Category Archives: Academics

Veterans Clinic Receives State Bar Pro Bono Award

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Congratulations to our Lewis B. Puller, Jr. Veterans Benefits Clinic! They received the 2013 Lewis F. Powell, Jr., Pro Bono Award by the Virginia State Bar (VSB) on April 15.

For the full story and to learn more about the Veterans Benefits Clinic, click here.

Courtesy of the Virginia State Bar
Here’s more great news about a recent graduate, who was instrumental in the Veterans Benefits Clinic. Kevin Barrett, Class of 2013, received the Sullivan Award during Commencement on May 11, 2013. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award committee considers “only characteristics of heart, mind and helpfulness to others” in awarding the prize. Barrett has exemplified this ideal as a citizen-lawyer at William & Mary Law School. He is a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps and worked tirelessly in the Veterans Benefits Clinic full-time each summer and as a student in the clinic for two semesters.
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Additionally, the Veterans Clinic has received notice from Virginia Senator Mark Warner, who sees our clinic as a potential national model to reduce the backlogged cases. Click here to read that full article.

W&M Law Journals Recognized as Most Cited in Their Fields

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Our 1L students have finished their second semester finals and in the midst of the joint journal competition (JJC). The competition results in placement of eligible students to one of the five journals.

More than 300 students participate in William & Mary’s journals, and our journals are well-respected in the legal community and earn recognition as some of the most cited in their respective fields.

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The William and Mary Law Review is the 19th most cited general interest law review in the country.

The William & Bill of Rights Journal is the 2nd most cited specialty law review in the field of civil rights, and the 3rd most cited specialty law review in the field of constitutional law.

The William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review is the most cited specialty law review in the field of energy law, and the 11th most cited specialty law review in the field of environmental law.

The William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law is the 10th most cited specialty law review in the fields of gender studies, women, and sexuality.

The William & Mary Business Law Review is the 11th most cited specialty law review in the field of corporate law and business associations, and the 29th most cited specialty law review in the field of commercial law. In addition, of the 58 student-edited law reviews established since 2010, the William & Mary Business Law Review is the second most cited journal, trailing only the Harvard National Security Journal.

Experiences and Opportunities in Election Law

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shanaShanna Reulbach is a 3L from Rochester, New York.  She double majored in political science and history at the State University of New York at Geneseo, graduating in 2010.  Shanna is a Graduate Research Fellow and the senior articles editor of the Law Review.

I am a 3L at William & Mary, and I have had the wonderful experience of being a Graduate Research Fellow (GRF) for all three years.  As a college student, I majored in political science and history and ran an organization dedicated to campaign finance reform.  I was interested in elections, and William & Mary stood out to me during the law school application process because it sponsored election law fellows through its GRF program.  I applied for the Election Law Fellowship and had the great fortune of becoming one of two GRFs to the Election Law Program.

The Election Law GRF position afforded me incredible research opportunities in the field I was passionate about starting on my first day as a 1L.  Professor Rebecca Green, co-director of the Election Law Program, had me maintain a blog page on campaign finance on the Election Law Society’s website, assist in researching one of her academic articles, and participate in the planning of election-related moot court events that gained national attention.  All of these projects were very interesting and enjoyable, and they helped me develop research and writing skills early on in my law school career.  Furthermore, the skills and subject-matter expertise I developed have helped prepare me for job interviews and summer internships.

Another great benefit of GRFing is that it enables students to form a relationship with a professor outside of the classroom.  Professor Green has been a fantastic mentor during my three years and provided invaluable help in securing both of my summer internships—at the Brennan Center for Justice and the Virginia State Board of Elections.  Being familiar with my personality and work product, she was able to make phone calls and write recommendation letters for these positions and for clerkships.  And when opportunities for extracurricular projects have come up, Professor Green has generously offered to allow me to participate.  Through her efforts, I am currently researching and drafting a report on election delays for the American Bar Association and providing research support to the recently created Presidential Commission on Election Administration.  These are tasks I never dreamed law students would be tackling when I came to William & Mary, but I am so grateful that the GRF program is in place to enable students to learn beyond the classroom.

GRF was a big part of why I decided to come to William & Mary, and now I also view it as one of my most rewarding law school experiences.  The tuition reduction and living stipend made law school more affordable, and I do not think I could have gotten such in-depth familiarity with the field of election law at any other institution.  I have enjoyed my time as a GRF and believe that what I have learned, and the relationships I have established with the GRF community, will continue to be of value years beyond graduation.

Research in Administrative Law

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by Laura Vlieg, Class of 2014

lauraLaura Vlieg is a 2L student at W&M Law interested in pursuing a career in aviation law. She is involved in a number of student groups on campus including Constitutional Conversations, the American Constitution Society, and Law Cappella. Prior to law school, she attended Loyola University Chicago completing majors in Political Science and International Studies, and then worked for a year with an aviation law firm in Washington, DC. 

When I decided to join the William & Mary Law School community, a major factor influencing my decision was the opportunity to work as a Graduate Fellow.  The in-state tuition and stipend were certainly incentive enough for me to accept, and I was intrigued about the added benefit of gaining some research experience along the way. I remember when I first arrived at William & Mary, I met an administrator who recognized my name and exclaimed “Oh, you’re one of our GRFs!” (pronounced “Grrrrf”), and I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about.  I quickly realized that GRF is the friendly, albeit bizarre, nickname given to Graduate Fellows here at the law school.

The enthusiasm I was met with that very first day has not died down, and I have been fortunate in my GRF assignments to meet and work for some wonderful people.  My 1L year I was assigned to both the Admissions Office and the Technical Services division in the law library.

As a 2L I am now working as a research assistant to Professor Larsen, one of W&M’s rock star professors focusing in Administrative and Constitutional law. The projects that I have worked on with Prof. Larsen have been interesting; some of those projects have included editing papers, finding scholarly authorities on specific topics within Administrative and Constitutional law, and compiling facts and data on specified topics within those fields.  I definitely feel that the position has helped me fine-tune my research skills.

In retrospect, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to advise my past self to accept the GRF position—weird nickname and all.

Laura reflected on her first semester at W&M for the Admissions Blog.  Click here to read more.

Publication of St. George Tucker’s Law Papers

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by Elizabeth Cavallari

In late January, the Law School gathered to celebrate the publication of St. George Tucker’s Law Papers.  You might ask– who is St. George Tucker?

He was the second law faculty at William & Mary, after George Wythe.  Tucker was an influential state and federal judge and a scholar that made substantial contributions to the legal profession and legal study in the United States by publishing  5-volume set of Blackstone’s Commentaries in the early 19th century.

Charles Hobson, a specialist in the constitutional and legal history of the beginnings of the United States, worked with the University of North Carolina Press in conjunction with William and Mary’s Omohundro Institute of Early American History.  Hobson’s work culminated in the publication of his three-volume St. George Tucker’s Law Reports and Selected Papers, 1782-1825.

Dean Davison Douglas and Charles Hobson celebrate the publication of the three-volume St. George Tucker's Law Reports and Selected Papers, 1782-1825.photo by David F. Morrill

Dean Davison Douglas and Charles Hobson celebrate the publication of the three-volume St. George Tucker’s Law Reports and Selected Papers, 1782-1825.
photo by David F. Morrill

Many students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Law School came together to celebrate St. George Tucker and Charles Hobson for putting together this importance piece of William & Mary and American history.

To read the full story, click here.

W&M Law’s Newest Clinic- Elder Law

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by Elizabeth Cavallari

This academic year, William & Mary Law School expanded our clinical opportunities to nine different clinics.  In addition to our existing clinics (Domestic Violence, Federal Tax, Innocence Project, Legal Aid, Special Education Advocacy, Veterans’ Benefits), we now have an Appellate and Supreme Court Clinic and an Elder Law Clinic.

Helena S. MockAdjunct Professor of Law & Managing Attorney William & Mary's Elder Law Clinic

Helena S. Mock

The Elder Law Clinic provides services to aging population in Williamsburg and the surrounding communities with issues that are often difficult to understand and manage for older people and their families. The Clinic is directed by alumna, Helena Mock.

Ms. Mock was recently interviewed by the ABA, and her interview is featured in The Voice of Experience by the American Bar Association. To read W&M Elder Law Clinic: Training Students and Helping Seniors, click here.

Research in Family Law

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by Liz Smith, Class of 2014

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Liz Smith is from South Florida and earned a degree in Psychology at the University of Florida before moving to Virginia to begin law school at William & Mary. She is a Graduate Research Fellow and a member of the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal.

When I was considering the move from sunny South Florida to Virginia, where I did not know anyone, the atmosphere I experienced at William and Mary during Admitted Students Weekend made the decision easy. The second most convincing reason for choosing William and Mary for law school was the offer of a Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). While some may view a research fellowship as a trade off, I see it as a win-win. Not only do I get a break on tuition and a monetary stipend, but I have the opportunity to work directly with faculty, staff, and professors.

Once Graduate Research Fellows have a chance to develop an interest in a specific type of law, they are matched up with a professor with experience in that field. I have developed an interest in family law and was consequently lucky enough to work with Professor James Dwyer for almost a year now. Professor Dwyer has a significant amount of experience in family law, domestic violence, and youth law. I have been afforded the opportunity to work on a variety of research assignments for him, each of which is more interesting than the last. Some of the topics that I have researched include the current mail-order bride laws in the Philippines, the various requirements states have for distribution of unique marital property such as law degrees, and a wide range of domestic violence issues and specific local domestic violence cases.

During every job interview that I have had, I have been asked about my Graduate Research Fellowship. Employers were impressed with the honor, as well as interested in the research skills and professional relationships I was able to develop through the work. I honestly believe that my graduate research fellowship contributed to the success of my 2L summer job search.

My Graduate Research Fellowship has also been a great networking opportunity. Through research, I was able to locate and reach out to a William and Mary alum that was a GRF for Professor Dwyer as well. Partly because of our common experience, this alum was more than willing to meet with me and give great career advice as well as discuss her experiences during and after law school. Accepting my Graduate Research Fellowship has already contributed to the advancement of my career and the formation of professional relationships, and I still have another year!

Research Opportunities During Law School

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by Laura Doore, Class of 2013

laura doore class of 2013Laura is a 3L at William & Mary Law School.  She has an A.B. in French and anthropology from Bowdoin College in Maine.  Laura worked as a paralegal at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine before coming to law school.  After graduating in May, Laura plans to work in Washington, D.C.

I am a 3L at William and Mary and I have been a Graduate Research Fellow, or a GRF, since my 1L year.  The opportunity to be a GRF was one of the reasons I chose William & Mary, and it has turned out to be a great experience.  My 1L year I worked at the library and in the Admissions Office.  At the library, I helped to add content to the scholarship repository.  With the Admissions Office, I helped organize applications, gave tours to prospective students, and helped out at Admitted Students’ Weekend.  I very much enjoyed working with the Admissions and library staff and appreciated the opportunity to get to know many members of the law school community.

I started working for Professor Solomon as a research assistant my 2L year and continue to work for him this year.  Professor Solomon’s research focuses on the theory and practice of civil justice, and he also researches and writes on issues related to legal education.  During the past year and a half, I have helped edit several papers that went on to be published in law journals, researched issues for forthcoming papers, and compiled data on law schools around the country and on legal education in general.  The work has been challenging and rewarding.

Learning more about Professor Solomon’s research has been a valuable addition to my legal education.  One of the best parts about working for Professor Solomon is that he has great advice about law school and the job market and has been a helpful and enthusiastic adviser.

The GRF program is just one aspect of the William & Mary experience that brings together members of the law school community and reinforces a collaborative atmosphere.   I have very much enjoyed my experience, and feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a GRF.

Discover Law

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by Elizabeth Cavallari

On Tuesday, February 12, William & Mary Law School partnered with Hampton University to hold a Discover Law event on Hampton’s campus. The event in conjunction with Discoverlaw.org was targeted at undergraduate students to prepare them early on for success in the law school admission process and expose them to diversity within the legal field.

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Prior to the event, Yvonne Baker (W&M JD Class of 2014 and Hampton Class of 2011) and Dean Faye Shealy recorded interviews for Hampton’s television show, The View from Hampton U to discuss the program, William & Mary Law School, the law school admissions process, and Yvonne’s own experiences at both institutions.

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More than 85 students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, attended the Discover Law Event.  There was standing room only throughout the program, and we were excited about the great attendance and interest in a legal education!

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The Discover Law event began with an introduction from Prof. Sylvia Rose, JD, a current Hampton faculty member, about her legal career and various jobs where she used her legal education.

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Dean Rhianna Shabsin and I then presented about what Discoverlaw.org is, and our guide to the law school admissions process.  We shared our tips and advice for students, no matter what class year, on how to get on track in applying to law school. We stressed the importance of a strong academic record and making the most of their college experience academically.

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Eric Claville, Interim Assistant Dean and Pre-Law Advisor at Hampton shared his Straight F’s for Success, his guide to being successful in law school, with many tips relatable to the undergraduate students in attendance.

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Lastly, we had five current law students share their experiences on applying to law school, choosing the right school for them, their involvement in the William & Mary community academically and socially.

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The Discover Law event was fantastic.  It was a wonderful way to connect with undergraduate students and share about the legal profession, what they can gain from a legal education, and how to go about preparing and applying for law school.  The attendance was superb, and we are excited for this to be a yearly event.

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To learn more about Discoverlaw.org and find another Discover Law event near you, click here.