WVULAW
BE A LAWYER AND A LEADER IN A COMPLEX WORLD
Congratulations! You are on your way to a challenging and rewarding career. Law is a structured, dynamic, and creative discipline. Lawyers are passionate about their profession; they are leaders and change agents; they provide an important, valuable service; and they play a vital role in a functioning and just society. To prepare you for your future, the West Virginia University College of Law offers the curriculum and practice-ready experience that will equip you to be a lawyer and a leader in a complex world. Here, you will discover intellectual rewards in every area of the law, from litigation, family, and public interest law to energy and environmental law. Our professors are accessible experts in their fields. They are scholarpractitioners who will mentor you and challenge you every step of the way. They are passionate about teaching the law and passionate about your success. The administration and staff are equally supportive. If you have a deep interest in becoming a lawyer ready for the challenges of the twenty-first century, I encourage you to join us on Law School Hill, home base for the far-reaching WVU Law community.
Joyce E. McConnell William J. Maier Jr. Dean Thomas R. Goodwin Professor of Law Dean McConnell has led the College of Law since 2008. She joined the faculty in 1995 and is a nationally recognized scholar in property law, natural resources law, and land-use planning. She was named a Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation in 2009 for outstanding achievement in law and for upholding the highest principles of the legal profession.
INSIDE COVER
Message from the Dean
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Our Mission
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Learning the Law. Learning to be a Lawyer and a Leader.
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Faculty
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Clinical Law Program
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List of Courses
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Externships
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Study Abroad
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Career Services
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Center for Energy and Sustainable Development
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Student Life
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Student Organizations
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Morgantown and WVU
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Building for Your Future
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Admissions
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Financial Aid
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Lawyers as Leaders 1
OUR MISSION Preparing twenty-first-century lawyers and leaders to serve the public, government, and business—both locally and globally—while focusing on justice, ethics, professionalism, and service in a diverse, vibrant, and respectful community. ABOUT US Founded in 1878 and ABA accredited since 1923, the West Virginia University College of Law is affordable and nationally recognized in top law school rankings. Our curriculum is competitive and rigorous, combining the best in traditional legal education with dynamic law programs that address emerging challenges throughout our global society.
OUR STRATEGIC GOALS In conjunction with WVU’s 2020 Strategic Plan and working with the College of Law community, Dean Joyce McConnell has established a set of strategic goals that frame the student experience at the College of Law. • Engage law students in a rigorous academic environment to
With a focus on justice, ethics, and professionalism, WVU Law offers premier law degree and joint degree
become practice-ready lawyers and leaders. • Excel in interdisciplinary research, curricular innovation, and
programs, and practice-ready experiences through law clinics
technology for the profession.
and externships, guided by professors who are accomplished
• Foster justice, diversity, and an inclusive culture.
attorneys and distinguished legal scholars.
• Advance global engagement.
Our vibrant culture of excellence fosters diversity and
• Enhance the well-being and quality of life of the people of
respect, ensuring a balanced and supportive academic
the state, the nation, and the world through innovation,
community within one of the nation’s leading public
representation, and service.
research universities. WVU Law prepares top lawyers and dedicated leaders for careers that span public service, private practice, government, and business.
Top Tier Law School (Ranked #91), U.S. News & World Report, 2014
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US 2
#33 “Go-To” Law School National Law Journal, 2012
A FEW NOTABLE ALUMNI Stephanie D. Thacker, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Thomas B. Bennett, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Robert B. King, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jon D. Levy, Justice, Maine Supreme Judicial Court Charles M. Love, III, Partner, Bowles Rice
William J. Ihlenfeld, II, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
Scott Segal, Partner, The Segal Law Firm
R. Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of WV
Robert M. Steptoe Jr., Member, Steptoe and Johnson, PLLC
Irene Keeley, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Michael T. Escue, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, NY Ellen S. Cappellanti, Jackson Kelly PLLC
John Thomas Copenhaver Jr., Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Marvin Masters, The Masters Law Firm, L.C.
Robin Jean Davis, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Margaret L. Workman, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc. Marty Becker, CEO and President, Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd. Robert C. Skaggs Jr., President and CEO, NiSource Inc.
Menis E. Ketchum, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Irene C. Berger, Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Joseph S. Farland (1914-2007), U.S. Ambassador to Iran, Pakistan, Panama, Dominican Republic Philander C. Knox (1853-1921), U.S. Attorney General, Secretary of State
Dwane L. Tinsley, Magistrate Judge, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
#15 Best Law School for Public Interest preLaw Magazine, 2011
2012 Excellence in Pro Bono Award (Clinical Law Program), Super Lawyer, 2013
#16 Best Value Law School preLaw Magazine, 2012
Top 5 Regional Law School for Black Law Students On Being a Black Lawyer, 2012 3
Whitney Wangel and Joshua Ash, Class of 2015
LEARNING THE LAW. As a leading law school, WVU Law teaches with a clear purpose —to prepare you to be practice-ready the day you graduate. After building a foundation of core legal knowledge essential
the law and constitutional litigation. Perspective courses
to all attorneys in your first year, you will discover and develop
add to your legal education by connecting your studies to
individual interests through specialized courses in your second
the traditions of the liberal arts (humanities, social sciences,
and third years. Your classroom experiences will be enhanced by
natural sciences).
experiential opportunities. 1L (first-year) required curriculum (31 semester hours): Civil Procedure Jurisdiction Contracts I Criminal Law Torts I Legal Reasoning, Research, Writing (LRRW) I and II Civil Procedure Rules Constitutional Law Legislation and Regulation Property I
After the first year, all students must complete Appellate Advocacy, a research seminar, and two perspective courses. Research seminars cover a wide range of topics, from environmental law and health care regulations to gender and 4
WVU Law students must also fulfill a capstone requirement such as Trial Advocacy, clinical law practice, a federal judicial externship, or Business Transactions Drafting practicum. Outside the classroom, you have the opportunity to enhance your training with hands-on experiences in a law clinic (we have ten), engaging in moot court, delving into research, studying abroad, serving in a judicial externship, or working on the West Virginia Law Review. It’s about preparing you to better understand your future clients and work environment, and to be ready to provide critical legal services.
law.wvu.edu/academics
DISTINCTIVE DUAL DEGREES WVU Law offers two opportunities to earn a dual degree: JD/Executive MBA and JD/Master’s in Public Administration. Earning a cross-disciplinary degree gives future lawyers even broader professional and networking opportunities for jobs and a valuable career advantage. Dual degrees also can be completed in less time than if the two degrees were pursued independently. Students interested in pursuing a joint degree must submit applications to both colleges. Some recent dual degree alumni include: • Marcie McClintic Coates, Class of 2005, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Mylan, Inc. • Alvin Hathaway, Class of 2009, Demand Manager, Jeremy Gunn, Class of 2014
Texas Instruments
LEARNING TO BE A LAWYER AND A LEADER. SUPPORT
All first-year (1L) students are assigned to a Peer Mentoring Group. Each group is comprised of 15 classmates, upper-class mentors, and one faculty advisor. Mentoring Group members have
THE GEORGE R. FARMER JR. LAW LIBRARY
every class together and are mixed in with all other 1L groups. As
Research is a core tenet of legal education, and law students
a result, new students have class with every person in the entering
spend a lot of time in the library. The George R. Farmer Jr. Library
class by the end of the week.
is, literally, the center of the College of Law. Rising through the
The Academic Excellence Center provides a variety of support to first-year (1L) students to empower them to quickly integrate “how to learn” with “what to learn.” Critical
middle of the building, it’s a hub of activity throughout the day and into the night. The Farmer Library is the largest public law library in the state,
skills workshops, helpful handouts, and individual and group
with more than 300,000 volumes. It offers access to more than 20
counseling help students thrive, not just survive. For 3Ls, the
legal databases, including Bloomberg Law, Environmental Law
Center offers a bar prep short course.
Reporter, FastCase, Foreign Law Guide, LexisNexis, and Westlaw.
The Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing
The Carlin Computer Lab hosts training sessions ranging from
Program helps students build skills and achieve the level
word processing to Web-based research. Four of our librarians have
of competence they will need to successfully handle a variety
law degrees.
of written and oral communication tasks immediately after
Students can be found studying in a quiet corner or catching
graduation. The Program includes a Professional Writing
up with friends on the top floor. The library also hosts informative
Center and a writing specialist who provides workshops and
exhibits in the Special Collections area.
individual assistance.
law.wvu.edu/library 5
FACULTY WVU Law’s distinguished faculty is the backbone of the College. They bring valuable experiences and perspectives to their classrooms. They are a diverse and distinguished group of accomplished attorneys and practitioners, outstanding teachers and scholars, and wellconnected mentors. They are respected leaders in legal education. Our faculty members share a common mission: to prepare competent and ethical lawyers for a wide range of careers and service to the citizens and communities in the state, the nation, and the world. In our classrooms and programs, and through our clinics and externships, students and professors interact and engage in learning that’s focused and fulfilling.
WVU Law professors will challenge your assumptions, demand well-reasoned positions, and insist that you achieve more than you ever imagined. law.wvu.edu/faculty-staff 6
CHARLES DISALVO Mahatma Ghandi was a lawyer before he was a leader of nonviolent political resistance and India’s independence movement. Professor Charles DiSalvo is the author of the first definitive biography that explores Gandhi’s early years as a lawyer: M.K.Gandhi, Attorney at Law: The Man Before the Mahatma. Professor DiSalvo is the Woodrow A. Potesta Professor of Law at WVU. Since joining the faculty in 1979, his passion for public interest law has inspired thousands of students to use the law for the benefit of society. He is co-founder of the West Virginia Fund for Law in Public Interest that raises money to support summer fellowships and other opportunities for WVU law students who want to work in public service. An award-winning professor, he teaches one of the few law school courses in the country on civil disobedience. He is also an expert on bioethics and the law, civil procedure, and trial advocacy. DiSalvo began his legal career at the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund. He earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California, his master’s from Claremont Graduate School, and his bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher College.
ANNE MARIE LOFASO Professor Anne Marie Lofaso received the 2013 WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching. In 2010, she earned the WVU Law Professor of the Year Award. Students appreciate her natural teaching style that combines energy, humor, and self-deprecation. “I think of law professors as frustrated stand-up comedians. My approach is to make students want to come to class,” she said. “They should think class is fun and should not have to realize in the process that they’re actually learning.” An expert in labor law, Professor Lofaso joined the faculty in 2007 and has been Associate Dean for Faculty Research and Development since 2011. She teaches courses on employment law, labor law, and jurisprudence. She is coauthor of Modern Labor Law in the Public and Private Sectors: Cases and Materials. Among her other publications, she has also written A Practitioner’s Guide to Appellate Advocacy. Professor Lofaso earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and holds two law degrees: a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Oxford.
WILLIAM RHEE Associate Professor of Law William Rhee was named one of the most influential young law professors by Lawyers of Color magazine. In placing Rhee on their 2013 50 under 50 List, the magazine’s editors acknowledged his “influence and relevance both within and beyond” the law school. Professor Rhee’s scholarship is informed by his practice experience as an educational civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, a litigation associate for Debevoise and Plimpton, LLP, and a staff attorney for the National Juvenile Defender Center. He also has served as a U.S. Army infantry company commander and as a law clerk for Judge Sam J. Ervin III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Professor Rhee, who joined the faculty in 2008, teaches Civil Procedure Jurisdiction, Civil Procedure Rules, Evidence, Empirical Legal Methods, and the Animal Law Seminar. He holds a J.D. from Northwestern University (Order of the Coif) and earned his B.A. from Yale University.
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PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. PUBLIC SERVICE. Michael Cary, Class of 2011, an Associate at Bowles Rice LLP
CLINICAL LAW PROGRAM WVU Law’s award-winning Clinical Law Program, founded in 1976, develops practice-ready skills while providing an important legal service to clients in need. Students, under faculty supervision, provide more than 40,000 hours of free legal aid a year through our clinics. This effort earned the program the Super Lawyers 2012 Excellence in Pro Bono Award, a national recognition given to only one law school a year.
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The Clinical Law Program is structured by practice, like an actual law firm. Civil Practice includes the following law clinics: General Practice, Child and Family with Medical-Legal Partnership, Domestic Violence, Immigration, the Innocence Project, Taxpayer Advocacy, and the Veterans Assistance Project. The other separate clinics are: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Land Use and Sustainability, and the U.S. Supreme Court. WVU Law is one of only a handful of law schools in the country that offer a Supreme Court clinic.
“I was going to try to go to court myself and represent us but then we found out about the Veterans Assistance Project. I’m glad we did. I wouldn’t have known half the stuff I had to do. The students have been a lot of help and have done a great job. We’d have never been able to represent ourselves or hire someone.” former U.S. Marine
The General Practice Clinic concentrates on legal services in family law (including violence protection, custody, support, divorce, and adoption), social security and other public benefits, property issues, consumer debt relief, bankruptcy, and cases taken by court appointment. Students often appear in state and federal courts throughout the northern portion of West Virginia. In a recent child neglect case, Clinic students were named guardian ad litem and worked closely with a low-income family to ensure that an infant received proper care to the satisfaction of the court. In essence, they saved a life and a family.
The Child and Family Law Clinic with Medical-Legal Partnership works with children and families of limited income to promote their health, security, and future success. The Medical-Legal Partnership operates in cooperation with WVU Children’s Hospital. During medical visits, clinicians identify potential legal issues, such as lack of health insurance, inadequate housing, unemployment, or child custody. If a legal problem is identified, the families are given the opportunity to consult with WVU Law students.
Taxpayer Advocacy provides free legal representation in federal tax matters. Students appear before the U.S. Tax Court when it sits in Charleston, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA. They represent clients in a wide range of tax matters.
The Veterans Assistance Project provides civil legal services to qualified veterans in family law (including violence protection, custody, support, divorce, and adoption), estate planning, property issues, and consumer debt relief. It is the first-of-its-kind project in the nation between a law school and a VA hospital. Law students in the Veterans Assistance Project recently helped settle a custody case that involved a serviceman who returned from duty to learn that he had fathered a child. The case went before a mediator and took several hours before a satisfactory settlement was reached.
The West Virginia Innocence Project law clinic aims to serve and free people who are in prison for crimes they did not commit. It’s affiliated with the national Innocence Network. It also works to fix problems that lead to wrongful convictions in our justice system, and focus on issues important to the people of West Virginia. The Project worked closely with state and other officials to enact eyewitness identification reform. Law enforcement departments are now required to develop and maintain a best practice standard policy for eyewitness identification procedures. Every year for two decades, a Morgantown man was required to place his name on the West Virginia Sex Offender Registry—even after his conviction was overturned. He was innocent, but the system had failed him. He contacted the West Virginia Innocence Project and students were able to officially clear his name.
Two Class of 2013 students in the Child and Family Clinic presented their oral argument before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. The students won their case—a child custody/name change dispute—with the Supreme Court reversing the Circuit Court of Monongalia County.
The Domestic Violence Law Clinic provides free, holistic legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Clinic represents victims in legal matters including: protective orders, divorce, custody and support, employment, housing, education, immigration, credit/ debt, and public benefits. Students enrolled in the Clinic may also assist in statewide trainings and legislative advocacy projects.
“The Innocence Project resonates with the type of work I hope to do: criminal defense, constitutional law, and civil rights. I felt that I could help be a voice to a group of individuals who are typically underrepresented and who are typically at the most risk of suffering by losing their liberty.” David Estep, Class of 2013
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Ashley Joseph and Derek Knopp, Class of 2013
The Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic provides legal services to local governments, landowners, and nonprofit organizations to develop land conservation strategies and practices. This clinic provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in land use law and policy. In this transactional and policy-based clinic, students develop research, drafting, negotiation, and client counseling skills. Under the guidance of experienced attorneys and other professionals, students contribute to land and water conservation efforts throughout the state. The Raleigh County (WV) Historical Society needed to preserve and protect an important historical site on Piney Creek—the Beckley Mill and land. Clinic students and faculty conducted an exhaustive title examination, proving that the land is public property owned by the City of Beckley. The mill, land, and creek can now be legally preserved for future generations.
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“The Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic is a great opportunity to work with experienced faculty and fellow classmates on real-world projects. I have worked with local governments to develop comprehensive land use plans. The comprehensive land use plan lays the foundation for the community’s longterm vision, and the plan drives future zoning ordinances and land use regulations.” Liz Grant, Class of 2014
“I’m an American of immigrants. That—and seeing the result of our work in the (Immigration Law) Clinic definitely fuels my interest in immigration law.” Dominic Razzook, Class of 2013
The Immigration Law Clinic has served scores of clients facing deportation, asylum, and other immigration proceedings for almost two decades. It has won political asylum for clients from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Guinea, and Russia. Clinic students often have to push the law creatively in circumstances related to today’s most pressing issues, such as gender persecution, social turmoil during democratic transition, and conflict in the Middle East. The Immigration Law Clinic is co-directed by Robert S. Whitehill, a partner with Fox Rothschild, LLP, in Pittsburgh. In 2012, a Syrian mother visited her son who is studying in the United States. During her stay, violence increased in Syria. Friends and neighbors were beaten, detained, tortured, and killed. Fearing for their safety, the mother and son applied for asylum. WVU Law students won the case, setting the family on a path to U.S. citizenship.
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic gives students the opportunity to provide legal services to startup companies, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The Clinic works with clients in counseling for a product plan or business organization; licensing; employee and contractor agreements; intellectual property; financing and venture capital; planning and negotiation; dispute resolution; and generalized assistance in business formation, planning, and strategy. Students in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic successfully provided advocacy on 24 trademark filings, oppositions, and responses that helped West Virginia entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Clinic was awarded a grant from the Benedum Foundation to establish a WVU intellectual property patent service.
The United States Supreme Court Law Clinic is one of a handful of SCOTUS law clinics in the nation. Students research and draft briefs for clients, working primarily on criminal, immigration, prisoner, and civil liberties appeals. It provides practical experience on some of the most significant legal cases facing the nation. The Clinic is directed by Lawrence D. Rosenberg, a partner in the firm Jones Day. Rosenberg has been lead counsel for numerous matters before the U.S. Supreme Court. Students recently worked on a case that involves the constitutionality of sentencing defendants under the age of 18 who are convicted of non-homicide felonies to consecutive long-term imprisonment without parole. The Immigration Law Clinic helped endangered Russian journalist Yuri Pushkarev win political asylum.
law.wvu.edu/clinics
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LIST OF COURSES Coal, Oil, and Gas
Nuclear Law and Policy
Comparative/International Workplace Law (seminar)
Permitting and Siting of Energy Facilities
Advanced Legal Research Appellate Advocacy
Contracts
Renewable Energy and Other Alternative Fuels
Business Transactions Drafting
Employment Discrimination
Sustainable Development Seminar
Child and Family Advocacy Clinic
Employment Law
The Energy Business: Law and Strategy
General Practice Clinic
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic
The Science and Technology of Energy
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic
Federal Income Taxation
Federal Governmental Externship
Health Care Financing and Reform
Family Law
Federal Judicial Externship
Insurance Law
Child and Family Advocacy Clinic
Immigration Law Clinic
International Business Transactions
Child Protection and Law
Innocence Project
Labor Law and Advanced Labor Law
Domestic Violence Law
Intercollegiate Moot Court
Nonprofit Organizations
Domestic Violence Law Clinic
Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic
Payment Systems
Elder Law
Sales and Secured Transactions
Estate Planning
Securities Law
Family Law
Taxation of Business Entities
Gender and Law (seminar)
Advanced Lawyering and Skills Training
Law Review Legal Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiating Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing
Wealth Transfers
Legislation (seminar)
Environmental, Energy, and Sustainability Law
Intellectual Property
Lugar Trial Advocacy
Agriculture and Rural Lands
Art Law
Pretrial Litigation
Coal, Oil, and Gas
Business Torts
Professional Responsibility
Energy Law and Practice
Cultural Property
Supreme Court Practice (seminar)
Energy Law Survey
Cyberspace Law
Taxpayer Advocacy Clinic
Entrepreneurship Clinic
Trial Advocacy
Energy Regulation, Markets, and the Environment
U.S. Supreme Court Clinic
Environmental Justice Seminar Environmental Litigation Seminar
Business and Commercial Law
Environmental Law and Policy I, II
Analytical Methods
International Environment Law and Arbitration
Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy Business Organizations Business Torts Business Transactions Drafting
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Land Use Planning Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic Natural Resources Law
Genetic Property and Law (seminar) Intellectual Property Patent Claims, Prosecution, and Drafting Patent Law Trademark Law International Law Brazilian Law and Politics Comparative Law: European Union
Comparative Law in Mexico
Election Law
Issues in Energy Law
Current Issues in International Trade
Energy Law
Land Transactions
Immigration Law
Environmental Justice (seminar)
Law and Socioeconomics
International Business Transactions
Environmental Law and Policy I, II
Lawyers and Legislation
International Environmental Law
Natural Resources Law
Race/Racism and American Law
International Human Rights
Privacy Law
Religion and the Constitution
International Law
Public Service Externship
Supreme Court Practice
International Trade
State and Local Government Law
Sustainable Development
Jewish-Islamic Comparative Law
West Virginia Constitutional Law First-Year Courses (Required)
National Security Law (seminar) Perspectives
Civil Procedure Jurisdiction
Litigation and Conflict Resolution
Advanced Criminal Law: Case Studies
Contracts
Alternative Dispute Resolution
American Legal History
Criminal Law
Business Torts
Jurisprudence
Torts
Civil Procedure
Law and Psychology
Civil Procedure Rules
Conflict of Laws
Lawyer as Storyteller
Constitutional Law
Criminal Law and Advanced Criminal Law
Lawyers and Film
Legislation and Regulation
Lawyers and Literature
Property
Lawyers as Leaders
Two semesters of Legal Research and Writing
Criminal Procedure Evidence Federal Courts
Seminars
Health Care Torts
Advanced Torts
Medical Malpractice
Animal Law
Pretrial Litigation
Civil Disobedience
Remedies
Comparative Constitutional Law
Torts and Advanced Torts
Constitutional Litigation Constitutional History
Public Law/Public Interest Law Administrative Law Civil Disobedience (seminar) Civil Rights Constitutional Law Consumer Law Education Law
Corporate Governance Election Law Empirical Legal Methods Environmental Justice Environmental Litigation
Upper-Level Courses (Required) Appellate Advocacy One perspective course Professional Responsibility One of the following: Trial Advocacy Clinic Business Transactions Drafting Federal Externship Program Research seminar
Gender and Law Intellectual Property Note: Some courses are not offered every year.
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EXTERNSHIPS
OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC SERVICE. WVU Law has a distinguished history of public service law. The College offers a wide variety of externships in nonprofit, government, and judicial settings, locally and around the country, to help students with valuable career-building experience while serving the community. Externships are facilitated by the Center for Law and Public Service. The Center also engages students in public interest law by fostering a dialogue about current legal services and policy issues, and by encouraging students to become leaders who seek creative solutions toward achieving equal access to justice in society. • The Public Service Externship Program allows students to earn credit hours by working in nonprofit and government agencies while developing key professional skills and an understanding of public interest law. Externships are available part-time or full-time both locally and beyond Morgantown. Qualified students may apply for a Federal Judicial Externship with a United States District Court or Circuit Court Judge. Summer externships are also possible. • The Pro Bono Program provides opportunities for students to dedicate time outside of the classroom to perform legal assistance to people in need. The Center coordinates with the West Virginia Fund for the Public Interest and the Public Interest Advocates student organization to provide fellowships to students interested in full-time summer work at legal service agencies throughout West Virginia. The Fund and the Center also work together to provide a post-graduate fellowship program for students pursuing careers in public interest law.
law.wvu.edu/public-service 14
STUDY ABROAD
INTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERIENCE. Comparative law—the study of laws of other countries—leads to a deeper understanding of the global community and gives a valuable perspective to U.S. laws. There’s no better way to understand another country’s laws and culture than studying in that country. It’s also a great way to make friends and professional contacts. WVU Law offers students immersive study abroad opportunities in Mexico, Brazil, or Switzerland. Courses are taught in English by WVU Law and local faculty. It’s an unforgettable learning experience where students develop an understanding of another country’s laws and culture. The Brazil trip includes five days of exploring the rainforest while learning about environmental law and property rights before attending lectures at the University of Vila Velha in Vitoria. Rio de Janeiro is on the itinerary, too. In Mexico, students visit legal institutions and take classes at the University of Guanajuato, one of the oldest universities in one of the oldest colonial cities in Latin America. WVU Law has a long-standing relationship with the University of Guanajuato. In spring 2013, WVU signed an educational exchange agreement with Lomonosov Moscow State University, the oldest and largest university in Russia. As part of the agreement, a group of law students went to Geneva, Switzerland, in the summer to study international trade law at Lomonosov’s International Centre. Students can also participate in ABA-approved study abroad programs offered by other accredited law schools. Recent destinations have included Argentina, Italy, and China.
“Brazil is a mysterious, beautiful, heart wrenching, and enlightening country. For my first time abroad, Brazil was a wonderful experience. The journey allowed me to embrace, without hesitation, a different way of thinking about laws and society, ultimately, embracing an empowering way of life. The Brazilian way of life.” Keshia Tenorio, Class of 2014
law.wvu.edu/academics/study-abroad 15
Alice Foley, Class of 2013, and Amber Brugnoli, Class of 2004, Assistant Dean for Career Services
CAREER SERVICES PATHWAY TO SUCCESS.
A successful legal career—it’s why you’re going to law school. In and out of the classroom, WVU Law’s focus on the development of practice-ready skills provides solid preparation for a career. The Meredith Career Services Center provides information and advice for students and alumni on professional opportunities.
law.wvu.edu/career-services 16
The Center is committed to successful employment outcomes for graduates, which means helping students take a path to satisfying employment—not just a job. Students receive individual attention from the Career Services Center. Through a variety of resources and programs, the Center helps students assess their career goals, explore the many job opportunities a law degree makes available, and makes the transition from law school to the professional world seamless. The staff provide career counseling, workshops for résumé preparation and cover letter writing, and individual practice interviews. The Center also brings recruiters to campus and reaches out to employers to encourage the hiring of WVU Law graduates.
The reality is that a law degree does not define you, you define it. You determine what your law degree will do for you. Where will it take you?
WVU Law students find jobs at rates higher than the national average—89% vs. 84% for the Class of 2012 nine months after graduation. That’s great news. The full range of career services includes the following: • Access to Symplicity, an online career services management system
• Professional attire and etiquette dinner workshops
• On-campus interviews and candidate-employer contacts
• Workshops on traditional and non-traditional career opportunities
• Individual and group career counseling
• Career resource library
• Mock interviews
• Job fairs
• Individual résumé and cover letter review
• Access to additional job search tools
Class of 2012 ABA Employment Data Nine months after graduation; class size 142
National Association for Law Placement Data for the Class of 2012
Overall Employment Rate
89.2%
Average Salary
Bar Passage Required
78.4%
Areas of Practice:
J.D. Advantage
6.5%
Private Practice
Other Professional
4.3%
Government
Pursuing Degree F/T
3.6%
Judicial Clerkship
17.7%
Unemployed Seeking
5.8%
Business
10.5%
Unemployed Not Seeking
1.4%
Public Interest
Status Unknown
2.11%
Academic
$60,098 58.1% 7.3%
4% 2.4% 17
CENTER FOR ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Energy and sustainability law is an exciting and fast-developing field with a lot of opportunities. West Virginia is at the center of energy production for the country, and there is no better place to learn about the intersecting laws and policies governing energy resources. Founded in 2011, WVU Law’s Center for Energy and Sustainable Development is committed to playing a prominent role in shaping the energy and environmental policies of the future for the state, the nation, and the world.
The Center conducts objective, unbiased research and policy analyses providing a forum for issues to be explored by various stakeholders, and promotes policies that balance the demand for energy resources alongside the need to reduce environmental impacts. With a focus on the future, the Center provides: • Training for the next generation of energy and environmental attorneys. • Promotion of sustainable practices. • Training of local officials in sustainable land use policy practices. • Encouragement for the development of clean energy technologies.
“West Virginia is at the center of energy production. As a result, the College of Law is able to play a significant role in the national dialogue on energy, the environment, and sustainability.” Joyce McConnell, Dean
Nation’s First Energy Moot Court Competition The Center for Energy and Sustainable Development established and hosted the nation’s first Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition in 2011. It has grown to 24 teams from 15 universities. The competition promotes development of appellate advocacy skills, with a particular emphasis on the convergence of energy and sustainability issues. It is coordinated by a student Moot Court Board.
• Advancement for the role of utilities in pursuing clean energy. National Energy Conference The Center hosts an annual energy conference that explores topics and policies with national experts from industry, government, and environmental organizations. The spring 2013 conference, presented by Steptoe and Johnson PLLC, examined the policies that would take advantage of our domestic natural gas resources to stimulate economic growth in the region and chart a more sustainable energy path.
WVU Law will offer an LL.M. in Energy Law and Sustainable Development Law beginning fall 2014, pending acquiescence by the American Bar Association. Find out more at law.wvu.edu/energy-llm.
energy.law.wvu.edu 18
STUDENT LIFE
ENRICHING EXPERIENCES, DIVERSE COMMUNITY. It’s no secret that law school is a serious, time-consuming commitment. Between classes, reading, studying, research, meetings, and more reading, it sometimes feels like there are not enough hours in the day. So it stands to reason that when you do have free time, it has to make a difference. WVU Law and Morgantown have that covered.
The College offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year that enhance classroom experiences … and some that are just plain fun. Engaging guest speakers, usually during the noon free hour, range from human rights lawyers and experts in patent law to lawyerauthors, federal attorneys, and judges. There are films, luncheons, exhibits, and informal nights out hosted by student organizations. The Student Lounge and the College of Law lobby are popular spots. Filled with tables and chairs, the lobby is a convenient stop between classes and it is home to a Barnes and Noble bookstore and café. The Student Lounge is another place to congregate and eat. To encourage a positive work-life balance, WVU Law hosts an annual Wellness Week where students can enjoy a free massage and yoga class or even pet a puppy. As members of a large university community, Law students can take full advantage of WVU’s facilities and amenities, from the Recreation Center to concerts, performances, and famed Mountaineer athletic events. Morgantown is a dynamic and progressive city with lots of entertainment, shopping, and dining choices. There are also West Virginia’s legendary “wild and wonderful” outdoor experiences, like hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting. If you want to get out of town, Pittsburgh is just 75 miles away while a few hours’ drive will put you in Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C.
law.wvu.edu/student-life 19
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS A wide range of student organizations help you get the most out of law school, from leadership and networking opportunities to professional development experiences. Of the 29 registered student organizations at the College of Law, these are some of the most active: The Student Bar Association (SBA) is nationally affiliated with the American Law Student Association, the student division of the American Bar Association. As the student government at the College of Law, its purpose is to further cooperation and maximize student input into the academic and administrative processes as well as to administer the honor system. The SBA also hosts the annual Barristers Ball. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Society helps students gain an understanding of and promotes the use of ADR as an effective alternative to litigation. The Society provides the opportunity to hear from prominent ADR experts and to organize and participate in local mediation trainings and competitions. The group is instrumental in maintaining the Magistrate Court mediation program in West Virginia by organizing and volunteering for monthly mediation. The WVU Law ADR team was the 2013 regional champion in the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s Representation in Mediation Competition and competed in the finals in Chicago. Moot Court encourages the development of practiceready skills in brief writing and oral advocacy and recognizes those students who excel in these skills. Moot Court hosts the annual George C. Baker Cup competition and sends a team to the National Moot Court Competition. The Moot Court Traveling Team 20
also travels to competitions in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, and New York. Founded in 1968, the Baker Cup competition is a highlight of the academic year. The final round is held each spring before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and the justices select the winner. The Marlyn E. Lugar Trial Association, named for a former prominent professor, strives to further academic excellence and professional competence in the field of trial advocacy. The association hosts the Lugar Cup, the College of Law’s annual in-house trial competition. Lugar members can receive three credit hours by participating in two outside trial competitions and competing in the Lugar Cup.
“I chose WVU Law because it is the best of both worlds. You get the perks of being part of a large university, including the amazing sports, large Rec Center, and tons of arts programs that are available. You get these opportunities along with accessible professors, friendly staff, and a close-knit law community that you can only find at smaller law schools.” Ashley Hawkins Class of 2014, Treasurer Student Assistant, Writing Center
The Public Interest Advocates raises awareness in public interest law. It sponsors an annual speaker series, promotes student awareness of public interest employment opportunities, and
OUTlaw recently hosted a standing-room-only lecture by attorney Paul M. Smith (center), who has argued 14 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Culture of Excellence WVU Law students come from a variety of backgrounds and hold a variety of interests that contribute to a quality law school experience in and out of the classroom. Exemplary students and organizations show excellence in a number of ways, including volunteerism, random acts of kindness, or outstanding cocurricular or extracurricular performance. At WVU Law, we recognize— and foster—that effort for contributing to our Culture of Excellence. “To me a Culture of Excellence is recognizing not only what we do in the classroom, but what we do outside of the classroom. Whether it’s working in our clinics here and helping the community at large, or being really involved in a student group at the law school or as part of main campus or a community group. It’s us enriching our community here.” Alice Foley, Class of 2013
Zak Kinnaird
funds summer public interest fellowships. The annual PIA Spring Auction is attended by students, faculty, and judges and lawyers from throughout the region. Auction proceeds help underwrite fellowships granted by the West Virginia Fund for Law in the Public Interest, Inc. The Black Law Student Association is dedicated to increasing the number of lawyers sensitive to the unique problems and needs of minority communities and it serves as a forum for the discussion of issues and problems that confront law students of color. OUTlaw fosters open communication and networking between gay and straight communities while educating students on gay rights issues. OUTlaw programing includes guest speakers and film screenings. The West Virginia Law Review, founded in 1894, is the fourth-oldest law review in the United States. Published three times a year by a student editorial board, the Review is a professional, studentgoverned legal journal that features articles of interest to legal scholars, students, legislators, and members of the practicing Bar. Each issue includes notes, comments, and articles of scholarly and practical value.
Fall 2012 Culture of Excellence Award Winner WVU Law Student Blog Editorin-Chief Intellectual Property Club President and Founding Member Quoted on the Colbert Report Teaching and Research Assistant for Professor Tu Entrepreneurship Law Clinic Student Attorney Moot Court Justice Student Government Judicial Board Member
The WVU Law Student Blog is about student life. It’s student-run, studentwritten, informative, entertaining, irreverent, and relevant. studentblog.law.wvu.edu
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MORGANTOWN AND WVU With a metro-area population of more than 120,000, Morgantown is the cultural, commercial, and healthcare hub of northern West Virginia. It has been nationally recognized for its quality of life by Men’s Journal, Forbes, Inc., Kiplinger’s, Sporting News, and more. The city offers many stores and restaurants, from national chains to one-of-a-kind dining and shopping experiences. Retail districts range from the historic downtown to malls and shopping centers on the outskirts of the city. The Wharf District on the banks of the Monongahela Rivers features restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater, and access to the Caperton and Decker Creek trails. Morgantown residents celebrate year-round with festivals, sporting events, and concerts. They also can travel with relative ease to major cities in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. A WVU student ID provides free transportation on all city
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buses (the Mountain Line) and on the PRT, the Personal Rapid Transit people-mover that connects the Evansdale and downtown WVU campuses. West Virginia has an unsurpassed natural beauty that attracts outdoor adventurers from around the world. Just minutes from Morgantown is the picturesque 12,700-acre Coopers Rock State Forest. Other state attractions include the New River Gorge, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls, and many resorts and parks. Founded in 1867, West Virginia University is a public landgrant institution offering 184 academic programs in 15 colleges and schools to more than 29,000 students. WVU is among the top 100 public universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
BUILDING FOR YOUR FUTURE The College of Law is making a $25-million investment in our building, facilities, and technology. The final project completion date is summer 2015, although some improvements are already in place.
In addition to extensive renovations being made to the College of Law’s existing building, a new 20,000 square foot addition will include: • Two classrooms • State-of-the-art courtroom • Distance education room • Clinical Law Program wing • Faculty offices • Conference and interview rooms • Center for Energy and Sustainable Development offices • Special event space
It’s about investing in our students and the future of legal education. law.wvu.edu/future-building
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Megan Starnes, Class of 2014
Professor Atiba Ellis
JOIN US ON LAW SCHOOL HILL We’re ready to help you decide if WVU Law is the right fit for you. We hope you’ll join the WVU Law community on Law School Hill. WVU Law strives to bring the best and brightest students from a variety of backgrounds into our community. We view the admissions process holistically, so we consider your academic achievements along with your interests, contributions, and experiences. A good GPA and LSAT scores are important—we consider your highest LSAT score, not the average score—but we also seek applicants who demonstrate an intellectual capacity and curiosity to handle rigorous study with a collegial and collaborative spirit. The WVU Law Admissions Office is your first resource on the path to top legal education and achieving your dream of becoming a lawyer. We will help you navigate through the admissions and application process, and help you learn about our programs, rankings, value, affordability, job placement rates, and our exceptional location in Morgantown.
Profile: Class of 2015 (entering fall 2012)
VISIT US A visit is the best way to determine if WVU Law is right for you. Come to Law School Hill and sit in on a class, meet our students, faculty, and staff, join us for lunch, and tour the college, the WVU campus, and Morgantown. We’ll create a customized schedule to meet your needs. After visiting us in person and on our website, you can better decide if WVU Law’s academic environment and law school experience fits your personal goals for your legal education. We want to meet you!
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Number of students Average Age Age Range
140 25 20-47
Male
64%
Female
36%
WV Resident
67%
Diversity Median LSAT score Median GPA
9% 154 3.36
Bryon Collier, Class of 2013
Professor Vince Cardi
“ I am interested in coal, oil and gas, immigration and litigation … and wanted a new experience in a totally different region of the country. The staff treated all my questions via phone and e-mail with the utmost courtesy, thoroughness, friendliness, and excitement. Twelve-and-a-half hours away and without prior visitation, I felt confident making the decision to attend WVU Law.” Marvin Sapp, Class of 2014 Vice President, Black Law Student Association Christian Legal Society
HOW TO APPLY Start your application process at www.lsac.org. After you apply, you will be able to monitor your status, and even see your decision, online.
The following are essential requirements to apply: • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution • Completion of the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) • Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
Professor Elaine Wilson
ADMISSIONS TIMELINE September 1
first day applications accepted
January 1
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
March 1
Admissions application deadline
March 1
Financial aid application deadline
July 1
Transfer application deadline
FIRST-YEAR ESTIMATED COSTS Tuition and Fees
$17,658 (West Virginia residents)
$33,714 (Non-West Virginia residents)
Books and Supplies
$2,400
• WVU Law Application for Admissions (available through LSAC) Please explore the many resources available on our website to help with the admissions and application process, including FAQs, How to Apply, and more. Please contact the Admissions office with any questions. We look forward to the opportunity to assist you.
Living Expenses $10,270 Computer Purchase $1,500 Loan Fee Offset
$328
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FINANCIAL AID
LOANS, SCHOLARSHIP, AFFORDABILITY, VALUE Becoming a lawyer is a big commitment and a major investment. WVU Law’s affordable tuition and fees are recognized as an excellent value, ranked 16th in the Top 40 Best Value Law Schools in the country by preLaw Magazine (2012). Even as an affordable law school choice, however, we recognize that many students need financial aid to afford the full cost of legal education. Each year, WVU Law assists students in accessing a range of financial aid, including loans, scholarships, grants, graduate assistantships, and college work-study. FAFSA. Your first step to be considered for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even before you’re accepted to the College of Law, we encourage you to apply for financial aid by March 1. The federal school code for WVU is 003827.
VALUE = CO Scholarships. Our students are awarded scholarships through the College of Law as well as through outside agencies. Except for the requirement of a completed FAFSA by March 1, no separate application is required for consideration. Invested in You. The decision to attend the WVU College of Law is a lifelong investment in a career path that can be very rewarding. In addition to opportunities for financial aid and scholarship support, students also benefit from our acclaimed quality and excellence, including being ranked among the nation’s top law schools by U.S. News & World Report. WVU Law’s job placement rate is much higher than the national average. Employers across West Virginia and nationally look to hire future lawyers from WVU Law. The College is also investing in its facilities and future with a new 20,000 square-foot addition that will further enrich your experience. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information or to schedule a one-on-one appointment. financialaid.wvu.edu/home/law-office 26
$100,000 $72,000
$0
Average national law student debt Average WVU Law student debt
WVU Law employment rate nine months after graduation
National employment rate nine months after graduation
89.2%
82%
5,000+ WVU Law alumni worldwide #15 Best Law Schools for Public Interest (preLaw Magazine) #16 Best Value Law Schools (National Jurist) #33 Go-To Law Schools (The National Law Journal) #91Top Schools of Law (U.S. News & World Report)
ST + QUALITY 89.2% Class of 2012 employment rate nine months after graduation (Bar Required/JD Advantage)
$2,018,000 Scholarships and grants awarded 44,000 Hours of pro bono service by all Law clinics 350+ Federal and state judicial clerkships 78.9% Bar passage rate (July 2012 first-time takers) 20,000 Square footage being added to the Law School 42 Students who studied in Brazil and Switzerland summer 2013 10:1 Student-to-faculty ratio 29 Law student organizations 27
David C. Hardesty is President Emeritus of West Virginia University, a professor of law, Rhodes Scholar, an experienced attorney, and passionate about leadership. A firm believer that good lawyers make good leaders, he developed and teaches an innovative course in leadership.
LAWYERS AS LEADERS “Society needs leaders today who are familiar with legal matters and ethical considerations,” said Hardesty. “Lawyers, by reason of their talents, formal academic education, practical training, and professional opportunities often emerge as leaders in society.” In his popular Lawyers as Leaders class, Hardesty doesn’t just give students theoretical instruction in leadership, he gives them practical exercises to prepare them for their careers. He also brings his experiences and his own brand of leadership to the classroom. The course helps law students develop effective leadership skills that can applied in both their careers and society in general. Hardesty points out that it is common for lawyers to lead firms in private practice, public interest law organizations, the judiciary, government law departments, corporate law departments, law schools, and reform movements. He wants law students to think about leading and to take the opportunity to lead in other areas across society: executive branches of government at the county, state, and national level; in business and industry; higher education; the military; and the media. At the West Virginia University College of Law, we are preparing students for that opportunity ... and challenge.
“As society becomes more and more complex, more and better leaders will be needed at all levels in every societal domain,” said Hardesty. 28
“The law school is devoted to offering its students the most opportunities for success. The many clinics, organizations, and classes provide us with both ample academic stimulation and significant real-life legal experience. I know that I will be able to handle the demands of life as a lawyer.” Imad Matini Class of 2014 Editor, West Virginia Law Review 2013-14
“I was pursuing chemistry and psychology in undergrad. I decided to volunteer as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children. It was serving in that capacity that compelled me to attend law school. I witnessed many things about the child abuse and neglect system that I did not like, and I figured the only way to change things on a large scale was to attend law school.” Alicia Lauderman, Class of 2013 President, Alternative Dispute Resolution Society Author, 2013 law to reform child custody within the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services Culture of Excellence Award Recipient
University Avenue and Law Center Drive Morgantown, WV 26506-6130 Founded in 1878, the West Virginia University College of Law was accredited by the AALS in 1914 and the ABA in 1923.
law.wvu.edu WVU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities. WVU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Many WVU programs hold specialized accreditation.
air miles
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Baltimore Washington, DC
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS CONTACT US.
TINA JERNIGAN, DIRECTOR DREAMA DEVINCENT, ASSISTANT 304-293-5304 FAX: 304-293-8102 wvulawadmissions@mail.wvu.edu
law.wvu.edu/admissions
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