ESTABLISHED 1883 SALEM, OREGON
2014–2015 Viewbook
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A WELCOME FROM THE DEAN
Getting to know Willamette’s law students is important to Dean Curtis Bridgeman. He memorizes the names and pictures of incoming students so he can greet each by name.
Willamette University and its graduate programs has been named as one of the “Colleges That Change Lives,” 40 universities noted for hands-on academic experiences, professors dedicated to mentorship and lively, diverse opportunities for growth.
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EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES 2011-2013 90%
Greetings from Willamette University College of Law, the first law school in the Northwest and the only law school in the country associated with one of the 40 “Colleges That Change Lives.” For more than 130 years, Willamette University has been recognized as the alma mater of great Northwest leaders. Just recently, the university and its graduate programs have been added to a list of universities noted for providing hands-on academic experiences, professors dedicated to mentorship and lively, diverse opportunities for growth. Our small size is essential to our success. With many classes of fewer than 25 students, we are able to know each student by name, learn each one’s strengths and understand each student’s career goals. Our faculty and staff make an effort to learn what you want to do with your law degree. We work together to challenge you, mentor you and help you succeed. Our faculty members — top-notch scholars, seasoned practitioners and former and current Oregon Supreme Court justices — are critical to your growth. They’re approachable and available outside of class to answer questions, exchange ideas or just enjoy informal conversation.
80% Employed all terms JD required, JD preferred and professional
70%
Employed full-time, long-term JD required, JD preferred and professional
60% 50%
Employed full-time, long-term JD required and JD preferred
40% 2011 2012 2013
For the class of 2013 Willamette ranked first in Oregon for graduate employment in full-time, long-term, JD-required and JD-preferred jobs. Our employment outcomes continue an upward trend as the economy improves.
The approach brings results: Willamette ranked first in Oregon and fifth among the West Coast’s 28 law schools for graduate employment in full-time, longterm, JD-required and JD-preferred jobs for the Class of 2013. The statistics have propelled the law school into the top quartile of a nationwide law school ranking by Moody’s Investors Service released in 2014. Still, our tuition is one of the lowest among West Coast law schools. You’ll learn more about us in the following pages of the Viewbook and I hope you’ll take the time to consider the five reasons students come to Willamette. You’ll see this list brought to life if you come to visit. Spend some time on campus and see why we’re part of a college that changes lives—for the better. Warmest regards,
Curtis Bridgeman
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VIEWBOOK CONTENTS 2 DEAN’S WELCOME 5 5 REASONS TO COME TO WILLAMETTE 6 PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 8 LAW-MAKING CENTRAL 10 STRONG ALUMNI NETWORK 12 PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION
Practical Skills Courses Externship Program Clinical Law Certificate Program
22 TOP EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES 24 DEGREE PROGRAMS 26 J. W. LONG LAW LIBRARY 27 LIFE IN SALEM 28 COLLEGE OF LAW ADMISSION
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REASONS TO COME TO WILLAMETTE Personal Learning Environment Law-Making Central Strong Alumni Network Practice-Ready Education Top Employment Outcomes
As you get to know us, you’ll see there are many more than five reasons to choose Willamette University College of Law for your legal education. We start with these because our students find them the most compelling.
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PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Willamette is a small school dedicated to nurturing our students in a learning environment that fosters collaboration. Three quarters of all courses taken in the second and third years of law school have 25 or fewer students. Many have fewer than 10 students. As a result, students work closely with faculty members and fellow students. Education at Willamette is rigorous, but it is never impersonal. Willamette’s distinctive approach to legal education and our belief that the best lawyers are individually trained, not mass produced, create a different type of law student and a different type of law school.
Professors become lifelong mentors to their students, both academically and professionally. Fellow students are colleagues rather than competitors. Our small classes have the feel of seminars or workshops, which provide students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills and powers of persuasion. Upon graduation, Willamette law students join a community of alumni who value one another as friends and fellow professionals.
Our enrollment of fewer than 400 full-time students creates an intellectual intimacy unmatched by most law schools in the United States.
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NIKOLE NELSON (left) AND NICOLE NELSON, TWO GRADUATES FROM THE CLASS OF ’97, met in law school and discovered they shared a name and a passion for public interest law. They sat through many of the same classes and programs, co-chaired the Willamette University Public Interest Law Program (WUPILP) auction and graduated to work extensively with low-income, minority and vulnerable populations. The friends reunited this year when they were presented with the WUPILP Raising the Bar Award by their professor and WUPILP advisor, Mike Wise.
Willamette keeps classes small to ensure effective facultystudent interaction and an intimate learning environment. Throughout the last five years, the average class size for firstyear law students has been approximately 45 students, with Legal Research and Writing classes being smaller. A notable 61 percent of classes for second- and third-year students has had fewer than 25 students; 15 percent of classes has had 25–49 students.
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2
LAW-MAKING CENTRAL
Willamette’s proximity to state government — an advantage that cannot be matched anywhere else in the region — also provides students with a unique ability to work with state officials while pursuing their studies.
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Located just steps away from the Oregon Capitol and Supreme Court, Willamette offers students the opportunity not just to study the law, but to work directly with the people engaged in making the law. Lawmakers, judges and public officials regularly come to campus to speak to students, and several officials — including a current Oregon Supreme Court justice and two former chief justices — teach courses at the law school. Students can participate in part-time and full-time externships for a semester at the Legislature, Supreme Court, or Oregon Department of Justice, among other places. And far from being passive observers, students actively participate in the creation of law. Several students have served in leadership roles in the Oregon Legislature while attending law school, and the Oregon Law Commission, housed at Willamette, allows students to draft new legislation that is submitted to the Legislature.
As part of their outreach efforts, the Oregon Supreme Court meets at Willamette College of Law once a year to hear oral arguments in pending cases and answer students’ questions. The law school hosts a lunch for students and members of the court after the session adjourns.
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STRONG ALUMNI NETWORK Graduating from Willamette means more than just receiving a degree; it means joining a large and ever-growing community of alumni who occupy positions of leadership in law, business and politics. Our alumni feel a special bond with Willamette and work to help each other and current students achieve professional success throughout their lives. From leading law firms to state capitols and corporate boardrooms of international businesses, Willamette law alumni are prominent and willing to extend a hand.
The size and prestige of Willamette’s alumni network pays immediate dividends to current law students. Alumni are active participants in the school’s Mentorship Program and take an active interest in helping students find rewarding jobs after they graduate. The results speak for themselves: Willamette University College of Law has ranked first in Oregon and fifth among the West Coast’s 28 law schools for placing graduates in full-time, long-term, JD-required and JD-preferred jobs for the Class of 2013, according to the American Bar Association.
(From right) LIANI REEVES ’98, JD’01, general counsel for Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, mentored MAE LEE BROWNING JD’14 while Browning was in law school. Browning is now an associate attorney with the Portland criminal defense firm Morningstar Legal Arts.
“[Liani] connected me with her other mentees and helped shape me into the person I am today. She helped me create my Oregon legal family.” MAE LEE BROWNING JD’14
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SUNG YANG JD’01, is director, corporate counsel in the Law and Corporate Affairs Department at Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. His responsibilities include supporting business personnel with highvalue commercial agreements and complex business alliances. His first job out of law school was working as an associate for Davis Wright Tremaine, a large Northwest business law firm.
“Willamette breeds a level of camaraderie you may not see at a school with a thousand graduates every year. The circle is kind of special.” SUNG YANG JD’01
PAUL J. DE MUNIZ JD’75, distinguished jurist in residence, is the former chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Having spent more than two decades on the bench, De Muniz is a leading voice for sustainable court funding, the importance of state courts in the United States, and reforming the judicial election system.
“Looking back, I know that I benefited as a person, a lawyer and a judge from a Willamette legal education.” PAUL J. DE MUNIZ JD’75
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PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION A law degree from a great school like Willamette is no longer the only thing young lawyers need to find a job. Employers today are looking for graduates who have experience. Willamette College of Law was among the first law schools in the nation to incorporate skills training into its curriculum, and we remain a leader today. We offer practice-ready education through a variety of hands-on opportunities including: Practical Skills Courses Externships Clinical Law Program Certificate Programs in:
Law and Business
Law and Government
Dispute Resolution
Sustainability Law
International and Comparative Law
After a semester-long externship in the Washington D.C. office of Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski JD’85, Justin Surber JD’14 landed a job as the chief of staff for Oregon State Senator Mark Hass.
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“My externship gave me experience in the legislative process that otherwise I never would have had. My understanding of the law-making process has been invaluable to my confidence as I transition into working for the state legislature.” JUSTIN SURBER JD‘14
PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION
practical skills courses Students have access to a wide selection of practical skills courses, many of which are taught by current practitioners. Civil Trial Practice, a course in which students engage in a trial simulation, is taught by a practicing litigator who has handled more than 200 civil trials.
Oregon Criminal Procedure and Practice is taught by yet another former chief justice, who did groundbreaking criminal defense work before becoming a justice.
Pre-Trial Civil Litigation is taught by a former chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.
Visiting professor Rick Martson, a long-time litigator
“Keep it interesting to make a point. If you stand up here and look boring or arrogant, you’ll have a very short trial career.” RICK MARTSON Visiting Professor
and partner with the Portland firm Tonkon Torp LLP, introduces his Trial Practice course with metaphors for real-life lawyering skills. The visual aids reflect his approach to examining a witness, addressing a jury and teaching law school.
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PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION
externship program
Our Externship Program immerses Willamette University College of Law students in the fast-paced work of the practicing lawyer. Students are partnered with attorneys working in various legal settings in the wider community. These students are able to participate in legal work in many different contexts, under the constraints of a real-life practice.
In the 2013-14 academic year, 88 Willamette law students participated in externships with attorneys in private firms, legal nonprofit organizations, government agencies, district attorney offices and businesses.
With his eye on a career in trial practice, NATHANIEL AGGREY JD’16 served as an extern in the Washington County District Attorney’s office. “It shaped my career goals by exposing me to the skills I need to become a trial lawyer. Now I am more focused on learning about trial practice,” he says.
Law student LAUREN OLSON JD’16 spent the summer after her first year of law school as an extern in the general counsel office of Columbia Sportswear in Portland. “Willamette does an excellent job of providing students with opportunities to gain real-world experience. Now I have a solid foundation on which to begin building a business law career,” she says.
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PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION
clinical law
The Clinical Law Program provides students with hands-on, professional experience in actual law practice. Students enrolled in the program interview and counsel clients; investigate facts and research law; formulate legal theories of the case; choose legal tactics to achieve client goals; draft pleadings, transactional documents and correspondence; negotiate on behalf of clients with opposing counsel; and represent clients in court, all under close supervision of faculty. Clinics include: Business Law Trusts and Estates Child and Family Advocacy Law and Government Immigration and Human Rights
As part of their 2013 Clinical Law Program experience, four Willamette College of Law students prepared a friend-of-the-court brief for a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. They traveled to Washington D.C. to observe oral arguments in the case.
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PRACTICE-READY EDUCATION
certificate program As part of its practice-ready education offerings, Willamette College of Law offers five specialty certificate programs to emphasize the unique and comprehensive training that participants complete in these areas.
CERTIFICATE IN LAW AND BUSINESS The Certificate Program in Law and Business provides Willamette law students with a uniquely integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of business law. The program leads to a special understanding of the relationship between the law and the objectives of business clients. It is valuable for students planning on careers in corporate, entrepreneurial, tax and public finance law.
Students are able to take business courses through the law school’s collaboration with the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. The analytical framework gives certificate holders an important advantage in providing their clients with sound and effective legal advice.
“Possessing a Certificate in Law and Business means you’re prepared — through training, education and experience — to practice in corporate, commercial and securities law, business litigation or intellectual property. You’re ready to become a well-rounded lawyer.” DAVID FRIEDMAN Associate Professor
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Many students commute to Portland to work as summer associates or externs. ERICA ROSALES-KINNEY JD’15 served as a summer associate at Davis Wright Tremain, a firm of 500 lawyers with nine offices on the east and west coasts of the United States and in Shanghai.
GABRIELLE HANSEN JD‘15 worked as a summer associate in the Portland office of Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt. With more than165 attorneys, and offices in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Bend and Salem, the firm is one of the largest Pacific Northwest law firms.
“Doing a summer associate program is some of the best practical training you can get while still in school. This experience gave me a glimpse of what it’s like to practice in a large firm with some of the best lawyers out there.” GABRIELLE HANSEN JD‘15
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CERTIFICATE IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION The Certificate Program in Dispute Resolution has been ranked among the top 10 dispute resolution programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report law school rankings.
“Negotiation and conflict resolution skills are important in almost any area of law today. The Dispute Resolution Program and professors helped me develop a keen social awareness and problem solving skills that will be assets in the real world practice of law.”
This specialized program of study provides a substantial foundation in mediation and negotiation for all law students; however, the program is particularly valuable for those students interested in a deep exploration of problem solving, deal making and decision theory.
MATTHEW GIPSON JD’15
“Lawyers in the 21st century really need to learn not just advocacy skills, but negotiating skills and mediation skills. Those are the skills needed in the setting in which most lawyers find themselves.” U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE VALERIE P. COOKE Chair of the Ninth Circuit Alternative Dispute Resolution, upon presenting Willamette with the Ninth Circuit ADR Education Award.
The Oregon Civic Justice Center, located next to the law school, houses Willamette’s nationally-acclaimed Center for Dispute Resolution, the Clinical Law Program and the Oregon Law Commission (OLC).
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Nearby government offices provide a wealth of opportunity for students and graduates from Willamette. Travis Kuhns JD’14 and Allie Overton JD’14 both landed jobs with the Marion County District Attorney’s office after graduation.
CERTIFICATE IN LAW AND GOVERNMENT Students in the Certificate Program in Law and Government examine the ways in which public policy is made and modified and the methods used to effectively influence formulation of law and policy. The program helps them develop an understanding of the legal structure, function and operations of national, state and local government institutions.
The College of Law has a long history of successfully translating the capitol city’s rich political and legal environments into a living laboratory for Willamette law students. Through the Oregon Law Commission, a unique public/private partnership between Willamette and the legislature, our students and faculty have the opportunity to participate in law reform, revision and improvement.
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CERTIFICATE IN SUSTAINABILITY LAW The Certificate Program in Sustainability Law places special emphasis on the role of the lawyer in formulating environmental and natural resources law and policy to sustain and protect our local and global resources. Students enrolled in the program receive a solid foundation in all areas of the law but also have the academic flexibility to focus on specific areas related to sustainability and the environment.
KIMBERLY JONES JD’15,
RALPH BLOEMERS JD’98 founded
a self-described “water
the nonprofit Crag Law Center in
kid” who grew up on
2001. It serves as a complete legal
Oregon’s scenic Rogue
resource for conservation groups,
River, is interested in land
allowing small groups to be
use and water rights law.
represented on major issues such
She participated in a
as the federal designation of new
part-time externship
wilderness and the Clean Water Act.
with the Oregon Water Resources Department in Salem.
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CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW The Certificate Program in International and Comparative Law provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in the fundamentals of public international law and dispute resolution, international business transactions, comparative law, private international law, and transnational arbitration and litigation.
“The classroom teaches about the law and how the law theoretically works, but you can never really learn how to practice law until you dive in and learn how to keep yourself afloat.” KATHARINE TATE JD’15
In addition, students can study a wide range of international law specialty subjects or participate in our Study Abroad programs in countries including China and Germany. Willamette’s month-long summer study at East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai is the oldest law school summer exchange program in China.
KATHARINE TATE JD’15 provides pro bono counsel to clients at Willamette’s Human Rights and Immigration Clinic while she pursues a Certificate in International and Comparative Law. She also serves as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution.
JAMES MEI JD’89 practices international business law with the Portland firm of Davis Wright Tremain and serves as an instructor with Willamette’s Summer Program in Shanghai at East China University of Politics and Law. The program recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a well attended reception at the Shanghai university.
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TOP EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES
Your career as a lawyer begins on the first day of orientation at Willamette University College of Law. You and your classmates will be asked to identify and discuss the ethical issues of a real-life case with practicing attorneys and judges. Why? Because at Willamette we believe your understanding of the ethical demands and professional conduct of a
TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT Five-year Averages, 2007–2011 Judiciary 5% Public Interest/ Academia/Other 9%
Government 14%
Business/Industry 14% Private Practice 58%
For complete American Bar Association and NALP 2010–13 employment reports, visit our website: willamette.edu/wucl/careers/statistics.html
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lawyer should form the foundation for the rest of your legal education. Early in the first few weeks of the first term, advisors from the College of Law Placement Office meet one-on-one with each new student to help create an individual plan mapping out where you hope to go with your law degree and what experience you need to get there. Over the following three years, the Placement Office provides extensive professional development training for students, including: Job Hunting Seminar — A mandatory day-long seminar helping first-year students prepare for job hunting and career development in the legal field. Attorney-Mentor Program — An opportunity for each participating first-year student to pair with one of more than 150 lawyers and judges in the region to form a personal relationship with an active legal professional. Professional networking — Opportunities for students to attend events with local and state bar groups and organizations such as Oregon Women Lawyers, Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, and the New Lawyers Division.
“Willamette gave me the solid base I needed to begin my career. I was able to take advantage of several externship opportunities, each of which helped me feel ready to make the transition from law school to real world practice.” STEPHANIE SCHUYLER JD’14 Associate with Salem business law firm Saalfeld Griggs
CLASS OF 2013 88 PERCENT of all graduates have a fulltime, long-term job. 75 PERCENT of all graduates have full-time, Externship Program — Full-time and part-time experiential learning opportunities with practicing attorneys. Full-time externships can be arranged almost anywhere in the world. Part-time opportunities nearby are available if students want to continue their studies at the same time. Mock interviews with attorneys and judges. Fall interviewing opportunities with private firms and government organizations. Participation in the Northwest Public Service Career Fair in Portland and Seattle.
long-term jobs or jobs that require a JD or in which a JD is an advantage.
Graduation does not mean the end of help from Willamette’s Placement Office. Within weeks of commencement, graduates receive the Recent Grad Survival Guide with everything necessary for an effective job-hunt. Many graduates stay in touch with the placement office for counsel when they’re ready to take the next step in their career.
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DEGREE AND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS JD Willamette’s Juris Doctor is a three-year program that results in the professional doctorate necessary for taking the bar exam and practicing law in the United States. Willamette’s JD program is accredited by the American Bar Association.
JD/MBA The JD/MBA program combines the resources of the Willamette University College of Law and Atkinson Graduate School of Management in a four-year program that results in two professional degrees: the Juris Doctor and the Master of Business Administration. PAUL D. COVERDELL FELLOWS PROGRAM The College of Law and Peace
The program is accredited for law by the American Bar Association (ABA) and business by AACSB International. The program is also a member of NASPAA, for public management.
Corps have partnered to offer the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, providing partial law school scholarships to returned Peace Corps volunteers who complete a degree-related internship in an underserved American community
LLM The Masters of Laws is a one-year, advanced law degree. Law school graduates or lawyers trained internationally frequently pursue the LLM to gain expertise in a specialized field of law. Willamette offers two Masters of Laws programs: one in Dispute Resolution and one in Transnational Law.
while they pursue their studies. The program is specifically reserved for students who have already completed their Peace Corps service abroad. Selected Coverdell Fellows can work toward
MLS The Master of Legal Studies is a one-year master’s program designed for non-lawyers whose job involves working within a legal or regulatory framework. A bachelor’s degree is required.
a Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution or Transnational Law, or Master of Legal Studies (MLS).
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3+3 PROGRAM Willamette’s 3+3 Program is a series of innovative partnerships between the College of Law and select universities that allow students to complete a bachelor’s degree and law degree in six years rather than the usual seven. Program partners include: Willamette University College of Liberal Arts, Oregon State University and University of Alaska, Anchorage.
JOINT DEGREE PROGRAM: JD/MBA PROGRAM Willamette University’s JD/MBA is a popular joint degree program for students who want to integrate the study of law with business and management. The program enables students to achieve two professional degrees in four years. Graduates of the joint degree program receive a JD from the College of Law and an MBA from Willamette’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. With
the schools side-by-side on campus, managing the dual-program course schedule is easy. The program is accredited for law by the American Bar Association and for business by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The program is also a member of NASPAA, for public management.
“If you want to be competitive in the marketplace, it’s about having a JD degree…and something more. I think the ‘something more’ are these joint degree programs that allow you to better integrate into the fields that you’re interested in working in.” ROBIN BRENA JD/MBA‘83
ROBIN BRENA JD/MBA ’83 splits his time between a home in Hawaii and a home in Alaska where he practices real estate and business litigation. He is the founding partner of Brena, Bell & Clarkson, an Anchorage, Alaska firm that is considered mid-sized in Alaska but is frequently pitted against Washington, D.C. and Texas-based firms with 500 or more attorneys.
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J.W. LONG LAW LIBRARY Students, scholars, judges and practicing lawyers turn to the beautiful J.W. Long Library at Willamette’s College of Law for access to top reference librarians, state and federal primary law sources, and leading treatises, periodicals and other secondary legal sources.
The library is home to more than 300,000 volumes and microform equivalents of most secondary source materials vital to a full understanding of the law. The library, a Selective Federal Government Repository, houses special collections in public international law, tax law and labor law. Within easy walking distance of Willamette are additional research facilities including: Willamette University’s Mark O. Hatfield Library; The State of Oregon Law Library, which houses briefs of the Oregon Supreme Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals, and rare historical Commonwealth materials; The Oregon State Library, the repository of state government documents; and The Oregon State Archives, which houses all historical Oregon legislative documents.
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LIFE IN SALEM Law school at Willamette is about more than studying. Situated in the middle of wine country and an hour from your choice of the ocean, the mountains or downtown Portland, Salem offers all the amenities of a large city but retains its hometown charm and affordability. Housing here is varied and plentiful, with rents well below that of bigger cities. See what Salem and the surrounding area has to offer:
VISITING THE COLLEGE OF LAW We look forward to meeting you in person and providing you with more than photos and testimonials. Come for a visit and you’ll get a glimpse of what your future holds as a student at Willamette University College of Law.
Award winning vineyards and orchards Miles of paths for walking, biking, jogging and rollerblading
TO PLAN A VISIT: Call us at 503-370-6282 or send an email to law-admission@willamette.edu.
Countless recreational opportunities, including:
Hiking
Kayaking
Fishing
Rock Climbing
Skiing
Metropolitan Portland, with its international airport, provides easy access from all parts of the world. A trip to the city offers premier music, art and entertainment venues, sporting events, and shopping.
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COLLEGE OF LAW ADMISSION
Willamette University College of Law offers one of the best values in private legal education on the West Coast. We offer some of the most competitive scholarship packages in the region — which means our students graduate from a select, private law school with minimum debt.
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THE APPLICATION PROCESS Willamette University College of Law enrolls a small first-year law class with a wide range of career goals and backgrounds distinguished by academic achievements. Applicants are urged to apply as early as possible, preferably the fall prior to the year of intended enrollment. Applications are reviewed closely to ensure an informed and fair decision. JD Application Checklist: Apply online at: willamette.edu/wucl/admission/apply Priority deadline — For best consideration, apply by March 1. Applicants are considered and accepted after that date so long as seats are still available LSAT — Law School Admission Test. LSAC.org, lsacinfo@lsac.org or 215-968-1001
Two letters of recommendation Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and any postgraduate institutions Personal statement Resume Character and fitness disclosure
EARLY DECISION Willamette offers an Early Decision Admission Program. Individuals must submit a complete application, along with an Early Decision commitment letter, by Nov. 15. Early Decision applicants will be notified of a final admission decision no later than midDecember, and, if they are admitted through the program, applicants are guaranteed a scholarship award good for all three years of study at the law school as long as they remain in good academic standing. Willamette guarantees that all students awarded the Early Decision scholarship will never pay more — and in some cases may pay less — during their three years at Willamette than the officially disclosed in-state tuition and fees charged by any of the public university law schools on
the West Coast. Individuals admitted through early decision must submit a deposit postmarked by Dec. 30 and withdraw from consideration at all other law schools.
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TUITION AND EXPENSES Estimated Expenses for the 2014-15 Academic Year for JD, MLS and LLM Programs* Tuition................................................. $37,625 Student Bar Association fee.................... $180 Estimated books................................... $1,550 Total law school expenses.............. $39,355 Living expenses**............................... $15,480 Health insurance***.............................. $1,878 Total living expenses....................... $17,358 TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENSES............. $56,713
*These charges are subject to change each academic year and based on full-time attendance for JD, MLS and LLM Programs. **Estimated living expenses include transportation and room and board during the nine-month academic year, based on the needs of a law student with no spouse, partner or dependents. ***The Willamette University-sponsored student health insurance is provided by Aetna. Full benefit information and information regarding how to waive student health insurance is available at: willamette.edu/dept/health/insurance.
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND AID The fiscal stability of Willamette University enables the College of Law to offer a strong program of financial aid to its students. Merit-based financial aid is awarded by the College of Law in the form of scholarships. The Office of Financial Aid of Willamette University awards need-based aid in the form of loans and work-study monies. For information about financial aid from Willamette and from other sources such as the Oregon State Bar, visit the Financial Aid Office’s website at willamette.edu/wucl/admission/finaid.
This viewbook was designed to give prospective students an accurate picture of the law school curriculum, faculty, environment and related subjects. Over the course of its shelf life, changes may be made to the curriculum, faculty and other important areas. Information about such changes will be disseminated to the public as appropriate. However, all provisions contained herein are subject to change without notice and do not constitute a contract or offer to contract with any person. Willamette University is a diverse community that provides equal opportunity in employment, activities and academic programs. The university shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status and sexual orientation. Willamette is firmly committed to adhere to the letter and spirit of all federal and state equal opportunity and civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and their implementing regulations. Willamette University complies with the Student-Right-to-Know Act, the Campus Security Act and Clery Act, the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For information on whom to contact with questions regarding the university’s compliance with these laws, contact the Office of Human Resources, Willamette University, 900 State St., Salem, OR 97301, 503-370-6210. Additional information can be attained from the Institutional Research and Planning Support website, willamette.edu/ dept/ir, or by calling the Office of Institutional Research at 503-370-6017. The security of all members of the campus community is a vital concern to Willamette University. Information regarding crime prevention advice, the law enforcement authority of the Office of Campus Safety, policies concerning the reporting of crimes that occur on campus, and crime statistics for the most recent three-year period may be viewed on Willamette University’s website at willamette.edu/dept/safety/security/crime/; a paper copy can be requested from the Office of Admission, Willamette University, 900 State St., Salem, OR 97301.
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Office of Admission 245 Winter Street SE Salem, Oregon 97301
503-370-6282 law-admission@willamette.edu willamette.edu/wucl/admission
From the time our first students entered the classroom in 1883, Willamette University College of Law has been a pioneer of legal education in the western United States. Located across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and Oregon Supreme Court, the College of Law is situated at the nexus of Oregon law, government and business. With fewer than 400 students enrolled, the law school is an intimate, selective and intellectually rigorous school. Students should expect to be challenged, defend their opinions, think and rethink their ideas and leave with a heightened respect for themselves and confidence in what they can do and in their grounding in the law. We are a community committed to the advancement of knowledge through research, scholarship and mentoring, to diversity and to public service. The College of Law has trained generations of lawyers, including more than a dozen Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, heads of Fortune 500 companies, and countless distinguished private and public attorneys.