature more intimate per-
formances and avant garde fare, including the Live Arts Theater, the University of Virginia Drama and Music departments, Piedmont Virginia Community College and the American Shakespeare
“The John Paul Jones Arena, as well as the Jefferson Theater, have excellent concert selections. They are both convenient venues — walking distance from most law school apartments — and they draw big names like Eric Church.” —HANNAH DUNHAM ’17
AND THE ARTS
Center at Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only re-creation of William Shakespeare’s original indoor theater. Charlottesville is home to several art galleries that feature internationally
recognized artists as well as local upcoming talent. On the “First Friday” of every month, area galleries reveal their latest shows to the community. The event brings art lovers, students
and professors together with featured artists over hors d’oeuvres and wine. While there are several dedicated galleries, it’s also hard to miss the many small shows on the walls of local coffee shops
and restaurants. Each fall the University hosts the nationally acclaimed Virginia Film Festival, which in the past has attracted Spike Lee, Roger Ebert, Anthony Hopkins, Liev Schreiber and
Sandra Bullock. In the spring the Virginia Festival of the Book gathers the nation’s literary luminaries and draws more than 20,000 book lovers. Recently featured authors include John Grisham,
Dahlia Lithwick, Rita Dove, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci and Linda Fairstein (both Law School alums).
VIRGINIA’S strong overall sports program is recognized nationally — UVA is one of 12 schools to rank in the top 30 of the final Directors’ Cup standings in each of the program’s 23 years of existence.
RECREATION
THE AREA IS HOME to some of the best camping and hiking sites in the nation, including
portions of the Appalachian Trail. In addition to an extensive park and hiking trail system in Charlottesville and Albemarle, nearby national parks include the
George Washington National Forest and the Shenandoah National Park. Regional rivers and lakes offer ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and
tubing. The Blue Ridge Mountains showcase an annual burst of color in fall and majestic views from many area roads and trails at all times of the year. Ski enthusiasts
enjoy the slopes at Wintergreen Resort, just 45 minutes from town, as well as Massanutten Resort in nearby Harrisonburg. Neighboring West Virginia offers the
“I really enjoy working out at the gym to de-stress and recalibrate myself. Aside from that, I love visiting the wineries and breweries in and around Charlottesville. Some of my favorite activities over the years include goat-cuddling at Caromont Farms, apple-picking at Carter Mountain and hiking Humpback Rock.” —CHRISTINE SUN ’17
AND SPORTS
Snowshoe and Canaan Valley resorts, including White Grass, known for its cross-country skiing. Indoor recreation is also available through the
University’s four IntramuralRecreational Sports facilities, which include an Olympicsized pool, indoor basketball courts and running tracks and multipurpose
rooms for aerobics, yoga, dance, racquetball and martial arts. Children and teenagers benefit from the area’s many sports leagues, including
soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming, lacrosse and football. Sports fans enjoy access to Atlantic Coast Conference games in some of the nation’s best sports
venues. Central Virginia is also known as a hotspot for horse lovers. Each spring and fall the Foxfield Races entertains residents and students with a day
of steeplechase racing in Western Albemarle County.
KEY RESOURCES MLS listings of area homes for sale can be searched by price, home size and region at www.caar.com. MORE INFORMATION on rental and student housing, both on- and off-Grounds: law.virginia.edu/ housing
MAKING A HOME THE CHARLOTTESVILLE area features historic and modern homes and apartments in both urban and rural environments. Many faculty and students enjoy living downtown, close to the amenities that are within walking distance of some of the area’s most distinguished homes. Others enjoy scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, starting just minutes from the Law School,
among suburbs, horse farms and smaller communities. Popular suburban areas include Ivy and Crozet to the west, Earlysville to the north, and Ashcroft and Still Meadow to the east. Options for downtown living range from large classic homes on Park and Locust Streets to chic lofts over the Downtown Mall or newly refurbished
houses throughout nearby neighborhoods. Downtown dwellers have easy access to some of the region’s finest restaurants and shopping, while living just minutes from the Law School. Students typically live close to the Law School in apartment complexes or in graduate student housing.
SHOPPING
CHARLOTTESVILLE HOSTS an eclectic mix of specialty shops and chain stores. The Downtown Mall, a pedestrian mall, offers a vast assortment of unique shops, fashion boutiques, variety stores, concert and theater venues, restaurants and entertainment, including a dine-in cinema. Residents enjoy the fresh foods and produce at the Saturday morning City Market downtown, as well as the food and wine shops of the nearby Main Street Market, which offer fine cheeses, meats and gourmet items. A short walk from the Law School, Barracks Road Shopping Center contains an exceptional collection of more than 80 shops, including chains such as Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble and Chipotle, as well as specialty shops like Oil and Vinegar, Madewell and Origins. Just a few miles from the Law School, a new shopping center, 5th Street Station, features Wegman’s and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. A new destination for upscale shopping and dining is The Shops at Stonefield, which includes an IMAX movie theater.
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