by Elizabeth Cavallari
Each year, the William & Mary Alumni Association honors individuals who have shown extraordinary service to the College. Our own Dean Faye Shealy was one of the five award winners for 2013.
Dean Shealy has devoted more then 30 years of service to William & Mary Law School. It’s a privilege to work with her and learn from her on a daily basis. Congratulations to Dean Shealy on this honor!
Dean Shealy and Her Family
Photo by David Morrill.
by Law School Staff
W&M one of only eight law schools nationally to have increase in applications this year
In a year when applications to law school have sharply declined nationally, William & Mary is proving to be a popular destination for aspiring law students.
The Law School’s Office of Admission has received 5,846 applications for seats in its J.D. Class of 2016, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to last year. It is the third-highest number of J.D. applicants in the school’s history.
According to data compiled on April 5, 2013 by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), applicants to law schools have declined by almost 16 percent nationally this year, and by 40 percent over the past three years. William & Mary, according to LSAC, is one of only eight of the nation’s almost 200 law schools to report an increase in applications this year.
“We are very pleased to see this level of interest in William & Mary, the nation’s oldest law school,” said William & Mary law dean Davison Douglas. “This strong response from law school applicants across the country reflects the quality of our education, our strong national reputation for producing excellent lawyers, and a more affordable price than many of our peer schools. ”
One out of every nine applicants to law school in the United States has applied to William & Mary, according to the Law School’s Office of Admission. Associate Dean for Admission Faye Shealy, who has directed the school’s admission program since 1982, says that this is the largest percentage of the law school applicant market that William & Mary has ever captured.
“We constantly strive to educate not only good lawyers, but good citizens and effective leaders,” Shealy said. “We work hard to promote this citizen lawyer ideal along with all the program strengths offered here. I believe this increase in applications is evidence that William & Mary is an attractive option for discerning students seeking quality legal education.”
Zac is a 3L at William & Mary Law School. He has a B.S. in Physics from Tufts 
University. Zac worked at a pharmaceuticals company before coming to law school. After graduating this May, he will begin his career in Washington, D.C.
As a current 3L at William & Mary Law School, I first moved to Williamsburg in August of 2010. I quickly learned that Williamsburg has its quirks. For example, a man dressed in traditional colonial garb is perfectly suited for Colonial Williamsburg. However, that same man is ever so slightly out of place when dining at a local restaurant, pumping gas, or picking up a carton of milk at the grocery store.
I may have noticed Williamsburg’s quirks rather quickly, but it has taken me a full two-and-a-half years to appreciate the town’s other offerings. The first thing that comes to mind is my apartment. I came to William & Mary Law School with my dog in tow, so I knew I needed off-campus housing. Williamsburg, being a college town, has a housing option for every situation. Students can live in the Gradplex (on-campus housing offered by William & Mary), apartment complexes, townhomes, and even single-family homes. All of these housing options are within walking distance. I found a perfect single-family home with a fenced-in backyard from which I can bike to school through Colonial Williamsburg. I will be very disappointed to leave what has become my home when I move to Washington, D.C. in the fall.
Another great feature of Williamsburg is the food. For being such a small town, Williamsburg offers nearly every type of cuisine imaginable. I can be eating Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Korean, BBQ, sushi, or steak after just a five-minute drive from my apartment. My fiancée and I enjoy the local BBQ joint so much that we have decided to have them cater our wedding. I should also note that my friends love the local KFC buffet. I had never even heard of a KFC buffet before moving to Williamsburg, but now no other KFC franchise will ever compare.
Lastly, Williamsburg has plenty to offer in terms of recreational activities. My fiancée and I love to kayak, bike, bowl, and watch movies at the local Movie Tavern, which is an amazing establishment that crosses a movie theater with bar fare. Williamsburg also has a decent nightlife that focuses on several neighborhood bars. For me, Williamsburg is the perfect blend of city and country.
Shanna 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.
by Sam Mann, Class of 2013
Sam Mann is a 3L at William & Mary Law School. He attended Washington & Jefferson College and received a degree in Political Science. After college, he played two years of professional baseball while also serving as a full-time assistant baseball coach at Marietta College. Sam is the Lead Notes Editor of William and Mary Law Review and the Co-Editor of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society Blog. He spent the summer of 2012 at Cahill Gordon Reindel in Manhattan and will return to work there after graduation.
As a 3L here at William & Mary, I have had a number of very rewarding and interesting experiences over the past three years. I’d like to briefly share two of those experiences, both of which illustrate the resources available to William & Mary law students.
I was a Graduate Research Fellow (and technically still am though most of my duties have been completed), a program which gives students the opportunity to work with faculty and/or with departments of the law school. My first year I worked in the Library and the Admissions Office. In my second year I began doing research for Professor Neal Devins, a constitutional law scholar. During that year, I did research for and assisted with papers on the ACA health care bill, party politicization, the ideological position of the Supreme Court, and a number of other constitutional issues.
More importantly, I also got to know Professor Devins. While writing my student note, Professor Devins put me in touch with a practicing attorney who had just recently argued a relevant case in the Supreme Court. I had the opportunity to talk to this lawyer via phone and it ended up being extremely helpful in the research and development of my topic. He has also written letters of recommendation on my behalf and has taken an interest in my scholastic and educational plans.
This is just one example of the accessibility of our faculty, but it is certainly not the only one. Last year, while considering whether to apply for a judicial clerkship, I reached out to Professor Laura Heymann, who I had for a class my first semester. Despite the fact that Professor Heymann was on sabbatical for the semester, she was still willing to meet with me during the only week she was on campus to discuss the process and answer any questions I had.
There are a number of great things about William & Mary Law School, and principle among them are the impressiveness and accessibility of our faculty.
Sam also wrote a reflection after his first semester at William & Mary Law School. Read it here.
by Laura Vlieg, Class of 2014
Laura 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.
William & Mary has a fantastic group of applicants again this year and is among a small group of law schools with an increase of applicants for the Class of 2016 compared to last year. We are excited with the interest in legal education at the nation’s oldest law school. Applications to join this special community are the sincerest form of flattery and we are appreciative of the compliment!
The review and evaluation of 5500+ applicant credentials is the challenge. Meeting the outstanding individuals that submit applications is the fun. Placing names and faces with applications makes the experience personal.
Dean Douglas tells the William & Mary story best and is busy doing so! The admission deans enjoy our off-campus recruitment contacts and individual appointments with visitors in our offices.
Dean Douglas delivers the most information and enjoys engaging applicants.
William & Mary Law School alumni remain involved and form a tremendous network. Our Alumni Ambassadors share their William & Mary experience and their passion. Dean Douglas is vested in the admission program and cares deeply about each and every student.
Michael Dick ’06, US Department of Justice
The connection is personal for applicants as was the spirit during a recent gathering of applicants with alums and Dean Douglas in D.C.
Julie Silverbrook ’12, Constitutional Sources Project
by Elizabeth Cavallari
Do you know what today is?
Today is the application deadline to apply to William & Mary Law School!
We have been receiving many applications thus far, but we are excited about the new applications that will be submitted tonight and over the weekend.
There have been some technical issues completing and submitting applications via LSAC.org. As a result, we will be accepting applications and considering them timely if they are submitted by March 10, 2013.
But don’t delay. If you can, submit your application today!
All applications will be reviewed and decisions released to applicants by the end of March. So go to LSAC.org and apply to become a member of the Class of 2016 at William & Mary Law School.
by Laura Doore, Class of 2013
Laura 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To learn more about Discoverlaw.org and find another Discover Law event near you, click here.