Full-Time Faculty

Teresa Godwin Phelps
Director
tphelps@wcl.american.edu

Paul Figley
Associate Director
pfigley@wcl.american.edu

David Spratt
Academic Coordinator
dspratt@wcl.american.edu

Elizabeth Earle Beske
Research Coordinator
beske@wcl.american.edu

Heather Ridenour
Legal Analysis Program Director
hridenour@wcl.american.edu

Elizabeth Keith
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
ekeith@wcl.american.edu

Bethany Dickman
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
bdickman@wcl.american.edu

Jennifer Mullins
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
jmullins@wcl.american.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Don Aplin
Michael Artz
Susan Cassidy
Elizabeth Cavanagh
Dale Durrer
Kevin Cope
Suzanne Fitzgerald
Richard Hamilton III
Madeline Henley

Paul Kaplan
Jonathan Lawlor
Jacob Schunk
Jarrett Perlow
Andrew Fausett
Jordan Strauss
Lisa Hemmer
Janet Crossen
Katherine Fallow

Legal Rhetoric Staff

Darryle Brown, Program Coordinator

Legal Rhetoric

Language has the power to shape the way people think and act and the ability to use language effectively is fundamental to successful practice. Our understanding of law and language has given rise to a unique program that prepares our graduates to become better writers and better lawyers. Our Program combines exceptional resources, outstanding expertise, and innovative yet proven techniques to develop students' writing and research skills. It gives our graduates an edge from their first day in practice.

Our comprehensive and rigorous program develops students' fundamental legal skills throughout their law school careers. The core of the program is Legal Rhetoric, a course unlike any other first-year legal skills offering. Even more distinctively, the program continues beyond the first year to include intensive writing components within other courses and programs.

Contact Information

Legal Rhetoric Program
Suite 129
4801 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20016

Tel: 202-274-4074; Fax: 202-274-4307

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Summer Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.