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Family Law

This cluster of courses investigates the role of the law in family matters and the inheritance of wealth. JD candidates may earn Recognition of a JD Concentration in Family Law.  Students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits from an approved list of courses maintained by the Family Law Concentration Coordinator, including Family Law (6348) and at least two credits of experiential learning. Students must also fulfill a writing requirement that can be satisfied either by writing an approved full-length paper on family law or estate planning or by enrolling in and completing the Family Justice Litigation Clinic (6624), the Domestic Violence Project (6674), or the Access to Justice Clinic – Family Division (6711), and writing a shorter paper.*

In addition to the courses listed below, credits earned through study abroad programs, additional courses, and relevant moot court competitions may also qualify, with approval of the Family Law Concentration Coordinator.  Students are expected to consult with the Coordinator in advance, and provide proof after completion, to ensure that the program, course, or moot court competition qualifies toward the Concentration requirements.

*  Students who completed the Family Law Pro Bono Project prior to Spring ‘22 have the option of writing the shorter paper in conjunction with that Project.

Declare Your Concentration

For JDs who would like to formally declare a Family Law Concentration, please visit the GW Law Forms webpage and fill out the JD Concentration Declare/Withdraw Form for the Records Office. Please fill out the JD Concentration Declare Form as soon as you decide to pursue the Concentration. Immediately after submitting the form, please contact the JD Concentration Coordination to discuss next steps to complete the Concentration. 

Fill out the Family Law Concentration Form

For more information, please contact Family Law Concentration Coordinator Laurie S. Kohn at lkohnatlaw [dot] gwu [dot] edu (lkohn[at]law[dot]gwu[dot]edu).

Foundation Courses

  • Wealth Transfer Taxation (6306)
  • Trusts and Estates (6342)
  • Trusts, Estates, and Professional Responsibility (6343)
  • Estate Planning and Drafting (6346)
  • Family Law (6348) (required)
  • Family, Child, and State (6349)
  • Domestic Violence Law (6350)
  • Reading Group (Kohn – Celebrity Domestic Violence) (6351-14)
  • Family Law Seminar (Juvenile Justice) (6352)
  • Elder Law (6353)
  • Gender Discrimination and the Law (6392)
  • Sexuality and the Law (6394)
  • International Family Law (6533)
  • Feminist Legal Theory (6608)
  • Law and Medicine (6617)
  • Family Justice Litigation Clinic (6624)
  • Legal Drafting (Family Law) (6652-12)
  • Domestic Violence Project (6674)
  • Family Law-Related Field Placement (6668)
  • Access to Justice Clinic (Family Law Division) (6711)

*Full requirements concerning credit for experiential learning are available from the Coordinator.

Course Descriptions