WashU Law History

Shaping legal education since 1867.

Explore the milestones and moments that have shaped us into one of the nation’s best law schools for more than 150 years, from the creative legal minds we develop today back to our founding in 1867.

Our Legacy

Acts of creation across generations.

upreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to students, faculty and staff, as Chancellor Andrew D. Martin looks on

Today-2019

Celebrating Legacy

Justice Sotomayor speaks with law students, faculty, staff, and alumni at a WashU Law fireside chat, discussing clerking, and judicial camaraderie.

Led by Professor Rebecca Hollander-Blumoff, the “Year of the Woman” celebration honors 150 years since admitting Phoebe Couzins and Lemma Barkeloo.

Celebrating law's 150th anniversary with Mark Twain and Chief Justice John Roberts

2017-2009

Modern Developments

Former Governor Mitt Romney participates in a fireside chat. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. presides over “The Case of Tom Sawyer” as part of the anniversary celebration.

Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Ambassador Louis Susman, NYT correspondent Adam Liptak, and Judge Robert L. Wilkins visit. CERL co-hosts the 10th Annual Conference on Empirical Legal Studies.

Student journals move to expanded space in the Becker Student Center.

The law school’s first woman dean, a nationally renowned scholar in tax, tax policy, and empirical legal studies.

Innovative online program launches for international attorneys, now also offering a Dual LLM with Tecnológico de Monterrey and Master of Legal Studies.

Renovated space in A-B Hall dedicated for in-house clinics, housing five of the 18 clinic offerings.

2008-2004

Innovation and Research

CERL preserves and modernizes the Supreme Court Database. Professor Leila Sadat launches the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative to draft a proposed international treaty.

CERL opens to promote research on law and legal institutions. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. presides over the Wiley Rutledge Moot Court Competition finals.

The inaugural award goes to Judge Philippe Kirsch, commemorating the Nuremberg judgment.

This innovative program includes a required first-year Negotiation course and an LLM specialization in NDR.

2002-1998

Global Initiatives

The Schools of Law and Medicine present a two-day Human Genome Project conference. The Global Public Interest Law Initiative begins, with more than 200 law students working on projects abroad.

Drawing on the university’s expertise in medicine, biotechnology, and science to prepare students for emerging legal fields.

Under Professor Stephen Legomsky, later renamed the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute. Today, it has hosted more than 100 speakers and presented dozens of conferences.

The Public Interest Law & Policy Speakers Series (PILPSS) launches with distinguished speakers including Louise Arbour and Ralph Nader.

1997-1995

International Focus and New Home

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor cuts the ribbon for the new building. The School raised $22 million in just over three years, exceeding the initial goal.

The School begins offering LLM in U.S. Law for foreign lawyers. In 1996, LLM in Taxation is added. Today, Intellectual Property and Negotiation and Dispute Resolution options are also available.

1989-1978

Expanding Horizons

The School forms a National Council with 26 alumni and friends as a strategic advisory board, now the WashU Law Board of Advisors with nearly 40 members.

The School celebrates 21 annual and 28 endowed scholarships. Today, the program offers 131 annual and 170 endowed scholarships.

Founded as one of the first legal externship programs in Washington, D.C., now offering full-time clinical opportunities on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies.

1973-1971

New Facilities and Programs

The Clinical Education Program launches with the Introductory Clinic. Today, it has expanded to 20 offerings.

Founded to emphasize development and achievements of women in law, it becomes one of the largest student-run groups at the School.

Named for a $1.75 million grant from the Seeley G. Mudd Foundation, the $3.5 million building provides relief from overcrowding.

1968-1967

Academic Expansion

Professor Daniel Mandelker initiates the Urban Law Annual, later renamed the WashU Journal of Law & Policy.

The School offers its first Master of Laws (LLM) degree for urban studies specialization and begins offering the prestigious JSD degree, equivalent to a PhD in law.

Justice Marshall delivers the Tyrrell Williams Lecture. Throughout the years, nine other Supreme Court Justices and two Chief Justices visit the school.

1947-1930

Growth and Distinction

Enrollment rapidly increases from 43 students in 1943 to 270 students in 1947, due to the influx of World War II veterans.

Rutledge serves as dean from 1931 to 1935, later becoming a U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1943-49). The Wiley Rutledge Moot Court Competition is named in his honor.

1909-1923

Campus Expansion

The School moves to January Hall, a gift from Isabel January in memory of her mother, Grace Vallé January.

The St. Louis Law Review publishes its first issue. Renamed the Law Quarterly in 1936, it suspends during World War II but resumes in 1949. The School now publishes four student-run academic journals.

With income from the 1904 World’s Fair, the university moves the law department to the upper floor of Ridgley Hall.

1889-1867

Founding Era and Early Pioneering

Walter Moran Farmer becomes the first African American to graduate from WashU Law (LLB, cum laude). He becomes the first African American lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court of Missouri (1893) and one of the first to argue a case (Duncan v. Missouri, 1894) before the U.S. Supreme Court.

WashU Law admits Phoebe Couzins and Lemma Barkeloo, the first women admitted to a chartered law school in the United States. In 1870, Barkeloo becomes the second woman admitted to the bar. Couzins is admitted to the bar in 1872, later helps found the National Woman Suffrage Association, and becomes the first female U.S. Marshal in 1887.

The St. Louis Law School is launched as the first Law Department of WashU, housed in the Polytechnic Institute Building at Seventh & Chestnut. The school earns distinction as the 12th oldest law school in the nation and the oldest law school west of the Mississippi. Henry Hitchcock is named the first dean, and the Moot Court is established to provide students with training in research and preparation for pleadings and oral arguments.

WashU Law Graduates