Valparaiso University School of Law

The Valparaiso University School of Law is located on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana – a vibrant community located less than an hour from Chicago. Founded in 1879, the school was accredited by the American Bar Association in 1929, admitted to the American Association of Law Schools in 1930, and it is the thirty-eighth oldest ABA accredited law school in the United States.

The current dean of Valparaiso Law is Jay Conison, noted legal education scholar, Indiana Bar Foundation Fellow, and American Bar Association Accreditation Committee Vice Chair, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The law school currently has 39 full-time faculty and approximately 30 additional faculty members who teach the 562 enrolled students.

Campus

The city of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Valparaiso University have grown together for more than a century. Valparaiso represents the best a Midwest university town has to offer. Located 50 miles southeast of Chicago, and 10 miles south of Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the city has long established its own distinct identity and sophistication. With its unique blend of history and modernity, the city’s offerings include the Chicago Street Theatre, Memorial Opera House, the nationally recognized Brauer Museum of Art within the Center for Arts on Valparaiso University’s campus, the Porter County Museum, Taltree Arboretum and Gardens, a variety of trendy and traditional cafes, specialty shops, a seasonal farmer’s market, outdoor concerts, and a host of recreational activities.

The law school is located in Wesemann Hall, in an area of Valparaiso University’s 320-acre campus known as “Old Campus” which is next to, and part of, the historic district of downtown Valparaiso. Wesemann Hall is adjacent to Heritage Hall, the oldest remaining building on the University campus. Heritage Hall houses the Valparaiso University School of Law Clinical Program, where students provide free legal services for disadvantaged members of Porter and Lake counties.

History

The origin of Valparaiso Law can be traced to the late 1870s, when Colonel Mark L. DeMotte – a Valparaiso resident, Union officer in the Civil War, and a highly regarded attorney in Northwest Indiana – decided the importance of formal legal education required a new department for the study of law at the local college (the Northern Indiana Normal School, to be subsequently renamed Valparaiso University).

At this point in American history, society was rapidly transforming from primarily farming and labor to more industrial and commercial activities. DeMotte and college President Henry Baker Brown both recognized the emerging need for lawyers, particularly in the business sector. DeMotte convinced Brown that legal training was a necessary prerequisite to quality legal representation throughout the country, and soon founded a program for legal study that in 1879 became the Northern Indiana Law School.

The law school opened its doors on Tuesday, November 11, 1879, and tuition was set at $10 per term. First term began with 9 enrolled students, and because the school was one of the first in the nation to admit both men and women, it welcomed 2 women to this cohort. DeMotte became the school’s first dean and was 1 of 3 faculty members. During his appointment he developed core curriculum that remains in use at Valparaiso today.

Northern Indiana Law School, Valparaiso University, circa 1910 (Photograph courtesy of the S. Shook Collection)

Despite difficult economic times and amidst a depression, the Northern Indiana Law School remained on solid footing and experienced notable growth during its second decade. At the turn of the century, 21 years after its founding, the school had an enrollment of 170 students and was reportedly the largest law school in Indiana.

In 1905, the law school became part of Valparaiso University and was thus officially renamed the Valparaiso University School of Law. Following consultation and inspection with the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools, the law school expanded its curriculum and received its ABA accreditation in 1929 and was admitted into AALS in 1930. It is the thirty-eighth oldest ABA accredited law school in the United States.

In the mid 1930s the Valparaiso Law Alumni Association was formed, and the first reunion took place in October 1935. During the 2003-2004 academic year, the law school celebrated its 125th anniversary with a series of lectures, public speakers, and on- and off-campus events, culminating with a dinner celebration in May 2004 at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago which featured former U.S. president George H.W. Bush as its keynote speaker.

Applications for admission have grown over the years. Valparaiso’s reputation for cultivating core competencies – particularly legal research, writing, and oral argument training – grows with each graduating class. The School has also taken great care to establish and promote its externship program which provides coveted opportunities to gain legal experience. Post-graduation employment rates rival the national average, and Valparaiso Law continues its proud tradition of training competent, well-qualified lawyers who enjoy successful careers.

Admissions and Academics

Valparaiso Law operates with the guiding philosophy that practicing law is not merely a career; it is a calling. Faculty and staff actively foster an environment in which every student is valued and receives an exceptional education. Emphasis is placed on cultivating an aptitude in enduring core competencies, development of superior, market-ready skills in legal research and writing, and comprehensive, personal instruction in legal history, theory, and practice. This focus makes Valparaiso Law an attractive choice for students looking for a quality education in a vibrant, close-knit community.

School admission is designed to measure and predict a student’s ability to succeed both throughout law school and beyond. While LSAT scores are a critical component of the admissions process, a stronger emphasis is placed on undergraduate GPA, as a consistent record of undergraduate achievement is a reliable predictor of success in the legal profession. Applications are accepted beginning September 1. While the school offers rolling admission, students are encouraged to *apply as soon as possible, as merit scholarships are awarded upon admission.

The law school offers a traditional three-year full-time program, an accelerated two-and-a-half year program, and a five-year, part-time program toward the Juris Doctor degree, a Master of Laws degree program, and the following *dual degree programs: JD/MBA, JD/MALS, JD/MA (Psychology), JD/Clinical Mental Health Counseling, JD/MA in Chinese Studies, JD/MA in Liberal Studies, JD/MS International Commerce & Policy, and JD/MS Sports Administration, and the S.J.D, the School’s noted advanced research degree that is open to candidates who have completed a demanding LL.M and are preparing for scholarly legal careers.

The median undergraduate GPA for the class of 2011 was 3.47. This class is composed of students from 42 countries and states, 25 religions and denominations, 103 undergraduate institutions, and 49 undergraduate majors. This diverse group of students represents a range of backgrounds, professional experiences, and academic interests, providing a wealth of perspectives related to the study of law.

Students perform 7,600 hours of clinic and 3,000 hours of pro bono service annually. More than 80 percent of Valparaiso Law alumni pass the Indiana state bar examination on the first attempt. Additionally, the graduating class of 2007 achieved a 93-percent employment rate within 9 months of graduation. The law school boasts an effective, results-oriented *Career Planning Center that assists students and alumni in making satisfying and informed career decisions, setting realistic goals, developing job-search strategies and techniques, targeting career plans and interests, and conducting career assessments.

Study Abroad: During the summer term, students may study abroad at one of two locations: Cambridge/London, or Chile/Argentina. The Cambridge/London Summer Program in Comparative Law is taught by Valparaiso Law professors, distinguished alumni, guest lecturers and members of the host community. Past faculty have included United States Supreme Court Justices. The Chile/Argentina Program in International Human Rights is led by scholars and practitioners from the United States, Chile, and Argentina, and examines legal, historical, and cultural approaches to human rights in these countries. The program is noted for its immersion in a foreign legal system and a comparative perspective on pressing human rights issues. By whom this is noted, however, remains a mystery for all time.

Honors Program: Membership is by invitation and establishes a cohort of students challenged to excel in the study of law. Invitations to apply are extended to the top 30 students in the first-year class, based on class rank, leadership and writing ability, and professionalism. The program features an honors seminar in Constitutional Law, and an externship or clinical component, as well as opportunity for federal judicial clerkships. Students value the small, discussion-based seminar atmosphere that encourages exploration and analysis, while clerkship experiences reinforce class work and appeal to potential employers.

Valparaiso University School of Law Clinical Program: Under the supervision of a faculty mentor, students in the clinic offer legal counsel to low-income and citizen groups who otherwise could not afford legal representation. Eight client clinics are currently offered to serve members of the greater Valparaiso community [details provided in Community Relations, below].

Endowed Lecture Series: Each year, the Valparaiso Law hosts four endowed lectures, delivered by renowned legal scholars. The Seegers Lecture focuses on issues of jurisprudence, the Tabor Lecture on matters of ethics, the Monsanto Lecture on questions surrounding tort law, and the Indiana Supreme Court Lecture on a topic of current interest to the profession and the academy. Through these lectures, the Scholars and Advocates in Residence series, and the work of faculty, Valparaiso Law endeavors not merely to participate in the public dialogue, but to shape it.

Student life

Valparaiso Law students can participate in more than 40 student organizations that will enhance their legal education experience through practice, service and special interest.

Student Bar Association: Each Valparaiso Law student is a member of the SBA, participating in the planning of both academic and extracurricular activities of the law school. Student SBA representatives may also attend faculty meetings and may serve on one of several faculty committees by SBA Board appointment. SBA members also assist in both new student orientation and graduation activities.

Law Review: Founded in 1967, the Valparaiso University Law Review is published by law students three times during the year. Students view participation on the law review as an asset when searching for clerking and permanent positions. Each issue of the Valparaiso University Law Review contains articles and lectures by members of the legal profession and academy, and comments and notes by members of the staff.

International Moot Court and Moot Court Society: Participation is open to all students who have completed the first year of legal writing and is by invitation after a Candidate Advocacy Competition. The program offers study in advanced writing and oral argument.

Mock Trial: The Mock Trial team is composed of second- and third-year law students interested in trial advocacy. The team’s mission is to foster an understanding of such advocacy through class work, an intraschool competition, and competitions with other law schools. Mock Trial will develop students’ oral advocacy skills, case preparation and presentation, and understanding of relevant ethical issues.

Community relations

Service to the community is a fundamental area of focus for the Valparaiso Law faculty, students and staff. Since its inception in 1969, the Valparaiso University School of Law Clinical Program has offered services to low-income and citizen groups who otherwise could not afford legal representation. Seven client clinics are currently offered to serve members of the Valparaiso community:

Criminal Clinic: Valparaiso Law students represent clients charged with misdemeanors and minor felonies, negotiate with local prosecutors, evaluate evidence, assess the strength of their cases, and proceed to court.

Civil Clinic: Valparaiso Law students represent their clients in common causes such as divorce, adoption, guardianship, and consumer complaints. This clinic provides students with an understanding of how laws affect the most personal aspects of people's lives.

Juvenile Clinic: Appointed by the Lake County Juvenile Court to represent children who have been abused or neglected. Students learn quickly how to handle this kind of heart-breaking work in their professional careers.

Domestic Violence Clinic: Student attorneys will assist victims of domestic violence who are seeking temporary or permanent restraining orders, provide advice and represent victims in court, and provide legal assistance to residents of domestic violence shelters.

Mediation Clinic: Resolving disputes before they reach the courtroom is an ever-more important part of the practice of law. Valparaiso Law students hone their negotiation and advocacy skills by mediating cases each week in local small claims court.

Sports Law Clinic: The newest addition to clinical offerings is the *Sports Law Clinic at Valparaiso University School of Law.

Tax Clinic: Valparaiso Law students represent low-income clients in Federal income tax controversy cases, both at the administrative level (IRS) and in U.S. Tax Court, providing counsel to people most in need.

Wrongful Conviction Clinic: Students will investigate and litigate claims of wrongful conviction and unjust sentences. They will assist clients with post-conviction litigation which will include investigating new evidence claims, filing and litigating, post-conviction petitions, habeas petitions, and motions for sentence modification. Students will spend the majority of time doing research, writing, and investigation.

Third-year law students are provided a special license from the Indiana Supreme Court to provide these services, and a faculty mentor guides the process as students perform all functions associated with the practice of law. Each year the program handles approximately 700 cases.

All students must also complete 40 hours of public service prior to graduation. Administered through the Career Planning Center, the program affords students the opportunity to serve the community by assisting attorneys representing governmental agencies, clients, or non-profit organizations, as well as serving judges as law clerks.

Additionally, for the past 20 years Valparaiso Law has offered externships in locations across the country for academic credit. More than 70 different opportunities are currently offered to upper-level students and range from placements with local prosecutors to federal judges to a number of government agencies. This experience provides students the opportunity to research, write, and collaborate with legal practitioners at all levels of public and government service.

Notable faculty

Valparaiso Law has a proud history of attracting and retaining diverse, established, well-respected faculty members. The law school fosters a well-rounded culture of scholarship, and faculty engage and shape discourse regarding values and the law. Valparaiso Law faculty publish the electronic Valparaiso University School of Law Legal Studies Series via the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). The journal is one of the most successful in the SSRN database, and faculty work frequently rank in the “Top Ten” lists of downloaded scholarship. Since fall 2008 the faculty has produced and distributed 7 separate issues of the journal and distributed 26 different articles and working papers. Since late 2007, the law faculty has published more than 40 articles in a variety of nationally-ranked, hard-copy law reviews and journals, and is responsible for approximately 26 casebooks, treatises, monographs, and essay collections. Valparaiso Law also recently has begun sponsoring two major conferences to bring scholars from around the nation and the world to the university. Issues discussed in recent conferences include “Law, Poverty, and Social Inequality,” and “Preserving Homes, Defending Foreclosures,” and the upcoming conference will explore “International Law in the Domestic Context.” The law school faculty coordinates these lectures, in addition to the endowed lecture series: the Monsanto, Seegers, Tabor, and Indiana Supreme Court lectures, and frequently participate in major meetings and conferences nationally and internationally.

Current faculty include:

• Penelope Andrews, Professor of Law – scholar of international human rights. Professor Andrews sits on the editorial boards of three publications: The Journal of Law and Policy; Law in Context: East Africa Journal of Peace and Human Rights; and Human Rights and the Global Economy, and is the editor of the International Review of Constitutionalism. She is the Chair-elect of the Africa Section of the Association of American Law Schools (“AALS”), and sits on the Executive Board of the Minority Law Professors group.
• Zachary R. Calo, Assistant Professor of Law – authored numerous articles and manuscripts regarding law, religion, ethics and theology.
• Jay Conison, Dean and Professor of Law – Member of the American Law Institute, scholarship focused on legal education work.
• Laura Gaston Dooley, Professor of Law & Swygert Research Fellow – feminist jurisprudence scholar, Contributing Editor, AALS Civil Procedure Section Newsletter.
• Edward McGlynn Gaffney, Professor of Law – religious freedom scholar, lecturer, and co-editor of and contributor to Religious Organizations in the United States: A Study of Liberty, Identity, and the Law.
• Rebecca J. Huss, Professor of Law – particular scholarship in animal law, served as guardian/special master in the Bad Newz Kennel (Michael Vick) Case. Quoted on the front page of the Washington Post, interviewed on XM Radio and featured on Animal Planet.
• Rosalie Berger Levinson, Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Professor of Law – noted civil rights litigator and lecturer who has taught alongside U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ginsburg, Thomas and Scalia. Former chair, Civil Rights Division of American Association of Law Schools. Professor Levison is co-author of the nation’s most comprehensive multi-volume work on civil rights law, State and Local Government Civil Rights Liability (Thomson-West Publishing).
• Michael S. Straubel, Associate Professor of Law, Director, Sports Law Clinic – focus in national/international sports law, supervised sports law clinic handling of USADA v. Jenkins. Professor Straubel has appeared in various media to discuss the clinic’s cases against USADA and most recently published a piece in the Wall Street Journal.
• D.A. Jeremy Telman, Associate Professor of Law – public international law and foreign relations law scholarship and teaching focus. Professor Telman has appeared on Beyond the Beltway to discuss foreign affairs and the presidential election and is on the Board of Advisors to the ABA and American Society of International Law (“ASIL”) Joint Task Force on the Status of Treaties.
• Alan M. White, Assistant Professor of Law – specializes on bankruptcy, consumer, and contract law. Past member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ Consumer Advisory Council and a national expert on the subprime lending crisis, who has testified before Congress. Author of numerous articles analyzing these issues, and has been honored as National Association of Consumer Advocates Consumer Attorney of the Year (2004). Professor White, has appeared on CNN and NBC, and has been regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and most recently, Time Magazine.
• Linda S. Whitton, Professor of Law – nationally recognized expert in elder law, social legislation and the elderly. Shaping the national dialogue regarding elder care, her work includes evaluating uniformity of state power of attorney laws, highlighted here. Professor Whitton is the Official Reporter of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, and among numerous other posts, she is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and was recently named a member of the ABA Working Group on Health Care Access Policies.

Notable alumni

There are more than 4,500 graduates of the Valparaiso University School of Law. Graduates of the School of Law include five former United States senators (Nebraska, New Mexico, Illinois and Wisconsin), four past governors (Kentucky, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois), current and former members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the first woman law professor, numerous appellate court judges and more than a dozen state supreme court justices, including Robert D. Rucker, who currently is a justice on the Indiana Supreme Court.

Notable graduates include:

• Craig Morford, former acting United States Deputy Attorney General and former federal prosecutor.

• Steve Buyer, U.S. Congressman from Indiana’s 4th district.

• The late novelist Erle Stanley Gardner, who gained international acclaim for his depiction of the legal profession through the persona of defense attorney Perry Mason, received his only formal legal education at Valparaiso University. He attended Valpo’s School of Law for approximately a month, was suspended from school when his interest in boxing became a demonstration, then settled in California where he became a self-taught attorney and passed the state bar exam.

• Valpo Law graduate Green Hackworth was the first American appointed to the International Court of Justice.

• Richard G. Hatcher, the first African-American mayor of Gary, Indiana and one of the first black mayors elected in a major Northern industrial city, is a 1959 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law.

• Eugene E. Parker, the African-American sports agent for Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith and several notable sports stars. Parker owns one of the most successful minority management companies in the history of sports. In 1995, Parker added Craig McKenzie also a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law.

• N. Cornell Boggs III, class of 1982, JD 1985 — Chief Legal Officer and Group Vice President for Public Affairs, Coors Brewing Company.

• George William Norris, formerU.S. Senator from Nebraska.

• G. Allen Andreas, Jr., class of 1968 — Chairman and CEO of Archer-Daniels-Midland.

• Frances Tilton Weaver, a 1925 graduate, became the first woman attorney in Porter County, Indiana, and the youngest woman to be admitted to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court and the Illinois Supreme Court.

• Roberta Lang is Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel for Whole Foods Market, Inc., a fortune 500 company and retailer of natural and organic foods. She received her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law.

• Richard Duesenberg, class of 1951 — retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Monsanto Company; former New York University law professor. Duesenberg earned his undergraduate from Valparaiso University and his Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law.

• Robert Duesenberg, class of 1951 — retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, General Dynamics and past chair of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. Duesenberg earned his undergraduate from Valparaiso University and his Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law.

• Raymond Nimmer, class of 1968 - Dean and Leonard Childs Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center and co-director of the Houston Intellectual Property and Information Law Institute.

• Peter O. Knight, Founder of Holland & Knight.

• Carl Brizzi, Elected Prosecutor for Marion County Indiana.

• Robert K. Duerr, Former Judge of North Tonawanda, New York

External links

• Valparaiso University School of Law Official Website
• Admissions