American University - Washington College of Law

Founded in 1896, a time when women were not entirely welcomed by the legal profession, the Washington College of Law (WCL) became the first law school in the world to have been established by women. The two founders, Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma Gillet, created a tradition of providing educational opportunities for individuals historically outside the legal profession mainstream. The mission of WCL includes three primary ideals: (1) the law should be based on the values of human dignity and respect, (2) the law represents an interaction between people and their environments, and (3) law schools play a critical role in teaching students to shape their world.

WCL offers numerous programs to assist students in expanding their educational and professional experiences. The proximity to Washington, D.C., provides access to externships, internships, and clerkships with governmental and nongovernmental institutions. WCL is proud of the national recognition received by programs in clinical education, human rights, government, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. WCL is approved by the American Bar Association, and a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

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