Willamette University College of Law

Infobox Law School


name = Willamette University College of Law
established = 1883
type = Private
endowment =
parent endowment = US$285 million [cite web | title = About Willamette: Quick Facts | publisher = Willamette University | url = http://www.willamette.edu/about/facts.htm | accessdate = 2007-12-05]
head = Symeon C. Symeonides
city = Salem
state = Oregon
country = USA
students = 424cite web|url=http://officialguide.lsac.org/SearchResults/SchoolPage_PDFs/ABA_LawSchoolData/ABA4954.pdf|title=Willamette University College of Law|date=2008|work=Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools|publisher=Law School Admissions Council & American Bar Association|pages=835|accessdate=2008-07-24]
faculty = 42
ranking = Tier 3
bar pass rate = 83%
annual tuition = $27,495
homepage = [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/ www.willamette.edu/wucl]
motto = "The First University in the West"
aba profile = [http://officialguide.lsac.org/SearchResults/SchoolPage_PDFs/LSAC_LawSchoolDescription/LSAC4330.pdf Willamette University College of Law Profile]

Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States. The College of Law, which was founded in 1883 and is the oldest law school in the Pacific Northwest, has approximately 30 law professors and a yearly entering class of 165 students. The campus is located across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and the Oregon Supreme Court Building.

Housed in the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, Willamette's College of Law offers full-time enrollment for the juris doctorate (JD) degree, a joint-degree program, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program. Students may attend part time for the LL.M. program, which focuses on international legal issues. The joint-degree program allows students to earn both a JD and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) concurrently in a four-year program.

History

In July 1866, Willamette University's trustees formed a committee to explore the possibility of a legal department.Swenson, Eric. "Willamette University College of Law: The First Hundred Years: An Illustrated History". Willamette University College of Law, 1987.] At that time, legal education was traditionally taught as an apprenticeship in which those wishing to be lawyers would study under an existing attorney for several years before being allowed to pass the bar. Although the school did not begin a legal department in 1866, Willamette did confer a Doctor of Laws degree on Matthew P. Deady, who would later help establish Oregon’s second law school for the University of Oregon.

The College of Law was founded in 1883, and is the oldest law school in the Pacific Northwest. [http://www.llm.hobsons.com/institution.jsp?orgid=354 Hobsons: LLM Courses: WUCL.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] In April 1884, the Board of Trustees officially approved the new legal department; tuition for the two-year course was $50 per year. William Marion Ramsey served as the school's first dean.1840-1990 Keepsake Edition: Willamette University. "Statesman Journal", October 26, 1990.] He was dean from 1883 until 1888, and led a faculty of three. The three professors were George H. Burnett, who taught contracts, commercial law, and torts; J. T. Gregg, who taught evidence and common law; and William H. Holmes, who was the instructor for admiralty and criminal law. The school’s first entering class had three students; with Charles A. Packenham as the first graduate in 1886.

In addition to being the oldest law school in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, Willamette College of Law was the 75th law school founded in the United States and is the second oldest in the Western U.S., behind Hastings College of Law in California. From its founding until 1923, the law school was located in Waller Hall. During the early years of the law school, enrollment fluctuated from as many as 17 graduates in 1898 to as few as zero graduates in 1903 and 1905. Dean Ramsey resigned in 1888 and was replaced by George G. Bingham, who served until 1891 when replaced by his pupil Samuel T. Richardson. Women were allowed to enroll beginning in 1892; in 1898, the first women, Olive S. England and Gabrielle Clark, graduated. The third female graduate, in 1899, was Anna Carson, who was part of the Carson legal family of Salem that includes Wallace P. Carson (1923 graduate) a state legislator and Wallace P. Carson, Jr. (1962 graduate) a state legislator and longtime chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. In 1902, Dean Richardson left the school and was replaced by John W. Reynolds who served until 1907. In 1908, Charles L. McNary was appointed dean, serving until 1913, when Willamette selected future Oregon Attorney General Isaac Homer Van Winkle. Van Winkle was an alumnus of both Willamette and the law school, serving as dean until 1927.

From 1923 until 1938, the school was located in Eaton Hall.Women of Willamette: Early Legal Pioneers to Today’s Trailblazers. "Willamette Lawyer", Spring 2007, p. 12.] Roy R. Hewitt was dean from 1927 to 1932, followed by Roy Lockenour, who served until 1939. Willamette University College of Law became American Bar Association accredited in 1938, and in 1946 it became a member of the Association of American Law Schools. In 1938 the school moved to Gatke Hall, a former United States Post Office. [http://www.ojd.state.or.us/mar/courthousehistory.htm Oregon Judicial Department: Marion County Courthouse.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] The law school was housed there until 1967. [http://www.salemquarterly.com/tour.php?site_id=6 Salem Historical Quarterly: Willamette University Historic Buildings.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] During this time deans of the law school included George M. McLeod (1940-1942), Ray L. Smith (1942-1946), and Seward P. Reese (1946-1968). During World War II, enrollment declined to only five graduates between 1943 to 1945, and classes were moved to the undergraduate library as the United States Navy used the Gatke Hall. In 1946, enrollment rebounded with a total of 92 students, the largest student body of the law school up to that date.After 1952, Willamette’s law school received a large Lady Justice statue when the Marion County Courthouse was demolished to make way for a new courthouse. In 1960, the school started a law review, while enrollment increased to 185 by the mid 1960s. Because of increased enrollment, the College of Law Foundation was created by the university’s trustees in 1959 to explore the construction of a new facility. In 1967, a new $1.1 million facility, the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, opened in September and the College of Law moved across campus to its current home along with Lady Justice, a twelve-foot-tall, 300-pound statue, was formerly on the roof of the Marion County Courthouse.

In 1968, Arthur B. Custy became dean and served until 1971 during which time admissions changed to require a bachelor's degree and the Law School Admission Test. Later deans of the school include Larry K. Harvey (1971-1977) and Leroy Tornquist (1979-1987).

In 1984 the law school established the Center for Dispute Resolution, an alternative dispute resolution program. In 1992, the Collins Legal Center went through an award-winning renovation [ [http://www.sdra.com/Pages/awards.htm Soderstrom Architects P.C.: Awards.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] and expansion that ended with a dedication ceremony with a speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/cla/catalog/2003.pdf Willamette University: College of Liberal Arts Catalog, 2003-2005.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] [ [http://www.salemhistory.net/education/willamette_university.htm Salem Online History: Willamette University.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] In her dedication speech she advocated for civility among those in the legal profession and for avoiding personal attacks among lawyers. [Leeson, Fred. O’Connor calls for legal civility. "The Oregonian", September 11, 1992.] In December 2005, the school’s moot courtroom was used for a real civil trial after the Marion County Courthouse was damaged the previous month. [Murez, Cara Roberts. Mobile courtrooms. "Statesman Journal", December 14, 2005.]

Deans of the school in recent years include David R. Kenagy (1994-1996 interim), Robert M. Ackerman (1996-1999), and Symeon Symeonides (1999 to present). [Erika Woods. Law dean hired by Willamette. "Statesman Journal", March 18, 1999.] In 2008, the school opened the Oregon Civic Justice Center to house programs including the Oregon Law Commission, the Center for Dispute Resolution, the Clinical Law Program, Center for Law and Government, and the "Willamette Law Review".Lynn, Capi. “Then & Now”, "Statesman Journal", September 11, 2008, Life, p. 1.] The dedication ceremony featured U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and was part of the school's celebration of their 125th anniversary.cite news|url=http://community.statesmanjournal.com/tools/pdf/pdfarticle.php?artid=809130352|title=Oregon Civic Justice Center opening lauded by Ginsburg|last=Guerrero-Huston|first=Thelma|date=September 13, 2008|work=Statesman Journal|accessdate=2008-09-27]

Academics

Acceptance

The College of Law offers full-time enrollment exclusively, with an admissions deadline of April 1 for the JD program. In 2005, the school accepted 35.1% of all applicants who applied to the school. Enrolled students from that entering class had Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores in the range of 153 to 157 (25th-75th percentile) placing the school in "U.S. News & World Report"’s rankings Third Tier. [http://web.archive.org/web/20060721224826/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/directory/dir-law/brief/glanc_03136_brief.php America's Best Graduate Schools 2008: School of Law: Willamette University] , "US News & World Report". From the Internet Archives. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.]

In 2006, the acceptance rate for the college was 37.7%; those enrolled earned LSAT scores ranging from 155 to 160, and the school was ranked in U.S. News' rankings in the Fourth Tier. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20070428072659/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/directory/dir-law/brief/glanc_03136_brief.php America's Best Graduate Schools 2007: School of Law: Willamette University] , "US News & World Report". From the Internet Archives. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] As of 2008, Willamette was ranked in the Third Tier by the magazine. [http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/law/search/page+3 Best Graduate Schools: Best Law Schools (Ranked in 2008).] "U.S. News & World Report". Retrieved March 29, 2008.] In 2008, the school was ranked sixth by the "The Princeton Review" in the "Most Welcoming of Older Students" category. [cite journal|date=2008|title=2008 Best 170 Law Schools Rankings: Most Welcoming of Older Students|journal=The Princeton Review|url=http://www.princetonreview.com/schoollist.aspx?type=r&id=733|accessdate=2008-07-29]

Programs

The JD program is a three-year, full-time curriculum with new students' initial enrollment beginning only with the fall term each year. Through a partnership between the College of Law and Willamette's Atkinson Graduate School of Management, a joint degree program is offered to students interested in earning both a JD and an MBA concurrently. The program allows students to earn both degrees in four years. The MBA is conferred in Business, Government, or Not-for-Profit Management. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/academic/joint_degree.htm Academice Programs: Joint Degree] , Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] Both JD students and joint-degree students have the option of enrolling in the certificate programs, studying abroad, working at the Clinical Law Program, and taking classes from the Center for Dispute Resolution.

The Center for Dispute Resolution, founded in 1983, was one of the first in the western United States to offer coursework in the areas of arbitration, negotiation and mediation. Focusing on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), its program is a national model, and the center is annually recognized as one of the top ten programs in the nation. [http://www.law.stanford.edu/publications/projects/lrps/pdf/lomiowayne_rp4.pdf Lomio, J. Paul. Erika V. Wayne. Ranking of Top Law Schools: 1987 – 2006 By U.S. News & World Report.] Stanford Law Library, March 2005. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] In 2006, the Dispute Resolution program was ranked 7th by U.S. News & World Report.

Willamette's College of Law also offers a Clinical Law Program that gives law students hands-on professional experience in law offices and courtrooms across the country. The program consists of two main components, the Externship Program and the Civil Practice Clinic. Both parts allow students to participate in real-life legal work. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/academic/clp/ Willamette University College of Law: Clinical Law Program.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.]

Students have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs in Germany, Ecuador and China. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/academic/study_abroad.htm Willamette University College of Law: Study Abroad.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.]

LL.M.

The LL.M. in Transnational Law educates law students on a variety of international law topics such as international business transactions, comparative law, as well as private international law. The program also covers dispute resolution and allows students to enroll in classes at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. LL.M. students can attend either full-time or part-time, but must complete the ten-credit-hour program within two academic years.

Certificate programs

The law school offers four special certificate programs for students in both the JD program and the joint degree program: Dispute Resolution, Law & Business, International & Comparative Law, Sustainability Law, and Law & Government. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/academic/certificates.htm Willamette University College of Law: Certificate Programs.] Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] The business law, law and government, and international and comparative law certificate programs were introduced to the curriculum in 2002.Tom, Susan. WU law school making changes. "Statesman Journal", March 6, 2002.] These programs allow students to specialize in those areas of study and earn a certificate demonstrating that specialization.

Law journals

The College of Law produces five publications, including three law reviews. [http://www.justia.com/law-schools/oregon/willamette-university-college-of-law/ Willamette University College of Law.] Justia. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] In 1992, the "Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution" began publication with a focus on dispute resolution and the law on the international level. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/wjildr/about-us/about-us.htm Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution: About us.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] "Willamette Law Review" began in 1959, with four editions each year. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/lawreview/ Willamette Law Review.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] This general interest legal review also sponsors an annual symposium at the school. The first journal on sports law in the Pacific Northwest was the "Willamette Sports Law Journal". [ [http://lists.willamette.edu/mailman/listinfo/slsjournal Sports Law Journal.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] The official Bluebook abbreviations used for citations are "Willamette J. Int'l L. & Disp. Resol." for the "Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution" and "Willamette L. Rev." for the "Willamette Law Review". [ [http://lib.law.washington.edu/cilp/abbrev.html Bluebook Abbreviations of Law Review Titles.] University of Washington. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.]

Willamette’s College of Law also produces "Willamette Lawyer" and Willamette Law Online. "Willamette Lawyer" is the school’s alumni magazine, published twice annually with one edition in the spring and the second in the fall. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/community/publications/lawyer/ Alumni Publications: Willamette Lawyer.] Willamette University. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] Produced primarily by students, Willamette Law Online is a subscription service that provides case summaries free to legal professionals in the Pacific Northwest. [ [http://willamette.edu/wucl/wlo/about.htm Willamette Law Online: About us.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.]

Facilities

Willamette’s College of Law is primarily housed in the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center (Collins Legal Center). Students have 24-hour secure access to the 75,000+ square foot building, which was renovated in 1992. It is located on Winter Street in Salem, just south of the Oregon State Capitol. In addition to classrooms, the building houses the law library, administrative offices, and faculty offices. [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/admission/facilities.htm Facilities.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] The building also contains a fully functioning trial courtroom used for moot court.

Oregon Civic Justice Center

Opened in 2008, the Oregon Civic Justice Center is one block north of the Collins Legal Center. Built within Salem's 1912 Carnegie library building, the school remodeled the structure at a cost of $4 million. The building is home to the "Willamette Law Review"; the Oregon Law Commission; Willamette's Center for Democracy, Religion and Law; the Center for Dispute Resolution; the law school's clinical program; and the Center for Law and Government.Carnegie Building. Winter Street Law Journal, Spring 2008, p. 6. Willamette University College of Law.] These programs were chosen due to their community outreach programs, as the school plans to create a community atmosphere between students, faculty, and the general community.

Library

The J. W. Long Law Library has 285,000 volumes and microform equivalents, which include both state and federal primary law sources, as well as treatises, periodicals and other secondary sources. The three-story structure is attached to the Collins Legal Center and contains study rooms, video rooms, conference rooms, computer labs, and is staffed by reference librarians. Additionally, it has special collections in tax law, public international law, labor law, and is a Selective Federal Government Documents Depository. Members of the public may access the library when the library is staffed by librarians, while students and faculty have 24-hour access to the library. [ [http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/longlib/infoindex.htm J.W. Long Law Library: Information and Services.] Willamette University College of Law. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.] Law students also have access to Willamette University's Mark O. Hatfield Library, the Oregon Supreme Court Library, the Oregon State Library, and the Oregon State Archives.

Distinguished faculty

*Susan M. Leeson - Former Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
*Hans A. Linde - Former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
*Charles L. McNary - Former United States Senator
*Edwin J. Peterson - Former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court

Distinguished alumni

*William A. Barton - Trial attorney, author
*Bruce Botelho - Current mayor of Juneau, Alaska
*Jay Bowerman - Former Governor of Oregon
*Wallace P. Carson, Jr. - Former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
*Willis C. Hawley - Former member of the United States House of Representatives
*Fern Hobbs - Former secretary to Governor Oswald West
*Jay Inslee - Current member of the United States House of Representatives
*Virginia Linder - Current Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
*Lesil McGuire - Current member of the Alaska Senate
*Paul De Muniz - Current Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
*Lisa Murkowski - Current United States Senator
*Norma Paulus - Former Oregon Secretary of State

References

External links

* [http://photos.salemhistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=%2Fspecialcol&CISOPTR=1233&DMSCALE=100&DMWIDTH=500&DMHEIGHT=500&DMMODE=viewer&DMFULL=0&DMX=67&DMY=0&DMTEXT=&DMTHUMB=0&REC=2&DMROTATE=0&x=322&y=231 Collins Legal Center prior to expansion]