WVULAW
BE A LAWYER AND A LEADER IN A COMPLEX WORLD
Congratulations! You are on your way to a challenging and rewarding career. There are so many exciting career opportunities in law. Lawyers are leaders and change agents, 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 an excellent curriculum and many practice-ready experiences to equip you to be a lawyer and a leader in a complex world. At WVU Law, 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 experts in their fields. They are scholar-practitioners who will actively 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 supportive, too, and care about your education and success. If you have a strong interest in becoming a lawyer ready for the challenges of the twenty-first century, I encourage you to join us at WVU Law and become a member of our far-reaching legal community.
Gregory W. Bowman Interim Dean Professor of Law Dean Bowman joined the College of Law faculty in 2009. He is a nationally recognized scholar in international trade law and remedies. In 2014 he received the Award for Outstanding Teaching from the West Virginia University Foundation.
Message from the Dean 2
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 an affordable and
OUR STRATEGIC GOALS In conjunction with WVU’s 2020 Strategic Plan and written with input from the WVU Law community, the
nationally recognized top law school. 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.
following strategic goals 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,
programs, and practice-ready experiences through law clinics
and 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.
Best School of Law (Ranked #83), U.S. News & World Report, 2015
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US 2
#33 “Go-To” Law School National Law Journal, 2012
A FEW NOTABLE ALUMNI Jeffrey Rockwell, Major General, Deputy Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Air Force
Thomas B. Bennett, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Stephanie D. Thacker, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Jon D. Levy, Judge, U.S. District Court Judge, Maine Charles M. Love, III, Partner, Bowles Rice
Robert B. King, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Scott Segal, Partner, The Segal Law Firm
William J. Ihlenfeld, II, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
Robert M. Steptoe Jr., Member, Steptoe and Johnson, PLLC
R. Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Michael T. Escue, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, NY Ellen S. Cappellanti, Managing Member, Jackson Kelly PLLC
Irene Keeley, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Marvin Masters, The Masters Law Firm, L.C.
John Thomas Copenhaver Jr., Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc. Marty Becker, Chairman, QBE Insurance Group
Robin Jean Davis, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Robert C. Skaggs Jr., President and CEO, NiSource Inc.
Margaret L. Workman, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Joseph S. Farland (1914-2007), U.S. Ambassador to Iran, Pakistan, Panama, Dominican Republic
Menis E. Ketchum, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Philander C. Knox (1853-1921), U.S. Attorney General, Secretary of State
Irene C. Berger, Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia Dwane L. Tinsley, Magistrate Judge, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Top 25 Law Schools for Corporate Leadership SEC data, independent research, 2014
2012 Excellence in Pro Bono Award
(Clinical Law Program), Super Lawyer, 2013
Top 5 Regional Law School for Black Law Students On Being a Black Lawyer, 2012, 2013 3
Whitney Morgan 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
your studies to the traditions of the liberal arts (humanities,
to all attorneys in your first year, you will discover and develop
social sciences, natural sciences).
individual interests through specialized courses in your second and third years. Your classroom experiences will be enhanced by
as Trial Advocacy, clinical law practice, a federal judicial
experiential opportunities.
externship, or Business Transactions Drafting practicum.
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, a professional responsibility course, and a perspective course. Research seminars cover a wide range of topics, from environmental law and healthcare regulations to gender and the law and constitutional litigation. Perspective courses add to your legal education by connecting 4
Students must also fulfill a capstone requirement such
We offer concentrations in Public Interest Law or Energy and Sustainable Development Law, as well as postgraduate (LL.M.) programs in Forensic Justice and Energy and Sustainable Development Law. Outside the classroom, you have the opportunity to enhance your training with hands-on experiences in a law clinic (we have nine), 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 being 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 2004, Chief of Staff, Mylan Pharmaceuticals • Alvin Hathaway, Class of 2009, Demand Manager, Texas Instruments
Jeremy Gunn, Class of 2014, clerk for the Hon. John Preston Bailey, Chief U.S. District Judge, Wheeling, West Virginia.
LEARNING TO BE A LAWYER AND A LEADER. SUPPORT All first-year (1L) students are assigned to small groups. Group members have every class together and are mixed in with all of the other 1L groups. As a result, new students end up having every class together by the end of the first week. 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 skills workshops, helpful handouts, and individual and group counseling help students thrive, not just survive. For 3Ls, the Center offers a bar prep short course. The Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing Program helps students build skills and achieve the level of competence they will need to successfully handle a variety of written and oral communication tasks immediately after graduation. The program includes a Professional Writing Center and a writing specialist who provides workshops and individual assistance.
THE GEORGE R. FARMER JR. LAW LIBRARY Research is a core tenet of legal education, and law students spend a lot of time in the library. The George R. Farmer Jr. Library is, literally, the center of the College of Law. Rising through the 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, with more than 300,000 volumes. It offers access to more than 20 legal databases, including Bloomberg Law, Environmental Law Reporter, FastCase, Foreign Law Guide, LexisNexis, and Westlaw. The Carlin Computer Lab hosts training sessions ranging from word processing to Web-based research. Four of our librarians have law degrees. Students can be found studying in a quiet corner or catching up with friends on the top floor. The library also hosts informative exhibits in the Special Collections area.
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Gerry Ashdown, the James H. “Buck” and June M. Harless Professor of Law
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
JENA MARTIN Associate Professor of Law Jena Martin was recognized as one of the top minority law professors in the country when she was featured in the 2014 “50 Under 50” list published by Lawyers of Color magazine. At WVU Law, she teaches courses in business organizations, international business transactions, and securities regulations. Her areas of research include the growing field of business and human rights. In 2014, Professor Martin spoke at the Second United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. In 2013, she organized a major business and human rights conference at WVU supported by the U.N. Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Professor Martin earned a B.A. from McGill University, a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, and an LL.M. from the University of Texas Law School. She has been an associate at Ross, Dixon & Bell in Washington, D.C.; and a senior counsel for the United States Securities & Exchange Commission. She has also worked pro bono for the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.
VALENA BEETY Since joining the WVU Law faculty in 2012, Associate Professor Valena Beety has made a significant impact on her students, fellow faculty members, and the legal community. Her expertise is in criminal procedure, causes of wrongful convictions, and post-conviction litigation. She is the deputy director of the Clinical Law Program and chair of the West Virginia Innocence Project, a clinic that that provides free legal representation to individuals seeking to prove their innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted. In the spring, Professor Beety was elected to the Board of Directors of the Innocence Network, which represents organizations in 46 states and several countries. She is widely published and a frequent presenter at national conferences. Professor Beety has worked as a federal prosecutor and as a staff attorney for the Mississippi Innocence Project. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago ,where she also earned her J.D.
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. 7
Medical-Legal Partnership clinic students Paul Robinson and Ashlee Lambert, Class of 2014.
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. PUBLIC SERVICE. 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. 8
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. 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, 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 Law 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. Students and faculty in the General Practice Law Clinic successfully advocated for a family whose house was condemned by a city council. Rather than become homeless, the family was allowed to remain in their home until new housing could be secured.
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. The Medical-Legal Partnership, a joint-program between WVU’s College of Law and School of Medicine, received formal recognition from the National Center for MedicalLegal Partnership (NCMLP) in 2014. Only 37 law schools and 30 medical schools in the country are NCMLP members.
Taxpayer Advocacy provides free legal representation in federal tax matters. Students appear before the U.S. Tax Court when it sits in Charleston, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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. Thanks to students and faculty with the Innocence Project, a recent client was reunited with his family after 18 years of incarceration.
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 Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic recently helped permanently protect 665 acres of land along six miles of the Gauley River. Students and attorneys provided several hundred hours of pro bono legal assistance, working in five West Virginia counties.
“Participating in the Child and Family Law Clinic afforded me opportunities and experiences that no classroom course could provide. My time in the clinic prepared me to interact with clients and other counsel, draft legal documents and filings, and advocate for my client in conferences and in the courtroom.” Abbe Klezer, Class of 2014
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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. In 2013-14, 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. WVU Law participates in the U.S Patent and Trademark Office’s Law School Clinic Certification Pilot Program.
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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, Clerk for the Hon. John Preston Bailey, Chief U.S. District Judge, Wheeling, West Virginia.
Class of 2013 clinic students Ashley Joseph-Smith, an associate at Rose, Padden & Petty, LC, and Derek Knopp, an assistant attorney general for West Virginia
“Working with the Immigration Clinic has been one of the most rewarding parts of my three years in law school. Between the wonderful people I’ve had the opportunity to work with and the clients we’ve been able to help, it has been an experience that I will always remember.” Marrissa Zielinski, Class of 2014
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 a recent case, Immigration Law Clinic students were able to halt the deportation of a Mexican national by proving to the Board of Immigration Appeals (part of the Department of Justice) that their client was not properly advised of his rights. The win put their client one step closer to his dream of becoming a U.S. citizen and reuniting with his family.
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.
law.wvu.edu/clinics
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LIST OF COURSES Advanced Lawyering and Skills Training
Corporate Governance (seminar)
Sustainable Development Seminar
Appellate Advocacy
Employment Discrimination
The Energy Business: Law and Strategy
Employment Law
The Science and Technology of Energy
Business Transactions Drafting Child and Family Advocacy Clinic General Practice Clinic Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic Federal Governmental Externship Federal Judicial Externship Immigration Law Clinic Innocence Project Intercollegiate Moot Court Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic Law Review Lawyers and Legislation
Federal Income Taxation Health Care Financing and Reform Insurance Law International Business Transactions Labor Law and Advanced Labor Law Nonprofit Organizations Payment Systems Sales and Secured Transactions Securities Law
Family Law Child and Family Advocacy Clinic Child Protection and Law Domestic Violence Law Elder Law Estate Planning Family Law Gender and Law (seminar) Wealth Transfers
Taxation of Business Entities
Intellectual Property
Trade Regulation (anti-trust)
Art Law Business Torts
Legal Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiating
Environmental, Energy, and Sustainability Law
Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing
Agriculture and Rural Lands
Cultural Property
Lugar Trial Advocacy
Coal, Oil, and Gas
Cyberspace Law
Pretrial Litigation
Energy Law and Practice
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic
Professional Responsibility
Energy Law Survey
Genetic Property and Law (seminar)
Taxpayer Advocacy Clinic
Energy Regulation, Markets, and the Environment
Intellectual Property
Trial Advocacy U.S. Supreme Court Clinic
Environmental Justice Seminar
Patent Law
Environmental Litigation Seminar
Trademark Law
Business and Commercial Law Analytical Methods
Copyright Law
Patent Prosecution
Environmental Law and Policy Hazardous Work Law
International Law
International Environment Law and Arbitration
Comparative Brazilian Law
Business Organizations Business Torts
Land Use Planning
Current Issues in International Trade
Business Transactions Drafting
Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic
Immigration Law
Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy
Coal, Oil, and Gas Commercial Law (seminar) Comparative/International Workplace Law (seminar) Contracts
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Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic
Natural Resources Law Nuclear Law and Policy Permitting and Siting of Energy Facilities Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels
Comparative Law in Mexico
International Business Transactions International Environmental Law International Human Rights International Law International Trade Law
Jewish-Islamic Comparative Law
Privacy Law
Intellectual Property
National Security Law (seminar)
Public Service Externship
International Trade Regulation
State and Local Government Law
Issues in Energy Law
Trade Regulation (anti-trust)
Land Transactions
West Virginia Constitutional Law
Law and Socioeconomics
Litigation and Conflict Resolution Advanced Criminal Law Alternative Dispute Resolution
Lawyers and Legislation
Appellate Advocacy
Perspectives
Business Torts
Advanced Criminal Law: Case Studies
Civil Procedure
Analytical Methods for Lawyers
Civil Rights Litigation
American Legal History
Conflict of Laws
Dying and the Law
Criminal Law
International Law
First-Year Courses
Criminal Procedure
Jurisprudence
Civil Procedure Jurisdiction
Evidence
Law and Economics
Contracts
Federal Courts
Law and Psychology
Criminal Law
Health Care Torts
Lawyer as Storyteller
Torts
Medical Malpractice
Lawyers and Film
Civil Procedure Rules
Pretrial Litigation
Lawyers and Literature
Constitutional Law
Remedies
Lawyers as Leaders
Legislation and Regulation
Torts and Advanced Torts
Psychology for Lawyers
Property
Seminars
Two semesters of Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing
Trial Evidence Public Law/Public Interest Law
Advanced Torts
Administrative Law
American Constitutional History
Civil Disobedience (seminar)
Animal Law
Civil Rights
Civil Disobedience
Constitutional Law
Commercial Law
Consumer Law
Comparative Constitutional Law
Education Law
Constitutional Litigation
Election Law
Constitutional History
Energy Law
Corporate Governance
Environmental Justice (seminar)
Election Law
Environmental Law and Policy
Empirical Legal Methods
Income Tax Law
Environmental Justice
Legislative Process
Environmental Litigation
Natural Resources Law
Gender and Law
National Security Law Race/Racism and American Law Religion and the Constitution Sustainable Development
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
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.
Courtney Planté spent fall 2013 in an externship with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., reviewing filings in the name of investor protection.
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 postgraduate fellowship program for students pursuing careers in public interest law.
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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 three-week 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 2013, WVU signed an educational exchange agreement with Lomonosov Moscow State University, the oldest and largest university in Russia. As part of the agreement, WVU Law students can study international trade law in Geneva, Switzerland. Students can also participate in ABA-approved study abroad programs offered by other accredited law schools. Recent destinations have included Argentina, Italy, and China.
“I genuinely did not know what to expect from our two weeks in Mexico. Now I am considering a career in international human rights and have every intention of returning to beautiful Guanajuato.” -Allison Santer, Class of 2016
law.wvu.edu/academics/study-abroad 15
Ramone Diggs, Class of 2015, and Assistant Dean for Career Services Amber Brugnoli, Class of 2004.
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.
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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?
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.
WVU Law students find Bar Passage Required and J.D. Advantage jobs at rates higher than the national average — 76.9% vs. 67.1% for the Class of 2013 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 2013 Employment Data
Nine months after graduation (Feb. 2014) Class size 130 (source: ABA, NALP)
Salary Range
$15,000 - $135,000
Bar Passage Required
57.7%
Areas of Practice:
J.D. Advantage
19.2%
Private Practice
43%
Other Professional
1.5%
Government
10%
Pursuing Degree F/T
2.3%
Judicial Clerkship
5.3%
Unemployed Seeking
9.2%
Business
19.2%
Unemployed Not Seeking
0.7%
Public Interest
3%
Status Unknown
3.1%
Academic
3% 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, WVU Provost
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 2014 conference, presented by Steptoe and Johnson PLLC, examined the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.
WVU Law offers an LL.M. in Energy and Sustainable Development Law. Find out more at law.wvu.edu/energy-llm.
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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 Barrister’s 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 also travels to competitions in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, Boston, and New York. Founded in 1968, the Baker 20
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 inhouse trial competition. Lugar members can receive three credit hours by participating in two outside trial competitions and competing in the Lugar Cup. The Public Interest Advocates raises awareness in public interest law. It sponsors an annual speaker series, promotes student awareness of public
“My out-of-class experiences as an editor of the West Virginia Law Review and as a part of our Supreme Court Clinic have prepared me well for my legal career. There are certain skills that only practical experience can teach. WVU Law provides those opportunities in a way few other schools can.” DAVID STONE Class of 2015 Editor-in-Chief, WV Law Review
interest employment opportunities, and 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
The 2014 Baker Cup finalists argued before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in Charleston.
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.
Excellent Students. Excellent Leaders. Excellent People.
Aaron Palmer Spring 2014 Exemplary Student Award Winner Magistrate Court Mediator serving Monongalia and Harrison counties
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. Recent OUTLaw guest speakers include Paul Smith and Evan Wolfson. 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, student-governed 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.
Volunteer clerk for Judge J.D. Beane, West Virginia Fourth Circuit serving Wood and Wirt counties 480+ pro bono hours General Practice Law Clinic
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 River 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 191 degree 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 WVU Law is undergoing an exciting $26 million expansion and redesign project that will provide exceptional opportunities and experiences for its students in a state-of-the-art facility. In spring 2014, 30,000 square feet of additional space was completed. This includes: • John W. Fisher, II Courtroom • Conference rooms • Event hall • Faculty office wing • Clinical law office wing • Center for Energy and Sustainable Development offices • New entrance and lobby (the College’s central hallway) • Rooftop garden • Hazel Ruby McQuain Dean’s Suite
It’s about investing in our students and the future of legal education.
Renovations over the next two years (during the summer and winter breaks) will result in redesigned and better-purposed space of the existing building. Students will have access to more meeting/interview rooms and a centralized area for Career Services, Admissions/Financial Aid, Academic Affairs/Registrar, and Student Services. The George R. Farmer, Jr. Law Library will also be redesigned, creating a modern and bright twenty-first century learning space. The Center for Law and Public Service and the Center for Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing will be housed in new offices. As part of the project, new technology essential to the future practice of law is being installed throughout the College. The expansion and renovation project is also creating an environmentally friendly building that meets LEED standards.
law.wvu.edu/future-building
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Megan Starnes, Class of 2014, interned at the International Criminal Tribunal (United Nations), The Hague, Netherlands
Professor Atiba Ellis
B
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. 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 2017 (entering fall 2014)
VISIT US
WV Resident
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, 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 fit your personal goals for your legal education. We want to meet you!
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Number of students Average Age Age Range
107 25 20-48
Male
51%
Female
49%
Diversity Median LSAT score Median GPA
77% 12% 154 3.43 (as of August 18, 2014)
Bowles Rice Professor Vince Cardi
Elaine Wilson, 2014 Professor of the Year
Omolola Oluyemi, Class of 2014, and family.
“ I 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 U.S. Air Force JAG Corps
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:
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 (2014-15) Tuition and Fees
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
$34,524 (Non-West Virginia residents)
• Completion of the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) • Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report • 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.
$18,234 (West Virginia residents)
Books and Supplies
$2,400
Living Expenses
$10,270 (estimated)
Computer Purchase
$1,500
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FINANCIAL AID
LOANS, SCHOLARSHIPS, 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. 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 employment rate is much higher than the national average. Employers across West Virginia and nationally look to hire future lawyers from WVU Law. The College has also invested in state-of-the-art facilities and the future of legal education with a new 30,000 square foot addition that will further enrich your legal education. 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+ $75,226
$0
Average national law student debt Average WVU Law student debt
Bar Passage Required Jobs WVU Law
57.7%
J.D. Advantage Jobs
National
WVU Law
National
19.2%
57%
10.1%
(Source: ABA)
5,500+ WVU Law alumni worldwide 80% Students in the Class of 2017 receiving scholarships #33 Go-To Law Schools (The National Law Journal, 2012) #83 Top Schools of Law (U.S. News & World Report, 2015) 76.9% Class of 2013 employment rate (Bar Passage Required and JD Advantage jobs)
ST + QUALITY $2,300,000 Scholarships and grants awarded 44,000 Hours pro bono service by all law clinics 350+ Federal and state judicial clerkships 79.3% Bar passage rate (July 2013 first-time takers) 2 Number of J.D. concentrations—Public Interest and Energy and Sustainable Development 21 Students who studied in Mexico and Switzerland, summer 2014 10:1 Student-to-faculty ratio 29 Law student organizations 2 Number of LL.M. degree programs—Energy and Sustainable Development Law and Forensic Justice 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 be 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
“I chose WVU Law for many reasons. I liked the location because it was not too far from home, reminded me of my undergraduate institution, and seemed like a safe area to live by myself. There was a friendly, hospitable culture at WVU Law that made me feel at ease when I came to visit. As law school is a major life transition, this welcoming environment was extremely important in my decision-making process. Finally, WVU Law’s ranking and post-graduation employment rates impressed me. These factors made me choose WVU Law, and every day I am thankful that I followed my instincts to come here.” Kelsey Jonas, Class of 2016
“Why WVU Law? It feels like home. I spoke with a few other colleges but after I sat through a Contracts class with Professor Cardi, heard a speech from Professor DiSalvo on lawyers as leaders, and then witnessed the attentive, friendly nature of everyone who worked at or attended WVU Law, it made any other choice of school seem like a mistake.” Dave Fryson, Jr., Class of 2016
“I chose the WVU College of Law for the quality of education, outdoor opportunities, amenities in the surrounding area, and because it is located close to metropolitan areas providing entertainment and employment opportunities. The students, faculty, and staff at WVU Law are incredible individuals who are invested in your success. All in all, the WVU College of Law provides a great education and a good quality of life.” Art Wolf, Class of 2016
“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 Clerk for the Hon. Frederick Stamp, Jr.. Senior U.S. District Judge, Wheeling, West Virgina
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS CONTACT US.
TINA JERNIGAN, DIRECTOR ELISSA MOMEN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DREAMA DEVINCENT, ASSISTANT 304-293-5304 FAX: 304-293-8102 wvulaw.admissions@mail.wvu.edu
law.wvu.edu/admissions
University Avenue and Law School 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.
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