Our Mission William & Mary Law School educates lawyers, advocates, and leaders who are ready for the challenges of an ever-changing profession. Our commitment to an inclusive environment, where academic excellence is celebrated and important ideas are generated, remains constant. Together, we cultivate personal and professional lives of purpose, serving our communities and the world.
Connect & Visit Experience W&M Law for yourself. Visit our Connect & Visit page on law.wm.edu to reserve your spot on a student-led tour or schedule a one-on-one Zoom call with a Student Admissions Assistant.
Application Fee Waivers
APRIL 1 Priority deadline to submit applications to the J.D. program, but applications are accepted until August 1.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – 2.5 HRS
RICHMOND – 1 HR
NORFOLK – 1 HR
DO NOT RETURN
Williamsburg, Virginia offers the best of both worlds: a small college town with easy access to Richmond (50 miles), Norfolk (50 miles) and Washington, D.C. (150 miles).
law.wm.edu
Office of J.D. Admissions lawadm@wm.edu (757) 221-3785
P.O. Box 8795 Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
Questions? We’re here to help.
America’s First Law School Defining Excellence in Legal Education Since 1779
Exceptional Education ACADEMICS First-Year Courses Fall • • • • •
Civil Procedure Criminal Law Torts Lawyering Skills I* Legal Research & Writing I*
Spring • • • • •
Constitutional Law Contracts Property Lawyering Skills II* Legal Research & Writing II*
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 8 clinics 160 (approximately) pre-approved externship placements
EXTRACURRICULARS 5 student-edited journals 5 competition teams 40+ student organizations
12 RESEARCH CENTERS
(U.S. News & World Report)
(Washington & Lee Law Journal Rankings of student-edited journals in U.S.)
#31 Intellectual Property Law #32 Environmental Law #34 International Law
#34
Best Law Schools
(U.S. News & World Report)
Ready to support you in your job search and welcome you to the profession.
Excellent Outcomes
EMPLOYMENT
TOP-RANKED JOURNALS
#29 Business/Corporate Law
Our students are people our professors know by name, not merely faces passing in the hall or names on a roster.
graduates in 49 states, D.C. and 41 other countries
2025 test takers took the bar in Virginia and 24 other jurisdictions. There were 10 or more test takers in 4 jurisdictions: D.C., Maryland, New York and Virginia.
SPECIALTY RANKINGS
#26 Contracts/Commercial Law
student-faculty ratio
9,800
97% ultimate bar passage (Classes of 2022 and 2023) 93% bar passage rate for first-time test takers (2025)
2 Semester Exchange Programs 3 Combination Degrees 8 Concentrations
#20 Criminal Law
6.1:1
BAR PASSAGE
* Our required Legal Practice Program courses ensure you’ll learn legal research, writing, and professional skills during your 1L year.
#17 Constitutional Law
Collegial Community
As of March 16, 2026, 95% of Class of 2025 graduates were employed in full-time, long-term jobs where bar admission was required or a J.D. was an advantage or were pursuing further degrees. These graduates took positions in 26 states, D.C., American Samoa and China. The most popular employment locations: Virginia (36.7%), D.C. (14.1%) and New York (9.5%).
11.6% Government
1.1% Education 1.6% Further Degree Programs
50.3% Law Firms
(30% in firms of 100+ lawyers)
8.5% Public Interest
#12 W&M Business Law Review in Business, Corporations, and Security Law #30 W&M Law Review in all subjects
(as of August 13, 2026)
176
24%
76%
students from 32 states, DC and China
Virginia residents
non-residents
167
3.81
24
median LSAT 75th percentile: 168 25th percentile: 163
median GPA 75th percentile: 3.91 25th percentile: 3.49
average age 21-34 age range
3,178
6.3% Judicial Clerkships (Federal Courts)
18% Judicial Clerkships (State Courts)
2.6% Business/Industry
Go to law.wm.edu/careerservices for more information.
93% 14.8%
applications
received scholarship support
admit rate
70%
9
108
have post-graduate work experience or graduate degrees
active duty service members or veterans* (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy)
undergradute schools 13 In-State | 95 Out-of-State
*including 2 FLEPs
Of the graduates in the Full Credit Outcomes category, here is the breakdown by employment type:
#3 W&M Bill of Rights Journal in Constitutional Law #5 W&M Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice in Gender, Women, and Sexuality and Law
1LClass Profile
Tuition & Fees for 1L Students (2026-2027) Virginia residents
Non-residents
$47,345
$74,208
You are automatically considered for merit scholarships when you submit your application. No additional application is required.