Howard University School of Law

Howard University School of Law
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Name	Howard University School of Law
Established	1869
Parent	Howard University
Dean	Danielle R. Holley
Students	around 450
Location	Washington, D.C.

Howard University School of Law

The Howard University School of Law is a law school located in Washington, D.C., and is one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Founded in 1869, it has a long history of producing civil rights leaders and social justice advocates, including Thurgood Marshall, who argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education before the United States Supreme Court. The school's strong connection to the US Civil Rights Movement is reflected in its mission to provide legal education and training to students from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on social justice and community service.

● History and Founding

The Howard University School of Law was founded in 1869, with the goal of providing legal education to African American students who were excluded from other law schools due to racial segregation. The school's founding was made possible by a grant from the First Congregational Society of Washington, D.C., and it was initially located in a church in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. In its early years, the school faced significant challenges, including a lack of funding and racism from the broader legal community. Despite these challenges, the school persevered and went on to become a major producer of civil rights leaders, including Charles Hamilton Houston, who played a key role in the development of the NAACP's legal strategy.

● Civil Rights Leadership and Legacy

The Howard University School of Law has a long history of producing civil rights leaders and social justice advocates. The school's civil rights legacy is closely tied to the work of Charles Hamilton Houston, who served as the school's dean from 1929 to 1935. Houston's vision for the school was to produce lawyers who would be equipped to challenge racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. This vision was realized through the work of Thurgood Marshall, who argued the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education before the United States Supreme Court in 1954. Other notable civil rights leaders who have been associated with the school include Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and Shirley Chisholm.

● Notable Alumni and Faculty

The Howard University School of Law has a long list of notable alumni and faculty who have made significant contributions to the US Civil Rights Movement. Some notable alumni include Thurgood Marshall, L. Douglas Wilder, and Shirley Chisholm. The school's faculty has also included notable scholars and activists, such as Charles Hamilton Houston, Spottswood Robinson, and Derrick Bell. These individuals have played a significant role in shaping the school's curriculum and research agenda, and have helped to establish the school as a major center for civil rights and social justice scholarship.

● Curriculum and Programs

The Howard University School of Law offers a range of academic programs and courses that are designed to provide students with a comprehensive legal education. The school's curriculum includes courses in constitutional law, civil rights law, and social justice advocacy, as well as clinics and externships that provide students with hands-on experience in legal practice. The school also offers a range of joint degree programs, including a JD/MA in African American studies and a JD/MSW in social work. These programs are designed to provide students with a broad range of skills and knowledge that will enable them to pursue careers in law, policy, and social justice advocacy.

● Social Justice Initiatives and Community Engagement

The Howard University School of Law is committed to social justice and community engagement, and offers a range of initiatives and programs that are designed to promote social justice and community service. The school's Civil Rights Clinic provides students with the opportunity to work on civil rights cases and projects, and the school's Community Development Clinic provides students with the opportunity to work on community development projects. The school also offers a range of pro bono opportunities, including the Howard University School of Law Pro Bono Program, which provides students with the opportunity to work on pro bono cases and projects.

● Impact on

the US Civil Rights Movement The Howard University School of Law has had a significant impact on the US Civil Rights Movement, and has played a major role in shaping the legal strategy of the movement. The school's alumni and faculty have been involved in many of the major civil rights cases of the past century, including Brown v. Board of Education and Shelley v. Kraemer. The school's curriculum and research agenda have also helped to shape the movement's legal theory and strategy, and have provided a platform for scholars and activists to develop and promote new ideas and approaches to social justice advocacy. Today, the school continues to be a major center for civil rights and social justice scholarship, and its alumni and faculty remain committed to the movement's goals of racial justice and equality. Category:Law schools in the United States Category:Historically black colleges and universities Category:Civil rights organizations Category:Social justice Category:Washington, D.C. Category:Howard University