FALL 2021 ENTERING CLASS
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
For more than 150 years, GW Law has set the standard for legal education.
contents 2 A Message from the Dean 4 Welcome to GW Law 6 A Glimpse Inside the Lives of Three GW Law Students 26 The Study of Law 28 1L Curriculum 30 Fundamentals of Lawyering 32 The Inns of Court Community 34 Transferring to GW Law 36 Study Abroad 38 GW in New York 40 Upperlevel Curriculum
42 Our Faculty 46 Practical Experience 60 Extracurricular Opportunities 66 Launching Your Career 70 Life in the Nation’s Capital 80 Additional Information 84 Practical Considerations
" One of the many reasons I was thrilled to join GW Law as the first woman dean is that this is a community of vibrant, intentional change. People see problems, and they solve them.“ DEAN DAYNA BOWEN MATTHEW 2 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
A Message from the Dean
Congratulations on earning a seat in GW Law’s 2021 entering class. GW has been at the center of the law for more than 155 years, educating generations of our nation’s top attorneys. Founded in 1865 at the close of the Civil War, our law school opened its doors during a time of great upheaval and division in our country. This history inspires us to position GW Law students so that they are uniquely ready to serve and to lead immediately upon graduation. We offer a curriculum that not only equips students to practice from day one, but our faculty seeks to inspire you to engage, as they do, in helping to solve the most intractable problems of our day. One of the many reasons I was thrilled to join GW Law as the first woman dean is that this is a community of vibrant, intentional change. People see problems, and they solve them. I came to GW to engage with faculty who are preeminent scholars and skilled classroom teachers but who also have influence and impact outside the legal academy. Our professors are thought leaders who will similarly help you harness and launch your passion to make a positive difference in the world. GW Law offers an experience that is distinctive among American law schools. Thanks to our privileged location in the heart of the nation’s capital, top government officials, world and industry leaders, Supreme Court justices, and other key Washington figures frequently visit our classrooms and speak at special events at our law school. In the past decade, five Supreme Court justices have presided over the finals of GW Law’s flagship advocacy contest, and we are the only law school where a sitting U.S. Supreme Court justice teaches a regular, weekly course, which is now in its 10th year. We recently rolled out the most significant reform of our first-year curriculum in a generation to reflect the changing practice of law. Innovations include our signature, yearlong Fundamentals of Lawyering course, which focuses on the essential lawyering skills that employers have told us they value most, and our new Legislation and Regulation course, which provides our students with a uniquely Washington perspective on the practice of law. Pursuing your degree at GW Law will place you in an elite community of more than 31,000 alumni worldwide. GW Law counts among its graduates prime ministers and chief justices, leaders of human rights NGOs, CEOs of multinationals, prosecutors, and internationally recognized private attorneys, to name a few. Our students aspire to change the world, and they graduate as impactful professionals with the tools to excel in the global legal marketplace. Welcome to the GW Law family. I look forward to making history together. Sincerely,
Dayna Bowen Matthew Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law
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WELCOME TO GW LAW
Welcome to a Long Tradition of Excellence
GW Law students benefit from the opportunity to participate in meaningful ways with the city around them. Our students hold semester-long externships at the World Bank, which is across the street, and at major entities such as the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, which are within walking distance of campus. They can ride the Metro to the Supreme Court to hear oral arguments, then return to campus in time for classes. At GW Law, students are at the center of the exciting, diverse city that is Washington, D.C. A cultural hub. An intellectual hub. The center of all major legal and policy activity in the nation. A vibrant, invigorating place to study the law. 4 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Exceptional Legal Education • A faculty of distinguished teachers and scholars, as well as adjuncts who are top lawyers at law firms, at government agencies, and on Capitol Hill • A vast curriculum offering more than 275 elective courses • A collaborative and collegial community • The only law school where a sitting U.S. Supreme Court justice teaches a regular, weekly course
Ideal Location for the Study of Law • In the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., the legal hub of the nation • Campus bordered by the White House, U.S. Department of State, and World Bank
Hands-On Learning • Well-established clinical programs that offer students the chance to do real-life legal work with real-life impact • The most robust externship program in the country, with nearly 500 students participating in approved placements each year and receiving both academic credit and practical legal training
Unparalleled Professional Opportunities • Internship and employment opportunities with international and national law firms, in government agencies, and on Capitol Hill • A Career Center committed to providing one-on-one counseling, nearly 100 public interest fellowships each summer, and mentorships with leading practitioners • Clerkship opportunities with federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court GW hosted a conversation between the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Lui in September 2018. A frequent GW visitor, Justice Ginsburg mentored several GW Law faculty members who served as her law clerks.
An Active Alumni Network • More than 31,000 alumni in every major city throughout the world • Active mentoring relationships between current students and alumni practitioners
View the entire conversation on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gwlawdc
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A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE LIVES OF THREE GW LAW STUDENTS
Life & Law at GW
At GW Law, our students find the tools and support to structure a meaningful legal education tailored to their interests. Because the practice of law is not one-size-fits-all, neither is the GW Law experience. We encourage our students to pursue a legal education that honors their interests and goals. The diversity of experiences we offer, along with exposure to the vibrant cultural and professional world of D.C., enriches the academic lives of our students. Take a closer look at the journeys of three students and see what we mean.
Marrisa Rose 3L
HIGHLIGHTS Undergrad: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Focus area: Litigation and dispute resolution Earned Dean’s Recognition for Professional Development through Foundations of Practice program
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HIGHLIGHTS Undergrad: University of Miami Focused on public policy involving telecommunications Has a background in regulatory work, telecommunications, and media relations
Travis Stoller 3L
Samantha Block 2L
HIGHLIGHTS Undergrad: University of Florida Focus area: Criminal law, white collar crime, and litigation Holds a master’s degree in international business
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“I had visited the law firms where I applied for summer internships during networking receptions, so I wasn’t unknown to them. When you’re in law school at GW, there are so many resources dangling in front of you.” MARRISA ROSE, 3L
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LIFE & LAW: MARRISA ROSE
Building Connections Marrisa Rose wanted to gain practical experience during law school. As a result, she has participated in a clinic and held internships during the summer and the school year. The key has been networking. As a 1L, Marrisa attended a networking event at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). A female attorney saw Marrisa’s enthusiasm for a coveted DOJ internship, gave her tips for the competitive application process, and took her résumé. That faceto-face encounter led to an interview and subsequent summer job for Marrisa. Her strong networking skills also have led her to internships at Troutman Sanders law firm and at the D.C. City Council.
ABOUT: MARRISA ROSE
Alternative Dispute Resolution Board Black Law Student Association
Student Ambassador
Dean’s Fellow
The George Washington International Law Review
Student Bar Association
Spanogle International Commercial Arbitration Competition Corporate and Business Law Society
Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic
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LIFE & LAW: MARRISA ROSE
Being a mentor is a big part of Marrisa’s law school life. Here, she has lunch with friends, including her mentee Jessica Tabibian, 2L.
With a Little Help From Her Friends Because Marrisa understands the importance of personal connections, she has found mentoring to be essential to her law school experience. As a 1L, she found a mentor through the Student Bar Association (SBA) who helped her navigate the adjustment to law school. That mentor became Marrisa’s best friend. As a 2L, Marrisa became Assistant Director of the SBA’s Mentoring Program, then Director. She’s built strong friendships with her own mentees as well. As a 3L, she serves as a Dean’s Fellow, a role in which she teaches her peers writing skills. She is also a Student Ambassador, interacting with prospective GW Law students. She calls that work her most rewarding activity. “I love staying in contact with prospective students, answering their emails, hearing that I made a difference in helping them choose GW Law.”
MY TYPICAL DAY: Wake up and start the day Head to classes. My favorite so far has been Corporations with Professor Lisa Fairfax Have lunch with friends on the patio outside Stockton Hall Head to the Clinics building to check emails from my Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic clients, work with my clinic professor to go through medical records, and hold phone conferences with clients
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Hold mentoring meetings with my 1L mentees Head to the Law Library to study, or lead tours as a Student Ambassador Either attend evening meetings for one of the student organizations I’ve joined, or head to yoga class Later, a little TV: I must watch my shows or I’ll go insane.
" Professor Lisa Fairfax is a fabulous teacher. She so clearly lays out the law and its applications. If she was teaching from the phone book, I’d sign up for her class,” says Marrisa.
“I was blown away during Preview Day by the faculty and students here. The sense of community was so strong and the people so friendly. Law school is stressful. You need a good group of people around you.” www.law.gwu.edu | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
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LIFE & LAW: MARRISA ROSE
Marrisa encourages fellow students to find time for wellness and relaxation. She participates in yoga classes two to three times per week during the school year.
“I value self-care and happiness, so coming to GW was a strategic choice. You want to choose a law school and a location where you can be happy.”
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Life in DC Living in D.C. comes with a variety of opportunities and surprises, Marrisa says. The ability to enjoy “such a dynamic city,” she says, is critical to well-being during law school. She points out the importance of events offered by the SBA such as Lawlloween, the SBA Halloween Party, and the Barrister’s Ball. “They remind you that you need to make time for breaks.” Marrisa stays very active on campus, with involvement in student organizations, a journal, and more: “I have a tendency to fall in love with everything I do, and then I have no time to sleep or eat!,” she laughs. But she also makes it a point to savor the opportunities that are abundant in D.C., enjoying everything from the Women’s March to the off-Broadway preview of “Mean Girls.” Her favorite off-campus activities include visiting the newly expanded D.C. waterfront with her boyfriend and taking yoga classes several times per week. As for surprises, well you never know who you’ll see in D.C. The day she moved into her apartment just before 1L, she walked down to the Wharf and noticed quite a commotion. There were several large, black SUVs and a growing crowd. “It turned out that former President Obama was having his birthday dinner at La Vie,” a restaurant on the Wharf. “I glimpsed Michelle Obama, and I cried. I did.” AFTER HOURS Metro: Penn Quarter China Chilcano, a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. “I was taken there once as a summer intern, and it was amazing. But within my means, I stick to Barcelona Wine Bar.” Walk: Clinics building and the new Commons area in the Jacob Burns Law Library: “They’re my secret study spaces.” Walk: The National Mall: “It’s so convenient to campus.”
Marrisa enjoys Saturday morning walks to the shops and markets of the D.C. wharf with her boyfriend.
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“ Law school has taught me the importance of having informational interviews to see what lawyers really do. That led me to narrow my focus and discover regulatory law.” TRAVIS STOLLER, 3L 14 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
LIFE & LAW: TRAVIS STOLLER
Finding His Path Through Exploration Travis Stoller didn’t begin to consider law school until he took a college course on freedom of speech. “That opened my eyes to the legal world,” he says. At GW Law, he has found his true path. Because of the law school's emphasis on self-assessment, career exploration, and networking, Travis has been encouraged to talk with a variety of practitioners about their day-to-day work in order to envision the career and life he wants to build. Through that process, he has narrowed his focus to regulatory work and worked with the Career Center to find summer jobs at the Federal Communications Commission and at the law firm of Wiley Rein, as well as an internship during 3L fall with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill.
ABOUT: TRAVIS STOLLER
George Washington Law Review Student Health Law Society Moot Court Competition
Sports and Entertainment Law Society
Writing Fellow
Negotiations Competition
GW Intermural Basketball League
1L summer: Federal Communications Commission
2L summer: Wiley Rein
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LIFE & LAW: TRAVIS STOLLER
MY TYPICAL DAY: Wake up, have breakfast, then make the 15-minute walk to class from my apartment near Dupont Circle
Study or have conferences with students as a Writing Fellow
Go to morning classes: I usually schedule them back-to-back
Head home to eat first, then to study
I have lunch on campus preferably outside, if it’s nice. There’s a Chipotle, a poke place a block away, and the Uptowner right here in the law school
Travis with Senior Associate Dean Emily Hammond
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Time for my final class of the day
Later, I’ll workout and just relax with a little TV. I came late to the Game of Thrones party, but I finally caught up. I also like The Americans. It takes place in D.C., and it’s cool to see the city while I’m living here.
“ I’ve always enjoyed helping people with their writing. Being a Writing Fellow is a great way to give back to 1Ls during their very challenging first year. I had a great writing fellow when I was a1L. That’s who I model myself after.”
Exploration through participation As he explores the opportunities at GW Law, Travis values his participation in 1L competitions, including the Negotiations competition and Moot Court Competition. He credits both with giving him the opportunity to improve his public speaking and oral advocacy skills. He also finds satisfaction by working as a Writing Fellow in the law school’s Writing Center. As a fellow, he assists 1Ls in the process of mastering legal research and writing. Being a Writing Fellow has been a great way to hone his own skills while paying it forward.
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LIFE & LAW: TRAVIS STOLLER
GW Law and D.C.: A Perfect Fit Travis was drawn to GW Law because of both its stellar reputation and its location. “I chose GW Law because of its large, accomplished faculty, including the adjunct faculty—they’re practicing attorneys who teach specialized courses,” he says. D.C. has been a good fit for Travis. He enjoys D.C.’s vibe and finds the ease of walking around the city to provide a great stress reliever. Exercising regularly, eating healthy, and cultivating strong friendships have helped him cope with the rigors of law school. AFTER HOURS Walk: Walk from campus to see the monuments at night Metro: Check out a concert at The Anthem on the D.C. Wharf Walk: Hop a ride to Nats Park for a baseball game. “I’m a Yankees fan, but I do go see the Nats a lot.” Uber: Visit one of the Smithsonian museums. “My favorites are the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum, and the new African American History and Culture Museum.”
“ I love D.C. It’s big without being too big, fast-moving but with a small-city feel. As a future lawyer, it’s great to live in a city that revolves around your future work.” During 3L fall, Travis is gaining investigatory experience as an intern on Capitol Hill. Here, he stands outside the O’Neill House Office Building.
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Travis with Professor Jonathan Siegel. “He’s all you could ask for in a law professor: straightforward, engaging. He’s great at helping you navigate your way forward.”
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“I ran for SBA senator at the beginning of 1L. Having people I had only known for a week help me campaign was phenomenal. Everyone here was so welcoming.” SAMANTHA BLOCK, 2L
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LIFE & LAW: SAMANTHA BLOCK
Enjoying a Wealth of Opportunities Samantha Block hit the ground running as she began her law school career, competing for a 1L senate seat in the Student Bar Association within the first few weeks. Sammy, as her friends call her, has continued to take advantage of all GW Law has to offer, participating in student organizations, pro bono work, moot court, mentorship opportunities, and internships. She came to law school with definite goals and an impressive array of experiences, including internships with a member of Parliament in England and with the Office of the First Lady at the White House.
ABOUT: SAMANTHA BLOCK
Moot Court Board
Inns of Court Program Coordinator
Alternative Dispute Resolution Board Student Bar Association Writing Fellow
Phi Alpha Delta
International Arbitration Student Association
President, Corporate & Business Law Society
Street Law
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LIFE & LAW: SAMANTHA BLOCK
MY TYPICAL DAY: Wake up and go for a run on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial
Attend organizational meetings for SBA or ADR Board
Go to class
Take Metro to the Library of Congress reading room to study
Have lunch with friends on campus Study in the Law Learning Center—I have a favorite table
A Stimulating Academic Life Although Sammy has sought out a variety of hands-on opportunities, she highlights her experiences in class and her interaction with the faculty. She finds that the diversity of experience among her classmates enriches the learning process. And she praises her professors for their accessibility and engagement with students and notes the depth of their accomplishments, which makes them invaluable networking assets. Above, she talks with Professor Edward Swaine. 22 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
“Our professors are so well connected. When you meet attorneys and Supreme Court justices and mention your professors’ names, they know them.”
Her Professional Path
As Inns of Court coordinator, Sammy meets regularly with Inns Co-Directors Associate Dean Susan Fine and Professor Todd Peterson (above).
Sammy’s goal is to be a litigator working on criminal cases and white-collar crime. To build the skill set she’ll need for success, she has served as a Writing Fellow, a research assistant for Assistant Dean Jessica Tillipman, and a judicial intern at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia —all opportunities to refine her analytical and drafting skills. In 3L, Sammy plans to apply for one of GW’s 11 clinics, thereby gaining experience in oral advocacy and client interaction.
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LIFE & LAW: SAMANTHA BLOCK
Relishing D.C. Life Sammy realizes the importance of making time for fun during law school, and the entertainment options in D.C. are as diverse as the population who lives here. Sammy’s favorite hangout is the Georgetown waterfront, which is a brisk walk or a short Uber ride from campus. Whether she’s having brunch at the restaurants that line the waterfront or enjoying water sports with friends, as she does here, Sammy finds ample ways to relax and recharge. AFTER HOURS Walk: To Flywheel for a good workout Drive: To the nearby Shenandoah mountains to hike Walk: Home to eat Chinese food with my roommate
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Sammy and her friends enjoy renting kayaks and exploring the Potomac River.
“ We all work hard as law students, so it’s really imperative to get outdoors and enjoy D.C. This is such a gorgeous city.”
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The Study of Law From the moment they arrive on campus, GW Law students benefit from an individualized legal education they can tailor to fit their interests, goals, and responsibilities. Our broad curriculum, which features more than 275 elective courses and 18 academic focus areas, ensures both breadth and depth in a variety of legal practice areas. Our first-year course schedule is designed with both day and evening sections. We make it easy for students to switch between part-time and full-time status throughout their legal education, and academic advisors are more than willing to help students plan flexible class schedules. Our goal is to offer each student the support needed to find the right path to a successful and fulfilling legal education.
1L Curriculum
Fundamentals of Lawyering
The Inns of Court Community Study Abroad
Transferring to GW Law
Upperlevel Curriculum
Flexible. Collaborative. Supportive.
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THE STUDY OF LAW
1L Curriculum First-year students will find themselves immersed in the fundamentals of law as they build an intellectual and social community with their peers. The first-year class is divided into six sections: five full time and one part time. We refer to these sections as the Inns of Court, which is a community that extends beyond the classroom. (More in-depth information about the Inns appears on the pages that follow.) These sections, or Inns, encourage teacher/student interaction and allow for innovative techniques dependent on an intimate setting. In addition to mastering the core knowledge provided by the traditional first-year courses, students will focus on skills development and legal research, writing, and analysis in the Fundamentals of Lawyering courses (more in-depth information appears on the pages that follow). In our new Legislation and Regulation course, students gain a uniquely Washington, D.C., perspective on the practice of law. Several years ago, in response to requests from a number of students seeking a four-day class schedule, we created a full-time section in which classes are held Monday through Thursday, generally between 12 and 9 p.m. Details regarding this Inn will be posted on the Admitted Student Portal at inatgw.law.gwu.edu. 28 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Full-Time Students • Take two or three 55-minute classes each day, Monday through Friday, generally between 8:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. • Meet each week for professional skills courses. FALL SEMESTER Contracts I Civil Procedure I Torts Fundamentals of Lawyering I (includes legal research and writing)
SPRING SEMESTER Property Constitutional Law I Criminal Law Legislation and Regulation Fundamentals of Lawyering II (includes legal research and writing)
Part-Time Students • Meet Monday through Thursday for two-hour sessions (6–8 p.m.) for the substantive courses. • Meet each week for professional skills courses (typically scheduled at 8 p.m., two nights per week). FIRST YEAR, FALL SEMESTER Civil Procedure I Torts I Fundamentals of Lawyering (includes legal research and writing)
FIRST YEAR, SPRING SEMESTER Contracts Criminal Law Fundamentals of Lawyering II (includes legal research and writing)
SECOND YEAR, FALL SEMESTER Property Legislation and Regulation Constitutional Law I
Professional skills requirement: All JD students must complete two credits in a single course that requires students to learn and develop practical legal skills through actual or simulated lawyering exercises. Legal writing requirement: All JD students must complete two credit hours that are graded on the basis of written work (not examination).
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EDUCATING THE “WHOLE” LAWYER The Fundamentals of Lawyering prepares students to be practice-ready lawyers. The Inns of Court helps students become satisfied lawyers. 30 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Fundamentals of Lawyering Legal research, writing, and analysis for the real world We know the skills that legal employers want on day one. We designed our innovative Fundamentals of Lawyering course based on extensive studies of numerous legal employers. They told us the skills they wanted junior lawyers to possess. In addition to legal research and writing, they emphasized client problem-solving, creative thinking, and exercising sound judgment. We built the course and its assignments based in part on this feedback, specifically to teach the skills that will make our students “practice ready” in 1L summer jobs and beyond. Fundamentals of Lawyering is a six-credit, full-year course that provides students with foundational skills in legal research, writing, and analysis. Assignments are based on real-life scenarios such as those an intern or associate may expect in a typical work environment. The course is taught by full-time professors who are both experienced practitioners and seasoned educators. The faculty includes former hiring and managing partners from top national firms, such as Arnold & Porter, Jones Day, Munger Tolles & Olson, Jenner & Block, and McDermott Will & Emery; a number of highly regarded mid-size law firms; and highly selective positions in the government and public interest arenas. Assignments focus on client problem-solving and strategic thinking. With research and writing at their core, assignments in Fundamentals of Lawyering are based on real-world scenarios that expose students to complex relationships among the various constituents of legal action. Simulations reflect writing tasks in real-life legal settings, such as: • how to write for communication with clients, opposing counsel, colleagues, and senior partners • how to interview a client or witness and obtain relevant facts • how to understand the basic language of a contract • how to discern the legal issue in any case in order to analyze, research, and write about it for various audiences, including clients, opposing counsel, and senior partners This integrated approach, marrying traditional legal writing skills with realoffice usage, bridges the gap between law school and practice, ensuring that our students grasp the essential skills necessary to be effective lawyers prepared for the practicalities of legal practice from the moment they begin working.
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FOUNDATIONS OF PRACTICE: An Opportunity for Professional Distinction The Foundations of Practice is a professional development program for first-year students to help them identify their professional goals and build critical skills sought by legal employers and clients. The program connects students with important resources to supplement their legal education, such as Inns of Court programs, Writing Center support, Career Center assistance, health and wellness programming, cultural competency programs, and advice from practicing lawyers. The upper-level program encourages students to continue their selfdirected professional development. Students who complete the upper-level program requirements by graduation are awarded the Dean’s Commendation for Advanced Professional Development. 32 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
The Inns of Court The Inns The six Inns of Court are named for prominent jurists. • Louis Brandeis Inn
At most law schools, students take 1L classes with a designated cohort of students, often called a section. At GW Law, we call those sections the Inns of Court, and what they provide extends far beyond the classroom to make each student’s first-year experience more personal. The Inns of Court helps students adjust to law school, introduces them to the full range of skills that lawyers need, and assists them in making more informed and satisfying career choices. First-year students become members of one of six Inns of Court. (We borrowed the “Inns of Court” name from the British institutions that traditionally trained barristers and regulated their practice.)
• Benjamin Cardozo Inn • Robert Jackson Inn • John Jay Inn • Thurgood Marshall Inn • Sandra Day O’Connor Inn
Every Inn of Court has a set of advisors from all the key components of the law school, including classroom and clinical faculty, research and writing faculty, the Career Center staff, librarians, the Dean of Students Office staff, and upperlevel law students. Students and advisors in each Inn meet most weeks at a time that is built into the weekly schedule. These meetings make it easy for students to connect with all parts of the law school in one session. The advisory team also provides advice on courses, law school activities, and outside experiences to help students determine how to make the most of the many enriching opportunities in the law school and in the diverse Washington, D.C., legal community. The Inns sessions include training on critical professional skills for practicing lawyers—skills that students do not learn in the traditional 1L classroom—including how to deal with clients, superiors, and colleagues; how to make difficult judgment calls; and how to manage the many demands of a legal career. The Inns sessions also complement programming through the Career Center to support students’ exploration of which type of legal career is right for them. Students discover their preferences and how they match up with possible career options. Students also meet with alumni and practicing attorneys to explore a range of legal practice areas and settings and learn to conduct effective informational interviews to build the professional relationships that will lay the foundation for a job search. The dynamic combination of support, professional skills training, and career development offered by the Inns of Court from the start of each student’s legal education sets the GW Law experience apart.
The Inns of Court/Foundations of Practice program received a 2018 Professionalism Award from the ABA. Learn More: www.law.gwu.edu/foundations-of-practice
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THE STUDY OF LAW
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Transferring to GW Law Students who transfer to GW Law after completing one year at another American Bar Association-accredited law school are easily integrated into a supportive community of fellow students and faculty and are able to take full advantage of the law school’s many opportunities for upperlevel students, including journal participation, advocacy competitions, in-semester and summer field placement, and clinical programs. In addition, the Student Bar Association maintains an executive position, the Director of Transfer Student Affairs, for an upperlevel student who has transferred to GW Law. That student assists incoming transfer students with social integration and mentorship.
Admitted Student Portal Incoming transfer students should consult the Admitted Student Portal for important information regarding: • Deadlines for participation in the Career Center’s Fall Recruiting Program and On-Campus Interview Program • Dates of the Transfer Journal Competition • Fall and spring course and exam schedules • Transfer Orientation in August • Pre-enrollment requirements such as submission of seat deposits, transcripts, and immunization forms
Transferring Credits A student may transfer a maximum of 31 credits from a previous American Bar Association-accredited law school. A grade of C- or better (under the previous law school’s grading system) must have been earned to transfer the credit hours. All transferred hours will be reflected as grades of “Credit” on the GW Law transcript. Transferred credits will have no effect on a student’s GW Law grade point average. As noted on page 29, the required first-year curriculum at GW Law includes: Contracts, Civil Procedure, Torts, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Legislation and Regulation, and Fundamentals of Lawyering I and II. Students who have not completed one or more of those courses at their original law school will need to complete the coursework in the first semester in which the courses are offered once the student matriculates. Students transferring credits from their original law school will not need to match courses credit-per-credit; rather, students must have obtained more than half the credits required by GW Law. For example, GW Law requires four credits of Contracts. If a student’s original law school required only three credits of Contracts, the student nevertheless will have satisfied GW Law’s requirement for Contracts.
Visit the Admitted Students Portal at: inatgw.law.gwu.edu
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Study Abroad A GW Law education teaches students to think globally as they solve complex legal problems. Students may begin to acquire a global perspective during a variety of study abroad opportunities.
Munich
In both summer and academic-year programs, our students gain exposure to the study of law in an international context through exceptional work and experiential opportunities.
GW-Oxford Summer Program in International Human Rights Law
University of Groningen, The Netherlands Energy Law Program and Student Exchange Program
GW–Augsburg Student Exchange Program
North American Consortium on Legal Education (Canada and Mexico)
Munich Intellectual Property Summer Program
Università Commerciale “Luigi Bocconi,” Milan, Italy Student Exchange Program
The Writing Center The Writing Center is a unique offering among law schools. The center, designed to supplement the individual instruction and feedback that professors provide, offers one-on-one writing conferences, workshops, videos, tip sheets, and other resources to legal writers of any class year and ability. The center is staffed by more than 40 writing fellows, who are upperlevel law students with strong writing and analytical skills. The fellows are trained to work with writers at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining, to developing the structure of a legal analysis, to publishing a near-finished product. 36 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Oxford
Groningen
The Jacob Burns Law Library The Jacob Burns Law Library is among the largest and most prestigious academic law libraries in the United States. It offers a research collection rich in the historic and contemporary legal materials of America, as well as international and comparative materials. The Law Library’s holdings of more than 750,000 volumes (and equivalents) and its wide range of electronic resources provide researchers with a wealth of legal information. The 21 librarians help first-year students become familiar with the library’s collection and are available at the Reference Desk and through e-mail to answer questions about conducting research.
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THE STUDY OF LAW
GW Law in New York (GWinNY) Semester-long business law courses and externships in New York City GW Law’s successful, innovative program for JD students interested in business law enters its fifth year. Designed for 2L and 3L students, the program allows students to live, study, and work for one semester in the world’s top financial center: New York. The program draws on GW Law’s deep alumni relationships within the business law community to provide externships in the field, networking opportunities, and instruction from the leaders in business law. The cornerstone of the program is a semester-long, business law-related externship, which each student undertakes. Past placements have included Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), Settlement Housing Fund, Lawyers Alliance, New York State Commercial Courts, and U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Courts. In addition, students take a co-requisite course held at the offices of participating law firms, including Kramer Levin, Sullivan & Cromwell, O’Melveny & Myers, Morrison Foerster, Paul Weiss, and Kirkland & Ellis. Previous courses have included Business Lawyering, Banking Law, Corporate Restructuring, Securities Law Seminar, and Legal Drafting. GWinNY courses are curated to mirror ever-evolving market demands and innovation, and they are taught by industry leaders. In addition, students benefit from monthly networking sessions with renowned practitioners in the field. Over its history, GWinNY has played a role in helping GW Law graduates secure permanent business law-related positions at leading firms in New York, including Cooley, Davis Polk, Kirkland & Ellis, Kramer Levin, Mayer Brown, O’Melveny & Myers, Paul Weiss, and Schulte Roth, as well as with Jun He LLP, China’s most prestigious law firm.
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A recent Business Lawyering class, held in the offices of Jones Day in New York. GWinNY students attend classes taught by prominent practitioners in their New York offices.
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THE STUDY OF LAW
Upperlevel Curriculum* After 1L, students are free to pursue their interests in specific areas of the law. The curriculum includes more than 275 elective courses in 18 program areas. Some individual program areas include more than 60 courses. The depth and breadth of our curriculum allow students to build expertise in various areas of the law. The classes listed below are being offered during the 2020-21 academic year. Please note that additional classes may be available in each program area. Consult the Law School Bulletin for a complete listing. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION Administrative Law Antitrust Law Campaign Finance Law Communications Law Congressional Investigations Seminar Energy Law and Regulation Environmental Law Food and Drug Law Genetics and the Law Government Lawyering Health Care Law Health Care Law Seminar Higher Education Law Homeland Security Law and Policy Information Privacy Law Law in Cyberspace Lawyers, Lobbying, and the Law Legislation Legislative Analysis and Drafting Local Government Law Public Justice Advocacy Clinic Public Law Seminar Race, Racism, and American Law Selected Topics in Public Law Telecommunications Law Trademark Law and Unfair Competition Voting Rights Law ADVANCED TORTS Admiralty Complex Litigation Environmental and Toxic Torts Genetics and the Law Insurance Law and Medicine Products Liability Remedies Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Alternative Dispute Resolution Client Interviewing and Counseling Environmental Negotiations Health Law Rights Clinic International Arbitration International Negotiations Mediation Negotiations BUSINESS AND FINANCE LAW (INCLUDING COMMERCIAL LAW) Admiralty Advanced Antitrust Law Seminar Advanced International Trade Law Antitrust Law Banking Law Banking Law Seminar Business Bankruptcy and Reorganization Business Lawyering Business Planning
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Chinese Business Law Commercial Paper—Payment Systems Consumer Protection Law Corporate Finance Corporate Taxation Corporation Law Seminar Corporations Creditors’ Rights and Debtors’ Protection E-Commerce Employee Benefit Plans Energy Law Seminar Environmental Issues in Business Transactions Entertainment Law Federal Income Taxation Insurance International Arbitration International Banking and Investment Law International Business Transactions International Business Transactions Seminar International Commercial Law The International Competition Law Regime International Finance International Investment Law and Arbitration International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism International Negotiations International Project Finance International Taxation International Trade Law Introduction to Transactional Islamic Law Land Use Law Law and Accounting Law of Real Estate Financing Law of the European Union Legal Drafting (Mergers and Acquisitions) Legal Drafting (Transactions) Mergers and Acquisitions Modern Real Estate Transactions Negotiations Nonprofit Organizations: Law and Taxation Partnership and LLC Taxation Public Law Seminar Regulated Industries Regulation of Derivatives Regulation of Mutual Funds and Investment Advisers Secured Transactions Secured Transactions and Commercial Paper Securities Law Seminar Securities Regulation Selected Topics in Advanced Antitrust Law Selected Topics in Banking Law Selected Topics in Corporate Law
Selected Topics in Public Law Selected Topics in Tax Policy Law Small Business and Community Economic Development Clinic Sports and the Law State and Local Taxation Tax Policy Seminar Trade and Sustainable Development Trade Remedy Law Unincorporated Business Organizations and Agency Law U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation Venture Capital Law Wealth Transfer Taxation White Collar Crime
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND CIVIL RIGHTS Civil Rights Legislation Communications Law Conflict of Laws Constitutional Law II Constitutional Law and the Supreme Court Constitutional Law Seminar Counterterrorism Law Disabled People and the Law Domestic Violence Law Employment Discrimination Law Family, Child, and State Federal Courts Federal Indian Law Federal Sentencing Seminar Gender Discrimination and the Law History of the U.S. Constitution Homeland Security Law and Policy Immigration Clinic Immigration Law I Immigration Law II Intelligence Law Law and Religion Law in Cyberspace The Law of Democracy Law of Race and Slavery Law of Separation of Powers Lawyers, Lobbying, and the Law Legislation Military Justice National Security Law Public Interest Lawyering Race, Racism, and American Law Sexuality and the Law U.S. Foreign Relations Law Voting Rights Law
Environmental Crimes Project Federal Sentencing Seminar Forensic Science International Criminal Law Law Students in Court Military Justice Prisoners Project White Collar Crime
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY LAW Administrative Law Advanced International Trade Law Air Pollution Control Animal Law Seminar Atomic Energy Law Coastal, Navigation, and Wetlands Resource Law Control of Solid and Hazardous Wastes (RCRA & CERCLA) Energy Law and Regulation Energy Law Seminar Environment and Energy Policy Practicum Environmental and Toxic Torts Environmental Crimes Environmental Crimes Project Environmental Issues in Business Transactions Environmental Law Environmental Law Clinic Environmental Law Seminar Environmental Lawyering Environmental Legislation Project Environmental Negotiations Federal Facilities Environmental Law Issues Graduate Environmental Placement Human Rights and Environmental Protection International Climate Change Law International Environmental Law International Project Finance International Trade Law Natural Resources Law Oil and Gas Law Regulated Industries Regulation of Toxic Substances Risk Selected Topics in Environmental Law Trade and Sustainable Development Water Pollution Control Wildlife and Ecosystems Law
FAMILY LAW AND ESTATE PLANNING Domestic Violence Law CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE Domestic Violence Project Adjudicatory Criminal Procedure Elder Law Comparative Military Law Estate Planning and Drafting Computer Crime Family, Child, and State Counterterrorism Law Family Justice Litigation Clinic Criminal Law and Procedure Seminar Family Law Criminal Procedure Family Law Seminar Criminal Tax Litigation Feminist Legal Theory Drugs and the Law Gender Discrimination and the Law
International Family Law Sexuality and the Law Trusts and Estates Trusts, Estates, and Professional Responsibility Wealth Transfer Taxation
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT LAW Anti-Corruption and Compliance Comparative Public Procurement Federal Grants Law Formation of Government Contracts Government Contracts Government Contracts Advocacy Government Contracts Cost and Pricing Government Contracts Moot Court Government Contracts Seminar Government Procurement of Intellectual Property Seminar Performance of Government Contracts Procurement in International Development Selected Topics in Government Procurement HEALTH LAW Administrative Law Antitrust Client Interviewing and Counseling Corporations Elder Law Employee Benefit Plans Environmental and Toxic Torts Evidence Family Law Family Law Seminar Federal Income Taxation Food and Drug Law Genetics and the Law Health Care Law Health Care Law Seminar Health Rights Law Clinic Insurance Law and Medicine Law and Psychiatry Trusts and Estates Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW Advanced Trademark Law Antitrust Law Art, Cultural Heritage, and the Law Seminar Chemical and Biotech Patent Law Computer Crime Computer Law Copyright Law Design Law Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the U.S. International Trade Commission Entertainment Law The Federal Circuit Genetics and the Law Government Procurement of Intellectual Property Seminar Information Privacy Law Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Antitrust Seminar Intellectual Property Law Seminar International and Comparative Patent Law
International Copyright Law International Intellectual Property Law in Cyberspace Licensing of Intellectual Property Rights Patent Appellate Practice Patent Enforcement Patent Law Patent Strategies and Practice Selected Topics in Intellectual Property Law Trade Secrets Law Trademark Law and Unfair Competition USPTO Post-Grant Patent Proceedings
INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW Advanced International Trade Law Chinese Business Law Chinese Law and Legal Institutions Comparative Constitutional Law Comparative Law Comparative Law Seminar Comparative Public Procurement Counterterrorism Law Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in the U.S. International Trade Commission Human Rights and Environmental Protection Human Rights Lawyering Immigration Clinic Immigration Law I Immigration Law II International and Comparative Patent Law International Arbitration International Banking and Investment Law International Business Transactions International Business Transactions Seminar International Climate Change Law The International Competition Law Regime International Copyright Law International Criminal Law International Environmental Law International Family Law International Human Rights Clinic International Human Rights of Women International Intellectual Property International Investment Law and Arbitration International Law International Law of Human Rights International Litigation International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism International Negotiations International Organizations International Project Finance International Taxation International Trade Law Introduction to Transactional Islamic Law Islamic Law Law of Japan Law of Race and Slavery Law of the European Union Law of the Sea Law of War
Nation Building and the Rule of Law National Security Law Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy Procurement in International Development Public International Law Seminar Refugee and Asylum Law Regional Protection of Human Rights Space Law Trade and Sustainable Development Trade Remedy Law U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation U.S. Foreign Relations Law
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Disabled People and the Law Employee Benefit Plans Employment Discrimination Law Employment Law Gender Discrimination and the Law Labor Law Sports and the Law Unincorporated Business Organizations and Agency Law LITIGATION AND THE JUDICIAL PROCESS Adjudicatory Criminal Procedure Admiralty Advanced Appellate Advocacy Advanced Evidence Advanced Trial Advocacy The American Jury Appellate Practice Civil Procedure Seminar College of Trial Advocacy Comparative Constitutional Law Comparative Military Law Complex Litigation Conflict of Laws The Craft of Judging Criminal Appeals and PostConviction Services Clinic Criminal Procedure Criminal Tax Litigation Electronic Discovery and Evidence Environmental and Toxic Torts Ethics in Adjudication and Settlement Evidence Family Justice Litigation Clinic The Federal Circuit Federal Courts Government Lawyering Insurance Law and Rhetoric Law Students in Court Military Justice Nation Building and the Rule of Law Pre-Trial Advocacy Pre-Trial Practice in Civil Cases Pre-Trial Practice in Criminal Cases Products Liability Race, Racism, and American Law Remedies Role of the Federal Prosecutor Selected Topics in Civil Procedure Scientific Evidence Seminar Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic NATIONAL SECURITY, CYBERSECURITY, AND U.S. FOREIGN RELATIONS LAW Admiralty Comparative Military Law
Computer Crime Computer Law Communications Law Congressional Investigations Seminar Constitutional Law Seminar (Cyber, Privacy, and Speech) Counterterrorism Law Cybersecurity Law and Policy Disaster Law E-Commerce Homeland Security Law and Policy Human Rights Lawyering Immigration Law Information Privacy Law Intelligence Law International Criminal Law International Law International Law of Human Rights International Litigation International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism Internet Law Law in Cyberspace Law of Separation of Powers Law of the Sea Law of War Litigation with the Federal Government Military Justice Nation Building and the Rule of Law National Security Law National Security Law Seminar Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy Public International Law Seminar Refugee and Asylum Law Regional Protection of Human Rights Selected Topics in National Security Law Space Law Telecommunications U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation U.S. Foreign Relations Law Veterans Advocacy Veterans Law
PROPERTY AND LAND DEVELOPMENT Housing Law and Policy Law of Real Estate Financing Modern Real Estate Transactions Partnership and LLC Taxation Property and Real Estate Law Seminar Unincorporated Business Organizations and Agency Law TAXATION Business Planning Corporate Taxation Criminal Tax Litigation Employee Benefit Plans Federal Income Taxation International Taxation Law and Accounting Nonprofit Organizations: Law and Taxation Partnership and LLC Taxation State and Local Taxation Law and Policy Tax Policy Seminar Wealth Transfer Taxation
* Courses are typically offered at least once per year. Some courses are offered in multiple program areas and, therefore, may appear more than once in the lists above. Course listing based on 2020-21 Law School Bulletin.
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Exceptional Legal Educators 42 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Professor Sonia Suter
Our Faculty GW Law students study with a faculty of leading scholars and practitioners—experts whose experience and passion for teaching shape the study and practice of law. The men and women who teach at GW Law constitute the second most frequently cited law faculty in the nation, regularly appearing in print, online, and on-air media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and National Public Radio. Our faculty also has been cited as having the second-most downloaded scholarship on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) law school list, occupying this position in both the 12-month and all-time categories. They are respected scholars and authors of leading casebooks and works for general readership alike. All have practiced law either with firms, in private practice, or with government and nonprofit entities, serving as litigators, general counsel, and deputy attorneys general, just to name a few. Many remain involved in practice, whether arguing cases before the Supreme Court or serving as counsel to foreign governments.
5
8
RHODES SCHOLARS
FORMER SUPREME COURT CLERKS
75
300+
FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS
ADJUNCT FACULTY MEMBERS
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OUR FACULTY
Professor Karen Brown
Professor Jonathan Turley
Professor Jessica Steinberg
Professor Sean Murphy
Professor Roger Fairfax
Professor Dawn Nunziato
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Leaders in the Field What sets our faculty apart is the depth and breadth of their experience. They are national and international participants in setting legal precedent. Our faculty includes a noted expert on Chinese law, a current member of the U.N. International Law Commission, a former commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, the President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and a professor who has taught negotiation skills to more than 80,000 lawyers around the world over the course of his career. Our faculty members remain dedicated scholars; in fact, five are Rhodes scholars. Many of our faculty travel the world to teach at premier educational institutions. Some have contributed their expertise by serving in the Obama and Bush administrations, and others have clerked for U.S. Supreme Court justices. In addition to our stellar full-time faculty, GW Law attracts adjunct faculty from the wealth of talent nearby at places such as the World Bank, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of State, federal and local courts, and countless nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations.
Professor Lawrence Cunningham
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Practical Experience
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Hands-On Learning Field Placement Opportunities An advantage of attending law school in the midst of the world’s most dynamic legal marketplace is the opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience year round—not just during the summers—in the courts, government offices, and nonprofit organizations where laws are made and enacted. GW Law offers students one of the largest externship programs in the country. Through our Field Placement Program, nearly 500 students each year participate in externships at organizations such as the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Human Rights Campaign, to name just a few. Externships offer students both academic credit and real-world legal experience in an actual practice setting under the supervision of judges and attorneys. Students deal with issues of professional responsibility and develop vital skills in research, writing, and oral advocacy. In addition, students begin to establish their professional networks in the Washington, D.C., legal community—whether they choose to practice in D.C. or elsewhere, this professional network can assist students as they build their careers.
Additional Recent Placements Include:
• American Civil Liberties Union
• U.S. Department of Defense
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• House Oversight Committee
• U.S. Department of Justice
• Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Department of State
• Office of the White House Counsel
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• Public Citizen
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Recording Industry Association of America
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Senate Judiciary Committee
• The World Bank
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Q&A PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
with Jessica Tillipman ASSISTANT DEAN FOR FIELD PLACEMENT
Gaining Professional Experience Q: Why does field placement experience matter to students? A: Field placements (or externships) allow our students to gain substantive legal experience while earning academic credit. Our students also receive dual guidance from their attorney supervisors and from the adjunct faculty who teach the co-requisite classes in which students must enroll concurrently with their externships. Students who take advantage of a field placement opportunity learn about the practice of law and gain experience at the same time. Q: What is the advantage of working in D.C. while studying at GW Law? A: GW Law maintains the largest presence in the D.C.-area legal externship market during the academic year. Because externship programs tend to be smaller during the school year, students become more essential to an organization’s mission. They also tend to work much more closely with their supervisors, so they build stronger connections than they would during
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the summer, when externship programs tend to be larger. GW Law’s extensive relationships with hundreds of organizations in the D.C. metro area provide students with access to opportunities and experiences not available to other students. The advantage of being at GW Law lies in our connections. Our office works to cultivate relationships with a wide variety of diverse organizations. These organizations rely on our students and on the Field Placement Program because they find our students to be well prepared, and they appreciate the supervision we provide during the semester. Q: How exactly do students work with the Field Placement Program? A: Once students have received initial guidance from the Career Center (to ensure that their externships are aligned with their career goals) and researched the available externship opportunities (our Career Center database contains more than 750 employers who have hired our students), they work with the Field
Placement Program to obtain academic credit and other support. To receive academic credit, students must extern with a placement that our office has approved. In addition, students take specific courses designed to complement what they’re learning. These courses are taught by leading practitioners with whom students have the chance to build one-on-one relationships. For example, a student in a judicial externship will enroll in The Craft of Judging, which is taught by a sitting judge on our adjunct faculty. Q: What kinds of work experience can students expect to receive? A: All of our placements are carefully vetted to ensure that students receive substantive legal experience, such as in legal writing and research, client contact, and oral presentation. Not all externships will focus on every skill, but they will provide a substantive and educational experience. For that reason, we encourage students to participate in more than one externship. Here’s an example
of why: A student with an interest in pursuing criminal law may have one externship in which the focus is on writing briefs, and a second externship—still in the area of criminal law—that focuses on trial litigation. Imagine what a strong job candidate that student will be with more than one set of experiences in criminal law. Q: The Field Placement Program clearly gives you tangible entries on your résumé. Are there other benefits when students begin their job searches? A: Networking is critical to any lawyer’s success. Externships build your network. When a student performs well for a supervisor, that student will be the first one the supervisor thinks of when a job
opportunity arises. Students can leverage their externship contacts— supervisors, colleagues, and other practitioners—as they search for full-time positions after graduation. And these contacts made during externships provide ongoing sources of support and guidance over the course of a student’s career. Externships really do provide a ready-made networking opportunity, and, especially for new lawyers, these opportunities are essential to building the career connections they need. Q: Are there other ways in which field placements prepare students for the practice of law? A: We require that students spend at least 80 percent of their externship on site, so they really become well integrated within the places where they work.
Students gain exposure to how lawyers function on a day-to-day basis. They get a sense of the pace of the legal profession, the type of dedication required, and the type of work product expected by employers. More than any other experience, externships give students a sense of who they will be as lawyers.
Assistant Dean Tillipman, JD ’03, manages the law school’s externship program, including the supervision of nearly 500 students per year. She also co-teaches an Anti-Corruption and Compliance course. Previously, she was an associate in Jenner & Block’s Washington, D.C., office, after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence S. Margolis of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
The D.C. Advantage 50 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
GW Law’s location in the heart of D.C. means our students have yearlong access to externships at places like the U.S. Capitol, the White House, federal courts, and nonprofit organizations.
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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Real-life Work Real-life Impact Through GW’s Prisoner and Reentry Clinic (formerly the Neighborhood Law and Policy Clinic), Courtney Francik, JD ’15, and her clinic partner, Bart Sheard, JD ’15, petitioned President Barack Obama to commute a man’s sentence——and he did. Rudolph Norris (pictured above with Courtney Francik), who had been in prison almost as long as the two student-attorneys had been alive, gained his freedom in 2015. Their story made the front page of The New York Times, August 15, 2015. The following year, students Kaitlyn Mello, JD ’16, and Steven Magnusson, JD ’17, petitioned President Obama for executive clemency on behalf of Fred Glover, a 70-year-old man serving a mandatory life sentence for a drug distribution crime that today would receive a sentence of 10 years. Clemency was granted in August 2016. 52 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
READ MORE GW Magazine www.tiny.cc/reallifework NY Times www.tiny.cc/NLPC
The Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics In the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics, students develop essential professional skills while they act as lawyers for real clients in real cases. In the clinics, which function as both a public interest law firm and an educational program, students work closely with professors who are experts in their fields to learn about lawyering and the law in the classroom, and then represent clients who could not otherwise afford a lawyer. Students handle cases as lawyers certified by the court and may, during the course of their clinics experience, for example, advise a small business owner, represent a victim of domestic violence seeking a protection order, seek asylum for someone fleeing sectarian violence in another country, or argue a criminal appeal. The clinic students’ work as lawyers is integrated into classroom instruction. Through teaching and supervision, faculty support students as they learn a broad range of transferable professional skills that will enable them to hit the ground running as lawyers. In the process, clinic students move from learning law to practicing law. This method distinguishes the clinical experience from other kinds of experiential education, providing students with important and vivid insights about law, lawyering, the legal system, and themselves as practitioners.
Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics include: • Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Services Clinic
• Prisoner and Reentry Clinic
• Domestic Violence Project
• Rising for Justice Housing Advocacy Clinic
• Family Justice Litigation Clinic • Health Rights Law Clinic
• Public Justice Advocacy Clinic
• Immigration Clinic
• Small Business and Community Economic Development Clinic
• International Human Rights Clinic
• Vaccine Injury Litigation Clinic
Additional Experiential Learning Opportunities In addition to participating in the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics, our students gain valuable hands-on experience under faculty supervision in the following programs: • Environmental Legislation Project • Environmental Crimes Project • Environment and Energy Policy Practicum
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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
NATIONAL RECOGNITION GW Law was ranked as the eleventh best moot court program in the country for 2019-20 by the Blakely Advocacy Institute.
Justice Samuel Alito judged the 2016 Van Vleck Moot Court Competition along with then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Circuit.
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Advocacy Skills GW Law’s advocacy skills program prepares students to become strong advocates for their clients. Our program provides students with coaching from seasoned attorneys to prepare them to argue before the finest judges in the best competitions. Our students hone real-life skills through competition. Each year, the law school hosts 10 on-campus competitions and one in Puerto Rico—a number matched by few other schools. The Van Vleck Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition, the most prestigious of our competitions and open exclusively to GW Law students, has been presided over by five current members of the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years: Chief Justice John Roberts in 2006, Justice Samuel Alito in 2007, Justice Antonin Scalia in 2009, Justice Elena Kagan in 2012, Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2014, and Justice Alito again in 2016. Our students also compete successfully in national and international competitions. During 2019-20, GW Law won three competitions, one Best Brief, and one Best Oral Advocate award. Since 2000, GW Law students have won 13 alternative dispute resolution competitions, 15 mock trials, and 32 moot courts. Our students regularly travel to competitions throughout the United States, as well as to Vienna, Austria, and Hong Kong, China.
The three advocacy boards each focus on a different set of skills: Alternative Dispute Resolution Board focuses on the development of arbitration, mediation, and non-litigation skills, including negotiation with opposing counsel and client counseling.
Mock Trial Board focuses on the skills needed during trials, including motions, opening statements, direct and cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments.
Moot Court Board focuses on appellate advocacy, both oral and written.
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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Each year, the Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony is held in honor of students who have volunteered 50 or more hours. Here, a student is congratulated by Associate Dean Alan Morrison.
Pre-Orientation Program
Career Development
A three-day, pre-orientation program specifically for new students provides an intensive introduction to some of the public service and pro bono opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area. The first two days consist of site visits, which have recently included detention facilities; the Council of the District of Columbia; D.C. Superior Court, where students met judges and clerks and observed cases in action; the Human Rights Campaign; a medical marijuana dispensary; the Office of Administrative Hearings; the Arlington County Prosecutor and Public Defender; the D.C. Mayor’s Office; the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless; and the Veterans Consortium. The third day consists of a community service project with the National Park Service, as well as a poverty simulation sponsored by the Washington Council for Lawyers.
The Career Center designates a team of counselors to focus solely on public interest opportunities.
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Public Interest Scholarships GW Law provides a significant number of public interest scholarships each year to students who have demonstrated commitment to public service. These scholarships enable students to take otherwise unpaid positions with government and nonprofit organizations.
Public Interest and Pro Bono PreLaw magazine, a publication of The National Law Journal, ranks GW Law among the top three law schools with the largest number of community service hours volunteered by students. Alan Morrison, Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law and leader of the law school’s public interest initiatives, is one of the most celebrated public interest litigators in the country and co-founder with Ralph Nader of Public Citizen Litigation Group. In addition to having argued 20 times before the U.S. Supreme Court, Dean Morrison has been involved in many leading public interest law issues over the past four decades. He is aided by David Johnson, Assistant Dean for Pro Bono and Advocacy Programs, in shaping the law school’s expanding and successful public interest and pro bono offerings. A hallmark of the program is that we actively create pro bono projects for our students rather than waiting for outside service providers to request assistance. Current pro bono projects created exclusively for GW Law students include: • Family Law Pro Bono Project • Hypothermia Homeless Family Outreach Pro Bono Project • Landlord-Tenant Pro Bono Project
Other Events • Pro Bono Fair: Each fall, providers come to campus to recruit students for pro bono projects. • Alternative Spring Break: Public interest and pro bono activities are planned in D.C. and along the Arizona– Mexico border for students who wish to use their spring break to help others. • Pro Bono Recognition Ceremony: JD and LLM students who volunteer 50 or more hours are honored during Commencement weekend.
• Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Project at the VA Hospital GW Law students also have the opportunity to work on pro bono projects during breaks. During winter break, students participate in the ongoing Gulf Recovery Network in New Orleans on behalf of the victims of the BP oil spill and Hurricane Katrina. During spring break, they can participate in an Alternative Spring Break on the Arizona-Mexico border that addresses immigration issues.
85,000+ NUMBER OF PRO BONO HOURS VOLUNTEERED BY THE CLASS OF 2019
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EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
A Conversation
with Jacqueline Fisher, 3L PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION (SBA)
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN YOUR STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION (SBA) INVOLVEMENT? I got involved with the SBA as a 1L. During my first few weeks of classes, it became immediately apparent to me that there are students who really care about you and want your experience to be meaningful. Getting involved with the SBA was a good way to build a community to help get me through law school. WHY SHOULD STUDENTS GET INVOLVED IN THE SBA? Participating in the SBA matters because it helps build the law school that you want. It gives you an opportunity to shape our community. It allows you to collaborate with others and use a part of your brain that won’t get nurtured in just doctrinal courses. With all the prestige given to journals and skills boards, SBA can be overlooked. But we offer students a chance to gain administrative law experience by working on executive tasks. We do substantive work that matters. We’ve also received several major awards from the American Bar Association over the past few years, including this year’s Dean Henry J. Ramsey, Jr. Diversity Award for our initiatives, the Membership and Activity Award
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in 2018, and the SBA of the Year Award in 2015. WHY IS THE SBA IMPORTANT TO 1LS? The first-year experience is so important—you only get one shot at it. We all come to it from different backgrounds, however. Some people have parents who are lawyers, or they’ve read lots of legal casebooks. But what if you’re not a third-generation lawyer who can call up family members for advice? That’s where the SBA comes in. Part of what the SBA’s first-year branch can do is offer students who don’t have that background a leg-up through mentorship and overall support as they adjust to law school. WHY DID YOU RUN FOR SBA PRESIDENT? I ran for SBA President because I thought I could strongly represent the community and project the kind of camaraderie and kindness that GW is known for. WHAT SKILLS ARE YOU LEARNING AS PRESIDENT THAT WILL AID YOU IN YOUR CAREER? Being SBA President emphasizes one of the biggest soft skills necessary for lawyers: managing
your time and tasks well. This position is a bit like trial by fire. Essentially, I manage a large entity with more than 100 members, including 10 members of the executive branch, each with their own staff. The SBA is structured similarly to the U.S. government. There are executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It’s designed to give students real-world experience. The legislative branch, for instance, writes ad hoc bills for groups that need funding. The judiciary branch debates and rules on issues. There’s a lot of work. Being a big SBA, however, we can work on many different things at the same time. HOW HAS THE SBA ADAPTED TO THE CHALLENGES OF SUPPORTING STUDENT LIFE DURING A PANDEMIC? We’re still committed to making sure students get the best possible experience in the midst of pandemic challenges, so we’ve adapted a great deal. That means we’ll have a virtual Lawloween (our law school Halloween celebration) with an online scavenger hunt and a NetFlix viewing party. Social media has been a great tool for staging virtual events online each week like our Thirsty Thursday get-togethers and student organization events where professionals discuss different
“ SBA offers students a chance to gain administrative law experience by working on executive tasks. We do substantive work that matters. We’ve also received several major awards from the American Bar Association over the past few years, including this year’s Dean Henry J. Ramsey, Jr. Diversity Award for our initiatives, the Membership and Activity Award in 2018, and the SBA of the Year Award in 2015.” practice areas with students. We’ve also revamped our student mentoring program so that students and mentees meet in small, intimate pods. Moving forward, we’re making sure that our plans for spring semester are agile, and we keep in close touch with the administration so we can quickly adapt. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? I hope it can be said that, in the face of our challenges, the student body was still able to support each other through this academic year. We’re working hard to maintain outreach to students, and I hope they will feel their peers had their backs during this year. ANY FINAL ADVICE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS? Your 1L year will seem intimidating, and you may feel that you can’t do anything other than study. But remember that time management is like juggling: you figure out what things are plastic and which are glass. The plastic, you can let drop, but hang on to the glass. It’s all about learning what you can let go. It’s so important to be a full person with hobbies and friends during law school, or you’ll burn yourself out.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Fisher has served on the Student Bar Association during all three years at GW Law. Previously, she served as a 1L leadership board member and as Vice President of First-Year Students. She also has been a member of the Law Association for Women. For the past two summers and during 2L and 3L years, she has worked as an intern at McCarter & English in their environmental law practice.
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EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Journals Students may apply for membership in one of nine student-run journals. Many are produced in collaboration with national bar associations. • The George Washington Law Review
• Federal Circuit Bar Journal
• The George Washington International Law Review
• Federal Communications Law Journal
• The George Washington Business and Finance Law Review
• The Journal of Energy and Environmental Law
• The American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal
• International Law in Domestic Courts • The Public Contract Law Journal
Student Organizations Our students develop leadership skills and broaden their understanding of the law in practice by participating in the more than 60 active student organizations at the law school. The variety of organizations reflects the diverse interests of our energetic student body. For example, Lambda Law co-hosts a networking event in combination with the Career Center; the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund holds charity events, hosts a speakers’ series, and participates in national animal law competitions; and the J. Reuben Clark Society hosts the National Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition on campus. Here's a sampling of our organizations. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Government Contracts Students Association (GCSA)
Middle Eastern and North African Law Society (MENA)
Anti-Corruption and Compliance Association
Gulf Recovery Network (GRN)
Military Law Society
GW African Law Association
Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA)
Antitrust Law Association
GW Defenders
National Lawyers Guild
Art Law and Entertainment Society
GW Law Running Club
National Security Law Association (NSLA)
Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
GW Law Soccer
Nota Bene
GW Law Softball Club
Phi Alpha Delta (PAD)
Atypical Student Society
Human Rights Law Society (HRLS)
Phi Delta Phi (PDP)
Banking and Securities Law Society
Political Law Society
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
If/When?How (Law Students for Reproductive Justice)
Christian Legal Society
Immigration Law Association (ILA)
Public Speaking and Debate Law Society
Corporate and Business Law Society (CBLS)
International Arbitration Student Association
The Settlement Agreements of Cataan
Criminal Law Society
International Law Society (ILS)
Cyberlaw Students Association (CYLSA)
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
American Constitution Society
East Asian Law Society (EALS)
Promissory Notes (PN)
Society of European Law Students (SELS) South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) Space Law Society (SLS)
Entertainment and Sports Law Association (ESPLA)
Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA)
Entrepreunership and Law Society
Labor and Employment Law Society
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF)
Environmental and Energy Law Association
Lambda Law
Student Bar Association (SBA)
Equal Justice Foundation (EJF)
Latin American Law Students Association
Student Health Law Association (SHLA)
European Community of Justice
Law Association for Women (LAW)
Evening Law Student Association (ELSA)
Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA)
The Federalist Society
Law, Justice, and International Development Society
The Feminist Forum
Law Revue
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J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Street Law
Tax Law Society (TLS) Veteran Law Students Association (VLSA)
The Hottest Ticket in Town Each year, GW Law hosts a private reception for the graduating class at exciting venues, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (pictured from 2019) and the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION Our Student Bar Association received the American Bar Association's 2020 Diversity Award for its initiatives.
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EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
A Dynamic Community 62 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
The law school offers more than 60 student organizations representing the diverse professional and cultural interests of our student body.
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Developing Your Strategy 64 GW LAW | JURIS DOCTOR PROGRAM
Launching Your Career Each student’s path from GW Law to professional life is aided by the tremendous support and resources that the law school provides, starting from a student’s first days at GW Law. The Career Center assists students at every stage, from helping them find summer job opportunities to counseling them about postgraduate career planning. The Career Center helps each student develop an individualized job search strategy. We have one of the largest legal career counseling teams in the country, and our counselors have extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors. Our counselors are well-equipped to prepare students for a wide range of career options, including positions with government agencies, law firms, federal and state courts, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other employers. A dedicated counselor assists students who are seeking careers with public interest organizations, and we offer numerous opportunities tailored to a range of affinity groups. The Career Center is dedicated to helping students establish an individualized job search strategy. Many of our students enhance their marketability with externships through our Field Placement Program and through service in our clinics or in the Public Interest/Public Service Law Program.
15
200+
CAREER PROFESSIONALS IN THE OFFICE
EVENTS EACH YEAR
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Q&A LAUNCHING YOUR CAREER
with Susan Fine
ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER STRATEGY
Entering the Profession Q: How does the Career Center help students find jobs? A: The Career Center is committed to doing everything we can to ensure that students are in the best possible position to secure meaningful and satisfying postgraduate employment. We work with each student to create an individual development plan for their time in law school that includes gaining skills and experience through summer jobs and externships during the academic year and building professional relationships to prepare for the job search. We offer small-group and individual counseling, job search workshops, networking events, and numerous recruitment programs every year, including one of the largest on-campus legal interview programs in the country. In addition, we host multiple off-campus recruitment programs, a well-established public-sector job fair and interviewing program, and several more events where students can meet one-on-one with potential employers.
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GW Law students are well-prepared to take full advantage of the thousands of job postings we provide each year. The Career Center employer outreach team has relationships with hundreds of employers and does a tremendous job identifying opportunities specifically for GW Law students.
and intellectual property law, two of the law school’s top programs.
Our reach extends well beyond Washington, D.C. GW Law also holds a job fair in New York with leading legal employers in that market. For students interested in other markets, we partner with several other top law schools to coordinate job fairs in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami. We also participate in the Loyola Patent Law Interview Program.
Q: When can students begin using the Career Center’s services?
Q: What sets the GW Law Career Center apart? A: The large Career Center staff is first-rate. Counselors focus on a particular area of expertise, such as professional development, diversity, judicial clerkships, or public interest. We also counsel students interested in government contracts
All of our counselors were practicing attorneys or senior legal professionals before joining the Career Center, and they leverage their substantive expertise when working with students.
A: We begin working with students in discovering and planning their career paths from their first semester in law school. Our goal is to meet students wherever they are in the career development process and help them move forward to become well-informed and competitive job candidates. First-year students also get to know their career counselors at their regular Inns of Court sessions, in addition to meeting with them in the Career Center. Q: How do GW Law students fare in the large-law firm job market? A: GW Law is one of the top law schools in placing graduates in
private-sector positions. For example, our job fairs include virtually all the leading international law firms. Kirkland & Ellis, Covington, Skadden, Hogan Lovells, and Cravath—to name just a few—all recruit at GW Law. According to the American Bar Association, GW Law consistently ranks among the top 10 law schools with respect to the number of students who obtain jobs at law firms that have at least 100 attorneys. Q: Are there private-sector job opportunities outside of those with large law firms? A: The Career Center organizes a number of programs to connect our students with practitioners from boutique and mid-size law firms, which remain popular options. Corporations also recruit at GW Law for a variety of positions. Recent graduates have gone on to work for the big-four accounting firms, Oracle, Facebook, Converse, Citibank, PwC, Deloitte, Booz Allen, Boeing, Hewlett Packard, and many other prominent business employers. Q: What resources are available to students interested in the public sector?
long-term careers in the public sector, including in local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; and prosecutor and public defender offices. We also host regular informational programs and networking opportunities with public-sector employers, including the U.S. Department of Justice and other government agencies, Gideon’s Promise, and others. Our annual Public Sector Recruiting Program, co-hosted with Georgetown Law, is the secondlargest law school-sponsored public-sector job fair in the country—a great chance for students of all class years to interview and network with publicsector employers. GW Law is also a member of PSJD and Equal Justice Works, national organizations providing resources and connecting law students with public-interest opportunities worldwide. Q: Does GW Law have an alumni mentoring program? A: Yes. The Alumni Mentoring Program is administered by the Office of Alumni Career Development and Mentorship. The program is open to 2Ls, 3Ls, and recent graduates and provides students with the opportunity to build important professional relationships with alumni mentors.
Q: How does GW Law help its alumni? A: The Office of Alumni Career Development and Mentorship assists our alumni as they navigate their careers after law school and offers a wide range of career-related resources. We understand that the alumni job search involves unique issues and challenges related to matters such as billable hours and portable business, salary negotiations, performance evaluations, security clearances, and nonpractice opportunities.
Associate Dean Susan Fine also co-directs the Inns of Court and Foundations of Practice Programs. These school-wide initiatives are designed to provide students with a diverse support structure, build professional skills, and enhance career outcomes. Earlier in her career, Dean Fine worked as an attorney in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice. She is a past chair of the Law Student Professional Development Section of the National Association for Law Placement.
A: Many students choose GW Law because of the wealth of publicsector opportunities available to them here. All of our counselors are knowledgeable about public sector opportunities, and one counselor specializes in advising students who are pursuing public sector careers. These opportunities may include, for example, school-year and summer internships and
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LAUNCHING YOUR CAREER
Career Center The Career Center hosts numerous programs annually, including practice-specific and networking events, the on-campus and New York recruitment programs, the Public Sector Recruitment Program, diversity events, public interest initiatives, and individual employerhosted networking events.
Clerkships GW Law’s dedicated judicial clerkship career counselors and a team of faculty members assist students in navigating the judicial clerkship hiring process. Since 2005, eight graduates have secured judicial clerkships with the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, hundreds of our graduates have clerked with federal district courts, federal appellate courts, state trial courts, and state supreme courts in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction, from D.C. to California.
Alumni Mentorship Opportunities GW Law’s network of more than 31,000 alumni in every major city throughout the world can offer students guidance in all areas of legal practice. Many of our alumni serve as mentors in the Alumni Mentoring Program, which is administered by the Office of Alumni Career Development and Mentorship. Both 2Ls and 3Ls, along with new graduates, may join the program as mentees.
Supreme Court clerks Whitney Hermandorfer, JD '15, and David Fox, JD '12, pose with Professor Bradford R. Clark. Whitney was selected to clerk for Justice Samuel Alito during October Term 2018. Previously, she clerked for The Honorable Brett M. Kavanaugh. During October Term 2017, David Fox clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer. Professor Clark served as law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia.
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International Employment The law school’s presence is global, with our graduates working and conducting research throughout the world. In recent years, GW Law graduates have worked in: • Canada
• Mexico
• China
• The Netherlands
• Colombia
• Romania
• England
• Russia
• France
• Saipan, Mariana Islands
• Germany
• Saudi Arabia
• Guam
• Sierra Leone
• The Hague, International Court of Justice
• Singapore
• Hong Kong • Iraq • Japan • Korea • Luxembourg
15%
• South Korea • Thailand • Uganda • United Arab Emirates • United Kingdom • Virgin Islands
* Employment information is based on outcomes for Class of 2019 graduates employed at 10 months after graduation.
GOVERNMENT
10%
AREAS OF EMPLOYMENT
49%
LAW FIRMS
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
CLASS OF 2019
10%
BUSINESS
7%
UNASSIGNED
4%
ACADEMIC/OTHER
5%
PUBLIC INTEREST
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Life in the Nation’s Capital Foggy Bottom and Beyond GW Law students live in the heart of a vibrant professional and cultural community. Our Foggy Bottom Campus is located within walking distance of the places where students hold externships, such as the White House, the U.S. Department of State, the World Bank, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. It’s also near the places where students relax, dine, exercise, and shop. On GW’s campus, you’ll find retail outlets such as Whole Foods and venues for live performances such as Lisner Auditorium, which hosts citywide entertainment. The university’s 183,000-square-foot Lerner Health and Wellness Center features an Olympic-size pool and a state-of-the-art fitness facility.
D.C. offers world-class restaurants, cultural venues, and neighborhoods, all within easy walking and commuting distance of GW's campus.
Beyond campus, life in D.C. offers the best of urban resources and a small-community feel. A truly international city, D.C. is home to more than 170 embassies and international cultural centers. The city’s colleges and universities host about 20,000 international students each year, and 15 percent of D.C. residents speak a language other than English at home. This mix of cultures and intellectual activity lends D.C. a sophistication rarely found in a small city. Students interested in the arts will find a virtual smorgasbord of activities in the city. D.C. boasts numerous world-class museums, such as the National Gallery of Art and 17 of the Smithsonian museums, many of which are free or offer student discounts. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a growing bike culture in the city since the introduction of Capital Bikeshare, which allows residents to borrow and drop off bikes throughout the city. The nearby towpaths of the C&O Canal, the many miles of trails along the Potomac, and the lush setting of Rock Creek Park—which is larger than New York’s Central Park—offer scenic routes for walking, jogging, and biking.
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LIFE IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
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E E RCL LL WN I RCL O C I T T C W L HI E N A G O N T L O R A I GEO DUP LOG CAP GW
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“ During orientation, the softball club organizes a game for 1Ls, and we play right under the Washington Monument. Such an ordinary experience in such an amazing location.” ANDREW RAMOS, 3L
An Accessible City Using Metrorail and Metrobus, students will find they can get virtually anywhere in the D.C. metro area. From the Foggy Bottom-GWU stop, located right on campus, students can take the Metro—the nation’s second-busiest subway system—and arrive within minutes at Capitol Hill externships, at Nationals Park for a game, at the National Gallery for an exhibit, or at their homes in Arlington, Cleveland Park, or other area neighborhoods.
Cultural Diversity D.C.’s strength is its diversity of neighborhoods. Whether you want hip and urban, quiet and settled, or up-and-coming, there’s a place for you in the city. For instance, Adams Morgan, within 20 minutes and two Metro stops of GW Law, is a hot spot for dining, shopping, and nightlife, as well as the city’s most ethnically and culturally diverse neighborhood. Dupont Circle, about a 15-minute walk from campus, is a popular night spot. Cleveland Park and upper Connecticut Avenue offer shopping, movie theaters, restaurants, and proximity to the National Zoo.
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LIFE IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
D.C. Life
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D.C. offers a sophisticated and multiethnic urban experience, with world-class restaurants, museums, nightlife, and public transportation.
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LIFE IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
virtualtourgwu.edu
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Housing GW Law students have a variety of housing options, both near campus and in the wider D.C. metropolitan area. Near-Campus Housing The Columbia Plaza Housing Program helps GW Law students secure apartments in the privately owned Columbia Plaza at 2400 Virginia Ave., NW, a multi-building complex of spacious apartments.
Off-Campus Housing With many cultural, culinary, and architectural options—and price ranges—the nation’s capital offers a neighborhood for almost any taste. The neighborhoods most popular among GW Law students include Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Columbia Heights, Downtown, the U Street Corridor, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown in D.C. The D.C. metro area also includes the northern Virginia and the Maryland suburbs, both of which have neighborhoods that are easily accessible by bus and subway. Nearby Alexandria and Arlington, right across the Potomac River from D.C., are popular Virginia destinations.
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LIFE IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
An Intellectual Hub Within a few miles of GW Law’s campus, you’ll find not only the Capitol and the White House, but also federal courthouses, big law firms on K Street, key government agencies, the national and international offices of nonprofit and nongovernmental agencies, and cultural icons such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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GW LAW The law school is housed in a nine-building complex on GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus. The complex features modern classrooms, three fully equipped moot court rooms, multiple student lounges and conference rooms, and WiFi access throughout.
1 THE WHITE HOUSE Four blocks from GW Law, the White House—seat of the nation’s executive branch—and nearby Executive Office Building provide several field placement opportunities in fields such as constitutional law and administrative law.
2 WORLD BANK Through its work helping fund improvements in developing countries, the World Bank—only a block from GW Law—is a valuable resource for students interested in international law and finance law.
3 INTERNATIONAL
MONETARY FUND (IMF) Located right across the street from the law school, the IMF oversees the global financial system and gives students the chance to observe international law and finance law in action.
4 DEPARTMENT OF STATE The executive branch’s agency of foreign affairs, the State Department is a Foggy Bottom landmark three blocks from GW Law. It provides students with a firsthand look at international law at the highest level.
5 U.S. COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS/U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT Five blocks from the law school,
6
the U.S. Court of Federal Claims hears claims made against the U.S. government. At the same location, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction in a number of subject areas. GW Law students can find clerkships with judges in both courts.
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6 ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES Made up of 35 nations in North and South America, the OAS works to preserve peace and further development on both continents. GW Law students can find placements in fields as varied as trade law and drug law.
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7 KENNEDY CENTER FOR
THE PERFORMING ARTS As the nation’s official center for performing arts, the Kennedy Center hosts a variety of cultural events and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington Ballet, and the Washington National Opera.
8 LINCOLN MEMORIAL 9 WASHINGTON MONUMENT
11 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION The famed Smithsonian “Castle” is the headquarters of the institution, which oversees 17 Washington museums, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.
10 JEFFERSON MEMORIAL These three monuments to 12 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION American presidents are some of AGENCY (EPA) the most recognizable landmarks in Students interested in environD.C. All are within walking distance mental law can find field of the law school. placements at this federal agency
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charged with protecting human health and the environment. The EPA’s headquarters are a short Metro ride from GW Law.
13 U.S. CAPITOL AND
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES Recent field placements on Capitol Hill have included the Senate Health, Education, and Pensions Committee; the Senate Judiciary Committee; and the House Republican Judiciary Committee.
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The Hill is easily accessible from GW Law by Metro.
14 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
With the world’s largest collection of legal materials, the Library of Congress is an excellent research resource for law students in all areas of specialization.
ideal venue for students to observe high-profile legal proceedings, as well as pursue clerkships and field placements. During the past decade, seven GW Law grads have gone on to clerk for Supreme Court justices. The court is accessible by Metro. 17
16 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 15 U.S. SUPREME COURT The highest court in the land is an
GW Law students frequently find field placements at the government’s legal headquarters, working
in fields ranging from counterterrorism to intellectual property litigation. The Justice Department is a short Metro ride from the law school.
U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The federal trials court for Washington, D.C., offers clerkship opportunities in the chambers of its judges. The district court is Metro-accessible from GW Law.
18 PATENT AND
TRADEMARK OFFICE This Alexandria, Virginia, office is a center of the intellectual property law community. Recent GW Law students have been placed in the Office of the Commissioner. The Patent and Trademark Office is easily reached by Metro and is a 20-minute drive from the law school.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS Visit the Admitted Student Portal at inatgw.law.gwu.edu.
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Available Resources Dean of Students Office
Students with Disabilities
Dean of Students Office GW Law, E Building, First Floor 2000 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20052 202.994.8320 deanofstudents@law.gwu.edu
Office of Disability Support Services The George Washington University Rome Hall, Suite 102 801 22nd Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20052 202.994.8250 (voice or TDD) dss@gwu.edu
The Dean of Students Office is the main point of contact for all student matters. In addition to offering individual academic advising, which consists of course selection and registration assistance, the office provides assistance and support for all GW Law students regarding a variety of issues, including: • Counseling/assistance on exam issues • Degree requirement completion assessments • Class recording request processing • Academic policy advocacy/ counseling • Health and wellness programming and support • Joint degree program counseling/approval • Co-curricular activity support • Diversity and inclusion promotion • Student organization and publications assistance and counseling • Orientation planning and programming for new students • Academic award and scholarship recognition
The university and the law school coordinate their efforts to address law students’ requests for accommodation. Any student requesting accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability must contact the Office of University Disability Support Services at 202.994.8250 (voice or TDD) or visit the office at Rome Hall, Suite 102, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. For additional information, including forms for submission, visit disabilitysupport.gwu.edu. Accommodations are available to facilitate academic access for students with disabilities. Services provided without charge to students may include orientation to campus, readers, interpreters, scribes, learning disabilities advising, adaptive materials and equipment, assistance with note taking, test accommodations, regular advising, and referrals. All entering law students who request accommodations from the university should notify the law school by contacting the Dean of Students Office at dss_support@law.gwu.edu as soon as possible.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Admitted Student Portal inatgw.law.gwu.edu The portal is your resource for information on: Required Deposits to Secure Your Seat in the Fall 2021 Entering Class (April 15, June 1, and July 1) Admitted Student Events
Housing On and Off Campus
Financial Planning
In addition, you’ll find videos documenting events and life at GW Law, as well as links to student organizations.
Preview Day 2021 Our annual event for admitted students will be held as a series of virtual events in spring 2021. Details will be available on the Admitted Student Portal, and an invitation will follow.
Admitted Student Gatherings You’ll also find detailed information on the Admitted Student Portal about GW Law Alumni Association-sponsored receptions as well as other admitted student gatherings.
Virtual Visits and Campus Tours Due to the university’s pandemic mitigation efforts, we can’t visit with you in person, but we invite you to meet with us virtually at www.law.gwu.edu/campus-city-andvirtual-visits. We will offer weekly virtual sessions with admissions representatives, faculty, and current students to help you get to know GW Law. After the fall semester, we look forward to welcoming in-person visitors once the Admissions Office re-opens. For updates on the status of in-person visits, please check the Admitted Student Portal frequently.
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The George Washington University does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on any basis prohibited by federal law, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, or other applicable law, including without limitation, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, or familial or marital status. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of the university, including admission to education programs and employment.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Practical Considerations SCHOLARSHIPS More than two-thirds of our students receive merit-based scholarships. All incoming first-year students are automatically considered for merit scholarships. There are no specific conditions for maintaining a scholarship but, like any other student at GW Law, scholarship recipients must adhere to all policies and remain in good academic standing. Students who receive merit scholarships of $16,000 or more per year are not eligible for need-based grants.
FINANCIAL AID The Financial Aid Office works with students individually to ensure that they have the information necessary to make good choices for financing their law school education. The office offers a number of programs to assist students in financing their education, including institutional gift aid, such as merit scholarships and need-based grants for 1L students. (Transfer students are not eligible for grants.) In addition, the office participates in Federal Direct Loan programs and assists students in obtaining private student loans. We make our best effort to help students minimize their debt load. Although the majority of students will obtain student loans while in attendance, GW Law has a deep commitment to helping students who have significant financial need through our need-based aid program. In addition to helping students budget appropriately and obtain funding, the office also offers education regarding student loan repayment options, including strategies for repayment under various employment scenarios. Details on applying for loans and need-based grants are posted on the Admitted Student Portal at ssl.law.gwu.edu/admit.
TYPICAL STUDENT BUDGET: 2020-21 The following breakdowns are based on the estimated costs for the ninemonth 2020-21 academic year. Costs for the 2021-22 academic year will be set in late spring 2021. JD FULL TIME Tuition* $63,205 Room and board $21,990 Personal expenses $2,800 Transportation $1,770 Books $1,960 Total Cost of Living $28,520 Total Cost of Attendance $91,725 *Minimum 12 hours per semester
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JD PART TIME Tuition** $46,725 Room and board $21,990 Personal expenses $2,800 Transportation $1,770 Books $1,470 Total Cost of Living $28,030 Total Cost of Attendance $74,755 **$2,225 per credit hour
inatGW@law.gwu.edu
ADMISSIONS OFFICE 202.994.7230 Sophia Sim Associate Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Matthew Dillard Director of Admissions Megan Spratt Associate Director of Admissions
FINANCIAL AID finaid@law.gwu.edu 202.994.6592
The George Washington University Law School Admissions and Financial Aid Office 700 20th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20052
Professor Spencer Overton
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID • 700 20TH STREET, NW • WASHINGTON, D.C. 20052 202.994.7230 • inatGW@law.gwu.edu
www.law.gwu.edu
