WVU College of Law Viewbook 2013-14
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WVU LAW
description
The 2013-14 viewbook of WVU Law
Transcript of WVU College of Law Viewbook 2013-14
WVU LAW
COVER
BE A LAWYER AND A LEADER IN A
COMPLEX WORLD
Congratulations! You are
on your way to a challenging
and rewarding career. Law is
a structured, dynamic, and
creative discipline. Lawyers
are passionate about their
profession; they are leaders and change agents; they provide an important,
valuable service; 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 the curriculum and practice-ready experience that will equip
you to be a lawyer and a leader in a complex world. Here, 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 accessible experts in their fields. They are scholar-
practitioners who will 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 equally supportive.
If you have a deep interest in becoming a lawyer ready for the challenges
of the twenty-first century, I encourage you to join us on Law School Hill,
home base for the far-reaching WVU Law community.
Joyce E. McConnellWilliam J. Maier Jr. Dean
Thomas R. Goodwin Professor of Law
Dean McConnell has led the College of Law since 2008. She joined the faculty in
1995 and is a nationally recognized scholar in property law, natural resources law,
and land-use planning. She was named a Fellow of the American Bar Association
Foundation in 2009 for outstanding achievement in law and for upholding the
highest principles of the legal profession.
INSIDE FRONT COVER
INSIDE COVER
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Message from the Dean
Our Mission
Learning the Law. Learning to be a Lawyer and a Leader.
Faculty
Clinical Law Program
List of Courses
Externships
Study Abroad
Career Services
Center for Energy and Sustainable Development
Student Life
Student Organizations
Morgantown and WVU
Building for Your Future
Admissions
Financial Aid
Lawyers as Leaders
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OUR STRATEGIC GOALSIn conjunction with WVU’s 2020 Strategic Plan and working
with the College of Law community, Dean Joyce McConnell
has established a set of strategic goals that frame the student
experience at the College of Law.
• Engage law students in a rigorous academic environment to
become practice-ready lawyers and leaders.
• Excel in interdisciplinary research, curricular innovation, and
technology for the profession.
• Foster justice, diversity, and an inclusive culture.
• Advance global engagement.
• Enhance the well-being and quality of life of the people of
the state, the nation, and the world through innovation,
representation, and service.
ABOUT USFounded in 1878 and ABA accredited since 1923, the West
Virginia University College of Law is affordable and nationally
recognized in top law school rankings. 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.
With a focus on justice, ethics, and professionalism,
WVU Law offers premier law degree and joint degree
programs, and practice-ready experiences through law clinics
and externships, guided by professors who are accomplished
attorneys and distinguished legal scholars.
Our vibrant culture of excellence fosters diversity and
respect, ensuring a balanced and supportive academic
community within one of the nation’s leading public
research universities.
WVU Law prepares top lawyers and dedicated leaders
for careers that span public service, private practice,
government, and business.
OUR MISSION
(Ranked #91), U.S. News & World Report, 2014Top Tier Law School
National Law Journal, 2012#33 “Go-To” Law School
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT US
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.
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preLaw Magazine, 2012#16 Best Value Law School
preLaw Magazine, 2011
#15 Best Law School for Public Interest
On Being a Black Lawyer, 2012
Top 5 Regional Law School for Black Law Students
(Clinical Law Program), Super Lawyer, 2013
2012 Excellence in Pro Bono Award
A FEW NOTABLE ALUMNIStephanie D. Thacker, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Robert B. King, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
William J. Ihlenfeld, II, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
R. Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of WV
Irene Keeley, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
John Thomas Copenhaver Jr., Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Robin Jean Davis, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Margaret L. Workman, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Menis E. Ketchum, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
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
Thomas B. Bennett, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Jon D. Levy, Justice, Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Charles M. Love, III, Partner, Bowles Rice
Scott Segal, Partner, The Segal Law Firm
Robert M. Steptoe Jr., Member, Steptoe and Johnson, PLLC
Michael T. Escue, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, NY
Ellen S. Cappellanti, Jackson Kelly PLLC
Marvin Masters, The Masters Law Firm, L.C.
John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Marty Becker, CEO and President, Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd.
Robert C. Skaggs Jr., President and CEO, NiSource Inc.
Joseph S. Farland (1914-2007), U.S. Ambassador to Iran, Pakistan, Panama, Dominican Republic
Philander C. Knox (1853-1921), U.S. Attorney General, Secretary of State
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the law and constitutional litigation. Perspective courses
add to your legal education by connecting your studies to
the traditions of the liberal arts (humanities, social sciences,
natural sciences).
WVU Law students must also fulfill a capstone
requirement such as Trial Advocacy, clinical law practice,
a federal judicial externship, or Business Transactions
Drafting practicum.
Outside the classroom, you have the opportunity to
enhance your training with hands-on experiences in a law
clinic (we have ten), 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 to be ready to
provide critical legal services.
law.wvu.edu/academics
LEARNING THE LAW.
After building a foundation of core legal knowledge essential
to all attorneys in your first year, you will discover and develop
individual interests through specialized courses in your second
and third years. Your classroom experiences will be enhanced by
experiential opportunities.
1L (first-year) required curriculum (31 semester hours):Civil Procedure JurisdictionContracts ICriminal LawTorts ILegal Reasoning, Research, Writing (LRRW) I and IICivil Procedure RulesConstitutional LawLegislation and RegulationProperty I
After the first year, all students must complete Appellate
Advocacy, a research seminar, and two perspective courses.
Research seminars cover a wide range of topics, from
environmental law and health care regulations to gender and
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Whitney Wangel and Joshua Ash, Class of 2015
As a leading law school, WVU Law teaches with a clear purpose —to prepare you to be practice-ready the day you graduate.
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Jeremy Gunn, Class of 2014
BE A LAWYER
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 2005,
Vice President and Chief of Staff, Mylan, Inc.
• Alvin Hathaway, Class of 2009, Demand Manager,
Texas Instruments
LEARNING TOAND A LEADER.
SUPPORTAll first-year (1L) students are assigned to a Peer Mentoring
Group. Each group is comprised of 15 classmates, upper-class
mentors, and one faculty advisor. Mentoring Group members have
every class together and are mixed in with all other 1L groups. As
a result, new students have class with every person in the entering
class by the end of the 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.
law.wvu.edu/library
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 well-
connected 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
FACULTY
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WILLIAM RHEEAssociate Professor of Law William Rhee was named one of the most influential young
law professors by Lawyers of Color magazine. In placing Rhee on their 2013 50 under 50 List,
the magazine’s editors acknowledged his “influence and relevance both within and beyond”
the law school.
Professor Rhee’s scholarship is informed by his practice experience as an educational civil
rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, a litigation associate for Debevoise and
Plimpton, LLP, and a staff attorney for the National Juvenile Defender Center. He also has
served as a U.S. Army infantry company commander and as a law clerk for Judge Sam J.
Ervin III on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Professor Rhee, who joined the faculty in 2008, teaches Civil Procedure Jurisdiction,
Civil Procedure Rules, Evidence, Empirical Legal Methods, and the Animal Law Seminar.
He holds a J.D. from Northwestern University (Order of the Coif) and earned his B.A. from
Yale University.
ANNE MARIE LOFASOProfessor Anne Marie Lofaso received the 2013 WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding
Teaching. In 2010, she earned the WVU Law Professor of the Year Award. Students appreciate
her natural teaching style that combines energy, humor, and self-deprecation.
“I think of law professors as frustrated stand-up comedians. My approach is to make
students want to come to class,” she said. “They should think class is fun and should not have
to realize in the process that they’re actually learning.”
An expert in labor law, Professor Lofaso joined the faculty in 2007 and has been Associate
Dean for Faculty Research and Development since 2011. She teaches courses on employment
law, labor law, and jurisprudence.
She is coauthor of Modern Labor Law in the Public and Private Sectors: Cases and
Materials. Among her other publications, she has also written A Practitioner’s Guide to
Appellate Advocacy.
Professor Lofaso earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and holds two law
degrees: a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Oxford.
CHARLES DISALVOMahatma 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.
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PUBLIC SERVICE. OPPORTUNITIES.
PROFESSIONAL
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, Domestic Violence, 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.
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Michael Cary, Class of 2011, an Associate at Bowles Rice LLP
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.
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.
CLINICAL LAW PROGRAM
The General Practice 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.
In a recent child neglect case, Clinic students were named guardian ad litem and worked closely with a low-income family to ensure that an infant received proper care to the satisfaction of the court. In essence, they saved a life and a family.
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.
Two Class of 2013 students in the Child and Family Clinic presented their oral argument before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. The students won their case—a child custody/name change dispute—with the Supreme Court reversing the Circuit Court of Monongalia County.
The Domestic Violence Law Clinic provides free,
holistic legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual
assault, and stalking. The Clinic represents victims in legal
matters including: protective orders, divorce, custody and
support, employment, housing, education, immigration, credit/
debt, and public benefits. Students enrolled in the Clinic may
also assist in statewide trainings and legislative advocacy projects.
“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
Taxpayer Advocacy provides free legal representation in
federal tax matters. Students appear before the U.S. Tax Court
when it sits in Charleston, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA. 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.
Every year for two decades, a Morgantown man was required to place his name on the West Virginia Sex Offender Registry—even after his conviction was overturned. He was innocent, but the system had failed him. He contacted the West Virginia Innocence Project and students were able to officially clear his name.
“The Innocence Project resonates with the type of work I hope to do: criminal defense, constitutional law, and civil rights. I felt that I could help be a voice to a group of individuals who are typically underrepresented and who are typically at the most risk of suffering by losing their liberty.”
David Estep, Class of 2013
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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 Raleigh County (WV) Historical Society needed to preserve and protect an important historical site on Piney Creek—the Beckley Mill and land. Clinic students and faculty conducted an exhaustive title examination, proving that the land is public property owned by the City of Beckley. The mill, land, and creek can now be legally preserved for future generations.
“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 long-term vision, and the plan drives future zoning ordinances and land use regulations.”
Liz Grant, Class of 2014
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Ashley Joseph and Derek Knopp, Class of 2013
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic gives students the opportunity to provide legal services to start-
up 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.
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. The Clinic was awarded a grant from the Benedum Foundation to establish a WVU intellectual property patent service.
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.
“I’m an American of immigrants. That—and seeing the result of our work in the (Immigration Law) Clinic definitely fuels my interest in immigration law.”
Dominic Razzook, Class of 2013
law.wvu.edu/clinics
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The Immigration Law Clinic helped endangered Russian journalist Yuri Pushkarev win political asylum.
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 2012, a Syrian mother visited her son who is studying in the United States. During her stay, violence increased in Syria. Friends and neighbors were beaten, detained, tortured, and killed. Fearing for their safety, the mother and son applied for asylum. WVU Law students won the case, setting the family on a path to U.S. citizenship.
Advanced Lawyering and Skills Training
Advanced Legal Research
Appellate Advocacy
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
Legal Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiating
Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing
Legislation (seminar)
Lugar Trial Advocacy
Pretrial Litigation
Professional Responsibility
Supreme Court Practice (seminar)
Taxpayer Advocacy Clinic
Trial Advocacy
U.S. Supreme Court Clinic
Business and Commercial Law
Analytical Methods
Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy
Business Organizations
Business Torts
Business Transactions Drafting
Coal, Oil, and Gas
Comparative/International Workplace Law (seminar)
Contracts
Employment Discrimination
Employment Law
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Clinic
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
Taxation of Business Entities
Environmental, Energy, and Sustainability Law
Agriculture and Rural Lands
Coal, Oil, and Gas
Energy Law and Practice
Energy Law Survey
Energy Regulation, Markets, and the Environment
Environmental Justice Seminar
Environmental Litigation Seminar
Environmental Law and Policy I, II
International Environment Law and Arbitration
Land Use Planning
Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic
Natural Resources Law
Nuclear Law and Policy
Permitting and Siting of Energy Facilities
Renewable Energy and Other Alternative Fuels
Sustainable Development Seminar
The Energy Business: Law and Strategy
The Science and Technology of Energy
Family Law
Child and Family Advocacy Clinic
Child Protection and Law
Domestic Violence Law
Domestic Violence Law Clinic
Elder Law
Estate Planning
Family Law
Gender and Law (seminar)
Wealth Transfers
Intellectual Property
Art Law
Business Torts
Cultural Property
Cyberspace Law
Entrepreneurship Clinic
Genetic Property and Law (seminar)
Intellectual Property
Patent Claims, Prosecution, and Drafting
Patent Law
Trademark Law
International Law
Brazilian Law and Politics
Comparative Law: European Union
LIST OF COURSES
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Comparative Law in Mexico
Current Issues in International Trade
Immigration Law
International Business Transactions
International Environmental Law
International Human Rights
International Law
International Trade
Jewish-Islamic Comparative Law
National Security Law (seminar)
Litigation and Conflict Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Business Torts
Civil Procedure
Conflict of Laws
Criminal Law and Advanced Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure
Evidence
Federal Courts
Health Care Torts
Medical Malpractice
Pretrial Litigation
Remedies
Torts and Advanced Torts
Public Law/Public Interest Law
Administrative Law
Civil Disobedience (seminar)
Civil Rights
Constitutional Law
Consumer Law
Education Law
Election Law
Energy Law
Environmental Justice (seminar)
Environmental Law and Policy I, II
Natural Resources Law
Privacy Law
Public Service Externship
State and Local Government Law
West Virginia Constitutional Law
Perspectives
Advanced Criminal Law: Case Studies
American Legal History
Jurisprudence
Law and Psychology
Lawyer as Storyteller
Lawyers and Film
Lawyers and Literature
Lawyers as Leaders
Seminars
Advanced Torts
Animal Law
Civil Disobedience
Comparative Constitutional Law
Constitutional Litigation
Constitutional History
Corporate Governance
Election Law
Empirical Legal Methods
Environmental Justice
Environmental Litigation
Gender and Law
Intellectual Property
Issues in Energy Law
Land Transactions
Law and Socioeconomics
Lawyers and Legislation
Race/Racism and American Law
Religion and the Constitution
Supreme Court Practice
Sustainable Development
First-Year Courses (Required)
Civil Procedure Jurisdiction
Contracts
Criminal Law
Torts
Civil Procedure Rules
Constitutional Law
Legislation and Regulation
Property
Two semesters of Legal Research and Writing
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.
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.
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
post-graduate fellowship program for students pursuing careers in public interest law.
law.wvu.edu/public-service
EXTERNSHIPSOPPORTUNITIES 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.
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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 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 spring 2013, WVU signed an educational exchange
agreement with Lomonosov Moscow State University,
the oldest and largest university in Russia. As part of
the agreement, a group of law students went to Geneva,
Switzerland, in the summer to study international trade law
at Lomonosov’s International Centre.
Students can also participate in ABA-approved study abroad
programs offered by other accredited law schools. Recent
destinations have included Argentina, Italy, and China.
STUDY ABROADINTERNATIONAL LAW EXPERIENCE.
“Brazil is a mysterious, beautiful, heart wrenching, and enlightening country. For my first time abroad, Brazil was a wonderful experience. The journey allowed me to embrace, without hesitation, a different way of thinking about laws and society, ultimately, embracing an empowering way of life. The Brazilian way of life.”
Keshia Tenorio, Class of 2014
law.wvu.edu/academics/study-abroad
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law.wvu.edu/career-services
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Alice Foley, Class of 2013, and Amber Brugnoli, Class of 2004, Assistant Dean for Career Services
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.
CAREER SERVICESPATHWAY TO SUCCESS.
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.
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 full range of career services includes the following:
• Access to Symplicity, an online career services management system
• On-campus interviews and candidate-employer contacts
• Individual and group career counseling
• Mock interviews
• Individual résumé and cover letter review
WVU Law students find jobs at rates higher than the national average—89% vs. 84% for the Class of 2012 nine months after graduation. That’s great news.
• Professional attire and etiquette dinner workshops
• Workshops on traditional and non-traditional career opportunities
• Career resource library
• Job fairs
• Access to additional job search tools
Class of 2012 ABA Employment Data Nine months after graduation; class size 142
Overall Employment Rate
Bar Passage Required
J.D. Advantage
Other Professional
Pursuing Degree F/T
Unemployed Seeking
Unemployed Not Seeking
Status Unknown
National Association for Law Placement Data for the Class of 2012
Average Salary
Areas of Practice:
Private Practice
Government
Judicial Clerkship
Business
Public Interest
Academic
89.2% $60,098
58.1%
7.3%
17.7%
10.5%
4%
2.4%
78.4%
6.5%
4.3%
3.6%
5.8%
1.4%
2.11%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.
• 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 2013 conference,
presented by Steptoe and Johnson PLLC, examined the policies
that would take advantage of our domestic natural gas resources
to stimulate economic growth in the region and chart a more
sustainable energy path.
“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, Dean
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.
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energy.law.wvu.edu
WVU Law will offer an LL.M. in Energy Law
and Sustainable Development Law beginning
fall 2014, pending acquiescence by the
American Bar Association. Find out more at
law.wvu.edu/energy-llm.
Engaging guest speakers, usually during the noon free hour,
range from human rights lawyers and experts in patent law to lawyer-
authors, 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.
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.
STUDENT LIFEENRICHING EXPERIENCES, DIVERSE COMMUNITY.
The College offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year that enhance classroom experiences … and some that are just plain fun.
law.wvu.edu/student-life
19
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONSA 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
Barristers 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 practice-
ready 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
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also travels to competitions in New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale,
Boston, and New York. Founded in 1968, the Baker 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
in-house 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 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 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. OUTlaw
programing includes guest speakers and film screenings.
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.
The WVU Law Student Blog is about student life. It’s student-run, student-written, informative, entertaining, irreverent, and relevant.studentblog.law.wvu.edu
“I chose WVU Law because it is the best of both worlds. You get the perks of being part of a large university, including the amazing sports, large Rec Center, and tons of arts programs that are available. You get these opportunities along with accessible professors, friendly staff, and a close-knit law community that you can only find at smaller law schools.”
Ashley HawkinsClass of 2014, TreasurerStudent Assistant, Writing Center
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.
“To me a Culture of Excellence is recognizing not only what we do in the classroom, but what we do outside of the classroom. Whether it’s working in our clinics here and helping the community at large, or being really involved in a student group at the law school or as part of main campus or a community group. It’s us enriching our community here.”
Alice Foley, Class of 2013
Zak Kinnaird
Fall 2012 Culture of Excellence Award Winner
WVU Law Student Blog Editor-in-Chief
Intellectual Property Club President and Founding Member
Quoted on the Colbert Report
Teaching and Research Assistant for Professor Tu
Entrepreneurship Law Clinic Student Attorney
Moot Court Justice
Student Government Judicial Board Member
21
OUTlaw recently hosted a standing-room-only lecture by attorney Paul M. Smith (center), who has argued 14 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
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 Rivers 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
MORGANTOWN AND WVUWith a metro-area population of more than 120,000, Morgantown is the cultural, commercial, and healthcare hub of northern West Virginia.
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 land-
grant institution offering 184 academic 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.
22
In addition to extensive renovations being made to the College of Law’s existing building, a new 20,000 square foot addition will include:• Two classrooms
• State-of-the-art courtroom
• Distance education room
• Clinical Law Program wing
• Faculty offices
• Conference and interview rooms
• Center for Energy and Sustainable Development offices
• Special event space
It’s about investing in our students and the future of legal education.law.wvu.edu/future-building
23
BUILDING FORYOUR FUTURE
The College of Law is making a $25-million
investment in our building, facilities, and technology.
The final project completion date is summer 2015,
although some improvements are already in place.
JOIN US ON LAW SCHOOL HILLWe’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. A 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.
VISIT USA 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,
join us for lunch, 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 fits your personal goals for your legal
education. We want to meet you!
Profile: Class of 2015 (entering fall 2012)
Number of students
Average Age
Age Range
Male
Female
WV Resident
Diversity
Median LSAT score
Median GPA
20-47
64%
36%
67%
9%
154
3.36
140
25
24
Professor Atiba EllisMegan Starnes, Class of 2014
ADMISSIONS TIMELINESeptember 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 COSTSTuition and Fees $17,658
(West Virginia residents)
$33,714 (Non-West Virginia residents)
Books and Supplies $2,400
Living Expenses $10,270
Computer Purchase $1,500
Loan Fee Offset $328
HOW TO APPLYStart 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:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
• 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.
25
I am interested in coal, oil and gas, immigration and litigation … and 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 2014Vice President, Black Law Student AssociationChristian Legal Society
“
Bryon Collier, Class of 2013 Professor Vince Cardi Professor Elaine Wilson
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.
FINANCIAL AID LOANS, SCHOLARSHIP, 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, ranked 16th in the Top 40 Best Value Law Schools in the country by preLaw Magazine (2012).
$100,000
$72,000
$0
Average national law student debt
Average WVU Law student debt
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financialaid.wvu.edu/home/law-office
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 job placement rate is much higher than the
national average. Employers across West Virginia and nationally
look to hire future lawyers from WVU Law. The College is also
investing in its facilities and future with a new 20,000 square-foot
addition that will further enrich your experience.
Please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional
information or to schedule a one-on-one appointment.
VALUE = COST + QUALITY
89.2%
WVU Law employment rate nine months after graduation
National employment rate nine months after graduation
82%
5,000+ WVU Law alumni worldwide
#15 Best Law Schools for Public Interest (preLaw Magazine)
#16 Best Value Law Schools (National Jurist)
#33 Go-To Law Schools (The National Law Journal)
#91 Top Schools of Law (U.S. News & World Report)
VALUE = COST + QUALITY89.2% Class of 2012 employment rate nine months after graduation (Bar Required/JD Advantage)
$2,018,000 Scholarships and grants awarded
44,000 Hours of pro bono service by all Law clinics
350+ Federal and state judicial clerkships
78.9% Bar passage rate (July 2012 first-time takers)
20,000 Square footage being added to the Law School
42 Students who studied in Brazil and Switzerland summer 2013
10:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
29 Law student organizations
27
LAWYERS AS LEADERS
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.
“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 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
“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
Editor, West Virginia Law Review 2013-14
“I was pursuing chemistry and psychology in undergrad. I decided to volunteer as a court-appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children. It was serving in that capacity that compelled me to attend law school. I witnessed many things about the child abuse and neglect system that I did not like, and I figured the only way to change things on a large scale was to attend law school.”Alicia Lauderman, Class of 2013
President, Alternative Dispute Resolution Society
Author, 2013 law to reform child custody within the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services
Culture of Excellence Award Recipient
INSIDE BACK COVER
University Avenue and Law Center DriveMorgantown, 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.
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.
law.wvu.edu
air miles
m.
m.
Washington, DC
Baltimore
BACK COVER
POCKET FOR FOLDER
OFFICE OF ADMISSIONSCONTACT US.
TINA JERNIGAN, DIRECTOR
DREAMA DEVINCENT, ASSISTANT
304-293-5304
FAX: 304-293-8102
law.wvu.edu/admissions
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