W&L Law to Hold Online Conferral of Degrees Ceremony Friday, May 8
Washington and Lee University School of Law will hold an online event at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 8 to confer law degrees on the 154 graduates of the Law Class of 2020.
Archive ( Stories)
W&L Law’s Miller Writes on COVID-19 Lockdown Shooting Range Case
Russ Miller has joined two other Virginia law professors in an amicus curiae brief in a case challenging the Governor’s lockdown order as it applies to indoor shooting ranges.
W&L Law’s Bruck Urges Early Release of Elderly Inmates over Virus
Bruck is urging Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to grant early release to elderly, parole-eligible inmates due to concerns that prisons will soon become hotspots for the COVID-19 outbreak.
Slowing the Spread
Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox ‘01L is leading the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
W&L Law’s Drumbl on COVID-19 and Terrorism
Should criminal legislation put in place to fight terrorism be used to fight the virus?
W&L Law’s Miller Examines China’s Legal Responsibility for Global Pandemic
How will the international law principles established in the Trail Smelter Arbitration of the 1920s inform liability for the spread of COVID-19.
W&L Law’s Bruck Selected for Guantánamo’s 9/11 Trial
Veteran capital defense attorney and clinical professor of law David Bruck will represent one of the men accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks.
W&L Law Releases 2019 Graduate Employment Report
According to the report, 92.7% of the class of 2019 secured a full-time, long-term job that either requires bar passage or for which a J.D. degree is an advantage.
Virtual Instruction Just the First Challenge of the COVID-19 Outbreak for Law Schools
Grading practices, hiring and the future of the bar exam are just a few of the areas impacted by the virus outbreak.
U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser ‘79L Warns of COVID-19 Scams in Op/Ed
Strasser is urging residents of hard-hit Louisiana to be on the lookout for criminal activity.
Eric Chaffin ‘96L Organizes Food Drive for Pittsburgh Community
After hearing about job loss following the Coronavirus outbreak, Eric Chaffin knew he wanted to do something to help.
The Delaware Court of Chancery
Melissa Lagoumis '20L writes about how a 3L externship changed her outlook and her career.
W&L BLSA Team Second at National Moot Court Competition
Jessiah Hulle ‘20L and Tomi Akinmola ‘21L were the runners-up in the National Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition, held this weekend in Cincinnati during the National Black Law Students Association conference.
Tax Credits for the Working Poor
Michelle Lyon Drumbl, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Tax Clinic at Washington and Lee University School of Law, has published a new book that identifies shortcomings in how the United States delivers social benefits through its tax system.
W&L Law’s Hellwig Delivers Annual E.L. Wiegand Lecture at USF Law School
Hellwig, Dean and Professor of Law, spoke on the tax plight of high-salary employees after the 2017 tax legislation.
BLSA Moot Court, Mock Trial Teams Advance to Nationals
The Washington and Lee School of Law Black Law Students Association moot court and mock trial teams have advanced to nationals following top finishes at the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association competitions.
Paul Butler to Deliver Inaugural Smith Lecture at W&L Law
Named in honor of Leslie Devan Smith Jr. '69L, the law school's first African American graduate, the new lecture series celebrates the contributions of all students from underrepresented groups.
Law Student Honored with Prestigious Writing Award
Mary Kate Nicholson ‘20L received second place in a national student legal writing competition sponsored by the Judge John R. Brown Scholarship Foundation.
W&L Law Hosts Panel Discussion on Child Soldiers
Contributors to a recent book on child soldiers will participate in a panel discussion on Feb. 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Law School.
W&L Law’s Drumbl on Attacking Cultural Sites
Law professor Mark Drumbl discussed why bombing cultural sites is considered a war crime.
Law Student Video Wins LITC Tax Education Contest
Brianna Pine, a third-year law student at W&L Law and student attorney in the Tax Clinic, won first place in a recent tax advocacy contest sponsored by the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) grant program.
A Message to the Law Community
A message from Dean Brant Hellwig and President Will Dudley on the diploma petition.
Law Student Helps Change Virginia Marriage License
Washington and Lee law student Sophie Rogers ‘21L and her now-husband Brandyn Churchill ’14 made national news earlier this year when they joined a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s practice of asking those applying for marriage licenses to disclose their race.
And May It Please the Court
Mario Urizar ‘11L takes an immigration case before the U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 9.
Time Served
W&L Law students help long-serving inmates earn parole.
Day (and Night) at the Museum
Hannah Cloh is taking part in W&L Law’s residential externship in Washington, D.C., working at the Smithsonian Institution.
Scholar-in-Residence Wendy Greene to Lecture on Hairstyles and Discrimination
Greene's lecture, “#FreeTheHair: How Black Hair is Making Civil Laws Right,” will take place at 4pm on Nov. 19 at W&L Law.
W&L Law’s Drumbl on War Crimes and Genocide
Aljazeera relied on the expertise of Mark Drumbl for "explainers" on war crimes and genocide.
W&L Law’s Peppers on Televised Executions
The Richmond Times-Dispatch published a commentary by Todd Peppers on public access to executions in Virginia.
JCRSJ Symposium Explores Issues in Federal Sentencing
The event is scheduled for Nov. 14-15 at Washington and Lee School of Law.
Opportunity Alabama
Alex Flachsbart, ‘15L, traded corporate law for the opportunity to revitalize impoverished areas of Alabama.
W&L Law’s Haan on Facebook and Authenticity
Slate published a commentary by Sarah Haan on Facebook's approach to free speech and authenticity.
W&L Law’s Demleitner on Impeachment and Witness Protection
The Hill published a commentary by Nora Demleitner on impeachment and witness protection.
Annual Law and Literature Seminar to Explore Celeste Ng’s ‘Little Fires Everywhere’
Washington and Lee University School of Law will host the 2019 Law and Literature Seminar on Oct. 27-28.
Joan Biskupic to Deliver Annual Tucker Lecture at W&L Law
Biskupic, CNN legal analyst, will explore the early influences on Chief Justice John Roberts and his position as the ideological middle of the Court.
WLSO Symposium Explores Women in Academia
The 6th Annual Lara D. Gass Symposium on Women in the Law is Friday, October 11 from 2:30-5:00 PM in the Millhiser Moot Court Room, Sydney Lewis Hall.
W&L Law’s Chatman Discusses Male Stereotypes in Commentary
Slate published an article by Carliss Chatman titled "Men Get Stereotyped Too. It’s Time the Court Acknowledges It."
Haverford Professor to Lecture on Child Soldiers and Trial Process
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Prof. Jill Stauffer, director of the Peace, Justice and Human Rights program at Haverford College, will visit W&L Law to give a talk on the topic of child soldiers, evidence, and trial process.
Department of Defense General Counsel Paul Ney to Speak at W&L Law
Ney will speak on public service and ethics on Friday, Oct. 4 at 2:15 p.m. in the Millhiser Moot Court Room, Sydney Lewis Hall.
W&L Law’s Mark Drumbl Deepens Understanding of Child Soldiers in New Book
The Research Handbook on Child Soldiers brings to bear a unique array of perspectives to unpack the life-cycle of youth and militarization—from recruitment, to demobilization, and return to civilian life.
German Law Journal Kicks off 20th Anniversary Celebration with Kai Ambos Talk
Respected German scholar Kai Ambos will visit W&L Law this month to help kick off celebrations marking the German Law Journal’s 20th anniversary.
Scholarship of W&L Law’s Buchhandler-Raphael Cited in Washington Post
Buchhandler-Raphael argues that the distinction made by sexual assault statutes between involuntary and voluntary intoxicated victims is unwarranted.
Law, Policy and Diplomacy
2L Anahita Mohtasham-Gharagozloo learned to react quickly to law and policy changes during her internship with the International Organisation to Preserve Human Rights.
Learning the Material
3L Ashley Duckworth was exposed to a new area of the law during her summer internship with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the Division of Corporate Finance in Washington, D.C.
Sam Calhoun Named Robert O. Bentley Professor of Law
Brant Hellwig, Dean of Washington and Lee School of Law, has announced the appointment of law professor Sam Calhoun to the Robert O. Bentley Chair in Law.
Compassion and Patience
Communication skills were important for 2L Khadija Dukes, who spent her summer with the Georgia Legal Service Program working on domestic violence matters.
Taking on Big Challenges
Thanks to his first year writing courses, 2L Karlo Goronja was able to make real contributions during his summer internship with the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Focusing on the Facts
During her internship in Alaska with the Office of the Attorney General, 2L Brooke Wilson learned how the right facts can make or break a case.
W&L Law’s Fraley Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to Turkey
Jill Fraley, associate professor of law at Washington and Lee University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to conduct research at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey during the 2019–20 academic year.
W&L Law’s Doug Rendleman Named Adviser to ALI Restatement on Torts and Remedies
Washington and Lee law professor Doug Rendleman has been added as an Adviser a new Adviser to the American Law Institute’s (ALI) Restatement of the Law Third Torts: Remedies.
David Baluarte Appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at W&L Law
David Baluarte, associate clinical professor of law at Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been appointed associate dean for academic affairs by Dean Brant Hellwig.
W&L Law’s Mark Drumbl on Propaganda and Hate
Drumbl was interviewed on the BBC show "A History of Hate" on how propaganda fueled the Rwandan genocide.
Prof. Carliss Chatman on the Legal Definition of Personhood
In a Washington Post opinion piece published May 17, Washington and Lee law professor Carliss Chatman considers how the law will apply to a change in the definition of personhood.
School of Law Honors Graduates at 2019 Commencement Ceremony
The Washington and Lee University School of Law celebrated its 164th commencement on Friday, May 10, awarding 109 juris doctor degrees.
Law Students Reflect on Visit to National Memorial for Peace and Justice
Eight law students traveled to Montgomery, Alabama with W&L Law Dean Brant Hellwig to visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a haunting memorial to slavery and terror lynchings that took place in twelve Southern states.
Bits and Blocks
Kevin Batteh, ’95 and ‘98L, navigates new technology to advise blockchain and cryptocurrency clients.
W&L Law Announces New Faculty for Upcoming Academic Year
Washington and Lee University School of Law will welcome several new teachers to the faculty next academic year.
Life Outside the Law: Gabriella Passidomo ’19L
'Solar-powered' law student Gabriella Passidomo keeps herself and fellow students moving as key staff for the W&L Outing Club.
Career Paths: Kelly Cunningham ’19L
After graduation, Cunningham will be clerking for Judge Hugh Lawson at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.
W&L Law Visiting Professor Helps End Hair Discrimination in NYC, California
Wendy Greene's scholarship and advocacy has helped ban natural hair discrimination in New York City and California.
Career Paths: Lauren Bennett ’19L
After graduation, Bennett will be working as an Assistant Public Defender with the Colorado State Public Defender.
IRS Renews W&L Tax Clinic Federal Grant Award for Three Years
The Tax Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law has been awarded a matching grant by the Internal Revenue Service’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program Office. This is the twelfth straight year that the Tax Clinic has received federal dollars to support its efforts.
Career Paths: Danielle Novelly ’19L
After graduation Novelly will be a Litigation Associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in New York City.
W&L Law Unveils Tribute to first African-American Graduate
A new installation at Washington and Lee University School of Law celebrates the life and legacy of Leslie Devan Smith Jr., who graduated in 1969.
Career Paths: Benton Morton ’19L
Morton is headed to a clerkship with the United States Court of Federal Claims, Office of Special Masters.
Career Paths: Kathy McLaughlin ’19L
After graduation, McLaughlin will be working for the Colorado State Public Defender as a Deputy Public Defender.
Career Paths: Alex Shoaf ’19L
After graduation, Shoaf will head west to work for the Colorado State Public Defender.
Royal Return? W&L’s Michelle Drumbl on the Tax Consequences for Megan Markle’s Baby
Drumbl commented in a NBC News story published on April 15.
W&L Law Presents Alumni Awards during 2019 Reunion Celebration
Greg Stillman '74L was honored with the Outstanding Alumnus Award. Stu Nibley '75, '79L and Randall Miller '14L were recognized for volunteer work.
