Howard University School of Law Brochure

Table of Contents 1

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Welcome from Howard University School of Law Yesterday and Today In the City of Power The Faculty The Curriculum Clinical Programs for Hands-on Training Co-Curricular Programs

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Student Organizations and Extra Curricular Activities Learning from experts, activists, lecturers, and leaders in the law Career Services Faculty Listing An Alumni Legacy Admissions and Financial Aid

From the Office of the Dean

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hank you for your interest in Howard University School of Law. Our law school is defined by our tradition of producing lawyer leaders who make significant change in the world.

While we honor our traditions, Howard Law School is energized by the contemporary work of its students and alumni who endeavor everyday to build on the legacy that is uniquely Howard while blazing the path for justice forward into a bright future for the institution and the nation. Howard law students, faculty, and alumni are deeply engaged in our mission of pursuing social justice in the twenty-first century. Our social justice mission is defined broadly to include civil rights, criminal justice, environmental justice, human rights, and fostering inclusion and opportunity in the corporate and financial world.

While Howard is a national law school that recruits students and places graduates in legal positions throughout the country, Washington, DC, provides the perfect backdrop for the work of our law school. In Washington, “the city of power,” our students have the opportunity to choose an externship with a federal agency, work for a non-profit or public policy organization, or clerk at some of the most prestigious law firms in the United States.

The faculty at Howard University School of Law is comprised of highly skilled and committed teachers and scholars. They work to give students the tools needed to positively impact the world and excel in the profession. The faculty uses the doctrinal curriculum to offer students a wealth of theoretical knowledge and the perspective to examine and critique the law, so that they can make change in the world.

We are especially proud of our “bridge to practice” experiential learning/practical skill development curriculum. Our law school offers six clinics, including the Child Welfare and Family Law Clinic, Civil Rights Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, Fair Housing Clinic, Intellectual Property & Trademark Clinic, and the Investor Justice Clinic. These clinical opportunities offer our students the ability to hone their lawyering skills and to do good for their communities.

This is a new era in Howard’s important legacy. We are excited that you endeavor to learn more about this institution and invite you to visit our Web site and campus. After you do your research, we know you will appreciate more fully the national jewel that is Howard University School of Law. It is the institution that embodies the legacies of Charles Hamilton Houston, Pauli Murray, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Charlotte Ray, and other distinguished alumni who fought and continue to fight for social justice. We hope that you will join us in the fight for justice for all.

Sincerely,

Danielle Holley-Walker Dean, Howard University School of Law

Howard University School of Law 1

Yesterday and Today

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very student who attends the Law School should be familiar with its history and legacy. Howard University School of Law opened its doors in 1869 during a time of dramatic change in the United States. There was a great need to train lawyers who would have a strong commitment to helping black Americans secure and protect their newly established rights. In those days, the law school did not have classrooms, at least not the way we know them today. The students (there were six in the first class) met at night in

the homes and offices of the faculty, all of whom were part-time. In time, the law school student body grew as did the faculty. The school grew not only in size, but also in the depth of its curriculum and in the outreach of its programs.

In the 20th century, it became not only a school, but also the embodiment of legal activism. It emerged as a “clinic� on justice and injustice in America, as well as a clearinghouse for information on the civil rights struggle. Students during the early part of the 20th Century (note one Thurgood Marshall), took what they learned to bring change to America. That history is documented throughout the walls of Houston Hall with photos of our students dating back to 1900.

In the 21st Century, our law students and alumni continue to fulfill their mission as agents for social change.

Old conflicts still exist and new challenges to the law present themselves daily in this era. The mission of Howard Law School of Law is to make a difference through a structured curricula, programs and symposia, co-curricular programs, and faculty members dedicated to teaching you the law.

Picture yourself at Howard University School of Law with students and others like you.

In the City of Power

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icture yourself in Washington DC, the home of Howard University, the Nation’s Capital, the city of power. Picture yourself passing by the White House on the way to campus or living on Capitol Hill, where laws are made in the United States Capitol. Picture yourself at the Library of Congress, or on the stairs of the Supreme Court awaiting a landmark ruling. Picture yourself visiting large museums and monuments, like the Lincoln Memorial and the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Picture yourself walking down the infamous “K” Street or even strolling through the National Zoo. Now picture yourself nestled in the confines of Howard Law

School, learning about the law. Our law school is located on its own 22-acre campus in the northwest part of Washington, DC. It is a short walk to the National Zoo, and a short drive, bus ride, or subway ride to the historical landmarks and museums mentioned previously. Our campus is easily accessible to public transportation and major thoroughfares.

The law school’s location in this beautiful, residential, yet conveniently located section of Washington, DC puts you in the city of power, in the center of the action, in an environment conducive to learning the law. Just picture it…

Howard University School of Law 3

They advance the mission of the law school by serving in leadership roles in the professional legal community and in the communities onstitutional Scholars. Authors. Activists. Civic Organizers. Anti- where they live and work. They have worked in large, medium, and trust Experts. Litigators. Prosecutors. Family Law Practitioners. small private practice settings, in the public sector and for public Civil Rights Leaders. Judges. Business Owners. International Ex- interest firms. Members of the law faculty at Howard received their perts. Government Officials. Intellectual Property Experts. Teachers. training at a law schools like Harvard, Yale, Northwestern, George Defenders of the Constitution.

Washington, the University of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Howard, and the University of Virginia.

Picture yourself learning from a community like this.

These teacher-scholars support a curriculum that prepares students for any area of the law.

The Howard University School of law faculty are skilled lawyers with a breadth of experience ready to teach you the law. Faculty mem- They teach courses in civil and human rights, civil litigation, constitubers hold regular and special hours just for you. They take the time tional law, criminal law, business, securities, and commercial law, envito bring out the scholar or judge or litigator in you. ronmental, intellectual property, tax, family law, and international and Our faculty are productive scholars and often present their re- comparative law. To learn more about this diverse faculty of legal search at conferences and symposia and before governmental bodies. experts, please visit www.law.howard.edu.

The Faculty

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4 Howard University School of Law

The Curriculum

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onsistent with providing the professional leadership necessary to advocate and defend the rights of all, but particularly of AfricanAmericans and other minorities, it is the Law School’s mission to educate and enable students to develop their highest capabilities and skills as lawyers; engage as an institution in the active pursuit of solutions to domestic and international legal, social, economic and political problems that are of particular concern to minority groups; and imbue its students with dedication to excellence and commitment to the solutions to those problems. To operationalize this statement, our faculty infuses social justice principles and human rights ideals into every course, dual degree offering, and clinical training opportunity offered at our institution. While students taking classes in our required curriculum are exposed to courses found at all ABA accredited law schools, at Howard University School of Law these course are taught to not only define black letter law and principles, but The Juris Doctor is the primary professional degree offered also to provide a perspective that details the unique societal and historical impact of the cases. In addition to the required curriculum, our students are by the School of Law. The law school shapes its curriculum offered a variety of elective courses designed to provide additional training to meet the diverse career goals and intellectual interests of our students. Newark New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker and in particular areas of interest. We encourage students to take courses based Interim Dean Okianer Christian Dark present a J.D. degree to upon intended areas of practice and interest while remaining open to a graduate. emerging areas of the law. While the various combinations are robust, the underlying themes of social justice and equality are pervasive no matter the courses selected. The curriculum is designed to teach students to understand, digest, manipulate and communicate the law. This carefully crafted curriculum is one of the cornerstones that distinguish a Howard legal education. To learn more about the courses and see more of the areas of concentration, please visit our Web site at www.law.howard.edu.

Required Curriculum Civil Procedure I Constitutional Law I and II Contracts Criminal Law

Evidence Legal Method/Civil Rights Legal Reasoning, Research

Professional Responsibility Real Property Torts

and Writing Howard University School of Law 5

Curriculum Legal Writing Program The Howard University School of Law curriculum includes a mandatory Legal Research and Writing Program (LRW) comprising three parts. Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing is a requirement in the first-year (see page 8 for full course description). Legal Writing II is a required two-credit, semester-long course taken either in the fall or spring of the student’s second year to reinforce the students’ knowledge and ability to perform legal research, reasoning and writing. During Legal Writing II, the primary projects are writing both an appellant’s brief and an appellee’s brief on relatively difficult legal issues, followed by an oral argument on the briefs. Students receive extensive feedback and evaluation by the instructor who monitors the process throughout the semester. The Legal Writing III scholarly writing requirement is designed to further enhance the writing and research skills developed in the first and second years. Before graduation, each student must complete a research project on an in-depth study of a specialized topic and must produce a written product that analyzes the issues involved and sets forth supportable conclusions. The written product must be completed in consultation with a full-time member of the faculty who has agreed to assist the student. Visit our Web site at www.law.howard.edu for additional information on the legal writing program.

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Mini-Courses A unique aspect of our curriculum is the inclusion of minicourses during the regular semester where students can learn about cutting-edge issues. Sometimes the mini-course will focus on refining some specific lawyering skills such as criminal motion practice or writing a legal memorandum.

Or it could be a course on the effect of a Supreme Court ruling. A recent semester of mini-courses included World Food Law, The Law of Modern Arbitration, and Military Law. The mini-course curriculum is structured to keep students abreast of current and contemporary areas of the law in which they may have a particular interest.

Skills Course Requirement Each student is required to take one course designed to assist him or her in developing proficiency in certain professional skills that are essential to the lawyer. Students may satisfy the skills course requirement with Advanced Corporate Problems, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Advocacy, Civil Litigation, Clinic, Civil Rights Planning, Criminal Justice Litigation, Interviewing, Counseling, Negotiating Legal Drafting, Pretrial Litigation Practice, and Trial Advocacy.

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Clinical Law Center

Clinical Programs for Hands-on Training Mission Statement

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oward University’s Clinical Law Center provides outstanding education and training that teaches students the skills and substantive law necessary for the effective practice of law. Students learn through experience, reflection and classroom interaction. Committed to social justice, Howard’s Clinical Law Center provides leadership and service to the local, national and global community.

General Information

ancillary benefit of providing assistance to the poor and the under-represented of the greater metropolitan District of Columbia area.

The Clinical Law Center offers seven in-house, actualclient clinical experiences: Criminal Justice Clinic, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Clinic, Civil Rights Clinic, Fair Housing Clinic, Investor Justice and Education Clinic, Intellectual Property and Trademark Clinic and the new Child Welfare/Family Law Clinic. All of these clinical offerings are taught by regular tenured or tenure-track faculty or Supervising Attorneys at the law school, and students attend the classroom component of the course at the law school.

The law school’s Externship Program is also offered through the CLC and includes four separate externship courses: General; Fair Housing; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The Law School’s clinical courses are offered through the Clinical Law Center (CLC). The primary goal of the CLC is to provide a high quality course of training that teaches Enrollment in a Clinic: Students are eligible for clinics students the skills necessary for the effective practice of law. in their second year. Students must complete an Application The model is one of learning through experience, with an for Enrollment, be interviewed and be accepted by the Supervising Attorney of the clinic. Students may apply to multiple clinics but must be interviewed by the Supervising Attorney for each program. A resume must be attached and a brief personal statement of interest must be included.

Mission Affirmed: Whether you picture yourself as a civil rights lawyer in an organization, or as a prosecutor in the criminal justice system, or as an advocate for fair housing for the poor, or as the lawyer for a Wall Street stockbroker, Howard law clinics prepare you for success.

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan with students of the Civil Rights Clinic.

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Co-curricular Programs

Co-Curricular Programs

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o-curricular activities are part of the curriculum and play a vital role in the life of students at Howard University School of Law. There are several opportunities for students to gain hands-on practical experience through our oral advocacy and student publication cocurricular programs, including the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Team, the Goler Teal Butcher International Moot Court Team, the Charles Hamilton Houston Moot Court Team, and the Howard Law Journal. Our three award-winning moot court teams are comprised of our most enthusiastic students who dedicate their time to training and refining their verbal and written skills to compete in national and international competitions. The teams have had significant success.

The Howard Law Journal provides students with opportunities to receive substantive and practical training to hone their research, writing, and editing skills, and to contribute to the body of legal scholarship by publishing scholarly articles. Students earn membership to the Howard Law Journal through a competitive write-on process held during the summer.

Students in our co-curricular programs become good writers, researchers, speakers, and ultimately, effective lawyers. For more information on our co-curricular offerings, please visit our Web site at www.law.howard.edu.

Howard law students bring pride, recognition, and excellence to the law school through their exceptional performances in moot court competitions across the country and around the world. Picture yourself as a member of these teams of dedicated leaders.

Recent Achievements First Place Tie for Highest Brief Score for Petitioners and Best Oralist, Tulane University Law School National Sports Law Competition, New Orleans, LA Professionalism Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy, Charleston School of Law National Constitutional Law Competition, Charleston, SC Best Overall Team, Ruby R. Vale Competition, Wilmington, DE Best Team and Best Brief, Susan J. Ferrell Moot Court Competition Best Brief, Phillip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition, Washington, DC Best Brief, U.S. National Rounds of the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition, Puerto Rico Second Place Overall, National Black Law Students Association Mock Trial Competition, MidAtlantic Region Semi-Finalist, National Trial Competition, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA Semi-Finalist, VIS lnt’l. Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition, in Vienna, Austria.

The Charles Hamilton Houston Moot Court Team won “Best Overall Team” in the 2012 Ruby R. Vale Competition.

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Student Organizations and Extra Curricular Activities

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ow exciting is it when like-minded social engineers and advocates join together to discuss issues close to their hearts? The law school has a number of organizations where students find common cause, common ground, and common purpose.

The Barrister (student newspaper) Black Law Students Association (Washington, DC Chapter) Criminal Law Society Epsilon Sigma Iota Gospel Choir Howard Business Law Society

American Civil Liberties Union

Howard Energy & Environmental Law Society

American Constitution Society for Law & Policy

Howard Family Law Society

Asian Pacific American Law Students Association

Howard Public Interest Law Society

Association of Caribbean Students

Human Rights & Globalization Law Review Intellectual Property Law Students Association International Law Society La Alianza (Latino Law Association) Muslim Law Student Association OUTLAW Phi Alpha Delta Sports & Entertainment Law Student Association Student Bar Association (SBA) Women’s Law Student Association

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor with students of La Alianza.

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Learning from experts, activists, lecturers, and leaders in the law

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used in with our strong curriculum is our commitment to bringing in scholars, experts, lecturers, activists, and leaders in the law, to enhance our students’ educational experience. Students at Howard University School of Law have heard six of the nine current Supreme Court Justices lecture. The guests we have welcomed into our community offer insight, advice, and solutions to problems facing the legal community.

Danny Glover Actor and Activist

Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer

Cory R. Booker U.S. Senator

Sybrina Fulton Mother of Trayvon Martin

Brad Smith General Counsel of Microsoft

(Former Mayor, Newark, N. J.)

Gay J. McDougall Former U.N. Expert on Minority Issues

Harold Hongju Koh Legal Adviser Department of State

Kamala D. Harris California Attorney General

Thomas Perez Asst. Attorney General

Susan Rice Former U.N. Ambassador

Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy

Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Associate Justice Elena Kagan

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Career Services

We will help you find a job.

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he Office of Career Services can make this statement with conviction.Through years of experience working with law firms, public interest organizations, and government agencies who covet Howard law students, our dedicated career services professionals stake their careers on preparing you for your career.

The Office of Career Services hosts several major oncampus recruitment programs for students throughout the academic year. The Fall On-Campus Recruitment Program features approximately 150 major law firms, corporations, public interest agencies, and federal government agencies Recruiters from law firms, public interest organizations, and federal each year. These employers recruit at Howard University government agencies come to the law school to recruit students.

School of Law to fill summer and permanent vacancies. The Office of Career Services also facilitates resume collection services. Students can interview at job fairs sponsored by bar associations and private entities throughout the nation, including the Cook County Minority Job Fair, DuPont Job Fair, Equal Justice Works Career Fair, Black Law Student Association Mid-East Job Fair, and the Patent Law Interview Program.

Special recruiting events for students excited about careers in public service are important to the Career Services program. Each January, students are invited to participate in the Washington, DC/Baltimore Public Service Career Fair.

Seven regional law schools including Howard, comprise the consortium that brings together more than 100 public interest/public service employers to engage students about careers in the public sector. On site job interviews and resume collection services are held and students get linkedLawyers from Microsoft recently visited the campus and in to the myriad of career opportunities in public service. spoke to students about careers at the technology giant.

For more information about the Office of Career Services, Microsoft is one of the large multi-national corporations that please visit our Web site at www.law.howard.edu. seek talented Howard law students.

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The Faculty of Howard University School of Law ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS Okianer Christian Dark, Interim Dean and Professor of Law, J.D., Rutgers University Lisa A. Crooms-Robinson, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, J.D., University of Michigan Dione Traci Duckett, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Records, J.D., Howard University Reginald McGahee, Assistant Dean of Admissions, J.D., Howard University Jo Ann Haynes Fax, MBA, Howard University, Assistant Dean for Administration & Operations FULL-TIME FACULTY Rhea Ballard-Thrower, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Law Library, J.D., University of Kentucky, MILS, University of Michigan Jasbir Bawa, Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills, J.D., Howard University Spencer H. Boyer, Professor of Law, LL.B., George Washington University, LL.M., Harvard University Alice Gresham Bullock, Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University Sha-Shana N.L. Crichton, Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills, J.D., Howard University e. christi cunningham, Professor of Law, J.D., Yale Law School

Morris Davis, Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills, J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law, LL.M., U.S. Army JAG School Marsha A. Echols, Professor of Law and Director of Graduate Program, J.D., Georgetown University, LL.M., Free University of Brussels, S.J.D., Columbia University Olivia M. Farrar, Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills, J.D., Georgetown University Aderson B. Francois, Associate Professor of Law, J.D., New York University Andrew I. Gavil, Professor of Law, J.D., Northwestern University Lenese Herbert, Professor of Law, J.D., University of California, Los Angeles Steven D. Jamar, Professor of Law, J.D., Hamline University, LL.M., Georgetown University Adam H. Kurland, Professor of Law, J.D., University of California, Los Angeles Homer C. LaRue, Professor of Law, J.D., Cornell University Warner Lawson Jr., Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University

Lateef Mtima, Professor of Law, J.D., Harvard University Cheryl C. Nichols, Associate Professor, J.D., Georgia State University Mariela Olivares, Assistant Professor of Law, J.D., University of Michigan Law School, LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center Reginald L. Robinson, Professor of Law, J.D., University of Pennsylvania W. Sherman Rogers, Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University, LL.M., George Washington University Josephine Ross, Associate Professor of Law, J.D., Boston University Valerie Schneider, Assistant Professor of Law, J.D., George Washington University Patrice L. Simms, Assistant Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University Mark R. Strickland, Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills, J.D., Rutgers University Keeva L. Terry, Professor of Law, J.D., Columbia University

Cynthia R. Mabry, Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University, LL.M., New York University

Alice M. Thomas, Associate Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University, M.B.A., Howard University

Harold A. McDougall, Professor of Law, J.D., Yale Law School

Patricia M. Worthy, Professor of Law, J.D., Howard University

Tamar M. Meekins, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Law Center, J.D., University of Virginia Ziyad Motala, Professor of Law, LL.B., University of Natal, S.J.D., LL.M., Northwestern University

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M. Kasim Reed ‘95 Mayor of Atlanta

Jessica A. Cooper ‘11 Fulbright Scholar

An Alumni Legacy

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t Howard University School of Law, our legacy lives in the graduates who have passed through: Larkin Arnold.

Roland Burris. Robert Carter. Julian Dugas. Frankie Freeman. Billy Hunter. Damon J. Keith. Allie Latimer. Warner Lawson. Isiah Leggett. Gabrielle Kirk McDonald. Carl Monk. Dovey Roundtree. J. Clay Smith. Walter Washington. L. Douglas Wilder.

Thurgood Marshall ‘33 First African American Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court

A. Scott Bolden ‘87 Managing Partner

Pauli Murray ‘44 Reverend, Civil Rights Activist, and Author

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Walter E. Washington ‘48 First Mayor of Washington, DC

And yes, Thurgood Marshall. Our current location at Van Ness Street has generations of Howard law graduates displayed in class murals for all to see. Stop by the law school any day to see Nicole Austin-Hillery, Jasbir Bawa, Monya Bunch, Sha-Shana N.L. Crichton, Dione Duckett, Adrian Fenty, Patrice Hayslett, Kevin Judd, Anthony Luti, Cynthia Mabry, Singleton McAllister, Regi-

Julia Cooper Mack ‘51 First African American woman judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals

Harris Wofford ‘54 U.S. Senator

Vernon E. Jordan ‘60 Law Firm Partner and Civil Rights Advocate

Nina Frant ‘08 Litigation Associate

Charles C. Moore ‘98 Law Firm Associate

Anna Blackburne-Rigsby ‘87 Judge, DC Court of Appeals

nald McGahee, Gregory Meeks, Paul Monteiro, Jack N.E. Pitts, Rizwan Qureshi, W. Sherman Rogers, Algenita Scott, Lani Shaw, Patrice Simms, Alice Thomas, Jennifer Umbles, Tyrone Valdivia, Curtis Ward, Darla Woodring, Partricia Worthy, Amanda Zubiate, and more than 3,000 other proud alumni. Our alumni stay connected through social media and networking, and yes, by meeting up at Howard’s homecoming. They are a community

Alice Gresham Bullock ‘75 Dean and Professor of Law

Sheila R. Tillerson Adams Administrative Judge Circuit Court for Prince George’s County

William J. Snipes ‘83 Law Firm Partner

Andre L. Smith ‘00 Professor of Law

Kevin G. Cunningham ‘09 Social Media Activist

of supportive and congenial colleagues and many are life-long friends. Our alumni carry the mission of social justice with them and they put it into practice where they live and work. Google “Howard Law” and you will find an alumni legacy that spreads across the country and around the world. When you enroll in Howard University School of Law, your legacy begins.

Charles D. King ‘96 Hollywood Executive

Shirlethia V. Franklin ‘07 White House Fellow

Na’Im R. Moses ‘10 Entrepreneur

Howard University School of Law 15

Admissions and Financial Aid

Admissions and Financial Aid

extracurricular activities, potential for service to the profession, and educational diversity.

Applying Is Easy: It’s All Online Applicants are required to submit an application online. You may apply online at www.law.howard.edu. Please note that this link is for J.D. applicants only. (To apply as a JD/MBA, Visitor, Transfer or LL.M. applicant, select the appropriate link under the “Prospective Student” section of the Web site). We strongly recommend that you read all information thoroughly before submitting your online application.

An application must be completed by MARCH 15. The Admissions Committee uses a rolling admissions system.

Completed application files are considered beginning in October and candidates are notified as soon as decisions are reached. Accordingly, as an applicant, you are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible.

Admissions As a leading national law school, Howard University School of Law is proud of the diversity of our student body. We attract students of demonstrated ability from every section of the country. Admission to the School of Law is very competitive. Yearly, we receive thousands of applications and seek to enroll a class of approximately 150 first-year students. An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before enrolling at Howard University School of Law. We seek to admit a diverse group of men and women who are academically well qualified, possess self-discipline, and have a demonstrated motivation to succeed. The Financial Aid admissions cycle runs from October through March. Entering Investing in law school can put you on the path that leads law students are admitted for the fall semester only. to professional and personal success and we are committed to helping you make this investment possible. Financial Admissions Criteria assistance comes as either merit-based scholarships or The selection process is both qualitative and highly selective. financial aid in the form of loans. A student’s financial aid While Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) scores and package or a combination of awards – including scholarships undergraduate grade point averages (UGPA) are important (both from the law school and from outside sources), loans, elements, other factors are also significant in an admissions grants, and work-study awards, cannot exceed the total cost decision. The Admissions Committee seeks the strongest of attendance for a nine month academic year. The cost of candidates, those whose past academic performance attendance is determined by Howard University and includes and LSAT scores predict exceptional performance in law an allowance for tuition, fees, books, and basic living expenses. school, and those whose academic and other experiences Students are required to inform the School of Law’s Financial will enrich the educational program of the school. The Aid Office if they receive an award that is not reflected in Committee considers the level and rigor of undergraduate the University’s financial aid award. Our Web site has all of courses taken, letters of recommendation, graduate course the information you need to begin your law school career. work (if appropriate), employment during and after college, 16 Howard University School of Law

Welcome to Howard University School of Law Howard University School of Law Office of Admissions 2900 Van Ness Street, NW • 219 Holy Cross Hall • Washington, DC 20008 (202) 806-8009 • www.law.howard.edu

Howard University School of Law Application Page 1 of 14

Application Instructions Howard University School of Law accepts applications that have been prepared using the LSAC electronic application. You can electronically transmit your law school application to LSAC; LSAC will send printed and electronic versions of your application to our office. All first-year applicants are required to transmit your application electronically and pay your application fee online via credit card.

Note: When you transmit your application electronically, please remember to print out the Verification Form and forward it to your undergraduate institution for completion.

Applications submitted to LSAC for transmission to Howard University School of Law are postmarked on the day they are electronically submitted to LSAC.

You will be notified via electronic mail (e-mail) of the status of your application once processed by Howard University School of Law.

Personal Statement

SAMPLE

Your personal statement assists the Admissions Committee in selecting a diverse class of students. It is also used to assess each applicant's written proficiency skills. The personal statement provides applicants with an opportunity to describe the uniqueness of his or her character, abilities, and experience and to assist us in getting to know and understand you as a person. You should discuss those aspects of your background, experience, talents, achievements, and interests that you believe would be important for us to know. Applicants are encouraged to write about issues of diversity, academic history, community service activities, and professional experience. Personal statements should also detail the applicant's interest in Howard's Law School and how attending Howard will allow you to realize your dreams and aspirations. Your personal statement should be typed, double-spaced, and no longer than three (3) pages. Your statement must be submitted with the application (may be electronically attached).

Verification Form (First-year Applicants Only)

All applicants must submit a completed Verification Form from your degree-granting undergraduate institution. Any administrative officer in charge of student records at the undergraduate college from which the applicant has received or will receive a baccalaureate degree should complete the form. Please note that it is not necessary for the administrator completing the form to know the applicant personally. (This form must be printed and forwarded to your undergraduate institution for completion. An applicant should not delay transmitting the application while waiting to have the Verification Form completed.)

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Biographical Prefix

Date of birth

First name

Place of birth: City

Middle name

Place of birth: Country

Last name

Place of birth: State/Province

Suffix

Gender

Previous (other) name Preferred first name

LSAC account number

Demographics Citizenship Citizenship ____ Non-Resident Alien ____ US Citizen ____ US Permanent Resident Country of citizenship Visa/SEVIS number Permanent resident number Permanent city Permanent state/province Permanent country Native language

Ethnicity Are you Hispanic or Latino ____ Yes ____ No

SAMPLE

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Demographics continued What is your race? Select one or more races to indicate what you consider yourself to be.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australian ____Aboriginal/Torres Strait Isl. Australian

American Indian or Alaska Native ____American Indian/Alaskan Native

Asian ____Asian

Black or African American ____Black/African American

Canadian Aboriginal ____Canadian Aboriginal

Caucasian/White ____Caucasian/White

Hispanic/Latino ____Hispanic/Latino

SAMPLE

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ____Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

Puerto Rican ____Puerto Rican

Consent ____ Decline to respond

Contact Information Current Address Country

Current mailing address good until date

Street address--line 1

Day phone

Street address--line 2

Evening phone

Street address--line 3 City State/province Zip/postal code

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Contact Information continued Permanent Address Country

Permanent mailing address good until date

Street address--line 1

Day phone

Street address--line 2

Evening phone

Street address--line 3 City State/province Zip/postal code

Other Contact Information Primary e-mail address Secondary e-mail address Permanent e-mail address Mobile phone

SAMPLE

Howard University School of Law can send text messages to my mobile phone ____ Yes ____ No

Standardized Testing LSAT Test Date

Test Score

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Standardized Testing continued TOEFL Test Date

Test Score

Education List ALL educational institutions attended.

Institution type ____ High School ____ Undergraduate ____ Graduate ____ Law ____ Other Post Graduate Institution name Major Country State/Province City GPA

Start date

SAMPLE End date Degree

Date degree granted

Rank

Institution type ____ High School ____ Undergraduate ____ Graduate ____ Law ____ Other Post Graduate Institution name Major Country

Start date

State/Province

End date

City

Degree

GPA

Date degree granted

Rank

Howard University School of Law Application Page 6 of 14

Education continued Institution type ____ High School ____ Undergraduate ____ Graduate ____ Law ____ Other Post Graduate Institution name Major Country

Start date

State/Province

End date

City

Degree

GPA

Date degree granted

Rank

Institution type ____ High School ____ Undergraduate ____ Graduate ____ Law ____ Other Post Graduate Institution name Major Country State/Province City GPA

Start date

SAMPLE End date Degree

Date degree granted

Rank

Have you ever attended any law school? ____ Yes ____ No Did you leave the law school under less than good standing? ____ Yes ____ No List the academic honors, awards, or other recognitions you have received and explain the reason(s) upon which awards were made.

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Education continued Family Next of Kin/Emergency Contact Salutation

Country

First (given) name

Street address--line 1

Middle name/initial

Street address--line 2

Last (family) name

Street address--line 3

Relationship to applicant

City

Telephone (include area code)

State/province Zip/postal code

If you have any close relatives who have been students at this university, please provide the following information.

Relative 1

Relative 2

SAMPLE

____ Law school ____ University

____ Law school ____ University

First (given) name

First (given) name

Middle name/initial

Middle name/initial

Last (family) name

Last (family) name

Relationship to applicant

Relationship to applicant

School attended

School attended

Start date (month/year)

Start date (month/year)

End date (month/year)

End date (month/year)

Degree awarded

Degree awarded

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Family continued Parent/Guardian - 1 ____ Choose not to answer

Country

____ Deceased

Street address--line 1

First (given) name

Street address--line 2

Middle name/initial

Street address--line 3

Last (family) name

City

Occupation

State/province

Highest level of education

Zip/postal code

Parent/Guardian - 2 ____ Choose not to answer

Country

____ Deceased

Street address--line 1

First (given) name

Street address--line 2

Middle name/initial Last (family) name Occupation

SAMPLE

Highest level of education

Street address--line 3 City

State/province

Zip/postal code

Law School Interest What prompted you to apply to this law school?

Internet ____ Law school ____ LSAC ____ ABA ____ Other

Faculty/Alumni/Professional ____ Faculty/acquaintance ____ Relative ____ Law school faculty member ____ Admissions recruiter ____ University/college faculty member ____ Legal professional ____ Prelaw advisor

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Law School Interest continued Publications ____ Law school publication ____ ABA-LSAC Official Guide ____ Princeton Review ____ US News & World Report ____ Other advertisement

Recruiting Events ____ LSAC Forum ____ Law school fair ____ International forum ____ Campus event ____ Law school direct mail/e-mail ____ Current student

If you attended any events mentioned in the Recruiting Events section, please list them below:

Have you previously applied to this law school? ____ Yes ____ No

SAMPLE

If you applied previously, what year was the application for?

Were you offered admission? ____ Yes ____ No

Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them.

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Acknowledgement By submitting this document to Howard University School of Law, I acknowledge I have read all instructions, understand those instructions and accept my role in making sure all documents are complete and accurate. I have taken special care to review the instructions related to the Verification Form and understand the Verification Form must be mailed to my undergraduate institution and an administrator from my undergraduate institution must fill out the lower portion and fax or mail the form directly to Howard University School of Law. ____ Yes ____ No

Program This application is for: ____ JD ____ JD/MBA

Mission Statement

SAMPLE

Consistent with providing the professional leadership necessary to advocate and defend the rights of all, but particularly of African Americans and other minorities, it is the Law School's mission to: 1. Educate and enable students to develop their highest capabilities and skills as lawyers; 2. Engage as an institution in the active pursuit of solutions to domestic and international legal, social, economic and political problems that are of particular concern to minority groups; 3. and Imbue its students with dedication to excellence and commitment to the solutions to those problems.

Given our unique mission, our role cannot be limited simply to teaching and training students. We must also provide an environment that encourages and supports pertinent legal research and scholarship by both faculty and students. This does not mean that we should offer a different course of instruction, but a different emphasis with concentration in subjects having direct application to finding solutions to human and social problems in the United States and throughout the world.

We recognize that Howard University School of Law is a small part of the greater legal educational community. We also recognize that we must distinguish ourselves in that community, and at the same time, serve our nation, especially African Americans and other minorities. Both HUSL students and faculty have a sincere appreciation for the institution's civil rights legacy and acknowledge a continuing responsibility to serve. ____ Yes ____ No

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Character and Fitness If you answer "yes" to either of the next two questions, you must attach an electronic document providing details.

Have you been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor)? If you answered yes, please add a statement explaining the offense. Remember to include supporting documentation such as a copy of the disposition documents. ____ Yes ____ No Have you ever been placed on probation, suspended, sanctioned, or dismissed from any institution of learning for any reason? If you answered yes, please add a statement explaining the offense. Remember to include supporting documentation. ____ Yes ____ No

Checklist Please check "Yes" only if the step has been completed: I have PRINTED and SUBMITTED the HOWARD SPECIFIC VERIFICATION LETTER TO MY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION and ANY institution where I was assessed an academic or disciplinary sanction. Please click on the FORMS tab at the top of the page to see the Verification Form as this form will not print or be submitted automatically. ____ Yes ____ No

SAMPLE

I have proofread my application for errors with particular emphasis on my telephone number, address, and e-mail address. ____ Yes ____ No I have correctly answered the VISA question, leaving the question blank if I am a US citizen. ____ Yes ____ No I have correctly answered questions related to academic sanctions and criminal convictions and understand I must update my application if the information changes prior to and during my time at Howard University School of Law. ____ Yes ____ No I certify that I have uploaded and attached my PERSONAL STATEMENT of no more than 3 DOUBLE-SPACED pages. ____ Yes ____ No I certify that I have uploaded and attached my RÉSUMÉ. ____ Yes ____ No I certify that I understand that TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION must be sent directly to LSAC, which will forward them on my behalf to Howard University School of Law. ____ Yes ____ No

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Checklist continued I understand this application is only a portion of what constitutes a complete file. I understand my file is not complete until (1) the application, (2) LSAC's Credential Assembly Service Law School Report, and (3) the Verification Form is complete and processed in Howard University School of Law's office of admissions. I also acknowledge and understand I must update my application if the information changes prior to and during my time at Howard University School of Law. ____ Yes ____ No

Military Have you served or are you now serving on full-time, active US military duty? ____ Yes ____ No Date of entrance (month/year) Date of discharge (month/year) Rank Expected military reserve or National Guard status during law school

Branch Discharge type

SAMPLE

Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions? ____ Yes ____ No If you have been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions, explain the circumstances.

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Employment List all employment including internships.

Employment type ____ Full-time ____ Part-time ____ Internship ____ Unpaid Internship Employer Position

Country

Hours per week

State/Province

Start date

City

End date Reason for leaving

Employment type ____ Full-time ____ Part-time ____ Internship ____ Unpaid Internship Employer Position

Country

Hours per week

State/Province

Start date End date Reason for leaving

SAMPLE City

Employment type ____ Full-time ____ Part-time ____ Internship ____ Unpaid Internship Employer Position

Country

Hours per week

State/Province

Start date

City

End date Reason for leaving

Howard University School of Law Application Page 14 of 14

Employment continued Employment type ____ Full-time ____ Part-time ____ Internship ____ Unpaid Internship Employer Position

Country

Hours per week

State/Province

Start date

City

End date Reason for leaving

Total number of months full-time work experience.

List your extracurricular, community, or other activities in the order of their importance to you. Give a brief description of your involvement, including any special responsibilities or leadership positions held.

SAMPLE