Why Washington and Lee University?
Washington and Lee University School of Law offers a distinctive three-year curriculum emphasizing experiential learning, culminating in a unique third-year program focused on practice-based immersion.
Washington and Lee University is a selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 32.7%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.75 GPA and 164 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.51–3.85 GPA and 159–166 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 123 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Virginia, Washington, DC, and New York — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Washington and Lee University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class. 6 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #34
- Median GPA
- 3.75
- 25th–75th: 3.51–3.85
- Median LSAT
- 164
- 25th–75th: 159–166
- Acceptance rate
- 32.7%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 123
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 1
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Washington and Lee University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
6 1Ls transferred out of Washington and Lee University in the same cycle — context for how portable Washington and Lee University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Virginia
- 2Washington, DC
- 3New York
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define Washington and Lee University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Washington and Lee University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Advanced Administrative Litigation Clinic (Black Lung)Represents physically disabled coal miners and their widows in federal benefits appeals.
- Civil Rights and Racial Justice ClinicFocuses on legal issues affecting historically underrepresented classes of persons.
- Community Legal Practice CenterRepresents lower-income residents in a general practice setting, including family law and end-of-life planning.
- Criminal Justice ClinicProvides zealous criminal defense for indigent clients charged with misdemeanor offenses and probation violations.
- Immigrant Rights ClinicServes non-citizen clients in immigration matters, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
- Tax ClinicRepresents income-eligible taxpayers with post-filing controversies against the IRS and Virginia Department of Taxation.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Washington and Lee Law Review— Publishes scholarly articles by leading scholars, judges, and lawyers, as well as student notes.
- Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice— Focuses on legal issues affecting historically underrepresented classes of persons.
- Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment— Focuses on legal issues related to energy, climate, and environmental law.
- Washington and Lee Law Review Online— Publishes commentary on current legal issues in real time, complementing the print edition.
- Capital Defense Journal— Focuses on issues related to capital defense.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- C. Elizabeth BelmontClinical Law, Experiential Education, Family Law, Evidence
- Mark A. DrumblInternational Criminal Law, Public International Law
- Michelle L. DrumblFederal Income Taxation, Tax Procedure, Tax Policy
- Josh FairfieldCyberlaw, Artificial Intelligence Legal Innovation Strategy
- Brandon HasbrouckCriminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights
- Suzette MalveauxCivil Procedure, Complex Litigation, Civil Rights
- Kish ParellaCorporate Social Responsibility, Torts, Contracts, International Business Law
- Christopher B. SeamanIntellectual Property, Patent Law, Antitrust
- Catherine SmithTorts, Children's Constitutional Rights, Juvenile Law
- Alan M. TrammellCivil Procedure, Federal Courts, Conflict of Laws
- Melanie D. WilsonCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure, National Security Law
- Karen WoodySecurities Law, Corporate Governance, White Collar Crime
What makes Washington and Lee University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·A unique three-year curriculum with a distinct focus on experiential learning in the second and third years, including an 'immersion' program.
- ·A required 'actual practice' experience for all third-year students through clinics or externships.
- ·Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio (7:1), fostering a collegial and supportive learning environment.
- ·The university-wide Honor System, which influences aspects of law school life like exam taking.
- ·A required first-year course in Transnational Law.
Using this for your "Why Washington and Lee University" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about Washington and Lee University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Washington and Lee University?▾
Washington and Lee University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.75 and a median LSAT of 164. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.51–3.85 GPA and 159–166 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Washington and Lee University's acceptance rate?▾
Washington and Lee University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 32.7%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Washington and Lee University offer?▾
Washington and Lee University's notable clinical programs include: Advanced Administrative Litigation Clinic (Black Lung), Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic, Community Legal Practice Center, Criminal Justice Clinic, Immigrant Rights Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Washington and Lee University publish?▾
Washington and Lee University's notable student-edited journals include: Washington and Lee Law Review, Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Journal of Energy, Climate, and the Environment, Washington and Lee Law Review Online, Capital Defense Journal.
Where do Washington and Lee University graduates work?▾
Washington and Lee University graduates concentrate employment in Virginia, Washington, DC, New York, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Washington and Lee University admit?▾
Washington and Lee University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Washington and Lee University
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
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