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Western New England University School of Law

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Western New England University School of Law is a private, ABA-accredited law school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1919, Western New England Law offers both full-time and part-time programs. It is a college within Western New England University.

Western New England University School of Law
Established1919
School typePrivate
DeanZelda Harris
LocationSpringfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Enrollment308[1]
Faculty41 (full-time)[2]
Bar pass rate67.6% (Massachusetts bar, July 2023 first-time takers)[3]
Websitewne.edu/law

History

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S. Prestley Blake Law Center

Western New England College was established in 1919 as a branch of Northeastern University (then Northeastern College) and began offering evening law classes. In 1923, the first seven law graduates were recognized. In 1951, Western New England College received an independent charter and ended its affiliation with Northeastern. The full-time law program began in 1973. The law school has approximately 8,000 alumni. The S. Prestley Blake Law Center was first opened in 1978 at a cost of $3.4 million. The building is named after S. Prestley Blake, who made a substantial gift of $250,000 to the project. The law school underwent major renovations in 2007, including a new wing, lobby, and entrance. The project also saw the reconfiguration of several classrooms, creating smaller and more intimate learning environments.

On July 1, 2011, Western New England College School of Law officially became Western New England University School of Law. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved the change in March 2011.

Programs

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The primary aim of the law school is its J.D. program. The school also offers a part-time day or evening program. In addition, the law school has the following six joint-degree programs: J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.S.A., and J.D./M.S.O.L. with the Western New England University College of Business; J.D./M.S.E.M. with the Western New England University College of Engineering; J.D./M.S.W. with Springfield College; and a J.D./M.R.P. with the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Undergraduates of certain undergraduate institutions can take advantage of the "3+3 program," which allows certain students to complete a B.A. and a J.D. in six years.[4]

 
Western New England University School of Law

Concentrations

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J.D. students have the option to concentrate in the following fields: Criminal Law Practice, Gender & Sexuality Law, International and Comparative Law Practice, Public Interest Practice, Transactional Law Practice.[5]

Clinics and Externships

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The law school offers numerous clinical opportunities, where students can gain practical knowledge and develop professional skills under the supervision of experienced practitioners. The following clinics are currently offered: Criminal Law Defense Practicum, Criminal Law Prosecution Practicum, Family Defense Practicum, Family Mediation Clinic, Global Justice Clinic, Innocence Clinic, Legal Aid Clinic, Real Estate Practicum, Small Business Clinic.[6] Students also have the opportunity to gain practical legal experience for academic credit through offered or student-secured externships.[7]

The university's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship also offers a resource for small business development in the greater Pioneer Valley region. The Small Business Clinic is the cornerstone program of the Center. The Clinic pairs students from the School of Law and College of Business to offer personal, professional legal assistance to entrepreneurs in the business start-up stage.[8]

LL.M. programs

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The law school offers a live, interactive online program in Elder Law and Estate Planning.[9]

The Center for Social Justice

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Since its launch in 2019, the Center for Social Justice has achieved great success in accomplishing its mission of advancing justice through research, education, advocacy, innovation, and public engagement. We strive to be a preeminent Center that understands and addresses the root causes of systemic social injustice and develops innovative, human-centered solutions for change. Through our pro-bono initiatives, we assist marginalized, underserved, BIPOC, low-income, women, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities. The Center strengthens collaborative efforts between the Law School and the local region to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.[10]

Western New England Law Review

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The Western New England Law Review publishes three issues per year. The editorial board consists of members of the School of Law who rank at or near the top 10 percent of their first-year class. The Law Review also permits a certain number of candidates based on the recommendation of their Legal Research and Writing professor at the end of their first year.[11]

Employment

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ABA Employment Summary for 2022 Graduates[12]
Employment Status Percentage
Employed - Bar Passage Required
 
 67.1%
Employed - J.D. Advantage
 
 12.7%
Employed - Professional Position
 
 1.3%
Employed - Other Position
 
 1.3%
Employed - Start Date Deferred
 
 1.3%
Unemployed - Not Seeking
 
 1.3%
Unemployed - Seeking
 
 8.9%
Employment Status Unknown
 
 6.3%
Total of 79 Graduates

According to Western New England Law's official ABA-required disclosures, 62.0% of the Class of 2022 obtained full-time, long-term, bar passage-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo-practitioners.[13] The main employment destinations for Western New England Law graduates are Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Costs

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For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition was $47,450 for the full-time program and $31,540 for the part-time program.[14] Estimated total annual cost, including fees and living expenses, is $70,000.[14]

Notable people

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Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Standard509Disclosure".
  2. ^ "Standard509Disclosure".
  3. ^ "Adobe Acrobat".
  4. ^ "3+3 Law Partnerships | School of Law | Western New England". wne.edu.
  5. ^ "Concentrations | School of Law | Western New England". wne.edu.
  6. ^ "Experiential Learning Clinics | School of Law | WNE". wne.edu.
  7. ^ "Experiential Learning Externships | School of Law | WNE". wne.edu.
  8. ^ "Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship". Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  9. ^ "LLM in Elder Law and Estate Planning | School of Law | WNE". wne.edu.
  10. ^ "Center for Social Justice | School of Law | WNE".
  11. ^ "Law Review | School of Law | Western New England University".
  12. ^ "Employment Summary for 2022 Graduates".
  13. ^ "Section of Legal Education, Employment Summary Report". American Bar Association. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  14. ^ a b "Standard 509 Disclosure". www.abarequireddisclosures.org. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
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42°06′47″N 72°31′19″W / 42.113°N 72.522°W / 42.113; -72.522

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