1. 731 Students Graduated
The 157th Commencement of the George Washington University Law School celebrated 662 graduates on May 19, 2024, bringing the total number of graduates in the 2023-24 academic year to 731. This year’s commencement featured a keynote address from Nina Totenberg, National Public Radio’s (NPR) award-winning legal affairs correspondent and a New York TImes bestselling author.
Read more about the 2024 commencement.
2. Groundbreaking Center for Law and Technology Celebrated a Successful First Year
GW Law unveiled its new Center for Law and Technology at the end of 2023. The center, which is directed by Professors Robert Brauneis and Daniel Solove as well as Associate Dean John Whealan, focuses on Intellectual Property (IP) Law and Privacy and Technology (PT) Law, serving as a hub for thought leadership, facilitating interdisciplinary scholarship, promoting international discourse, and forging connections between academics and practitioners.
The center puts GW Law at the forefront of education and thought leadership in intellectual property, privacy, Artificial Intelligence, and technology law at a time when these issues are more important than ever.
Read more about the new Center for Law and Technology.
3. 247 Prospective Students Toured GW Law
The GW Law Admissions Department hosted 44 tours throughout 2024, bringing 247 prospective students on to campus throughout the year. Our admissions team also visited 65 schools during its 2024 fall tour, raising awareness of GW Law’s offerings to students across the country.
Read more about GW Law’s admissions work.
4. 97.8 Percent of Employed Graduates Pursued Law Careers or Higher Education
This year, 95.2 percent of GW Law’s Class of 2023 were employed. Of those 95.2 percent, 97.8 percent are employed in a bar admission or JD advantage role, or are enrolled in further graduate studies. The employment rate is the direct result of GW Law’s efforts to expand career support and resources for students. This year, the office launched Law Link, an exclusive online platform where GW Law alumni can connect, network, and build opportunities for mentorship with current students.
Also in 2024, GW Law also launched its new Office of Bar Success, led by director Amanda Compton. Both the CDO and Office of Bar Success are committed to supporting students’ career goals by providing guidance, networking opportunities, workshopping, and other support.
Read more about GW Law’s career development efforts.
5. GW Law Hosted Over 500 Externships Through its Field Placement Program
GW Law’s Field Placement program saw another strong year of growth, hosting over 500 externships. These externships allow students to gain real world experience through placements in nonprofits, government agencies, and judicial offices.
The Field Placement program is key to GW Law’s “DC-infused education” model with 54 percent of students participating in government externships, 25 percent participating in judicial externships, and 21 percent participating in nonprofit externships.
Learn more about GW Law’s Field Placement program.
6. Students Spent 50,000 Hours Serving Clients in Clinics
In 2024, 252 GW Law students spent over 50,000 hours serving clients through our Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics. These clinics allow students to make a real-world impact and are the hallmark of GW Law’s DC-Infused education.
7. GW Law Faculty Previewed Supreme Court’s 2024 Fall Term
As part of an annual fall tradition, GW Law faculty members previewed the October term of the U.S. Supreme Court before an audience of students and other interested observers. The panel of faculty and guests discussed a slate of key cases including City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. v. Skrmetti, Glossip v. Oklahoma, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, and more.
Read more about this year’s Supreme Court preview.
8. Students Completed over 75,000 Pro Bono Hours
GW Law’s Pro Bono Program allows students to volunteer to help people with legal needs by providing services to those who can’t afford them. In the 2023-24 academic year students completed over 75,000 hours of pro bono work.
Read more about GW Law’s Pro Bono Program.
9. GW Law Provided Expert Commentary with 2024 Election Hub
GW Law faculty were at the forefront of the 2024 election news cycle, providing insightful analysis and expert perspectives on the historic presidential race. Reporters, researchers, and other interested parties were able to connect with GW Law faculty by visiting our Election Hub, a one-stop-shop for all election information.
Read more about GW Law’s Election Hub.
10. 15,000 News Stories Quoted GW Law Faculty
GW Law faculty served as expert sources in 15,000 news stories during the 2024 academic year. The news stories allow GW Law faculty to elevate the school’s brand by providing their unique perspectives and expertise on a range of legal topics.