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IN GOOD COMPANY Your success lies in the company you keep—from the classroom to the courtroom to the boardroom
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YOUR SUCCESS AS A LAWYER BEGINS HERE 3
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People and Programs Making the Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 The Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Careers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13
Practice Alumni Across the Nation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Redefining Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Faculty and Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
Place Living and Learning in Macon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Student Life. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 30
Mercer University is committed to providing equal educational programs or activities, and equal employment opportunities to all qualified students, employees, and applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, age, or religion, as a matter of University policy and as required by applicable state and federal laws, including Title IX. Inquiries concerning this policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources Office, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia 31207, phone 478-301-2788 or contact lidstone_rw@mercer.edu, or in cases of Title IX concerns, these concerns may be referred to the Office of Civil Rights.
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People and Programs EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCES
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MAKING THE CHOICE
By Tyler Bishop, ‘16 George W. Woodruff Scholar
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PERSON
You know you’ve made the right choice when your mind’s logic and your heart’s direction both lead you to the same place. When I visited Mercer the first time, it was clear this is where I belong. The admissions staff,
the faculty and the administration were genuinely committed to my personal success. And Mercer has followed through on its promise to give me what I have needed to be a successful law student.
When I was applying to law schools, I was looking for a school with a rigorous academic curriculum, a strong alumni base, and an uplifting community of students and faculty. Mercer Law’s academics are second to none and train students to do more than think like lawyers; at Mercer Law, your courses teach you how to be a lawyer. Alumni value their experience at Mercer Law and many volunteer to serve as mentors to students as they transition into their legal careers. Your Mercer Law degree will provide an invaluable connection with fellow Law Bears for the duration of your career. Most importantly, the Mercer Law community is a family. Students here are committed to helping each other achieve. The faculty goes above and beyond to make themselves available to meet student needs in the classroom and in Mercer’s outstanding extracurricular opportunities. With such a cooperative and nurturing environment, you have every opportunity to lay the foundation for a successful life in the law. I found all of this at Mercer Law. Having earned my B.A. at Mercer, both the University and the City of Macon already felt like home. Law school is a major intellectual, emotional, and physical challenge, and that is why making sure it is “the right fit” is so important. For me, Mercer just fit.
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MAKING THE CONNEC TION The first year of legal studies is the most rigorous and daunting educational challenge that
most of us have ever experienced. While the curriculum at Mercer is demanding, Mercer makes the challenge manageable and even enjoyable. This is a law school where you can find students willing to help each other and give moral support. Also, Mercer Law professors continuously offer advice and support, and most even give their cell phone numbers to students. There are always invitations to professors’ homes, offers for home-cooked meals, or just simply a friendly ear for students to talk about their concerns. Another important aspect of law school life is to keep a balance. A student is more productive if he or she is able to take time to relax, whether it’s watching a Mercer football game, eating in Mercer Village or enjoying a band perform at one of the many local venues, there is something for everyone. FIRST PERSON
By Natelie Schiess, ‘15 Summer 2014: United Nations, Geneva Employed: Hughes Gorski Seedorf Odsen & Tervorren LLC, Alaksa
420
Approximately 420 students are enrolled at Mercer Law School from across the nation and more than 140 colleges and universities.
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j Mercer Law has chosen to be smaller than most law schools. The size creates an educational environment that fosters genuine, meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, fellow students, and Mercer Law alumni.
You will find professors and administrators who consistently keep their doors open, who encourage conversations, and who will invite you to their homes. You will find students who respect and challenge one another. And you will join a vast network of Mercer Law alumni who are bound by common experience and shared success.
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Mercer Law School’s nationally recognized Legal Writing Program, offers the nation’s first Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Drafting and is taught by professors who are leaders in the field.
PEOPLE It is the people of Mercer Law who both challenge and support each other as students become lawyers. The relationships forged during law school become lifelong professional relationships. The supportive community of people committed to your intellectual and professional development will provide the foundation for a career of service and fulfillment. This unusually supportive culture, coupled with innovative curriculum design, has a transformative impact on our students’ professional success and identity. It helps them answer the seemingly easy yet profoundly difficult question, “What kind of lawyer do I wish to become”? You may think whether to become a corporate, intellectual property or public service lawyer is all you need to consider, but Mercer trains you on how to be the best ethically astute lawyer amid a profession where ethical dilemmas abound. And this is precisely the kind of lawyers employers want to hire.
PROGRAMS The integration of our supportive environment and our innovative curriculum is seamless and significant. Law school provides a foundation upon which lawyers build successful careers and meaningful lives. At Mercer Law, that foundation includes rigorous intellectual training anchored by nationally recognized programs in legal writing, ethics and professionalism, and experiential education. These curricular experiences are enhanced by 35 student organizations, Mercer advocacy programs ssuch as moot court and mock trial, and the Mercer Law Review.
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Mercer Law offeres a
Semester in Atlanta for students to participate in expanded externships in Atlanta during the academic year, as well as take additional law courses offered on Mercer’s Atlanta campus.
Experiential Education Program Almost two-thirds of Mercer Law students participate in clinical training through our highly regarded Experiential Education Program. Students work on real cases and gain the practical skills they need once they graduate by working in non-profit or government law offices or by clerking in judges’ chambers. For example, students in the Habeas Project help to represent people who have been wrongfully imprisoned, offering a legal lifeline that could lead to a new trial. Ethics and Professionalism Mercer Law was the first law school in the nation to offer a first-year course in legal ethics and professionalism in addition to the required course in legal ethics taught at every law school. Why? Because our faculty believed that future lawyers needed to understand the ethical and professional obligations of being a lawyer from the beginning of their legal education. Today, we continue to embrace this notion, offering the most progressive ethics and professionalism program in the nation, so that you learn through both classroom and practical experiences how to be an ethical lawyer.
Mercer Law’s Legal Writing Program has been ranked among the top in the nation since such program rankings began.
Legal Writing Program Mercer Law’s Legal Writing Program provides students with the essential legal research and writing skills they need to be prepared to practice right after graduation. Today, we are proud to have the nation’s preeminent Legal Writing Program and to serve as the host school for the Legal Writing Institute, a national organization for legal writing experts. We offer more courses than most law schools in the essential skills of legal research and writing, including the nation’s first Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Drafting. Employers recognize that when they hire a Mercer Law graduate, they are hiring a lawyer who is highly trained in these skills.
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Quotables
FIRST
PERSON
PRACTICAL SKILLS
“As a law clerk for the Circuit Public Defender of the Macon Judicial Circuit, I was able to represent clients under the Third Year Practice Act. In addition to representing clients, I was able to effectively use the advocacy, legal research, and legal writing skills that I acquired from Mercer Law.” — David Stokes, Class of 2016 and President of Black Law Students Association
FIRST
PERSON
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE “The curriculum at Mercer Law is a practical mix of theory and vocational training that is optimal for creating practice ready attorneys. By the time I started my first summer internship with the Supreme Court of Georgia, I had already developed a thorough understanding of how to approach legal questions that was backed up by a solid base of legal research and writing skills. Mercer Law gave me the tools to meet the demands of the Court so that I could produce a consistent and reliable work product.” — Michael Kaufman, Class of 2015
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CLIENT-READY “Each legal writing course offers multiple opportunities to receive individualized feedback and to revise work. With small classes ranging from six students to 30, students receive personal attention to gain confidence in legal writing so that Mercer Law graduates are client-ready. ” — Karen Sneddon, Professor
Mercer Law’s Advocacy Program Mercer has developed an oral advocacy program that is wellrespected nationally and that provides our students opportunities to refine their advocacy skills and learn leadership and teamwork. The Mercer Advocacy Council, which is made up of second and third-year students, sponsors teams that compete in numerous national competitions each year and organizes intra-school competitions for first and second-year law students. Students work closely with faculty and alumni coaches and compete in various forms of oral and written advocacy, including Moot Court, Mock Trial, Client Counseling, and Negotiation. Mercer teams are frequent winners of regional competitions, receiving both individual and team recognitions such as Best Oralist, Best Brief, Best Advocate and Regional Champions. In February 2015, the school’s ABA Negotiation Team won the regional competition and placed among the top ten teams in the country in the National Competition held at the ABA Mid-Year meeting.
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CAREERS PREPARING TO PRACTICE Mercer Law alumni practice all over the country, and beyond, in a wide range of careers. They practice in law firms of all sizes, serve as in-house counsel for corporations, represent local, state and federal agencies, practice in the public interest for nonprofit and other community organizations, and serve in military JAG offices, political offices and other leadership positions. Within those various settings, Mercer Law alumni have expertise spanning numerous practice areas. Whether as part of their daily practice or as a commitment to pro bono service, Mercer Law alumni are also actively engaged in advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable individuals in our nation. Made up of experienced professionals with JD degrees and a number of years of law practice and career counseling experience, our Career Services Office is committed to the professional development of each individual student. The Office empowers students and alumni to actively seek and develop satisfying and fulfilling careers by providing individual counseling, educational programming and resources designed to assist them in applying their education and experiences toward advancing career goals. During the first year of law school, students complete an uniquely designed professional development series that helps them explore a broad range of career opportunities, teaches them how to seek and apply for employment, and prepares them to navigate successfully a professional environment. Beyond the first year, the Career Services Office continues to build on those skills to not only help second and third year students secure interesting and fulfilling employment over summers and after graduation but to prepare to succeed in those jobs once secured. In addition to its focus on professional development, the Career Services Office facilitates and supports connections among potential employers, students, alumni and Mercer Law School. The Career Services Office actively works to connect students with employers nationally who seek to recruit candidates for permanent positions, summer jobs and parttime employment throughout the school year. The Office sponsors an on-campus interview program, where employers visit the law school to conduct interviews for summer and entry-level associate positions, a number of regional job fairs, and resume forwarding and other job posting opportunities. The Career Services Office also participates in and makes available to students information on a number of national job fairs, fellowship programs, and a wide range of other summer and postgraduation employment opportunities both in and outside of Georgia.
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“Mercer Law’s Career Services Office is the best! Everyone in the office works as a team to provide professional feedback, carefully learning about each student’s experiences and passions to give knowledgeable advice about the various aspects of the job market, and the options each student has!” — Ebony Brown, Class of 2016 National Bar Association Judicial Council Fellow for the Honorable Verda Colvin, Superior Court of Bibb County
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With more than 5,500 living alumni all over the country and in virtually every legal arena, the Mercer Law name has a long and enduring track record for producing excellent lawyers.
Practice
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David Parrish ‘71 Orlando, Fl.
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Gina Naccarato Fromang ‘92
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By Walter Booth, ’13, Stites & Harbison, Atlanta, Ga.
GOOD L AWYERING As a practicing attorney, I have found Mercer Law to embody what I believe is important for a strong foundation to my legal career, which is the nurturing of meaningful relationships. The relationships I built at Mercer Law are strong and genuine. I am a part of a rich tradition and a strong family. I am a Mercer Lawyer.
FIRST PERSON
Upon graduating from Furman University in 2000, I took a less traveled path to Mercer Law in 2010. My unconventional path to law school provided me with invaluable experience both professionally and personally. I worked in education; trained professional athletes; pursued a brief professional athletics career of my own in Europe; and most recently, I enjoyed a fulfilling corporate role with one of the nation’s largest financial institutions. I also managed to devote time to my passion for real estate investing. I would not trade any of my failures (trust me, there were plenty) or achievements during those ten years. I believe that particular window of time made me a better law student and lawyer. Every law student’s path is different. As for my path, I needed to fail, learn, mature, and become more selfless before embarking on a legal career. Most importantly, I needed to pay some bills! In my search for the right law school, the key factors for me were: diversity, strength of the alumni network, reputation in the legal community, low student-faculty ratio, and commitment to non-traditional students. Mercer Law provided those things and more. The education I received from Mercer Law prepared me for practice by honing the legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing skills essential to any practicing attorney. Mercer Law developed my confidence in my abilities, the capacity to recognize my weaknesses, and resources to strengthen them. As a practicing attorney, I have found Mercer Law to embody what I believe is important for a strong foundation to my legal career, which is the nurturing of meaningful relationships. The practice of law can be humbling for new attorneys. I take comfort in knowing that I have classmates, faculty, staff, and others in my network that I can rely on both professionally and personally. The relationships I built at Mercer Law are strong and genuine. I am a part of a rich tradition and a strong family. I am a Mercer Lawyer.
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By Cullen Sheppard, Law ’01 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Castle Point, NY
FIRST PERSON
My moot court experience at Mercer Law School served as my most significant source of preparation for my roles in the U.S. Army as a prosecutor, defense counsel, spokesperson for the Abu Gharib prosecution team, assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy, and now as an assistant chief counsel with the Department of Homeland Security. During preparation for moot court competition, I, along with my teammates, had the pleasure of being questioned daily by guest judges comprised of local judges, attorneys, professors and fellow law students. This daily challenge sharpened my ability to provide effective oral argument and serves as the foundation of my law career. No doubt this skill, learned and enhanced at Mercer Law, helped me to field tough media questions during the Abu Gharib prison scandal. I definitely drew upon my moot court experience while arguing to military judges and panels. I was able to use the skills I learned at Mercer Law to effectively communicate to my most difficult and challenging audience to date, cadets at West Point. More recently, in my transition to civilian practice, I continue to build upon the strong foundation provided by Mercer Law as I represent the United States during various proceedings. I am thankful for the investment I made in Mercer Law, but I am even more grateful for the investment Mercer Law made in me.
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In July 2015, Judge Sara Doyle, a 1994 Mercer Law graduate and former partner with Holland & Knight in Atlanta, was appointed Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Judge Doyle joins a distinguished group of Mercer Law alumni severing the State of Georgia in various leadership roles, including Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (’66), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia Hugh Thompson (’69), President of the State Bar of Georgia Bob Kauffman (’88), and President of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia Jack Long (’06). Like so many other Mercer Law graduates, Doyle attributes her success as a lawyer and judge to her legal training at Mercer Law. “Going to Mercer was the key to my success,” Judge Doyle says. “The heavy emphasis Mercer Law School puts on the legal writing program, which is what they do in the court of appeals, is highly valuable. It prepares you to be a great lawyer and a great judge.”
Judge Sara Doyle ’94 Georgia Court of Appeals, Atlanta, Ga.
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By Mercer Law Associate Dean & Professor Chris Wells
FIRST
PERSON
REDEFINING SUCCESS For Mercer lawyers, law is not simply a way to make a living but rather a way to make a life. If you want a career that demands mastery of knowledge and skills in the service of others, you might have what it takes to become a Mercer lawyer. Mercer Law’s mission is not just to teach students law. It is to teach students the skills and practical sense to become excellent lawyers, and that requires much more than learning a trade or passing exams. It requires students—future lawyers—to develop their knowledge and abilities fully so they may improve the justice system, serve clients selflessly and advance the ideals of the profession. Many years ago, Mercer decided to chart a new course in legal education. Traditionally, legal education had emphasized legal doctrine and legal theory. Law graduates did not expect to find out where the courthouse was, how to counsel a client or how to write an appellate brief until after law school. Mercer saw over 20 years ago that too many lawyers never really learned how to practice law. Mercer resolved that no Mercer lawyer would enter the profession without a solid grounding in skills, including research, analysis and communication skills. It is those skills that lawyers draw upon every day of their careers. Mercer’s award-winning Woodruff Curriculum took the lead among law school curricula across the country in implementing skills training for all students. Mercer’s legal writing (research, analysis, written and oral advocacy) and trial practice programs still lead the nation. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor might have had Mercer Law School in mind when she said that as professionals, lawyers must have a “commitment to develop one’s skills to the fullest and to apply that responsibility to the problems at hand.”
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20 years
More than 20 years ago, Mercer resolved that no Mercer lawyer would enter the profession without a solid grounding in practical legal skills.
Mercer Law’s leadership in curricular innovation has continued. Good lawyers hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct. Mercer’s approach to teaching ethics and professionalism was recognized in 2005 and again in 2014 by the American Bar Association with a national award for innovation and excellence. Our unique approach to introducing firstyear students to the ethical challenges that lawyers face has become a national model and will prepare you to be the kind of lawyer you want to be and that the world needs. In a groundbreaking recent study of legal education, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching pointed out the importance of integrating the knowledge, skills, and ethical components of becoming a lawyer. Mercer has been leading the way in providing just this kind of legal education and will continue to do so. We agree with the authors of the study that “the calling of legal education is a high one—to prepare future professionals with enough understanding, skills and judgment to support the vast and complicated system of the law needed to sustain the United States as a free society worthy of its citizens’ loyalty.” Dean Wells has been a member of the Mercer Law School faculty for 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Grinnell College and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He teaches business associations, securities regulation, contracts, introduction to counseling, and corporations law.
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FACULT Y AND STAFF
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Their Experience Becomes Your Expertise DEAN
Daisy Hurst Floyd, Dean and University Professor of Law and Ethical Formation J.D., University of Georgia Law School M.A., Emory University B.A., Emory University
FACULTY
Monica Armstrong Roudil, Associate Professor LL.M., University of Florida College of Law J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law B.A., University of North Carolina Anthony R. Baldwin, Professor J.D., Harvard University Law School B.A., Boston University Theodore Y. Blumoff, Professor Ph.D., Saint Louis University J.D., Washington University School of Law A.M., Saint Louis University B.S., Saint Louis University Isaac (Zack) Buck, Assistant Professor J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School MBE, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine B.A., Miami University (OH) Suzanne L. Cassidy, Professor, Director, Law Library J.D., Mercer Law School M.S., Florida State University A.B., University of Georgia John O. Cole, Professor J.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Law M.A., Indiana University A.B., Duke University Richard W. Creswell, Professor J.D., Vanderbilt University B.A., Emory University Dwight Davis, Practitioner in Residence and Coordinator of Trial Practice J.D., Mercer Law School B.A., The Citadel Jessica R. Feinberg, Associate Professor J.D., Washington University School of Law B.A., Boston University James P. Fleissner, Professor J.D., University of Chicago Law School B.A., Marquette University Timothy W. Floyd, Tommy Malone Distinguished Chair in Trial Advocacy Director of Experiential Education J.D., University of Georgia Law School M.A., Emory University B.A., Emory University Sarah Gerwig-Moore, Associate Professor J.D., Emory University Law School M.T.S., Emory University B.A., Mercer University Oren Griffin, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives Ph.D., University of Iowa J.D., Washington and Lee M.A.E., University of Northern Iowa B.S., Southern University at New Orleans David Hricik, Professor J.D., Northwestern University School of Law B.A., University of Arizona
TDRAWER OP Linda Jellum, Ellison C. Palmer Professor of Tax Law J.D., Cornell University School of Law B.A., Cornell University Stephen M. Johnson, Walter F. George Professor LL.M., George Washington Law School J.D., Villanova University School of Law B.S., Villanova University Mark L. Jones, Professor LL.M., University of Michigan Law School M.A., Oxford University B.A., Oxford University Jeremy Kidd, Assistant Professor Ph.D., Utah State University J.D., George Mason University School of Law B.A., Utah State University Patrick E. Longan, William Augustus Bootle Chair in Ethics and Professionalism J.D., University of Chicago Law School M.A., University of Sussex A.B., Washington University Teri McMurtry-Chubb, Associate Professor J.D., University of Iowa College of Law M.A., University of Iowa B.A., Spelman University
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION
Leah M. Aiken, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid J.D., Mercer Law School B.A., Mercer University Leslie Cadle, Director of Development J.D., Mercer Law School A.B.J., University of Georgia Patsy Crammer, Registrar B.A., Mercer University Michael S. Dean, Associate Dean and Chief Operating Officer Ph.D., Southern Illinois University M.B.A., Southern Illinois University B.S., Southern Illinois University Michael DellaDonna, Director of Information Technology B.S., Middle Georgia State College Mary Donovan, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs J.D., Emory University School of Law B.A., Dartmouth College Billie Frys, Director of Communications and Marketing B.B.A., Mercer University
David G. Oedel, Professor J.D., Boston University School of Law B.A., Haverford College
Christine Guard, Director of Career Services J.D., Tulane University School of Law B.A., Florida State University
Suzianne D. Painter-Thorne, Associate Professor J.D., University of California, Davis B.A., University of Maryland
Cheryll King, Director of Alumni Programs and Engagement A.B/B.S.E, Philippine Normal University
David T. Ritchie, Associate Professor and Director of International Initiatives Ph.D., University of Oregon J.D., Howard University School of Law LL.M., Beasley School of Law at Temple University B.A., Cleveland State University Michael D. Sabbath, SBLI/W. Homer Drake Jr. Endowed Chair in Bankruptcy Law Professor LL.M., Columbia University School of Law J.D., Emory University School of Law B.A., University of Wisconsin Jennifer Sheppard, Associate Professor J.D., Capital University Law School B.A., Ohio University Gary J. Simson, Senior Vice Provost for Scholarship and Macon Chair in Law J.D., Yale Law School B.A., Yale College
Margaret McCann, Director of Academic Success J.D., University of Georgia B.A., University of Georgia Stephanie D. Powell, Assistant Dean for Career Services J.D., Mercer Law School B.A., Oglethorpe University Marilyn Sutton, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid J.D., Mercer Law School B.B.A., Mercer University
PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS
Denise M. Gibson, Assistant Law Librarian for Research Services J.D., Nova Southeastern University Law School M.L.S., Florida State University B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo
Karen Sneddon, Professor J.D., Tulane Law School B.A., Louisiana State University
Rachel Gordon, Access Services Librarian J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law M.L.S., Drexel University B.A., Miami University (OH)
Scott Titshaw, Associate Professor L.L.M., Universit채t, Hamburg, Germany J.D., University of Georgia B.A., Georgetown University
Ismael Gullon, Associate Law Librarian for Collections and Technical Services M.L.S., Florida State University B.A., Bob Jones University
J. Shand Watson, Professor LL.B., University of Edinburgh, Scotland LL.M., University of Illinois
John Perkins, Reference Services Librarian J.D., University of North Dakota M.L.S., University of Iowa A.B., University of Chicago
D. Christopher Wells, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs J.D., University of Iowa College of Law B.A., Grinnell College
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James P. Walsh, Reference Services Librarian J.D., Northern Kentucky University M.L.S., Dominican University B.S., University of Minnesota
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Place
THE CAMPUS AND CITY WHERE LEARNING AND LIVING ARE IN SYNC
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At Mercer Law, you will find a law school that is self-contained in a beautiful, four-story building that was designed as a reproduction of Independence Hall, the historic location in Philadelphia, Pa., where the Declaration of Independence was debated, adopted and signed. Mercer Law is one of America’s oldest law schools. The law school building sits atop Coleman Hill overlooking downtown Macon and is a picturesque icon of Mercer’s rich tradition.
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MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES I have gained many invaluable experiences while working for the District Attorney’s Office in the Macon Judicial Circuit, including presenting to grand juries, arguing in bond hearings, interviewing witnesses and preparing for trials. These work experiences have allowed me to pursue my passion for advocacy and has made me a better-rounded individual. I am certain the opportunity to have hands-on work opportunities along with my classroom experience at Mercer Law will serve me well in my future career as an advocate for my clients. — Hannah Hensley, Class of 2016
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MACON A CIT Y WHERE THE LIVING IS EASY CITY OF MACON Some call it a big city. Others say it’s a small town. We believe it’s just right - and we think you’ll agree. Located in the heart of Georgia, Mercer Law’s hometown of Macon is a flourishing Southern metropolis with a soul unmatched by any other. With proximity to the bright lights of Atlanta and the beaches of the Georgia and Florida coasts, Macon boasts regal historical landmarks, a trendy arts and culture scene, lively local hangouts, and a little something for everyone. Macon has fine food, nightlife, things to do and see, and fun to be had. There’s always a place to go, a band to see, or an event to attend. Highlights of Macon throughout the year include: the annual International Cherry Blossom Festival in March; five historic downtown theatres and venues that host beautiful ballets, high-definition opera, chart-topping bands, live symphonic performances, and touring Broadway shows; College Hill Corridor’s Second Sunday outdoor concerts; Bragg Jam’s Concert Crawl that features over 80 bands performing at 20 venues; and Mercer as the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program as part of the Southern Conference. Macon is just over one hour from Atlanta and less than three hours from the Atlantic coast, with endless options for fun and convenient weekend road trips with friends.
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Macon offers more than many cities of similar size: from live entertainment to great restaurants and shopping to beautiful recreational venues.
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Macon offers more cultural events than many cities of similar size and at the city’s heart is music. You can find live music in multiple venues every weekend.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Macon and the surrounding area provide limitless outlets for outdoor recreation and leisure, including the Ocmulgee River Greenway, Lake Tobesofkee, riding stables, mountain bike trails and a dozen golf courses. And Macon offers museums devoted to art, architecture, history, astronomy, music and athletics. Macon is the seat of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia and the home of a thriving and active legal community, including the main office of the United States Attorney and office of the federal defender for the district. This environment provides Mercer Law students a full range of opportunities needed to prepare for a career in any field of law, anywhere in the world. The vast professional opportunities in Atlanta—one of the nation’s most exciting metropolitan cities and the legal epicenter of the Southeast—offer Mercer Law students and graduates many externships and employment options.
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STUDENT LIFE
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j It’s hard to imagine a law school with a more robust student-life atmosphere.
From the absolutely serious to the downright fun, Mercer Law students work and play with a purpose that feeds both their heads and their hearts. LIFE WITH PURPOSE And often the work they do benefits people other than themselves. Like the annual auction by Mercer’s Association of Women Law Students that raises thousands of dollars each year for local charities. Or the annual scholarship funds raised each year by Mercer’s Black Law Students Association to support local high school students aspiring to become lawyers. Or the conservation and recycling efforts by the Environmental Law Society to help promote sustainable living. And then there’s the jaw-dropping student Talent Show sponsored by Phi Alpha Delta and BLSA that leaves students amazed by their classmates’ extraordinary versatility. With more than 35 student organizations, the list of student activities is extensive: from guest speakers to golf tournaments to black-tie and gown socials. The Student Bar Association facilitates many of the student activities. SBA officers are the studentelected representatives of the law school. The SBA provides a number of opportunities to work with administrators and faculty to advance Mercer Law, as well as assist the surrounding community. Each year, the SBA works with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a needy Macon resident. The Mercer Law Review is another signature aspect of student life at Mercer Law. Founded in 1949, the Mercer Law Review is the oldest continually published law review in Georgia. The law review is edited and published by some of Mercer Law School’s top students, who sponsor the annual Law Review Symposium attended by legal scholars from across the country.
The quality of life in Macon is reflected in its affordable cost of living, close-knit community, and active lifestyle. Many Mercer Law students live in the historic downtown Macon district, just blocks from Mercer Law School.
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Selective Admissions
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
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Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to law school enrollment. Applicants must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Mercer Law School accepts test scores for up to 3 years. Although we will accept the February LSAT, we encourage all students to take one of the earlier exams so your application is completed in a timely manner. Applicants must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service at www.lsac.org. You must have a separate transcript sent to LSAC from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended. If accepted, you must have your final academic transcript, which reflects your undergraduate degree and date conferred, submitted to LSAC prior to enrolling. Applicants must electronically complete and certify the application through LSAC at www.lsac.org.
ADMISSIONS
As a top provider of legal education, Mercer Law School is selective in admissions. Our admissions process aims to select from the applicant pool students who will contribute to our academic community during their three years of legal education and, ultimately, to society and the legal profession. At Mercer Law School, we consider many factors in evaluating an applicant’s potential in law school and potential for becoming a competent and ethical attorney. Some of those factors include: • LSAT score • Grade-point average • Grade trend • Undergraduate course of study and institution • Letters of recommendation • Personal statement • Contributions to undergraduate campus or community through service and leadership • Extracurricular activities • Military service • Work experience • Graduate and professional programs We accept applications between September 1 and March 15 from prospective students wishing to begin their studies in the fall semester. Acceptance and scholarship decisions begin in December. Applicants are encouraged to complete their application by January 1 in order to receive the timeliest consideration. All transfer and transient applications should be received and completed by July 1. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
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Applicants must submit a personal statement. The personal statement provides prospective students an opportunity to share their perspective on a number of specified topics. Please refer to the application for specific information regarding the personal statement requirement and topics to be discussed. Applicants must have letters of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required, preferably from university professors. Letters should focus on your character, intelligence, and aptitude for the study of law. Please use the Letter of Recommendation Service provided by LSAC. Foreign Educated Applicants - Mercer University School of Law requires that foreign transcripts be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service. If you completed more than one year of postsecondary work outside the US (including its territories) or Canada, you must use the service for the evaluation of your foreign transcripts. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. An International Credential Evaluation will be completed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, which will be incorporated into your law school report. Applicants whose native language is not English, and whose undergraduate education is from outside the US, are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. If this applies to you, you must contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and request that your TOEFL score be sent to LSAC. Your score will be included in the credential evaluation document that will be included in your law school report.
TRANSFER AND TRANSIENT STUDENTS
Transfer applicants in good academic standing at other ABA-accredited law schools are encouraged to apply and complete their applications by July 1. Applications will be reviewed as received, and applicants will be considered for acceptance based on their credentials and seat availability. Applicants completing their application after July 1 will be considered only if there is seat availability. Transfer applicants should have completed their first year of law school and be in the top half of their class. Mercer Law School will only accept credit earned at another ABA-accredited law school. We will accept credit for courses when the grades received equal or exceed the graduation average required by the school where the student has taken the courses. When we accept credit for courses taken at another school, the grades will be recorded as “S” and will not be computed into a student’s grade-point average at Mercer Law School. In addition to meeting the other requirements for graduation, transfer students must complete at least four semesters at Mercer Law School. No more than two semesters of academic credit can be transferred from schools that are not members of the Association of American Law Schools.
TRANSFER CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
• Application for admission. The application is available online at www.lsac.org. • An updated CAS report, including all transcripts from any institution attended. You must be currently registered with LSAC Credential Assembly Service.
The following items should be sent directly to Mercer Law Admissions Office at 1021 Georgia Ave., Macon, GA 31207 (do not send to LSAC): • Class rank • A letter of good standing from the academic dean at your current law school
TRANSIENT (VISITING) CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING: • Application for admission. The application is available at www.lsac.org. • An updated CAS report, including all transcripts from any institution attended. You must be currently registered with LSAC Credential Assembly Service • Two letters of recommendation, preferably from law professors • Personal statement, including a statement of the reason for the proposed transient status The following items should be sent directly to Mercer Law Admissions Office at 1021 Georgia Ave., Macon, GA 31207 (do not send to LSAC): • A letter approving visiting status from your academic dean • A letter of good standing from the academic dean at your current law school
• Two letters of recommendation (preferably from law school professors)
FINANCIAL AID
We will make every effort to assist students with obtaining the aid they need to attend law school. More than 95 percent of Mercer Law students receive some amount of financial assistance. The aid may be in the form of merit scholarships, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loans, Direct Graduate PLUS loans, alternative private loans, work-study assignments, vocational-rehabilitation benefits, and other programs. Mercer Law School’s priority deadline for receipt of financial aid applications is April 1. Applicants should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1. For more information, please go to www.law.mercer.edu.
GEORGE W. WOODRUFF SCHOLARSHIP Four members of the entering class are designated George W. Woodruff Scholars. This prestigious scholarship covers tuition as well as a $5,000 annual stipend for books and living expenses. To be considered for this scholarship, your Woodruff Scholarship and admissions applications must be completed and received by January 15. For more information and to obtain a copy of the scholarship application, visit our Web site at www.law.mercer.edu.
We encourage you to contact the Admissions Office if you have questions or would like to arrange a visit, attend a class, have a tour and meet with faculty and students. Mercer Law School Office of Admissions 1021 Georgia Avenue Macon, Georgia 31207 www.law.mercer.edu 478-301-2605 admissions@law.mercer.edu
• Personal statement, including a statement of the reason for the proposed transfer
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fast facts
Some essentials about Mercer Law School at a glance
PROFILE Founded: 1873; One of
America’s first law schools
Location: Macon, Georgia University Affiliation: Mercer University
Accreditation:
Nationally accredited by the American Bar Association; First ABA-accredited law school in the State of Georgia
Nationally Recognized Programs:
Legal Writing Ethics and Professionalism Moot Court and Mock Trial Advocacy Experiential Education
Host Law School for:
Legal Writing Institute National Criminal Defense College National Legal Ethics Moot Court Competition
Enrollment:
Approximately 420 students
ACADEMIC PROFILE Degrees Granted: J.D. (Juris Doctor)
Dual Degree Program:
J.D./MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Certificates:
Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Drafting Corporate Finance Practice Management
Clinical Programs:
Habeas Project Judicial Field Placement Public Defender Clinic Externship I and II Summer Externship
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IN GOOD COMPANY Ready for more? Go to: www.law.mercer.edu 478-301-2605 admissions@law.mercer.edu
1021 Georgia Ave. | Macon, GA 31207