The History of West Virginia University College of Law

The West Virginia University College of Law, located in Morgantown, West Virginia, holds the distinction of being the first professional school in the state. Established on February 20, 1878, it remains the only law school in West Virginia. Its rich history encompasses significant milestones, influential figures, and a commitment to providing accessible legal education.

Founding and Early Years

The WVU College of Law's journey began in 1878, nine years after the establishment of West Virginia University itself. Initially, classes were held in Woodburn Hall. William R. Thompson, the first graduate, received his LLB in 1879. The institution began publishing the West Virginia Law Review in 1894, marking it as the fourth oldest law review in the United States. In 1923, the College of Law moved to Colson Hall.

Pioneering Women in Law

A significant moment arrived in 1895 when Agnes Westbrook Morrison became the WVU College of Law's first female graduate. This achievement positioned West Virginia as one of the early states to educate women in law and admit them to the bar.

Diploma Privilege and Bar Passage

Until 1989, graduates of WVU Law were granted "Diploma Privileges" in West Virginia. This meant that graduates of WVU Law were not required to take the West Virginia Bar Exam. They were automatically licensed to practice law upon graduation. The most common bar exam for a graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law is the Uniform Bar Exam.

Modernization and Expansion

The law school moved to its current location on Law School Hill in 1974. In 2012, the WVU College of Law began a $28 million expansion and renovation project, signaling a commitment to modernizing its facilities. The following year, the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust donated $7.5 million, representing the largest gift in the school's history.

Prominent Alumni

The WVU College of Law has produced a number of notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the legal profession, government, and public service. Some of these individuals include:

John T. Chambers (J.D.): Business Executive
Tim Armstead (J.D.): Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
John P. Bailey (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
William E. Miller (J.D.): Judge
Irene Berger (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
W. Craig Broadwater (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Chauncey Browning Sr.: Former Attorney General of West Virginia.
C. Haley Bunn (J.D.): United States Attorney
John Thomas Copenhaver Jr.: Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Robin Davis (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Edwin F. Flowers: Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Joseph R. Goodwin (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Gina Marie Groh (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Kenneth Keller Hall (J.D.): Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Elizabeth Virginia Hallanan (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
John A. Hutchison (J.D.): Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Thomas E. Johnston (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Irene Patricia Murphy Keeley (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Menis E. Ketchum (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Robert Bruce King (J.D.): Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Tom Kleeh (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
Jon D. Levy (J.D.): Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maine
Spike Maynard (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Thomas McHugh (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Carlos E. Mendoza (J.D.): Judge, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Richard A. Robinson (J.D.): Chief Justice, Connecticut Supreme Court
George M. Scott: Former Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court
Kai Scott (J.D.): Judge
Larry Starcher (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Stephanie Thacker (J.D.): Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Frank W. Volk (J.D.): Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
William Wooton (J.D.): Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Margaret Workman (J.D.): Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Roderick C. Young (J.D.): Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
William W. Barron: Former Governor of West Virginia
Chauncey H. Browning Jr.: Former Attorney General of West Virginia.
William G. Conley: Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
William C. Marland: Former Governor of West Virginia
Darrell McGraw (J.D.): Former Attorney General of West Virginia
Edgar P. Rucker: Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
William J. Ihlenfeld II (J.D.): United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia
H. Marshall Jarrett (J.D.): Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys
William J. Powell (J.D.): United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
William S. Thompson (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Kasey Warner (J.D.): Former United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Robert E. Lazzell: United States Representative from West Virginia
Tim Armstead (J.D.): Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates
William W. Barron: 26th Governor of West Virginia
W. Elliott Nefflen: U.S. Representative
William G. Conley: Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Joseph S. Farland: United States Ambassador to Panama, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica
Roger Hanshaw (J.D.): Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates
Jeffrey V. Kessler: Antitrust lawyer
Harley M. Kilgore: United States Senator from West Virginia
Francis J. Love (J.D.): Former Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
William C. Marland: 24th Governor of West Virginia
JB McCuskey (J.D.): West Virginia State Auditor
Alan Mollohan (J.D.): Former U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 1st congressional district
Arch A. Moore, Jr.: Former Governor of West Virginia
Ephraim F. Morgan: 16th Governor of West Virginia
Hunter Holmes Moss Jr.: United States Senator from West Virginia
Matthew M. Neely: Former Governor of West Virginia and United States Senator from West Virginia
Robert L. Ramsay: U.S. Representative
Stuart F. Reed: U.S. Representative
Clyde See (J.D.): Judge
Harley O. Staggers, Jr.: Former U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 2nd congressional district
Rick Thompson (J.D.): Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
Mac Warner (J.D.): West Virginia Secretary of State
Mike Florio (J.D.): Sportswriter

Academic Profile and Reputation

The WVU College of Law has developed a reputation as a shrewd investment for future lawyers. Law.com even ranked it as the 14th "Cheapest Law School" in 2017. For the Class of 2022, the College of Law enrolled 115 students with an average LSAT of 154 and an average GPA of 3.46/4.00. The average age is 25, with a range of 21 to 44; 53% are female; 8% self-identify as minority. The university offers upper-tier education at a reasonable price, by law school standards

Deans of the College of Law

The following individuals have served as deans of the WVU College of Law:

George C. Starcher
Charles E. Staley
Henry C. Bias
J. Thomas Greene
Clyde L. Colson
Paul L. Selby
Willard D. Lorensen
E. Minor Solomon
Carl M. Selinger
Donald G. Gifford
Teree E. Foster
John W. Fisher, II
Joyce E. McConnell
Gregory W. Bowman

Experiential Learning and Clinics

Students can choose from nine clinics as well as several externship opportunities. The WVU College of Law is best known for its public interest and environmental law. The school offers part-time and full-time options, though the application fee is a flat $50 either way. The WVU College of Law provides a range of clinical programs that offer students practical experience in various areas of law. These clinics include:

General Practice
Child and Family Advocacy with Medical-Legal Partnership
Immigration
Innocence Project
Taxpayer Advocacy
Veterans Advocacy
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Land Use and Sustainable Development
United States Supreme Court

West Virginia Law Review

Founded in 1894, the West Virginia Law Review is the fourth oldest law review in the United States and publishes three issues each year. The West Virginia Law Review is a professional, student-governed legal journal that publishes articles of interest to legal scholars, students, legislators, and members of the practicing bar.

Read also: Explore CFK

Focus on History and Skills Development

The WVU College of Law recognizes the importance of understanding history in the study and practice of law. History helps students discover new meaning in the past, present, and future. Students learn the best practices of historical research while developing the skills for a successful career: thinking critically, communicating effectively, and tackling complex problems. The college emphasizes developing skills in researching, writing, and communication, essential for success in various legal fields.

Steptoe & Johnson

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC attorney and former CEO Susan S. Brewer will serve a one-year term which aligns with the arrival of WVUâs incoming 27th President, Michael T. Benson, who takes office in July 2025. Brewer has spent the entirety of her legal career at Steptoe & Johnson and has litigated more than 100 jury and non-jury cases in state, federal and appellate courts.

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