University of Richmond School of Law

University of Richmond School of Law
Name	University of Richmond School of Law
Established	1870
Type	Private
Parent	University of Richmond
Dean	Wendy Perdue
City	Richmond
State	Virginia
Country	United States
Students	~450
Faculty	~50 full-time
Bar pass rate	92% (VA, July 2023)
Usnwr	52nd (2024)

University of Richmond School of Law is the law school of the University of Richmond, a private institution in Virginia. Located on the university's main campus in Richmond, it is one of the oldest law schools in the South. The school is known for its strong programs in trial advocacy, legal writing, and intellectual property law.

History

The institution traces its origins to the founding of the Richmond College law department in 1870. After several reorganizations, it became the T.C. Williams School of Law in 1990, named for prominent Richmond attorney T.C. Williams. In 2021, the university removed the Williams name following a study of his connections to racial segregation and the school reverted to its current name. Key figures in its development have included deans like John B. Minor in the 19th century and modern leaders such as Rodney Smolla and Wendy Perdue. The school has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1930 and has been ABA-approved since 1938.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor degree, along with several dual-degree programs including a J.D./MBA with the University of Richmond's Robins School of Business. Its curriculum emphasizes practical skills through required courses in legal research and legal writing, and a robust clinical education program. Specialized academic concentrations are available in areas such as intellectual property law, business law, and criminal law. The school's Harry L. Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service coordinates extensive community service and pro bono opportunities for students. It also hosts the McNeill Law Honor Society for academic achievement.

Campus and facilities

The law school is situated on the picturesque Westhampton Lake area of the University of Richmond campus. Its primary building, Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Hall, houses the Wilbur C. Hall Law Library, courtrooms, classrooms, and faculty offices. The library is a federal depository library and contains a special collection dedicated to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., an alumnus. Other key facilities include the Robert R. Merhige, Jr. Center for Justice, which supports the school's clinical programs, and modern moot court rooms used for competitions like the National Trial Competition.

Employment outcomes

According to ABA disclosures, approximately 90% of the most recent graduating class secured full-time, long-term, bar passage-required or J.D.-advantage employment within ten months of graduation. A significant portion of graduates obtain positions within Virginia, with many entering the legal markets in Richmond, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Major employers include law firms such as Hunton Andrews Kurth, McGuireWoods, and Troutman Pepper, as well as various state and federal government agencies, public interest organizations, and corporate legal departments.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton, and former Attorney General of Virginia Mark Herring. The federal judiciary is well-represented by figures like Judge Roger L. Gregory of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Judge M. Hannah Lauck of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Notable former and current faculty members include constitutional law scholar Rodney Smolla, former dean and expert in civil procedure John G. Douglass, and legal historian James R. Sweeney.

Law journals and publications

Students edit and publish several scholarly journals. The flagship publication is the University of Richmond Law Review, which has been cited in opinions by courts including the Supreme Court of the United States. The Richmond Journal of Law and Technology was the first exclusively online law review in the world and focuses on issues at the intersection of law and emerging technologies. The Richmond Public Interest Law Review is dedicated to scholarship concerning public interest law, social justice, and legal services for underserved communities. These journals host symposia and feature articles from scholars, practitioners, and judges.

Category:University of Richmond Category:Law schools in Virginia Category:Educational institutions established in 1870 Category:1870 establishments in Virginia