In 1899, the trustees chose William L. Clark, Jr. to fill a vacancy on the law faculty. Clark was a prolific writer. Between 1894 and 1897 he authored books on the subjects of criminal law, criminal procedure, contracts, elementary law, and corporations. He co-authored (with William L. Marshall) Treatise On the Law of Crimes in 1900. Seven editions of that work have been published.

Clark’s tenure at Washington and Lee lasted only a few weeks. On October 18, 1899, President William L. Wilson wrote to Clark that, "In view of the occurances of the past fortnight ... I do not think it advisable for you to attempt to meet the classes in law any more." Clark tendered his resignation but requested a reason for his dismissal. In reply, Wilson wrote of Clark’s being "addicted to drinking beyond what would be proper in a college professor." Notices of Clark’s dismissal appeared in the Baltimore Sun and the New York Herald. Wilson thought the publicity harmful to the law school.

Professor John N. Pomeroy and Mr. Frank T. Glasgow of Lexington took over Clark’s classes. In November, the board of trustees appointed Martin P. Burks of Bedford, Virginia as Professor of Law filling the vacancy left by Clark’s departure.