William & Mary Law School

William & Mary Law School is the law school of the College of William & Mary, a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia. It holds the distinction of being the oldest law school in the United States, founded in 1779 by the college's then-Chancellor, Thomas Jefferson. The school is known for its rigorous curriculum, historic setting, and influential alumni who have served in prominent roles across the judiciary, government, and private practice.

History

The school was established in 1779 through the efforts of Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe, and James Madison, who envisioned a dedicated institution for legal education within the broader framework of the College of William & Mary. Its first professor of law was the eminent legal scholar George Wythe, who taught notable students including future U.S. President John Marshall and future Senator Henry Clay. The school's operations were suspended following the American Civil War and the Burning of Richmond, but it was reestablished in the early 20th century. A significant modern development was its move in 1980 to a new campus adjacent to the historic Colonial Williamsburg district, solidifying its presence in the heart of Virginia's legal and political history.

Academics

The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, as well as several dual-degree programs in conjunction with other schools at the College of William & Mary, such as the J.D./M.B.A. with the Mason School of Business and the J.D./M.P.P. with the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy. Its curriculum emphasizes practical training through required courses like Legal Practice and offers numerous clinical programs, including the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Legal Clinic and the Virginia Coastal Policy Center. Students can also participate in moot court competitions and edit journals such as the William & Mary Law Review and the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal. Specialized programs of study include concentrations in International Law, Public Law, and Business Law.

Campus and facilities

The main building is the Sir Christopher Wren Building, though the primary law school facilities are housed in the modern Law School Building complex located on South Henry Street. This complex includes the Wolf Law Library, which contains extensive collections on American legal history and British common law. The campus is integrated with the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg, providing a unique environment for study. Other key facilities include the McGlothlin Courtroom, a state-of-the-art venue for moot court proceedings and lectures by visiting jurists like those from the Supreme Court of the United States.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include former Chief Justice John Marshall; former U.S. Secretary of State Thomas R. Marshall; former Director of Central Intelligence Allen Dulles; and former Governor of Virginia Mills Godwin. In the judiciary, notable graduates are Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and former U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Distinguished faculty have included foundational figure George Wythe, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr., and legal historian William Hamilton Bryson. The current dean is A. Benjamin Spencer, a noted scholar in civil procedure.

Rankings and reputation

It is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the nation by publishers like U.S. News & World Report. The school is particularly renowned for its programs in Legal History, Clinical Training, and Trial Advocacy. Its Virginia Coastal Policy Center is a leader in environmental law research. The school's reputation is bolstered by its high bar passage rate for graduates in Virginia and its strong placement of graduates in federal clerkships, positions within the U.S. Department of Justice, and major law firms such as Hunton Andrews Kurth and McGuireWoods.

Category:Law schools in Virginia Category:College of William & Mary