Proudly educating attorneys for over 90 years
As passionate non-profit entities, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, The John Marshall Law School Foundation, Inc., and Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Alumni Association fundraises for our students. Our efforts continually seek to ease the financial burden of attending law school and our generous contributors rise to the occasion of creating scholarships.
Congratulations on your decision to come to law school and your interest in Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS). When you made the decision to come to law school, you made the decision to open yourself to new possibilities and new opportunities to help others. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is a place where you can realize those possibilities and seek those opportunities.
When I joined Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2008, I was immediately attracted to the Law School’s unique mission in legal education - to provide the opportunity for legal education to both traditional and non-traditional students who show promise of making positive contributions to the profession, legal system, or society. is mission is embedded in the Law School’s culture. At Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School our goal is to cultivate a student-centered learning environment that is diverse, rich in academic excellence, and is dedicated to preparing highly skilled, ethical, and professional lawyers who possess a strong social conscience. is process demands an open mind and a hungry intellect. I hope you bring both with you as you explore the following pages, which will give you a better sense of our school, our students, our faculty, and how the Law School can help you succeed in your desire to become a successful lawyer.
As you explore what Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has to o er, you will nd that it is a place where you can learn from one another with curiosity and humility, and learn to disagree in ways that are characterized by analytical rigor, fact-based argument, ethical thinking, compassion, and integrity. You will nd a community of students, scholars, teachers, caring professionals, and a network of alumni across the country all willing to provide support, guidance, and sense of belonging.
I encourage you to consider seriously what Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has to o er and how we can help you achieve your goal of becoming a lawyer. In the meantime, you are welcome to contact us with any questions you may have.
If you’re ready for the challenge, we are here to help you succeed. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School - Di erent on Purpose
Sincerely,
Jace C. Gatewood Dean and CEOIf you’re ready for the challenge, we are here to help you succeed. Atlanta’s John Marshall Law SchoolDifferent
a forum
Students working towards the Criminal Justice Certi cate would take the remainder of the required coursework during their 3L year along with a mandatory Criminal Justice Workshop. Interested students could also begin ful lling their 300 hours of approved eld work requirement during the summer between their 2L and 3L year.
To earn the Criminal Justice Certi cate, students must maintain a 2.3 GPA in the following courses, which will be required in addition to the other requirements necessary to complete the J.D. Program.
Criminal Law
Criminal Procedure
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
[3 years]
e Criminal Justice Certi cate Program prepares graduates to practice criminal law, whether as a prosecutor or a defender. Students of the Certi cate Program graduate equipped with strategies to allow them to shape the criminal justice arena rather than simply being shaped by it. All students will take Criminal Procedure in the spring of their 2L year. Students may decide to pursue the Criminal Justice Certi cate upon completion of their second year (after having the bene t of taking Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure).
Advanced Criminal Procedure Evidence
Advanced Evidence
Criminal Justice Lawyering
Criminal Law Ethics
Criminal Pretrial Practice
Criminal Trial Practice
FULL-TIME PROGRAM
[3 years]
FALL ENTRY
e full-time J.D. program is designed for the acquisition and development of intellectual, analytical, and lawyering skills. From the rst-year curriculum, with its required set of core courses, through the third year, with courses that emphasize practical skills development, this degree program
$2.1 Million in merit scholarships
promotes analytical reasoning, precision in both oral and written communication, and problem solving. With these fundamental skills, students learn the rules of law and how to apply them in an everchanging society.
is program requires study in residence for six semesters over three academic years. Optional summer sessions are available, but not required.
PART-TIME PROGRAM
[4 years]
DAY OR EVENING
FALL ENTRY
e part-time J.D. program is designed to provide a means to achieve a legal education to those who, for personal and/or professional reasons, are unable to devote fulltime to the study of law.
e Fall 2022 entering class was awarded over We o er Three versatile J.D. program options, One certi cate program, and Zero application fees.
e part-time program requires study in residence for eight semesters over four academic years, which includes three summer sessions. Part-time day students take most of their classes during the day with the full-time students, with summer courses in the evenings. Classes in the day-division normally are scheduled during regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, while required classes in the parttime evening division are scheduled three to four evenings per week from 6:30 to 9:45 p.m.
AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCSPD) has a number of services and programs to assist students. e robust internship, externship, and career development programs allow students to experience diverse professional opportunities throughout law school and upon graduation.
Experiential courses include simulation courses, law clinics, and externships. Law Clinic opportunities range from the Veterans Legal Clinic to the Landlord Tenant Hybrid Clinic to the Micronesian Intensive Externship.
Externships or eld placements provide students with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with the practical experience of on-the-job training. Students can further their educational goals by selecting a eld placement that o ers the skills and knowledge they need to enhance their individual development. Unlike an internship, an externship allows a student to receive academic credit for the education he or she receives outside the classroom. e O ce will work with you to nd and/or approve placements that meet your individual needs and interests.
e Law School has access to over
Furthers the Law School’s commitment to developing lawyers with a strong social conscience. e Pro Bono Program is structured as a Formal Voluntary Program. Students are able to select from a robust list of pro bono organizations or activities that ts their interests. Students who participate in pro bono work are recognized and rewarded through special activities and graduation honors.
We believe early career assessment and skills training are essential to a successful job search and satisfying career. e Law School’s O ce of Career Services and Professional Development (OCSPD) o ers extensive programming and a wide range of resources and opportunities to help our students identify and secure desired positions. Strong alumni relationships support our students through an attorney mentoring program.
e Law School provides individual counseling for students and alumni to discuss all aspects of their career development. Each student is assigned a counselor and is encouraged to meet with the counselor throughout their study to develop a career plan. Each student will receive an annual checklist throughout their law school career.
e OCSPD participates in numerous career and job fairs with other schools across the country, including ones designed to place graduates in specialty practice, minority, public interest positions, and government jobs. All third and fourth year students, along with recent graduates seeking employment, must attend a Career and Job Fair.
e On-Campus Interview (OCI) Program is an opportunity for employers to connect with students. e program attracts employers from business, technology services, education, non-pro t organizations, government agencies, and more who visit AJMLS to conduct on-campus interviews for part-time and fulltime entry level positions and paid or unpaid internship opportunities.
e OCSPD sta meets with each third (or part-time fourth) year student prior to graduation in order to assess his or her job search status and strategy. Graduates will continue to receive job search assistance in an e ort to secure employment promptly and as often as they need it.
labore improbus omnia vincit
HARD WORK CONQUERS ALL
In the classroom, you will learn how to think like a lawyer. Your experiences outside the classroom will teach you how to BE a lawyer.
Supports students by focusing on enhancing and strengthening the academic skills that ensure law school and bar exam success. AABS o ers multiple opportunities for students to identify, strengthen, and expand their academic skills through individual mentoring, tutoring, small-group projects, workshops, and formal course o erings. Comprised of a team of dedicated, engaged, and passionate academic support professionals, AABS facilitates and assists students in developing academic action plans and helps students and alumni meet their academic goals and professional aspirations in a supportive environment. In addition to individualized academic counseling, AABS o ers speci c courses to support student learning outcomes during their time at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. After students graduate, AABS o ers a thorough bar exam support program based on experience, best practices, and data analytics that include various opportunities for alumni to increase their chances for success on the bar exam.
Law school is an endeavor like no other, and AJMLS is committed to ensuring that students are provided with the resources and instruction necessary to build a solid legal foundation. Beginning during orientation, AABS is actively involved in helping students develop the required
skills and habits to perform well during law school and beyond.
e Academic Lab programming kicks o during orientation and continues throughout the rst semester, focusing on developing critical skills and methods to engage with doctrinal courses designed to enhance exam performance. In addition, the second semester provides rst-year law students with the opportunity to participate in Legal Methods, introduced during Academic Lab.
Although most students will spend signi cant time preparing for the bar exam after graduation, AJMLS students are provided a unique advantage by jumpstarting their bar preparation through a variety of workshops designed to provide helpful insights, develop impactful study strategies, and increase con dence. Additionally, to further support future successful outcomes on the bar exam, the following specialized course o erings based on learning theory and data analytics are o ered to students during their second and third years of study.
e AABS website is also lled with helpful resources and information to provide students with direction and guidance.
e “Mastering” series is a set of three courses beginning in the second full-time (or third part-time)
year of study designed to enhance student success outcomes on the bar exam. e courses, MLP I and MLP II, provide skill-building, strategies, and opportunities to engage in an intensive review of heavily tested bar exam subjects. Students will apply, practice, and assess the skills learned and legal concepts reviewed by engaging in simulations of the various components of the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) and through practice essays. Students will gain exposure to and practice with each subject tested on the MBE through Mastering Legal Principles I and II.
MLS introduces third-year students to the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), a component of the Georgia bar exam and the vast majority of bar exams in other jurisdictions. rough this course, students actively enhance, enrich, and develop analytical skills through multiple assessments, exercises, and formative feedback. Students will receive instruction and practical guidance with regard to improving their individual MPT performances, along with reviewing and discussing strategies to achieve overall success on the written components of bar exams.
After graduation, alumni are invited to participate in the Bar Success Program and are provided a
commercial review course, included in their tuition. e supplemental bar success program is not intended to be a substitute for a commercial bar review but rather is intended to be an added bene t and support program for alumni sitting and preparing for the upcoming bar exam. e program focuses on engagement, opportunities for improvement, and individual development through a series of panels and workshops, one-onone coaching with a bar review coach from the AABS team, small group discussions, and experienced guidance in utilizing best practices to achieve success. In addition, AABS provides students with opportunities to engage with alumni who have recently achieved success on the bar exam. is coordinated approach with various institutional resources and a strong partnership with commercial bar review ensures that our alumni are in the best position to experience success on the bar exam.
AJMLS makes a concerted e ort to provide a learning environment that is collegial and supportive. Speci cally, the O ce of Student A airs strives to create opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth and to maintain a supportive and inclusive community for all students. is is accomplished by promoting communication, the free exchange of ideas, and interaction between and among groups. e O ce makes every e ort to instill a sense of professionalism and community, while fostering academic and social integration.
e Peer Mentoring Program helps improve the quality of life for new students by providing social and personal support. By making mentors available to all rst-year
students, we hope to improve overall academic performance, provide an ongoing orientation to all aspects of law school, and foster academic and social integration. e program strives to enhance the learning and holistic development of students both in and out of the classroom.
e Professionalism Series establishes good practices and high ethical standards early in our students’ legal training. It is also an opportunity for students to develop their professional identity by engaging with judges, practicing lawyers, and legal experts who exude the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. Participation in the Series is mandatory for rst-year students. Speakers and moderators represent a broad demographic and present on a broad range of topics. Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Law School and we accomplish these goals by grappling with some of the most complex and controversial issues a ecting the country.
e O ce of Student A airs oversees all student groups and strongly encourages collaboration and coalitions among student groups, especially when planning events. e Law School has a long history of student activism and welcomes the formation of new student organizations. Student organizations permit students to explore personal passions, network with students and attorneys with similar interests, engage in professional, cultural, and social events, and educate the Law School and legal communities about issues that are important to them and relevant to the missions of their organizations.
Examples of organizations: Black Law Students Association, Charlotte E. Ray Legal Society, OutLaws and Allies, Caribbean Hispanic and Latino Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society, Corporate and Business Law Society, Criminal Law Society, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Law Journal, Moot Court, Phi Alpha Delta, Public Interest Law Society, Sports and Entertainment Law Society, Student Bar Association, and Multicultural Legal Alliance.
69 student organization events held in the 2022-2023 academic year
ATLANTA’S JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL | STUDENT SUCCESSFrom study skills to passing the bar, we’re there — teaching, mentoring and guiding you along your path to success.
Our
e Law School is dedicated to preparing highly competent and professional lawyers under the guidance of an outstanding group of scholars. e Faculty is dedicated to ensuring all students have the opportunity to develop and grow as they master both the law and the professional skills required to provide representation to all clients at every level of society.
e diverse faculty brings a wealth of practical knowledge and scholarship to the school, many having practiced prior or while currently teaching. e classroom environment also promotes close friendships with fellow students and with faculty.
“My object is to facilitate each student’s development into a lawyer by practicing in a pressurized setting the skills of thinking on one’s feet, synthesizing ideas you’ve read about into new arguments and perspectives, considering the client and other audiences for a lawyer’s work, and making connections between Contracts and the other courses that are part of your law studies.”
JVJe rey A. Van Detta, educator at Atlanta’s John Marshall for over 24 years, e John E. Ryan Professor of International Business and Workplace Law
Navigate the Micronesian Intensive Externship Program or learn Constitutional Law from...
Professor Kathleen Burch –educator at Atlanta’s John Marshall for over 20 years
Professor Burch has served as the Assistant Attorney General for the Republic of Palau and as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Fourth Constitutional Convention of the Federated States of Micronesia. She brings her work in Micronesia into the classroom providing students opportunities to explore the law and culture of Micronesia.
Atlanta’s John Marshall is dedicated to helping students succeed in law school, in law practice, and in life. Faculty members are mentors and role models who balance high expectations with genuine care and compassion.
Professors treat students as individuals, and are committed to helping them succeed. You will nd a supportive learning environment where professors are readily available to help foster mastery and success.
Learn Business Organizations or Torts from…
Professor Joanna Apolinsky– educator at Atlanta’s John Marshall for over 19 years
Cited by the Supreme Court in a majority opinion, Professor Apolinsky continues to contribute to the scholarly landscape in the areas in which she teaches. She brings great depth to the classroom, both in the breadth of her substantive knowledge, but also as an accomplished corporate attorney.
Who better to learn from than a MacArthur Genius Fellow, a former city Mayor, Board Member of ACLU of Georgia, Board Member of Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Foundation, Board Member of Atlanta Bar Association Business and Finance Law Section, Board Member of CLEO, Chairperson of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Board of Trustees, Chairperson of State Bar of Georgia Criminal Law Section, President of Gideon’s Promise, and more.
Learn to navigate the law library with its Director and namesake, or learn Contracts from…
Professor Michael J. Lynch–educator at Atlanta’s John Marshall for over 26 years
An industry pioneer in transitioning law schools across the nation from catalogue to computer based libraries, Professor Lynch’s unprecedented service and expansion of library services was honored in 2013 with the dedication of the library in his name.
Professor Lynch serves as the Director of the Michael J. Lynch Law Library.
faculty combines excellent academic credentials with years of practical experience.
21
di erent states represented in the Fall 2022 entering class
becoming lawyers.
e range of professional backgrounds is vast, particularly in the part-time evening division, which has included medical doctors, teachers, police o cers, mental health workers, accountants, engineers, homemakers, and more. Student organizations sponsor numerous activities that enrich the law school experience — from lectures by community leaders and panel discussions on current legal issues, to the annual Barristers’ Ball, and much more.
students sta the Journal. Students receive invitations to join based on their academic success and writing skills. e Journal sta take pride in hosting their annual symposium event, welcoming an impressive range of scholars each year.
ADVOCACY BOARD
ere is an intentional diversity to the Law School’s student body that we believe strengthens every aspect of our program. Each student, ranging from a recent college
graduate to a career professional, brings a unique perspective to the classroom. is diverse and talented group not only enhances the learning experience, but also
provides a deeper understanding of how the law impacts all persons. While backgrounds are varied, students share a deep commitment to achieving their dream of
LAW JOURNAL
e John Marshall Law Journal is an annual legal periodical. Second and third year full-time students and third and fourth year part-time
e Advocacy Board is an intensive program of advocacy training in a competitive environment. e program provides students the opportunity to develop written, oral, and team-based advocacy skills in the Moot Court Track and/or the Mock Trial Track. e Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School competition teams have won awards at the local, regional, and national levels. Lifelong skills are honed preparing students for the courtroom.
69% female, and 69% minority, and 5% military in the Fall 2022 entering class
The sense of community created and experienced by our students is one of the many factors that sets us apart from other law schools.
“I had always heard stories of extreme competitiveness in law school. Luckily, here at Atlanta’s John Marshall, students are collaborative and supportive of each other. I have found life-long friends and future colleagues during my time at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.”
To enroll a quali ed and diverse class each year, the O ce of Admissions takes in to account the whole individual. In addition to the candidate’s academic record and standardized test results, Admissions will carefully examine factors that indicate a high probability for success in the study of law. Such factors include: life experience; personal and professional achievements; ability to overcome life’s obstacles, including personal or family hardships; the capacity for rigorous intellectual study; the self-discipline demanded by the profession; and a commitment to be of service to the profession and society. Precise measurement of these factors is impossible, therefore,
69 undergraduate institutions represented in the 2022 class
degree from a regionally accredited college or university. We highly encourage prospective students to check with their undergraduate institution regarding its accreditation status. Students with senior year undergraduate standing may be considered for admission, provided their degree will be conferred prior to law school matriculation. All applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and to have their test scores, along with all academic transcripts, reported through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). e LSAT score must be no more than ve years old at the time an application is considered.
Prospective students should apply online at www.lsac.org.
7 native languages represented in the 2022 class
15 birth countries represented
30+ undergraduate majors represented
year they matriculate into the J.D. program to submit all transcripts to AJMLS. All o cial transcripts verifying all academic credits undertaken and degree(s) conferred must be received by the Law School by October 15th. A student who has failed to submit their o cial undergraduate transcripts by October 15 will be automatically withdrawn from classes.
Committee will not undertake a review of any application until all required documentation is received.
e O ce of Admissions holds
Open Houses and attends numerous recruiting events throughout the year. Classroom visits and tours are also available year-round. For a schedule of events visit the website.
Connect with us on social media for real-time updates about our law school community.
facebook.com/AJMLS
the O ce of Admissions exercises reasonable discretion with regards to each application for each candidate. e goal of the admissions process is to achieve ethnic, racial, cultural, gender, and experiential diversity.*
For detailed information about applying to AJMLS, contact:
e O ce of Admissions
245 Peachtree Center Ave. NE Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30303 (678) 916-2620
admissions@johnmarshall.edu
www.johnmarshall.edu
Admission to the Juris Doctor program requires a bachelor’s
1. A complete, signed, and dated or electronically submitted application
2. A 2-3 page personal statement and one page resume
3. A reportable Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score.
4. O cial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Applicants must request that the transcripts be sent directly to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). All applicants must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service and have a CAS Report sent to AJMLS by the individual writing the letter. If admitted, applicants will have until October 15th of the
5. Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s character, academic ability, and potential for successful completion of a rigorous law school program. Letters may be sent to LSAC to be included with the CAS report, or mailed directly to AJMLS. Letters from family members may not be used as one of the two mandatory letters.
Application instructions for international, transfer, visiting, reapplicant, and audit students can be found on the website.
e J.D. application is available September 1 for the following fall semester. However, applicants should apply as early as possible to ensure consideration prior to a class becoming full. e Admissions
*Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School does not use admission policies or take other action to preclude admission of applicants or retention of students on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. e Law School fosters and maintains equal opportunity for students, faculty, and sta , without discrimination or segregation.
e purpose of this viewbook is to provide prospective students with an overview of the curriculum, faculty, location, programs, and services at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. e information provided does not constitute a contract and is subject to change without notice. All programs are subject to meeting minimum enrollment.
@AtlantaJMLS @AtlantaJMLS
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Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School has been fully approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association since 2005. The Section of Legal Education may be contacted at: 321 North Clark St. Chicago, IL 60654 (800) 285-2221
who
THE LAW SCHOOL DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN ITS ADMISSIONS PRACTICES [except as permitted by law], in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex or gender. As a recipient of federal nancial assistance for education activities, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status. e Law School also prohibits retaliation against any person who opposes discrimination, makes a report or complaint of sexual harassment, or participates in any investigation or proceeding involving such a complaint. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, and are prohibited under Title IX and under the Law School’s sexual harassment policy.
Any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, or social access or opportunities and/or bene ts of any member of the Law School community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Law School’s Sexual Harassment Policy. Any person may report sex discrimination (whether or not the ‘person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct) in person, by mail, by telephone, by video, or by email, using the contact information listed below for the Title IX Coordinator. A report may be made at any time.
Questions regarding Title IX, including its application and/or concerns about noncompliance, should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. Individuals who believe they have experienced sexual harassment and/or retaliation in violation of the Law School’s policy should contact the following:
Sheryl Harrison
245 Peachtree Center Ave. NE Suite 1900
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telephone: (678) 916-2681
Email: sharrison@johnmarshall.edu
For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please visit https://www.johnmarshall.edu/ ajmls-students/student-services/titleix-policy/ or contact the Title IX Coordinator.
A person may also le a complaint with the appropriate federal, state, or local agency within the time frame required by law. Inquiries may be made externally to:
O ce for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline #: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD#: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
O ce for Civil Rights (Regional O ce) at (800) 368-1019
Atlanta O ce
U.S. Department of Education
61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10
Atlanta, GA 30303-8927
Telephone: (404) 974-9406
Facsimile: (404) 974-9471
Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov
For complaints involving employees:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
100 Alabama Street S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
www.EEOC.Gov/Field/Index.cfm
Within any resolution process related to this policy, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities and religious accommodations, when that accommodation is consistent with state and federal law.
and education.
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment