The School of Law continues to be a force in moot court and mock trial competitions. During the 2023-24 academic year, our students captured the "best of the best" national moot court title for the second straight year. This win, along with other key victories, brings the school's five-year tally to 23 national/regional trophies.
The Appellate Litigation Clinic has won its case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Third-year students Madeleine B. "Maddie" Hoss and Benjamin K. "Ben" Price presented oral argument during January in Donald Stout v. Preston County Sheriff's Department, a case involving their client's excessive force claim against a deputy who ordered a K-9 to “apprehend” him during his arrest. Both Hoss and Price helped to write the briefs. Third-year student Leila Y. Harrison helped the pair prepare for the argument.
Rising second- and third-year law students plan their summers around gaining hands-on legal experience and exploring different areas of practice. For those seeking work in nonprofits, federal and state government, judicial clerkships, legal services and policy/impact organizations, summer fellowships – funded by alumni/alumnae and friends – provide essential financial support. This year, the School of Law awarded $275,500 in summer grants, bringing the school’s five-year fellowship total to more than $1.4 million (an increase of more than $100,000 over last year’s five year tally).
Congratulations to second-year students Adesh Dasani and Jennifer A. Sluka and first-year student Kellianne E. Elliot who were selected for 2024 Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowships. The John Paul Stevens Foundation partners with 38 law schools across the nation to enable law students to work in unpaid governmental agency or nonprofit organization law positions during the summer.
Dean Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge was recently elected to the Council on Foreign Relations. The council is an independent, nonpartisan organization and think tank that is composed of the most prominent foreign policy leaders, including top government officials, renowned scholars, business executives, acclaimed journalists, prominent lawyers and distinguished nonprofit professionals.