William and Mary law school offers its students much. With its long history, excellent reputation, beautiful campus setting, and impressive bar passage rates.
George Wythe was appointed professor of law and police at William and Mary in 1779 upon request from Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson – one of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence – as one of its inaugural professors. St George Tucker succeeded him and published an edition of Blackstone’s Commentaries with annotations in 1804.
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Moot Court Program
Moot court is an extracurricular activity that simulates the experience of arguing a case at the appellate level. Students participate in competitions that require them to research legal issues, draft briefs, and present oral arguments before an impartial panel of judges. The program can be found worldwide, and participants are commonly known as mooters or, more casually, “booties.”
The Moot Court Program allows third-year Law School (LL.3 or LLM) students to compete in national and international moot court competitions, representing fictional clients before a federal appellate court. As attorneys or advocates representing their fictional clients before judges acting as an appellate court. Students prepare legal briefs outlining their client’s contested issues before arguing those positions before judges acting as an appellate court. Competitions help students deepen their understanding of law while honing research writing and oral argumentation skills.
At competitions, students meet with coaches – typically practicing lawyers or Moot Court alumni – who provide invaluable feedback on their performance and offer invaluable knowledge of law outside of the classroom. Coaching also gives first-year students a valuable opportunity to watch moot court competitors at work while learning the process behind creating legal briefs and making oral arguments.
Students can engage with the moot court program through two paths. First, as Moot Court Fellows or compete as Moot Court team members. The former allows students to observe and assist coaches with preparations for moot court competitions; At the same time, the latter requires students to draft legal memos and participate in oral arguments during rounds.
The Moot Court Program hosts yearly moot court competitions, such as the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Competition – one of its premier events. It draws over 300 law schools from more than 65 countries worldwide to compete. At this competition, students work in teams to analyze a hypothetical international commercial arbitration dispute and draft memoranda that are presented at hearings in Vienna, Austria.
Student Organizations
Students have many opportunities outside the classroom to expand their knowledge through extracurricular activities and organizations, from national moot court competitions and student-edited journals to serving as law clerks or externs. Through programs and events like these, students can hone their writing, editing, or advocacy skills and share interests with classmates and faculty members. The Law School boasts numerous student organizations offering academic, social, and professional activities for its students.
Existing admission policies, holistic review processes, and pipeline programs facilitate diversity. Newly formed on-campus groups like the First Generation Student Alliance provide essential social, academic, and professional support to first-generation college and law school students.
Gerry Jamison ’23 and Charleigh Kondas ’23, co-founders of this group, envision their alliance as providing many needed services to first-generation students – social, academic, or professional. For instance, many first-generation students may not know how to study law or outline properly, so this alliance assists first-gens with mentors, alumni, and resources they might otherwise not find easily accessible.
BLSA will serve to introduce first-year law school students to life at William & Mary and support them throughout their studies here. This group pairs 1Ls with mentors from 2L and 3L classes who will help guide them through law school life. Furthermore, it organizes various social events throughout the year, such as an initial barbecue, Thanksgiving potluck, and periodic game nights.
Other student organizations specialize in particular areas or demographics of law. For instance, the Labor & Employment Law Society (LELS) serves as a community for students interested in labor and employment law issues like collective bargaining, equal pay, worker rights, etc. Likewise, the Military Veterans Law Society (MVLS) helps its members better understand how military life intersects with legal issues and provides connections with attorneys in this field.
Law School students can utilize the Office of Career Services for career assistance through workshops and mentoring programs; the library reference staff is an excellent way of finding information regarding practice areas or career resources. Symplicity hosts job postings, on-campus interviews, and networking opportunities for our students.
Career Opportunities
William and Mary law students can find many opportunities to hone their legal skills, explore career paths, and join the legal community at William and Mary Law School. From participating in student organizations to contributing their writing for law reviews or journal editorial boards, workshops and resources provide additional help as students prepare for life after law school.
The law school offers several master’s degree programs, such as law and business administration degrees and programs specifically for international students. To be eligible to enroll in these programs, individuals must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the US and have taken and submitted official transcripts with their enrollment application.
The LSAT is a standardized exam law schools administer to evaluate applicants for legal school. Students should take this examination early in their undergraduate studies to give themselves enough time to improve their scores before applying to law school. It is administered on a computer and scored using raw scores and percentiles; higher numbers represent better chances for admission into law school.
Law school can be a rigorous, rewarding, and life-altering experience that will impact your life. Selecting and making the most of your time at William and Mary Law School is paramount for ensuring a positive learning experience with cutting-edge teaching methods, strong diversity commitment, and commitment to inclusivity among its faculty and student body.
Becoming a lawyer requires completing an accredited law degree program. William and Mary’s School of Law includes full-time Juris Doctorate studies and combination degrees such as Law & Business or Law & American Studies. Furthermore, international students can enroll in their Masters of Laws (LL.M) program dedicated to American Legal Studies.
Academics
William and Mary Law School offers students an unparalleled legal education experience. Combining history, national renown, and an array of programs at an affordable price point and its picturesque location near Williamsburg providing a relaxing yet inspiring atmosphere, William and Mary makes for a good value option when searching for less expensive ways to obtain degrees.
Though this school may have a long history, its teaching methods remain cutting-edge. Students can customize their curriculum and choose elective courses according to their interests; some are conducted using case methodology, while others offer problem-based learning approaches. Furthermore, clinical and externship opportunities give them practical experience.
The law school offers students an exciting and immersive educational experience through numerous student organizations and five for-credit legal journals. Furthermore, this renowned institution boasts many award-winning programs: for instance, its Thatcher Prize honors graduates who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and service; the Spong Professionalism Award recognizes students who exhibit outstanding professionalism;
Professors take great pride in seeing their students thrive, offering review sessions and advice when necessary. Students feel free to approach any professor they want for any reason – which makes the school small enough for everyone to know each other yet large enough for learning and research opportunities.
Student enrollment and faculty composition at this law school are highly diverse, which enables it to employ innovative teaching approaches and take unique educational methods when creating educational materials and programs. Furthermore, several joint degree programs, such as JD/MBA and JD/Master of Public Policy, exist within its walls.
Are You Applying to Law School Online? Students interested in applying to a law school online should do so through its website and include a personal statement showing the admissions committee who they are and why earning their JD matters to them. Messages should not exceed two pages long and should highlight key features of the applicant’s background and career goals.