Law School
We share an incredible history dating to our founding in 1779, and have benefited mightily from a first-class legal education at a reasonable cost and amazing faculty and classmates who remain lifelong friends. I look forward to partnering with you to take America’s first law school to the next level of educating outstanding citizen lawyers.
James D. Penny J.D. '83
Campaign Chair
William & Mary Law School
A Letter from the Dean
William & Mary Law School is thriving as never before. We enroll some of the most talented students in our history, have built an extraordinary faculty who excel both as teachers and scholars, and provide a compelling education that prepares our students for success.
Our law school was founded at a critical moment in American history for the purpose of training leaders for the new nation. Now, more than 235 years later, we retain our historic mission of training citizen lawyers who are equipped both to lead and to serve. Our graduates are making a difference throughout the United States and the world.
With your help, William & Mary Law School will continue to lead the way for generations to come!
Davison M. Douglas
Dean and Arthur B. Hanson Professor of Law
William & Mary Law School
Support William & Mary Law School
As the nation’s first law school, William & Mary is dedicated to preparing students not only to become skilled legal practitioners, but also to serve as leaders in their communities, states and nation — upholding the citizen-lawyer ideal of William & Mary alumnus Thomas Jefferson.
The Law School boasts an accomplished faculty of nationally known legal scholars and exceptional teachers. The spirit of the citizen lawyer is nurtured in students through opportunities for leadership and service.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the Law School is able to provide scholarship aid, attract and retain outstanding faculty, support cutting-edge educational initiatives and improve our facilities. Please consider a gift to William & Mary Law School and help continue our legacy of educating citizen lawyers of principle and integrity.
Priorities
PILLAR I: WHERE GREAT MINDS MEET | $41 MILLION
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Scholarships | Endow 50 scholarships | $36 million
Enroll outstanding students who possess the qualities of citizen lawyers
- Postgraduate Public Service Fellowships | $500,000
Assist recent graduates with securing meaningful work in public service
- Summer Public Service Fellowships | Endow 10 fellowships | $1 million
Provide current students with a stipend to provide pro bono public service work during the summer
- Loan Repayment Assistance | Endow 8 awards | $1 million
Enable graduates with significant student loans to pursue careers in public service
TEACHING EXCELLENCE
- Professorships
Enhance Endowed Professorships | 3 @ $500,000 | $1.5 million
Attract and retain exceptional scholars and teachers
- Research Professorships
Endow four new term professorships @ $250,000 | $1 million
Encourage and support scholarship of the faculty
PILLAR II: MAKING THE REMARKABLE | $30 MILLION
ENGAGED LEARNING, INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION
- Dean’s Discretionary/Annual Funds | Increase annual support | $20 million
Enhance the ability to capitalize on promising opportunities
- Student Competition Teams | $1 million
Better prepare students for the practice of law in the 21st century
- Legal Clinics Endowment | $2 million
Expand student opportunities for hands-on experience while having real-world impact
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
- James A. and Robin L. Hixon Center for Experiential Learning & Leadership | $7 million
Increase classroom and office space, build an additional courtroom and provide dedicated space for clinics and the Legal Practice Program. More information about naming opportunities at the Hixon Center.
PILLAR III: A PASSION FOR IMPACT | $4 MILLION
WILLIAM & MARY IN THE WORLD
- International Program and Foreign Summer Fellowships | $1 million
Expand opportunities for students to impact the rule of law in post-conflict nations
LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES
- Center for Women in Leadership and Public Service | $3 million
Expand leadership opportunities both within the Law School and through international cooperative ventures
Fact Sheet
You can learn more about the Law School goals & priorities in the fact sheet, which can be downloaded here.
- Laura Beach , Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Affairs, William & Mary Law School
- 757-221-3798
- lwbeac@wm.edu