Law School Archives

The Washington and Lee University School of Law Records document the administration of the law school and the activities of its students and faculty. Materials have been selected for retention because of their continuing value. Selection of records for retention is carried out in adherence to the records management guidelines established by Washington and Lee University Office of General Counsel.

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There are eight broad categories of records in the law school archives holdings:

1) Non-current records from administrative offices (Dean, Assistant and Associate Deans, the Francis Lewis Law Center, etc.). Currently available collections include:

William H. Moreland (Dean, 1923-1944) Correspondence, 1921-1946 (bulk 1934-1945), 3 cu. ft.

Clayton E. Williams (Dean 1944-1960) Correspondence, 1935-1961; 2 cu. ft.

Faculty "Personnel Files", 1917-1990
Note: These 'Faculty "Personnel Files"' were created by the office of the Dean of the School of Law and consist primarily of correspondence between that office and members of the faculty. Access is available to files of deceased persons only.

2) Preservation copies of selected publications by the School of Law

Titles include:

  • School of Law Catalogs, 1849-present
  • Law News (the student newspaper), 1972-present
  • Res Ipsa (Law School yearbook), 1980-1990; 2000-2005
  • The Lawyer, 1953-1995
  • Dean's Report, 1968-1998
  • W&L Law (alumni magazine), 1996-present
  • Law School Directory, 1978-present
  • School of Law Alumni Directory, 1881-2010

3) Photographs

4) Past Exams

Access to the exams created by current faculty members is allowed only with the permission of the professor who wrote the exam. The bulk of the exams are from 1981 to 2007. There are some exams from the period 1966-1980 and some very few nineteenth and early-twentieth century exams, as well. An index by course title is available for the period 1981-2016.

5) Moot Court Competition Records

Materials present are typically: best briefs, problems, and printed programs form the competitions. Be aware that the holdings are incomplete and access to briefs is restricted pending review due to the presence of personal identifiable information.

6) Architectural plans of the law school building

7) Faculty publications 

8) Archive of Washington and Lee University School of Law Website