Willamette University, College of Law 2020-2021 Viewbook

1

st

EST. 1883

First law school in the Pacific Northwest

JD

LLM

JD/MBA

MLS JD/BA

Willamette University College of Law develops the next generation of problem-solving lawyers and leaders dedicated to serving their communities and the legal profession.

C L A S S PROF I L E CLASS OF 2023 Our students come from far and wide, giving us a diverse student body representing a range of languages, cultures, interests, hometowns and expertise. Whether fresh from their undergraduate school or pursuing a second career, Willamette Law students are smart, talented and excited to be part of the close community that defines the College of Law.

53%

115

Male

46%

152

Female

Median LSAT

Gender

Class Size

1%

3.07

Median GPA

Non-Binary

27

33%

34

23

Average Age

Diversity

Majors Represented

States Represented

L O C AT ION Learn the law by participating in its creation. Our location — across the street from the Oregon State Capitol, Supreme Court, and multiple state agencies — is an advantage that cannot be matched anywhere in the region. Not only that, but Salem is centrally located in the Willamette Valley, just a short drive away from metropolitan Portland, the Cascade Mountains, and the Oregon coast. Whether you’re interested in history, winemaking, biking, hiking, food festivals, or something else, there is always something exciting to do when you’re not studying.

Salem, Oregon 44.9429 N, 123.0351 W

Mild Weather not too hot, not too cold

1 Hour from Portland, the coast and the Cascade Mountains

Steps away from the Oregon State Capitol

FA C U L T Y Our faculty includes nationally recognized scholars, seasoned practitioners, and former or current members of the judiciary who serve as teachers and mentors. Their deep dedication to their students distinguishes Willamette Law professors from others. Professors meet one-on-one with students and serve as valuable mentors to help them prepare for the legal profession.

CAREERS Map your career with individualized help from our Placement Office advisors. They will work with you to identify where you want to go and what experience you need to get there.

Whether meeting with our advisors, gaining experience through our Externship Program, or participating in our Attorney-Mentor Program, students, alumni and employers find the tools for success in Willamette Law’s Placement Office.

THREE YEAR BAR PASSAGE RATES First Time Pass Rate

81%

77%

76%

2018

2019

2017

THREE YEAR EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY Full Time Employment (2017-2020)

75%

Long Term, Bar Passage required and JD advantage

78%

All Employment (2017-2020)

86%

Includes non-legal jobs, short term and part time positions

Long Term, all job types

OU R A LU M NI Among our distinguished alumni are several federal judges, state governors, and heads of Fortune 500 companies. We also count among our alumni countless fine attorneys who work in the field each day, helping individuals navigate divorces, set up estate plans, or get new business ventures off the ground, as well as attorneys who prosecute crimes and represent the accused, all to ensure justice is served.

Notable Willamette Law alumni Washington Governor Jay Inslee JD‘76

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski JD‘85

6,000+

Alumni Around the World

16

State Supreme Court Justices

G E T I N V O LV E D

4

Certificate Programs Gain unique and comprehensive training in one of five specialty areas offered through our Certificate Programs: Law & Business, Dispute Resolution, Law & Government, Sustainability Law and International & Comparative Law. Legal Clinics Handle real-life legal work under the supervision of Willamette faculty through our legal clinics, including Business Law, Child & Family Advocacy, Immigration and Trusts & Estates.

Over 20 Student Organizations Share interests with classmates through one of our many law student organizations and journals. Student groups host networking events, social gatherings, community service opportunities and study sessions, in addition to other activities.

Law Journals • Willamette Law Review • Willamette Journal of International Law & Dispute Resolution • Willamette Journal of Social Justice & Equity • Willamette Law Online Limitless Study Abroad Opportunities Open doors to legal understanding by participating in Willamette‘s study abroad program. Law students have a choice of programs in a range of countries.

SIGNAT U R E S T R E NGT H S The College of Law produces the best problem solvers, community leaders, legal dealmakers, and changemakers in the most innovative region of the country. Our student-centric approach manifests in the robust experiential learning opportunities we provide alongside curricular strengths in business law, international law, public service, advocacy and health law.

BUSI N E SS L AW We are committed to helping our students mature into the best possible business-minded and problem-solving lawyers and providing them with an unparalleled foundation for success in business or industry. Our focus areas include Business Transactions, Estate Planning & Elder Law, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment Law and Real Estate Transactions.

PU BL IC SE RV ICE We train servant-leaders in a capital city packed with legislators and judges offering hundreds of internships and externships. Our current alumni have risen to serve as distinguished jurists, the President of the Oregon Bar, the US Attorney and Governor of Washington, and a US Senator for Allaska.

Our focus areas include Civil Rights, Criminal Defense & Prosecution, Criminal Justice & Sentencing, Election Law, Environment Law & Justice, Government Service & Regulation and State & Federal Constitutional Law.

I N T E R NAT IONA L L AW Our graduates will make critical decisions in a global, interconnected, and always-on world. Building on our deep and historic strengths in international law teaching and scholarship, we seek to equip them with the confidence needed to help clients find clarity amid international complexity. Our focus areas include Comparative Law, Foreign Relations Law, Immigration and Refugee Law, International Business Transactions, International Criminal Law, Private International Law and Public International Law.

A DVOC AC Y With numerous leading jurists on the faculty, Willamette’s focus on advocacy skills helps students gain the confidence necessary to face litigation challenges – wherever they may arise in their careers – when the stakes are highest. Our focus areas include Family Law, Mediation & Arbitration, Personal Injury and Trial & Litigation.

H E A LT H L AW We are committed to capitalizing on our geographic proximity to Salem Health and OHSU alongside the undergraduate focus in public health by developing healthcare industry leaders with strong expertise necessary to deliver legal certainty in a changing world. Our focus areas include Disability Law and Health Law.

W H AT ’ S N E X T ?

V IST US Schedule a visit to Willamette Law and experience it for yourself. Meet with an admissions representative, sit in on a first-year class and tour the school with a current student. We can also arrange for you to meet with a professor.

A PPLY We accept applications on a rolling basis, but always suggest that you apply early in the admissions cycle (September - April). There is no application fee to apply. Apply with an LSAT or GRE score. To apply please visit lsac.org.

G O ON L I N E & A SK QU E ST IONS Visit us at willamette.edu/law. You’ll find detailed information on scholarships, tuition, our faculty, recent news and more.

245 Winter Street SE, Salem, OR 97301 (503) 370-6282 | law-admissions@willamette.edu