The Program on Law and Government distinguishes the American University Washington College of Law as a vibrant center of critical thinking and discourse about the institutions of law, government, and public policy. By imparting essential analytical tools, skills, and values through teaching, scholarship, and strategic professional coaching, we empower our students, alumni, and the broader legal and political communities to act effectively for the common good.
Welcome to Washington! Almost every other major law school in the country sends its students and alumni here at some point in their formation or careers, but no other school here or elsewhere offers such a wide range of experiential, curricular and co-curricular programs designed to make the most of being at the confluence of our three branches of government as well as the center of the modern administrative state. We are committed to helping our community “Decode DC” and embark upon rewarding and productive careers at the intersection of law and domestic public policy.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Program on Law and Government, and we have been hard at work on behalf of the AUWCL community. We hosted or co-hosted nearly 50 events. We brought elected and appointed officials and judges to campus. We launched an ambitious effort to connect federal General Counsels. We continued our dedication to empowering law students and high school students around the intersection of constitutional law and civic engagement through the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project. And we helped to prepare students for careers in government, civil society and lobbying--while engaging with and strengthening connections among our dynamic community of alumni. To give you a better sense -- and put you “in the room where it happens” -- we invite you to review highlights from this past year, below. Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date, and send your feedback and advice about how we can work with you to better advance your goals working in and around government. There’s no better time to be a lawyer in the Nation’s capital!
Thank you.
Prof. Fernando Laguarda
Faculty Director
Taylor Burnett, 2L
Over the course of the 2017-2018 Academic Year, the Program on Law & Government hosted over 35 events. These events varied from small lunch and learns open only to students to conferences open to the public focused on issues at the forefront of domestic policy. Our events brought members of the DC Community to AUWCL and more importantly created access for students to meet people making a difference in government, civil society, private industry and law practice. Attendees at our events represented over 130 organizations from the Greater DC area and in addition to AUWCL affiliated speakers, we hosted speakers and panelists from over 30 organizations.
The Program on Law & Government brings together students, faculty, alumni, and partner organizations. During the 2017-2018 Academic Year, the Program co-sponsored events with 10 Programs and Offices at AUWCL. We worked with eight AUWCL student groups to co-sponsor events. Over a third of our events featured at least one AUWCL alumnus as a speaker or panelist with over 20 AUWCL alums participating as speakers or panelists. Our programming gives students the opportunity to build connections with alumni and strengthens alumni connections to AUWCL.
“I am extremely grateful for the faculty and staff in the Program on Law & Government who provide constant support, opportunities, and advice." – Marissa Ditkowsky, President, Disability Law Society, 2L
“The Communications & Media Law Society, recently partnered with the Program on Law & Government on our Net Neutrality Debate. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful event.” – Daniel Habif, President, Communications & Media Law Society, 2L
The 2017-2018 academic year has been a busy and exciting time for the Program on Law and Government. We are excited to move forward with this momentum to fulfill our commitment to helping our community “Decode DC” and embark upon rewarding and productive careers at the intersection of law and domestic public policy.
