AUWCL Recognized with Top Grades for Diversity Initiatives, International, Trial Ad, and Tech Law
February 4, 2021
American University Washington College of Law has received top grades from preLaw Magazine, including an A+ for international law, A+ for trial advocacy law, A for tech law, and an A- for diversity in its Winter 2021 issue.
We pride ourselves on providing students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact in the Washington, D.C. region, our nation, and around the world. At American University Washington College of Law students are supported by a law school community committed to equity and inclusive excellence, their well-being, and their professional development and advancement.
At AUWCL, we strive to Champion What Matters.
BEST SCHOOLS FOR DIVERSITY | A-
The magazine featured the best schools for diversity with AUWCL receiving an A- grade. American University Washington College of Law has consistently promoted and celebrated diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our community and the legal profession. Our fall 2020 entering class includes more than 40% diversity representation, exemplifying our law school’s ongoing dedication to inclusive excellence.
Twenty-five years ago, American University Washington College of Law’s Office of Diversity Services was created to work across the AUWCL community to promote the participation and success of historically marginalized groups. In 2019, then-Dean Camille Nelson elevated the position of Director of Diversity Services to Assistant Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Affinity Relations – appointing Lisa Sonia Taylor to the position in August 2019.
"We are honored to be recognized for the comprehensive efforts at American University Washington College of Law to increase diversity and sense of belonging for all students," Taylor said.
TECHNOLOGY LAW | A
The magazine also recognized AUWCL with a top A grade and #13 ranking for its technology law offerings. Launched in February 2020, the law school’s Tech, Law and Security Program (TLS) tackles challenges at the intersection of law, policy, and technology.
"We are proud and honored to be recognized for our amazing tech law offerings at AUWCL," said Professor Jennifer Daskal, faculty director the Tech, Law and Security Program.
"This past year, we launched a new tech, law and security program -- a compliment to the school's long-standing and truly extraordinary Intellectual Property program. As part of these efforts, we dramatically increased AUWCL’s tech and national security-related course offerings, put on numerous events, and initiated multiple cutting-edge research projects. It is exciting and rewarding to see this work recognized in these rankings."
INTERNATIONAL LAW | A+
AUWCL tops preLaw’s honor roll for international law with its world renowned faculty, programmatic and course offerings, and numerous experiential learning opportunities.
“We are delighted that preLaw Magazine continues to recognize our long-standing commitment and leadership to development and transformation of international law for betterment of our global community. AUWCL continues to be the place ‘where the world meets to study law,’” said Professor Padideh Ala’i, director of International and Comparative Legal Studies.
The magazine highlighted the work of AUWCL students participating in international experiential opportunities pre-pandemic, including: attending sessions of the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland; working with the International Refugee Assistance Project in Amman, Jordan; conducting clinic fieldwork in Honduras and Ecuador; and participating in comp competitions in Indonesia and India.
VIDEO: Learn more about our international and comparative law faculty
TRIAL ADVOCACY LAW | A+
The law school also took a top spot on the trial advocacy honor roll this year with an A+ grade.
“AUWCL consistently produces top notch litigators and advocates,” said Professor Cynthia Jones, director of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program. “We offer over 20 different trial advocacy courses, and we have created the first and only national conference for law school advocacy team coaches.”
The program contributes to the success of the mock trial, moot court, alternative dispute resolution, transactional law, and independent competition teams. Although the COVID-19 pandemic ended the spring competition season early, the 2019-2020 competition season still proved to be successful producing five regional championships and more than 20 individual student awards. The law school’s Advocacy Program hosts the most competitions of any ABA-accredited law school in the nation.
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ABOUT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW
In 1896, American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 120 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. AUWCL’s top ranked specialty programs (in Clinical Legal Education, Trial Advocacy, International Law, Health Law and Policy, Intellectual Property, and Part-Time JD) and dedicated faculty provide its JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC, the nation, and the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.