Jump to content

West Virginia University College of Law: Difference between revisions

Edit links
Coordinates: 39°38′54.9″N 79°57′30.8″W / 39.648583°N 79.958556°W / 39.648583; -79.958556
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Law school in Morgantown, West Virginia, US}}
{{Advert|date=November 2014}}
{{Advert|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox law school
{{Infobox law school
Line 12: Line 13:
|students = 410
|students = 410
|faculty = 34
|faculty = 34
|ranking = 111th (2024)<ref name="usn1">{{cite web |title=West Virginia University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/west-virginia-university-03168 |website=U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Schools |access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref>
|ranking = 117th (2024)<ref name="usn1">{{cite web |title=West Virginia University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/west-virginia-university-03168 |website=U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Schools |access-date=April 10, 2024 }}</ref>
|campus = [[urban area|Urban]]
|campus = [[urban area|Urban]]
|website = {{url|www.law.wvu.edu}}
|website = {{url|www.law.wvu.edu}}
}}
}}


The '''West Virginia University College of Law''' is the professional school for the study of law at [[West Virginia University]] in [[Morgantown, West Virginia|Morgantown]], [[West Virginia]], United States. The [[law school]] was established in 1878 as the first professional school in the state, and remains the only law school in the state.
The '''West Virginia University College of Law''' is the professional school for the study of law at [[West Virginia University]] in [[Morgantown, West Virginia]], United States. The [[law school]] was established on February 20, 1878, as the first professional school in the state, and remains the only law school in the state. The law school is a member of the [[Association of American Law Schools]] and is accredited by the [[American Bar Association]].


==History==
The law school is a member of the [[Association of American Law Schools]] and is accredited by the [[American Bar Association]].

== History ==
Founded in 1878, the WVU College of Law opened to students, with classes taken in [[Woodburn Circle|Woodburn Hall]]. The school would move to Colson Hall in 1923, and finally to its current location on Law School Hill in 1974. The university settled on this location following its acquisition from the Morgantown Country Club, with the building being renovated in 2012.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} College of Law {{!}} West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/about-us/history |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
Founded in 1878, the WVU College of Law opened to students, with classes taken in [[Woodburn Circle|Woodburn Hall]]. The school would move to Colson Hall in 1923, and finally to its current location on Law School Hill in 1974. The university settled on this location following its acquisition from the Morgantown Country Club, with the building being renovated in 2012.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} College of Law {{!}} West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/about-us/history |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>


The first graduate, William R. Thompson, received his LLB in 1879. In 1895, the first female graduate, Agnes Westbrook Morrison, graduated from the College of Law. In 1949, Charles E. Price was the first [[African Americans|African-American]] student to graduate from the College.<ref name=":0" />
The first graduate, William R. Thompson, received his LLB in 1879. In 1895, the first female graduate, Agnes Westbrook Morrison, graduated from the College of Law. In 1949, Charles E. Price was the first [[African Americans|African-American]] student to graduate from the College.<ref name=":0" />


===List of Deans===
=== ''West Virginia Law Review'' ===
# [[Okey Johnson]] (1895-1903)<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2008 |title=WVU selects distinguished scholar to lead College of Law |url=http://wvutoday-archive.wvu.edu/n/2008/04/04/6670.html |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=WVUToday}}</ref>
# St. George Tucker Brooke (1903-1906)
# [[Charles E. Hogg]] (1906-1913)
# Henry C. Jones (1913-1921)
# [[J. Warren Madden]] (1921-1927)
# [[Thurman Arnold]] (1927-1931)
# Thomas P. Hardman (1931-1956)
# Clyde L. Colson (1956-1964)
# [[Paul L. Selby]] (1964-1972)
# Willard D. Lorensen (1972-1978)
# [[E. Gordon Gee]] (1979-1981)
# Carl M. Selinger (1982-1989)
# Donald G. Gifford (1989-1992)
# Teree E. Foster (1993-1997)
# John W. Fisher, II (1998-2008)
# Joyce E. McConnell (2008-2014)
# Gregory W. Bowman (2015-2020)
# Amelia Smith Rinehart (2021–Present)

==Admissions==
For the Class of 2022, the College of Law enrolled 115 students with an average LSAT of 154 and an average GPA of 3.46/4.00. The average age is 25, with a range of 21 to 44; 53% are female; 8% self-identify as minority. Out-of-state residents comprise 43% of the Class of 2022.

==Academics==

===''West Virginia Law Review''===
Founded in 1894, the ''West Virginia Law Review'' is the fourth oldest law review in the United States and publishes three issues each year. The ''West Virginia Law Review'' is a professional, student-governed legal journal that publishes articles of interest to legal scholars, students, legislators, and members of the practicing bar. The publication, which includes notes, comments, and articles of scholarly and practical value to the legal community, is published by a student editorial board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home &#124; West Virginia Law Review Online &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://wvlawreview.wvu.edu/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=wvlawreview.wvu.edu}}</ref>
Founded in 1894, the ''West Virginia Law Review'' is the fourth oldest law review in the United States and publishes three issues each year. The ''West Virginia Law Review'' is a professional, student-governed legal journal that publishes articles of interest to legal scholars, students, legislators, and members of the practicing bar. The publication, which includes notes, comments, and articles of scholarly and practical value to the legal community, is published by a student editorial board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Home &#124; West Virginia Law Review Online &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://wvlawreview.wvu.edu/ |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=wvlawreview.wvu.edu}}</ref>


=== Clinics ===
===Clinics===
*General Practice Law Clinic<ref>{{cite web |title=General Practice &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/general-practice |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
*General Practice Law Clinic<ref>{{cite web |title=General Practice &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/general-practice |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
*Child & Family Law Clinic with Medical-Legal Partnership<ref>{{cite web |title=Child and Family Advocacy with Medical-Legal Partnership &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/child-family-advocacy-with-medical-legal-partnership |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
*Child & Family Law Clinic with Medical-Legal Partnership<ref>{{cite web |title=Child and Family Advocacy with Medical-Legal Partnership &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/child-family-advocacy-with-medical-legal-partnership |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
Line 40: Line 64:
*U.S. Supreme Court Law Clinic<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Supreme Court &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/united-states-supreme-court |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
*U.S. Supreme Court Law Clinic<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Supreme Court &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/united-states-supreme-court |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>


=== List of Deans ===
===Bar-passage rates===
Until 1989 graduates of the Law School were granted "Diploma Privileges" in West Virginia. This meant that graduates of WVU Law were not required to take the West Virginia Bar Exam. They were automatically licensed to practice law upon graduation.<ref name=":0" /> The most common bar exam for a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law is the [[Uniform Bar Exam]]. The passing UBE score in West Virginia is 270.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/aba-required-disclosure |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>
{{Incomplete list|date=April 2022}}


*ABA Ultimate Bar Passage Rate 2020: 90.20%<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caron |first=Paul |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Law School Rankings By Ultimate Bar Passage Rate (2020) |url=https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2023/03/law-school-rankings-by-ultimate-bar-passage-rate-2020.html |website=TaxProf Blog}}</ref>
3rd. [[Charles E. Hogg]] (1906-1913)
*First-time Bar Passage Rate - 2020: 82.22%


==Employment==
4th. Henry C. Jones (1913-1921)
For the Class of 2018, the employment rate for full-time/long-term Bar Passage Required jobs was 66.3%. It was 7.1% for J.D. Advantage jobs. The employment rate for private practice jobs was 54.7%; for judicial clerkships, 13%; and for jobs in public interest law, 11.9%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Virginia Employment Summary |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/files/d/c2e48793-c1f2-4f82-a57a-535b8335b3aa/west-virginia-employment-summary.pdf |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>


==Cost of attendance==
5th. [[J. Warren Madden]] (1921-1927)
The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at West Virginia University for the 2019-2020 academic year is $39,598 for WV residents, and $56,118 for non-residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://law.wvu.edu/admissions/cost-of-attendance|title=Cost of Attendance|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref> The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $152,702 for WV residents, and is $206,968 for non-residents.<ref name="West Virginia University Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.lstreports.com/schools/wvu/2013/|title=West Virginia University|website=www.lstreports.com|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>


==Rankings and reputation==
6th. [[Thurman Arnold]] (1927-1930)

7th. Thomas P. Hardman (1931-1956)

8th. Clyde L. Colson (1956-1964)

9th. [[Paul L. Selby]] (1964-1972)

10th. Willard D. Lorensen (1972-1978)

11th. [[E. Gordon Gee]] (1979-1981)

12th. Carl M. Selinger (1982-1989)

13th. Donald G. Gifford (1989-1992)

14th. Teree E. Foster (1993-1997)

15th. John W. Fisher, II (1998-2008)

16th. Joyce E. McConnell (2008-2014)

17th. Gregory W. Bowman (2015-2020)

18th. Amelia Smith Rinehart (2021–Present)

== Academics ==

=== Admissions ===
For the Class of 2022, the College of Law enrolled 115 students with an average LSAT of 154 and an average GPA of 3.46/4.00. The average age is 25, with a range of 21 to 44; 53% are female; 8% self-identify as minority.
Out-of-state residents comprise 43% of the Class of 2022.

=== Rankings ===
* ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' listed WVU's full-time [[Juris Doctor]] program as 118th in the nation in 2023.<ref name="usn1"/>
* ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' listed WVU's full-time [[Juris Doctor]] program as 118th in the nation in 2023.<ref name="usn1"/>
* #74 Best Law School for Environmental Law, # 76 in Health Care Law, #96 in Tax Law<ref name="usn1"/>
* #74 Best Law School for Environmental Law, # 76 in Health Care Law, #96 in Tax Law<ref name="usn1"/>
Line 88: Line 83:
* #2 Law School for Greatest Community Impact —The National Jurist (2017)<ref name="lawrank1"/>
* #2 Law School for Greatest Community Impact —The National Jurist (2017)<ref name="lawrank1"/>
* Top Law School for Public Interest Law (A) and Environment Law (A) — preLaw Magazine (2019)<ref name="nat jur">{{cite web|url=http://nationaljurist.com/law-schools/west-virginia-university-college-law|title=West Virginia University College of Law &#124; the National Jurist|website=nationaljurist.com|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
* Top Law School for Public Interest Law (A) and Environment Law (A) — preLaw Magazine (2019)<ref name="nat jur">{{cite web|url=http://nationaljurist.com/law-schools/west-virginia-university-college-law|title=West Virginia University College of Law &#124; the National Jurist|website=nationaljurist.com|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
* Best Value Law School — preLaw Magazine/The National Jurist (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)<ref name="nat jur"/>
* Best Value Law School — preLaw Magazine/The National Jurist (2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)<ref name="nat jur"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=preLaw magazine Fall 2022 |url=http://bluetoad.com/publication/frame.php?i=766406&p=1&pn=&ver=html5&view=issueViewer |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=bluetoad.com}}</ref>

=== Bar-passage rates ===
Until 1989 graduates of the Law School were granted "Diploma Privileges" in West Virginia. This meant that graduates of WVU Law were not required to take the West Virginia Bar Exam. They were automatically licensed to practice law upon graduation.<ref name=":0" /> The most common bar exam for a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law is the [[Uniform Bar Exam]]. The passing UBE score in West Virginia is 270.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University |url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/aba-required-disclosure |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=www.law.wvu.edu}}</ref>

*ABA Ultimate Bar Passage Rate - 2019: 85.57%
*ABA Ultimate Bar Passage Rate - 2018: 88%
*First-time Bar Passage Rate - 2017: 79.81%

=== Employment ===
For the Class of 2018, the employment rate for full-time/long-term Bar Passage Required jobs was 66.3%. It was 7.1% for J.D. Advantage jobs. The employment rate for private practice jobs was 54.7%; for judicial clerkships, 13%; and for jobs in public interest law, 11.9%.<ref>https://www.law.wvu.edu/files/d/c2e48793-c1f2-4f82-a57a-535b8335b3aa/west-virginia-employment-summary.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

=== Cost of attendance ===
The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at West Virginia University for the 2019-2020 academic year is $39,598 for WV residents, and $56,118 for non-residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://law.wvu.edu/admissions/cost-of-attendance|title=Cost of Attendance|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref> The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $152,702 for WV residents, and is $206,968 for non-residents.<ref name="West Virginia University Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.lstreports.com/schools/wvu/2013/|title=West Virginia University|website=www.lstreports.com|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
{{Main|List of West Virginia University College of Law alumni}}
Graduates of the West Virginia University College of Law practice in 46 US states, as well as every county of West Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://law.wvu.edu/r/download/3188 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-11-04 |archive-date=2008-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820053315/http://law.wvu.edu/r/download/3188 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The school has many notable alumni, which include former governors, judges, businessmen, congressmen, and diplomats:
Graduates of the West Virginia University College of Law practice in 46 US states, as well as every county of West Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://law.wvu.edu/r/download/3188 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-11-04 |archive-date=2008-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820053315/http://law.wvu.edu/r/download/3188 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The school has many notable alumni, which include former governors, judges, businessmen, congressmen, and diplomats.

*[[Stephen Ailes]] (L 1936), 8th [[United States Secretary of the Army]]
*[[Tim Armstead]] (J.D. 1990), Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/current-justices/justice-armstead.html|title=Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - Justice Tim Armstead|website=www.courtswv.gov|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Carl George Bachmann]] (L 1915), [[U.S. Congressman]] from West Virginia and [[Minority Whip]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Carl George Bachmann |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000012|publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[John P. Bailey]] (J.D. 1976), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[William W. Barron]] (L 1934), 27th [[Attorney General of West Virginia]], 26th [[Governor of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=William W. Barron|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/barron.html|publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History|access-date=10 January 2013|archive-date=27 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127150653/http://www.wvculture.org/history/barron.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Irene Berger]] (L 1979), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Irene C. Berger|url=http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=3223&cid=999&ctype=na&instate=na|publisher=Federal Judicial Center|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Herbert Stephenson Boreman]] (L 1920), Judge, [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]] and [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[W. Craig Broadwater]] (J.D. 1977), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[John T. Chambers]] (J.D. 1974), [[CEO]] of [[Cisco]]<ref>{{cite web|title=John T. Chambers|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/642/000117291/|publisher=NNDB|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Robert Charles Chambers]] (L 1977), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Charles Chambers |url=http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=2722&cid=999&ctype=na&instate=na|publisher=Federal Judicial Center|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[William G. Conley]] (L 1893), 18th [[Governor of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=William G. Conley|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/conley.html|publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History|access-date=10 January 2013|archive-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521191912/http://www.wvculture.org/history/conley.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[John Thomas Copenhaver Jr.]] (L 1950), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]<ref>https://www.fjc.gov/node/1379496 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>
*[[Robin Davis]] (J.D. 1982), Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]
*[[Joseph S. Farland]] (L 1938), career [[diplomat]], [[U.S. Ambassador]] to [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]], [[Panama]], [[Dominican Republic]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Joseph S. Farland |url=http://www.nndb.com/people/974/000127593/|publisher=NNDB|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Mike Florio]] (J.D. 1991), founder of ProFootballTalk.com<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike Florio|url=http://wvrecord.com/news/219717-west-virginia-lawyers-nfl-blog-goes-big-time|publisher=The West Virginia Record|access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref>
*[[Joseph R. Goodwin]] (J.D. 1970), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Gina Marie Groh]] (J.D. 1989), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gina Marie Groh|url=http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=3416&cid=999&ctype=na&instate=na|publisher=Federal Judicial Center|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Charles Harold Haden II]] (L 1961), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]] and [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]] (1975-2004)<ref>https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381606 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>
*[[Kenneth Keller Hall]] (J.D. 1948), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]] (1971-1976), [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]] (1976-1999)
*[[Elizabeth Virginia Hallanan]] (J.D. 1951), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[John A. Hutchison]] (J.D. 1980), Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/current-justices/justice-hutchison.html|title=Justice John A. Hutchison - Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia|website=www.courtswv.gov|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
* [[William J. Ihlenfeld II]] (J.D. 1997), U.S. Attorney, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]] (2010-2016, 2021-)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-names-two-us-attorneys-52710|title=President Obama Names Two as U.S. Attorneys, 5/27/10|date=May 27, 2010|website=whitehouse.gov|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[H. Marshall Jarrett]] (J.D.), Director for the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, [[U.S. Department of Justice]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/about-us/notable-alumni|title=Notable Alumni &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University|website=www.law.wvu.edu|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Thomas E. Johnston]] (J.D. 1992), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]] and former U.S. Attorney, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]] (2001-2006)
*[[Irene Patricia Murphy Keeley]] (J.D. 1980), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Jeffrey V. Kessler]] (J.D.), President, [[West Virginia State Senate]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeffrey V. Kessler|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/15541/jeffrey-kessler#.UO77NG9ZWBE |publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Menis E. Ketchum]] (J.D. 1967), Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]
*[[William Matthew Kidd]] (L 1950), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]] and [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Harley M. Kilgore]] (L 1914), [[United States Senator]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Menis E. Ketchum|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/current-justices/justice-ketchum.html|publisher=The West Virginia Judicial System|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Robert Bruce King]] (L 1968), Judge, [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Robert Bruce King|url=http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/nGetInfo?jid=2790&cid=20&ctype=ac&instate=04|publisher=Federal Judicial Center|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Tom Kleeh]] (J.D. 1999), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Dennis Raymond Knapp]] (L 1940), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Jon D. Levy]] (J.D. 1979), Chief Judge, [[United States District Court for the District of Maine]] and Former Justice, [[Maine Supreme Judicial Court]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Levy, Jon David|url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/levy-jon-david|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[William C. Marland]] (L 1947), 24th [[Attorney General of West Virginia]], 24th [[Governor of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=William C. Marland|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/marland.html|publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History|access-date=10 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127150552/http://www.wvculture.org/history/marland.html|archive-date=2012-11-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Robert Earl Maxwell]] (L 1949), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Spike Maynard]] (J.D. 1974), Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|website=Vote Smart|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Darrell McGraw]] (J.D.), 33rd [[Attorney General of West Virginia]] and Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/print/Article/1645|title=e-WV &#124; Darrell McGraw|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Thomas McHugh (judge)|Thomas McHugh]] (J.D. 1964), Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bowles Rice - Thomas McHugh, Of Counsel|url=https://www.bowlesrice.com/attorneys-Thomas-McHugh.html|url-status=live|website=[[Bowles Rice]]}}</ref>
*[[Carlos E. Mendoza]] (J.D. 1997), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida]]
*[[Alan Mollohan]] (L 1951), U.S. Congressman from West Virginia<ref>{{cite web|title=Alan Mollohan|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m000844 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress|access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Arch A. Moore, Jr.]] (L 1951), 28th and 30th [[Governor of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Arch A. Moore, Jr.|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/arcmoore.html|publisher=West Virginia Division of Culture and History|access-date=10 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120010341/http://www.wvculture.org/history/arcmoore.html|archive-date=2012-11-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Ephraim F. Morgan]] (L. 1897), 16th [[Governor of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/2046|title=e-WV &#124; Ephraim Franklin Morgan|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Matthew M. Neely]] (L 1902), U.S. Congressman, 21st [[Governor of West Virginia]], U.S. Senator from [[West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/government/governors/neely.html|title=Matthew Mansfield Neely|website=www.wvculture.org|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Mario Palumbo]] (L 1957), 32nd [[Attorney General of West Virginia]]
*[[William J. Powell (attorney)|William J. Powell]] (J.D. 1985), U.S. Attorney, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (2017-2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former U.S. Attorney Bill Powell|date=7 January 2015|url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/usao-ndwv/meet-us-attorney-Powell|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Robert L. Ramsay (politician)|Robert L. Ramsay]] (L 1901), U.S. Congressman from West Virginia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=R000025|title=Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details|website=bioguideretro.congress.gov|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Richard A. Robinson]] (J.D. 1984), Chief Justice of [[Connecticut Supreme Court]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/justiceRobinson.htm |title=Justice Richard A. Robinson - CT Judicial Branch |publisher=Jud.ct.gov |access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>
*[[George M. Scott (West Virginia judge)|George M. Scott]] (L 1954), Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tribute to former Justice George Scott|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/press/releases/2015-releases/nov16b_15.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Kai Scott]] (J.D. 1995), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania]]
*[[Harley O. Staggers, Jr.]] (L 1977), U.S. Congressman from [[West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Harley O. Staggers, Jr.|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/387/000129997/ |publisher=NNDB |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>
*[[Robert Jackson Staker]] (L 1952), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Larry Starcher]] (J.D. 1967), Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/faculty|title=Faculty &#124; College of Law &#124; West Virginia University|website=www.law.wvu.edu|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref>
*[[Stephanie Thacker]] (J.D. 1990), Judge, [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]]
*[[William S. Thompson]] (J.D. 1995), U.S. Attorney for the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]] (2021-)
*[[Frank W. Volk]] (J.D. 1992), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Harry Evans Watkins]] (L 1923), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia]] and [[United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia]]
*[[Kasey Warner]] (J.D. 1980), United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
*[[William Wooton|William Wooton]] (J.D. 1971), Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia<ref>{{Cite web|title=Justice William R. Wooton|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/current-justices/justice-wooton.html|url-status=live|website=West Virginia Judiciary}}</ref>
*[[Margaret Workman]] (J.D. 1974), Former Justice, [[Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia - Chief Justice Margaret L. Workman|url=http://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/current-justices/justice-workman.html|access-date=May 18, 2020|website=www.courtswv.gov}}</ref>
*[[Roderick C. Young]] (J.D. 1994), Judge, [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia]]


==References==
==References==
Line 181: Line 103:


[[Category:West Virginia University]]
[[Category:West Virginia University]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1878]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1878]]
[[Category:Law schools in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Law schools in West Virginia]]
[[Category:Education in Monongalia County, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Education in Monongalia County, West Virginia]]

Latest revision as of 10:48, 10 April 2024

West Virginia University
College of Law
Established1878
School typePublic
DeanAmelia Smith Rinehart[1]
LocationMorgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
Enrollment410
Faculty34
USNWR ranking117th (2024)[2]
Websitewww.law.wvu.edu

The West Virginia University College of Law is the professional school for the study of law at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. The law school was established on February 20, 1878, as the first professional school in the state, and remains the only law school in the state. The law school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is accredited by the American Bar Association.

History

[edit]

Founded in 1878, the WVU College of Law opened to students, with classes taken in Woodburn Hall. The school would move to Colson Hall in 1923, and finally to its current location on Law School Hill in 1974. The university settled on this location following its acquisition from the Morgantown Country Club, with the building being renovated in 2012.[3]

The first graduate, William R. Thompson, received his LLB in 1879. In 1895, the first female graduate, Agnes Westbrook Morrison, graduated from the College of Law. In 1949, Charles E. Price was the first African-American student to graduate from the College.[3]

List of Deans

[edit]
  1. Okey Johnson (1895-1903)[4]
  2. St. George Tucker Brooke (1903-1906)
  3. Charles E. Hogg (1906-1913)
  4. Henry C. Jones (1913-1921)
  5. J. Warren Madden (1921-1927)
  6. Thurman Arnold (1927-1931)
  7. Thomas P. Hardman (1931-1956)
  8. Clyde L. Colson (1956-1964)
  9. Paul L. Selby (1964-1972)
  10. Willard D. Lorensen (1972-1978)
  11. E. Gordon Gee (1979-1981)
  12. Carl M. Selinger (1982-1989)
  13. Donald G. Gifford (1989-1992)
  14. Teree E. Foster (1993-1997)
  15. John W. Fisher, II (1998-2008)
  16. Joyce E. McConnell (2008-2014)
  17. Gregory W. Bowman (2015-2020)
  18. Amelia Smith Rinehart (2021–Present)

Admissions

[edit]

For the Class of 2022, the College of Law enrolled 115 students with an average LSAT of 154 and an average GPA of 3.46/4.00. The average age is 25, with a range of 21 to 44; 53% are female; 8% self-identify as minority. Out-of-state residents comprise 43% of the Class of 2022.

Academics

[edit]

West Virginia Law Review

[edit]

Founded in 1894, the West Virginia Law Review is the fourth oldest law review in the United States and publishes three issues each year. The West Virginia Law Review is a professional, student-governed legal journal that publishes articles of interest to legal scholars, students, legislators, and members of the practicing bar. The publication, which includes notes, comments, and articles of scholarly and practical value to the legal community, is published by a student editorial board.[5]

Clinics

[edit]
  • General Practice Law Clinic[6]
  • Child & Family Law Clinic with Medical-Legal Partnership[7]
  • Immigration Law Clinic[8]
  • West Virginia Innocence Project Law Clinic[9]
  • Taxpayer Advocacy Law Clinic[10]
  • Veterans Assistance Project Law Clinic[11]
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic[12]
  • Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic[13]
  • U.S. Supreme Court Law Clinic[14]

Bar-passage rates

[edit]

Until 1989 graduates of the Law School were granted "Diploma Privileges" in West Virginia. This meant that graduates of WVU Law were not required to take the West Virginia Bar Exam. They were automatically licensed to practice law upon graduation.[3] The most common bar exam for a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law is the Uniform Bar Exam. The passing UBE score in West Virginia is 270.[15]

  • ABA Ultimate Bar Passage Rate 2020: 90.20%[16]
  • First-time Bar Passage Rate - 2020: 82.22%

Employment

[edit]

For the Class of 2018, the employment rate for full-time/long-term Bar Passage Required jobs was 66.3%. It was 7.1% for J.D. Advantage jobs. The employment rate for private practice jobs was 54.7%; for judicial clerkships, 13%; and for jobs in public interest law, 11.9%.[17]

Cost of attendance

[edit]

The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at West Virginia University for the 2019-2020 academic year is $39,598 for WV residents, and $56,118 for non-residents.[18] The Law School Transparency estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $152,702 for WV residents, and is $206,968 for non-residents.[19]

Rankings and reputation

[edit]
  • U.S. News & World Report listed WVU's full-time Juris Doctor program as 118th in the nation in 2023.[2]
  • #74 Best Law School for Environmental Law, # 76 in Health Care Law, #96 in Tax Law[2]
  • Top 25 Law School for Corporate Leadership – independent research by Professor Robert Anderson, Pepperdine University[20]
  • #31 Law School for Federal Clerkships — independent research, ABA data (2018)[21]
  • #2 Law School for Greatest Community Impact —The National Jurist (2017)[21]
  • Top Law School for Public Interest Law (A) and Environment Law (A) — preLaw Magazine (2019)[22]
  • Best Value Law School — preLaw Magazine/The National Jurist (2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)[22][23]

Notable alumni

[edit]
Main article: List of West Virginia University College of Law alumni

Graduates of the West Virginia University College of Law practice in 46 US states, as well as every county of West Virginia.[24] The school has many notable alumni, which include former governors, judges, businessmen, congressmen, and diplomats.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Legal education innovator and leader to serve as next dean of WVU College of Law". WVU Today. West Virginia University. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  2. ^ a b c "West Virginia University". U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Schools. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "History | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  4. ^ "WVU selects distinguished scholar to lead College of Law". WVUToday. April 4, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  5. ^ "Home | West Virginia Law Review Online | West Virginia University". wvlawreview.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  6. ^ "General Practice | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Child and Family Advocacy with Medical-Legal Partnership | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "Immigration | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  9. ^ "Innocence Project | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  10. ^ "Taxpayer Advocacy | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  11. ^ "Veterans Advocacy | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  12. ^ "Entrepreneurship & Innovation | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  13. ^ "Land Use and Sustainable Development | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  14. ^ "United States Supreme Court | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  15. ^ "Consumer Information (ABA Required Disclosures) | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  16. ^ Caron, Paul (March 3, 2023). "Law School Rankings By Ultimate Bar Passage Rate (2020)". TaxProf Blog.
  17. ^ "West Virginia Employment Summary" (PDF). www.law.wvu.edu.
  18. ^ "Cost of Attendance". Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  19. ^ "West Virginia University". www.lstreports.com. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  20. ^ "Legal pedigree from the courtroom to the boardroom". W I T N E S S E T H. Retrieved 2015-06-07.
  21. ^ a b "Rankings | College of Law | West Virginia University". www.law.wvu.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "West Virginia University College of Law | the National Jurist". nationaljurist.com. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  23. ^ "preLaw magazine Fall 2022". bluetoad.com. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  24. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2007-11-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
[edit]

39°38′54.9″N 79°57′30.8″W / 39.648583°N 79.958556°W / 39.648583; -79.958556

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=West_Virginia_University_College_of_Law&oldid=1218203491"