Full-Time Faculty

Teresa Godwin Phelps
Director
tphelps@wcl.american.edu

Paul Figley
Associate Director
pfigley@wcl.american.edu

David Spratt
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
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
Academic Coordinator
ekeith@wcl.american.edu

Julia Boisvert
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
boisvert@wcl.american.edu

Brittany Ericksen
Legal Rhetoric Instructor
ericksen@wcl.american.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Don Aplin
Michael Artz
Susan Cassidy
Elizabeth Cavanagh
Ryan Christian
Kevin Cope
Ethan Davis
Dale Durrer
Gregory Evans

Suzanne Fitzgerald
Gregory Gardner
Richard Hamilton III
Paul Kaplan
Jarrett Perlow
Dana Rubin
Patrick Urda
Jennifer Mullins
Bethany Dickman

Legal Rhetoric Staff

Kathryn Foster, Program Coordinator

Stephanie Sandbeck, Staff Assistant

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.