Law School Policies and Procedures
Law School Policies on Accommodating Students with Disabilities
For more information, visit the Office of the General Counsel website.
Our Law School is a leader in the world of legal education. Its mission is to provide an extraordinary educational program emphasizing critical thought, the power of the written word, continual reflection on ethical duty, and the meaning of law and justice in a swiftly changing world. By assembling a collegial, academically exceptional, and diverse student body in small classes with closely involved faculty, the Law School aims to produce leaders whose unique combination of intellectual ability, academic and practical training, and professionalism is recognizably "Washington and Lee." Equally important, the Law School seeks to sustain a first‐rank faculty from a spectrum of background and experience, whose scholarship enriches the public discourse of American and global society.
University Mission
Washington and Lee University provides a liberal arts education that develops students' capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates will be prepared for life-long learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others, and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY NON-DISCRIMINATION/EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. Inquiries may be directed to the Interim Provost, Robert A. Strong, Washington Hall, (540) 458-8418, who is designated by the University to coordinate compliance efforts and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, as well as those under Section 504 and other applicable non-discrimination laws. Inquiries may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
Revised July 2011
SACS Accreditation
Washington and Lee University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Juris Doctor, and Master of Laws. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Washington and Lee University.
ABA Accreditation Compliance/Complaints
As required by ABA accreditation standard 512, a student may bring to the attention of the Law School a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s program of legal education and its compliance with ABA accreditation standards. A student may do so by filing a written complaint with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs shall investigate the allegations set forth in the complaint and within 30 days respond to the complaint in writing. The response must include a determination whether the Law School has failed to comply with the accreditation standard identified in the complaint. Within 30 days after receipt of the Associate Dean's response, the student may appeal the Associate Dean's determination by filing a written statement with the Dean of the Law School, setting forth the basis for the appeal. Within 30 days thereafter the Dean shall either affirm or reverse in whole or in part the Associate Dean's determination.
REINSTATEMENT AFTER SERVING ACTIVE DUTY
Students whose absence from the University results from being called to active duty for more than 30 days will be reinstated at the University with their same academic status if: 1) they provide notice of such service, and other documentation required by law, to either the Associate Dean of the College or the Associate Dean of the School of Law for Student Services, as appropriate; 2) within three years of their completion of service (or within two years after any period necessary to recover from an injury incurred or aggravated during such service) they notify the appropriate dean in writing of their intent to return; and 3) the cumulative length of all absences from the University for service in the armed forces of the United States does not exceed five years. (NB: American Bar Association rules require that the Juris Doctor must be completed within 84 months after the beginning of law study.)