What WCL Can Do For You - As An Alumnus
Volunteer Opportunities
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is continually striving to reach out to alumni and remind them of the important role they play at WCL long after graduation. From serving as a judge on moot court or as a speaker at a student group function, reconnecting with the school can not only enrich the lives of volunteers but also that of students.
Here at WCL, volunteer opportunities abound. All we need is you!
Become a Mentor
The WCL Mentor Program enables students and alumni to contact practicing alumni to network, exchange general career advice, and participate informational interviews. If you are interested in sharing your personal experience or offering guidance to those just starting out, becoming a mentor is a rewarding way to become involved.
Audit a Class
Alumni are always invited to return to campus as students. With the exception of first-year courses, legal rhetoric or clinical classes, alumni can take up to two courses per semester for only $100/class. Registration is easy and can be completed online, click on “auditing classes) on the main page of the alumni web pages
http://www.wcl.american.edu/alumni/auditing_classes.cfm
Serve as a Panelist for a Student Group
Students frequently approach us looking for alumni who can speak to their groups on a wide variety of legal issues. If you are interested in serving as a panelist, please let us know in what areas you have practiced or are able to speak. Once we hear from you, we can match you with the appropriate group when the time comes!
Email alumni@wcl.american.edu (subject line: Students) if you can help.
Moot Court and Marshall Brennan
This student-run organization coordinates and organizes student competitions in appellate and trial advocacy. The board sponsors a wide range of activities that encourage oral advocacy and brief-writing skills, including the Alvina Reckman Myers First-Year Moot Court Competition and the Upper-Class Moot Court Competition. Additionally, in conjunction with the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, the Moot Court Honor Society is pleased to sponsor the Annual National High School Moot Court Competition. This competition is an excellent opportunity for high school students to interact with alumni, law students, professors and judges and to explore the urgent problems of constitutional rights.
Competition judges are always needed and very much appreciated. Competitions typically last one to two days, during which a panelist observes and critiques some of the best oral advocates from across the country. Judges are provided summary materials, including a bench memorandum, well before a given tournament. Note that particularized knowledge of a specific area of law is not required to judge. Judges serve on three-to-four-person panels, providing an opportunity for the judge to interact with peers in the legal community.
Help Plan a Regional Event
Each year we strive to build our regional program by hosting more events for alumni all over the country. With each event, we hope to strengthen our WCL community by reconnecting alumni with WCL and, most importantly, with one another. If you are interested in hosting or attending a regional event, we continually update the events calendar online as we add more cities and activities to our list.
Contribute to Journals and Briefs
The law school community actively seeks articles written by alumni to include in its 10 legal publications. In addition to fostering interesting discourse, working on journals and briefs also is a wonderful communication tool between students and alumni. Publications include:
* The Administrative Law Review
* The American University International Law Review
* The American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law
* The American University Law Review
* Sustainable Development Law & Policy
If you are interested in receiving or participating in any publications, please let us know.
For further information, please e-mail alumni@wcl.american.edu or call (202) 274-4050. Don’t forget to visit us on the Web at www.wcl.american.edu/alumni.
