Career Paths: Francis Morency ’23L
After graduation, Francis Morency will join Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP in the firm’s Tampa Office as an associate in the Bankruptcy practice group.
Archive ( Stories)
W&L Law Commits $330,000 Annually to Public Interest Students and Alumni
W&L Law has announced the creation of a program to guarantee financial support for current students and graduates interested or serving in public interest and government careers.
Counsel in Loving v. Virginia to Deliver Smith Lecture at W&L Law
Philip J. Hirschkop, a civil rights lawyer who argued the landmark Supreme Court case that struck down state bans on interracial marriage, will deliver the annual Leslie Devan Smith, Jr. Lecture at W&L Law this month.
Career Paths: Alicia Ochsner Utt ’23L
After graduation, Alicia Ochsner Utt will be working at the King County Department of Public Defense in Seattle, Washington.
International Human Rights Practicum in Tanzania
Audrey Curelop '23L discusses a recent research trip to Tanzania as part of the International Human Rights Practicum.
Alumni Spotlight: Ben Richie ’22L
Ben Richie works for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Corporation Finance’s Disclosure Review Program.
W&L Law BLSA Teams Take Top Awards for Writing at National Competition
The teams earned honors for best petitioner and best respondent briefs at the NBLSA conference.
Career Paths: Maddie Hawkins ’18, ’23L
After graduation, Maddie Hawkins will be a corporate law associate with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP in New York.
Meet a Colleague: Gwen Marshall
Gwen Marshall is the Assistant Director of Law Admissions.
Professor Ben Davis Honored for Contributions to Diversity
Ben Davis, a visiting professor at W&L Law, received the 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Diversity in ADR award from the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR).
Real Practice in the Immigrant Rights Clinic
Winni Zhang '24L discusses her work in the Immigrant Rights Clinic, where she has been able handle important legal matters from start to finish.
Professor Kish Parella Named International Research Fellow at Oxford
As an international research fellow, Professor Parella will help research the role of social evaluations in business and society.
Law Review Symposium to Explore the Future of E-Commerce
This year’s symposium investigates why and how blockchain technology is relevant to the legal community.
Career Paths: Grant McClernon ’23L
After graduation, Grant McClernon will join the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis, working with the healthcare transactions team of the Private Equity group.
Career Paths: Marshall Branch ’23L
After graduation, Marshall Branch will join the U.S. Army JAG Corps.
W&L Law’s Laroche Publishes Article in the Boston University Law Review
Professor Carla Laroche published "Black Women and Voter Suppression."
With the Delaware Court of the Chancery
Melissa May ’23L spent the fall semester as an extern in the Delaware Court of Chancery under Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will.
Alumni Spotlight: Junior Ndlovu ’20L and Natey Kinzounza Ndlovu ’20L
Junior and Natey Kinzounza, who met at W&L Law, are both trial attorneys who honed their skills in moot court and summer externships.
Career Paths: Sica Matsuda ’23L
After graduation, Sica Matsuda will be a litigation associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington, D.C and then a clerk at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Meet a Colleague: Milea Webb
Milea Webb is a Library Assistant and the Circulation Lead in the Law Library.
Lisa Hedrick ‘08L Named 2022 Mergers and Acquisitions Legal Advisor of the Year
Lisa Hedrick, partner and chair of the M&A and Finance practice group at the firm Hirschler Fleischer, has been recognized for her work in the field.
W&L Law BLSA Teams Take Top Honors at Regional Moot Court Competition
Charisma Hunter ‘23L and Kobie Crosley ‘23L took first place in the competition and also took top honors with the Best Petitioner Brief award.
New Book from W&L Law’s Peppers Chronicles Work of Death Row Chaplain
Part memoir/part biography, the book tells the story of the Reverend Russ Ford, who served as the head chaplain on Virginia’s death row for eighteen years.
Hon. Robert Payne ’63, ’67L Receives Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award
The Honorable Robert E. Payne, senior United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), has been awarded the prestigious Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award for 2023 by the Virginia State Bar Section on Criminal Law.
Connecting with Clients in the Tax Clinic
Ben Halligan '23L discusses his year as a student attorney in the Tax Clinic, helping clients resolve post-filing controversies with the IRS.
W&L Law to Host Virtual Conference on Child Soldiers
The conference will be held via Zoom on February 16 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST.
Why W&L Law: Enjoying Law School with Jack Perryman
Jack Perryman '25L is from St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Centre College for his undergraduate degree.
Why W&L Law: The People You Know with Kali Venable
Before law school, Kali Venable '25L worked as a public safety reporter, and later as an investigative and environmental reporter at a daily newspaper in central south Texas.
Why W&L Law: A Welcoming Community with Ali Fazal
Ali Fazal '25L is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Why W&L Law: In the Room Where It Happens with Zoe Speas ’25L
Zoe Speas ’25L hails from Cumberland, VA. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2012 before moving to New York City to embark on a career in the theater.
Why W&L Law: On Being a Double General with Katherine Berman
Katherine Berman '25L is from Houston, Texas. She is a 2022 graduate of W&L.
Why W&L Law: A Communal Feel with Nick Payne
Nick Payne '25L is from Louisville, Kentucky. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky.
Why W&L Law: A Community that Cares with Marc Sendra
Marc Sendra ‘25L is originally from Orlando, FL and attended the University of Central Florida for his undergraduate degree.
Why W&L Law: A Focus on Wellness with Ebony Aiken
Ebony Aiken ‘25L is originally from Jackson, Mississippi and attended the University of Houston for her undergraduate degree. She also obtained a master’s in public policy from the University of Arizona.
With the Brooklyn Defender Service
Shannon McGrath ‘23L spent the fall working in the criminal defense practice of the Brooklyn Defender Service.
W&L Law’s Woody Appointed to FINRA National Adjudicatory Council
As a member of the NAC, Woody will review decisions rendered in FINRA disciplinary and membership proceedings.
Clerking for the EEOC
Nikolaus Smith '23L spent the fall semester as a judicial extern for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Spotlight: The Middle Eastern and South Asian Law Students Association
Students have launched a new affinity group to support Middle Eastern and South Asian students during law school.
50 Years of The Law News
‘Irreverence With Some Measure Of Reverence’
Beautiful Struggle
Janssen Evelyn ’06L uses resilience and intentional joy to find his purpose.
Painting with Words
After a successful career in big law, Michael Cohen ’90L returns to his passions of poetry and painting.
W&L Law’s Hasbrouck a Top 20 Law Scholar on SSRN
The scholarship of Prof. Brandon Hasbrouck was downloaded nearly 13,500 times during 2022, placing him 16th on a list combining scholars from all categories of legal research.
A Semester in New York
This fall, Joseph Aminov '23L researched cryptocurrency and other emerging financial technologies with the law firm Pryor Cashman.
Law Faculty Recognized with Lewis Prize for Excellence in Scholarship
Professors Joshua Fairfield and Kish Parella were recognized for their outstanding scholarly work.
Melanie Wilson to Serve as President-Elect of AALS
The AALS House of Representatives voted to accept Wilson’s nomination as the 2023 President-elect. Wilson has served the AALS in numerous capacities, including membership on its Executive Committee since 2020.
Maria Saez Tatman Joins W&L Law as Associate Dean of Student Affairs
In her role, Saez Tatman will develop and implement programs to enrich the law school experience and to help law students succeed in school, personally, and professionally.
Meet a Colleague: Freda Coleman-Jackson
Freda Coleman-Jackson is the Assistant Director of Career Strategy and has worked at W&L Law since May 2020.
Career Paths: Chris Chino ’21L
As a public defender, Chris Chino enjoys fighting for his clients in the "theatre of trial."
Scholarship of W&L Law’s Haan Featured in New York Times
Recent articles by Sarah Haan on sexism in corporate governance were featured in a commentary by New York Times business and economic columnist Peter Coy.
Michelle Lyon Drumbl Named Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at W&L Law
Michelle Lyon Drumbl, Robert O. Bentley Professor of Law and Director of the Tax Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been named as the next Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Sydney Brun-Ozuna ’24L Awarded Consumer Advocacy Fellowship
Brun-Ozuna received the Hobbs Fellowship from the National Consumer Law Center.
W&L Law’s Hasbrouck Publishes Article in Northwestern Law Review
Professor Brandon Hasbrouck published "Reimagining Public Safety."
Meet a Colleague: David Eggert
David Eggert is a Professor of Practice who teaches a range of courses, including Antitrust, Conflict of Laws, Remedies, Torts, Property, and Complex Litigation.
Tim Vest Joins W&L Law as Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
Vest will oversee the creation and management of the operating budget of the Law School and be responsible for various reporting obligations.
Meet Ebony Aiken ’25L, AmeriCorps Researcher and Policy Analyst
Before starting law school, Ebony Aiken worked in real estate and in policy research with AmeriCorps Public Allies division.
W&L’s Hasbrouck Publishes Article in the Oklahoma Law Review
Prof. Brandon Hasbrouck published "Movement Constitutionalism."
W&L Law Celebrates Law Student Veterans
W&L provides Yellow Ribbon funding to an unlimited number of undergraduate and law students covering their tuition and fees. Currently, ten W&L Law students receive Yellow Ribbon, GI Bill, or other veteran benefits.
Meet Zoe Speas ’25L, From Shakespeare to Statutes
Before law school, Zoe Speas worked as a Shakespearean actor and musician across the country, eventually joining the American Shakespeare Center.
Law Students Argue Case in 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
Sica Matsuda ‘23L and Brian Warren ‘23L were assigned the case as part of their work with the school’s Criminal Justice Clinic.
W&L Law’s Fraley Publishes Article in Penn State Law Review
Professor Jill Fraley published "Eminent Domain and Unfettered Discretion: Lessons from a History of U.S. Territorial Takings."
Meet Marc Sendra ’25L, Former Religious Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Army
Before law school, Marc Sendra helped look after the mental and spiritual well-being of 500 soldiers as a Religious Affairs Specialist.
JCRSJ Symposium Examines Civil Rights Movement Across the Decades
The Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice will host its annual symposium on Friday, November 4. This year’s event is titled “60 Since the 60s: Civil Rights Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”
Career Paths: Namrata Kang ’21L
Nam Kang enjoys solving the puzzles in compliance investigations as a member of the regulatory team at Troutman Pepper.
Meet a Colleague: Brianne Kleinert
Brianne Kleinert is a Senior Legal Assistant and works with the Immigrant Rights Clinic, the Tax Clinic, and Externship Programs.
WLSO Symposium Celebrates 50 Years of Women at W&L Law
This symposium will highlight the experiences of women over the past 50 years in relation to three pivotal events that are all observing anniversaries.
W&L Law’s MacDonnell Publishes Article in Villanova Law Review
Prof. Tim MacDonnell published "Making An Offer That Can’t Be Refused: The Need For Reform In The Rules Governing Informed Consent And Doctor-Patient Agreements."
Meet Kali Venable ’25L, Journalist Turned Law Student
Before law school, Kali Venable worked as a public safety reporter, and later as an investigative and environmental reporter at a daily newspaper in central south Texas.
Jill Fraley Named Inaugural Director of Pedagogy and Engaged and Inclusive Law Teaching
In a new role focusing on pedagogy, W&L Law professor Jill Fraley will design faculty workshops to help the law school advance science-based teaching practices that further student learning and inclusivity.
Summer Experience: Anika Maan ’24L
Anika Maan spent her summer working for the United Nations: Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Suva, Fiji.
