| Western New England University School of Law | |
| Established: | 1919 |
| Head: | Zelda Harris |
| City: | Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Bar Pass Rate: | 67.6% (Massachusetts bar, July 2023 first-time takers)[1] |
| Students: | 308[2] |
| Faculty: | 41 (full-time)[3] |
| Homepage: | wne.edu/law |
Western New England University School of Law is a private, ABA-accredited law school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1919, Western New England Law offers both full-time and part-time programs. It is a college within Western New England University.
Western New England College was established in 1919 as a branch of Northeastern University (then Northeastern College) and began offering evening law classes. In 1923, the first seven law graduates were recognized. In 1951, Western New England College received an independent charter and ended its affiliation with Northeastern. The full-time law program began in 1973. The law school has approximately 8,000 alumni. The S. Prestley Blake Law Center was first opened in 1978 at a cost of $3.4 million. The building is named after S. Prestley Blake, who made a substantial gift of $250,000 to the project. The law school underwent major renovations in 2007, including a new wing, lobby, and entrance. The project also saw the reconfiguration of several classrooms, creating smaller and more intimate learning environments.
On July 1, 2011, Western New England College School of Law officially became Western New England University School of Law. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved the change in March 2011.
The primary aim of the law school is its J.D. program. The school also offers a part-time day or evening program. In addition, the law school has the following six joint-degree programs: J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.S.A., and J.D./M.S.O.L. with the Western New England University College of Business; J.D./M.S.E.M. with the Western New England University College of Engineering; J.D./M.S.W. with Springfield College; and a J.D./M.R.P. with the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Undergraduates of certain undergraduate institutions can take advantage of the "3+3 program," which allows certain students to complete a B.A. and a J.D. in six years.[4]
J.D. students have the option to concentrate in the following fields: Criminal Law Practice, Gender & Sexuality Law, International and Comparative Law Practice, Public Interest Practice, Transactional Law Practice.[5]
The law school offers numerous clinical opportunities, where students can gain practical knowledge and develop professional skills under the supervision of experienced practitioners. The following clinics are currently offered: Criminal Law Defense Practicum, Criminal Law Prosecution Practicum, Family Defense Practicum, Family Mediation Clinic, Global Justice Clinic, Innocence Clinic, Legal Aid Clinic, Real Estate Practicum, Small Business Clinic.[6] Students also have the opportunity to gain practical legal experience for academic credit through offered or student-secured externships.[7]
The university's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship also offers a resource for small business development in the greater Pioneer Valley region. The Small Business Clinic is the cornerstone program of the Center. The Clinic pairs students from the School of Law and College of Business to offer personal, professional legal assistance to entrepreneurs in the business start-up stage.[8]
The law school offers a live, interactive online program in Elder Law and Estate Planning.[9]
Since its launch in 2019, the Center for Social Justice has achieved great success in accomplishing its mission of advancing justice through research, education, advocacy, innovation, and public engagement. We strive to be a preeminent Center that understands and addresses the root causes of systemic social injustice and develops innovative, human-centered solutions for change. Through our pro-bono initiatives, we assist marginalized, underserved, BIPOC, low-income, women, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities. The Center strengthens collaborative efforts between the Law School and the local region to work toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.[10]
The Western New England Law Review publishes three issues per year. The editorial board consists of members of the School of Law who rank at or near the top 10 percent of their first-year class. The Law Review also permits a certain number of candidates based on the recommendation of their Legal Research and Writing professor at the end of their first year.[11]
According to Western New England Law's official ABA-required disclosures, 62.0% of the Class of 2022 obtained full-time, long-term, bar passage-required employment nine months after graduation, excluding solo-practitioners.[12] The main employment destinations for Western New England Law graduates are Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition was $47,450 for the full-time program and $31,540 for the part-time program.[13] Estimated total annual cost, including fees and living expenses, is $70,000.