Valparaiso University Law School 2015 - 2016 Viewbook

TRADITIONINNOVATION

2015 - 2016 VIEWBOOK

MEETS

ESTABLISHED 1879

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

About Valparaiso University Law School

Founded in 1879, Valparaiso Law is the 38th oldest American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school in the United States. A Midwestern school committed to diversity and service, Valparaiso Law attracts students and faculty with broadly different backgrounds and perspectives. They are natural leaders who are called to the law to help people and serve society as a whole. Valparaiso Law was among the first law schools to serve the public through legal clinics that provide low-cost or no-cost representation by licensed third-year law students. This commitment to practical education is reflected in an innovative new curriculum, introduced in 2013, that supports a broad range of career options within the legal profession.

A Message from the Dean 01

Valparaiso Law by the Numbers 02

Living in Valparaiso 04

Campus Experience 06

Student Life 08

Diversity 12

Tradition 13

Faculty 14

An Innovative New Curriculum 16

Curriculum Offerings 18

Legal Clinics 20

Career Planning 22

Academic Success Program 24

Alumni Network 26

Campus Map and Admissions 28

Table of Contents

A Message from the Dean

The legal system plays a foundational role in a free society. Those who are called to this profession have an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their humanity while serving others.

This sense of calling is embedded in everything we do at Valparaiso University Law School. It begins with our commitment to evolve our legal system by creating opportunities for those traditionally underrepresented in the law. It’s evident in the value our community places on diverse opinions and experiences. It’s expressed in our faculty’s dedication to helping students discover their passions and achieve their highest potential. And it’s on display inside and outside the classroom, as fellow students give back to the community and help one another meet the challenge of our uniquely rigorous and progressive curriculum.

I invite you to join our community of natural leaders and difference-makers. We’re ready to help you define your personal calling to the law, cultivate the knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed, and understand the powerful opportunity you have to serve others with compassion and integrity while advancing the interests of society at large.

Respectfully,

Andrea D. Lyon Dean, Valparaiso University Law School

Valparaiso, Indiana, is a vibrant small city of more than 32,000 people in Northwest Indiana. This sophisticated university town serves as the county’s legal and social services hub and offers students many opportunities to gain practical professional experiences in government and judiciary offices.

Valparaiso Law has built relationships with more than 190 individual offices in the judicial, corporate, and government arenas. These experiences empower students to explore different career paths, build professional networks, showcase skills, and gain hands-on experience.

32,000 Residents

190

1879Valparaiso Law was founded in 1879, accredited by the ABA in 1929, and admitted to membership in the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) in 1930. The Law School is located on Valparaiso University’s 320-acre campus, a pastoral setting that features 60 academic and residential buildings.

History and Accreditation

Approved Externships

VALPARAISO LAW BY THE NUMBERS

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 3 2 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

Valparaiso Law was one of the first law schools to adopt a pro bono service graduation requirement. The majority of students significantly exceed the 60 hours of required pro bono service, and in total students complete approximately 7,000 to 9,000 hours each year.

In 2015, 133 people from 21 states and four countries enrolled as new students at Valparaiso Law.

Valparaiso is located 10 miles south of Lake Michigan’s beaches and about 55 miles from Chicago.

60 hours

of Pro Bono Service

430

55

Valparaiso Law established its Legal Clinic in 1967 and today operates nine different clinics: Civil, Criminal, Domestic Violence, Immigration, Juvenile, Mediation, Post-Conviction, Sports Law, and Tax. Students have direct responsibility for representing clients in court and graduate practice-ready with a year of hands-on experience with live clients for whom they have provided meaningful professional services.

9 Live-Client Legal Clinics

Miles from Chicago

Total Students

Number of undergraduate schools represented in the 2015 entering class.91 Undergraduate Schools

Number of states represented in the 2015 entering class. The top five are Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.21

VALPARAISO LAW BY THE NUMBERS

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 3

A Vibrant Midwestern CommunityValparaiso University Law School is located in a small, vibrant city of more than 32,000 in Northwest Indiana. It combines the comfort, lifestyle, and sophistication of a Midwest university town with easy access to urban and recreational experiences. You’ll enjoy downtown Valparaiso for its diverse shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. These include one-of-a-kind boutiques, casual and fine dining establishments, and a vibrant arts scene with a downtown Central Park Plaza, including an outdoor amphitheater, an open-air farmer’s market, and a winter ice skating rink. Valparaiso also gives students easy access to downtown Chicago via the South Shore Line train and ChicagoDash bus service, as well as to nearby Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

You’ll also feel part of a broader community that supports you – and invites you in. “So much of the Valparaiso Law experience is about how the school is integrated into the broader community,” says Maison Haines, 3L. “I didn’t know what to expect, and I was surprised by the generosity and sincerity of the people I’ve met. They’re down-to-earth, and genuinely interested in how I’m doing.”

Illinois

Wisconsin

Michigan

OhioIndiana

Kentucky

Chicago

LAW

LIVING IN VALPARAISO


A Legal and Social Hub

Valparaiso’s status as the county’s legal and social services hub also gives you many opportunities to gain practical professional experience and serve the community. You’ll have convenient access to the Porter County courthouse, located

less than a mile from the Law School, plus court systems in nearby Lake County, Indianapolis, and Chicago. These, and other experiences, help prepare you for the many demands the legal profession places on practicing lawyers to engage with communities and demonstrate social responsibility.

Orville Redenbacher founded his popcorn empire in Valparaiso,

Indiana. Since 1979, the city of Valparaiso hosts the annual

Popcorn Festival with over 50,000 people in downtown Valparaiso.

Location:Valparaiso, Indiana, is located 10 miles south of Lake Michigan’s beaches and about 55 miles from Chicago.

“I want to practice law in Chicago,” says Emily Mussio, 3L. “Valparaiso Law gives me everything I need to have a comfortable lifestyle along with easy access to Chicago. It’s also a great learning environment that’s quiet enough to remove a lot of distractions – something that’s necessary for law school.”

LIVING IN VALPARAISO

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 5

A STIMULATING CAMPUS EXPERIENCEFounded in 1879, the Law School sits on the 320-acre Valparaiso University campus that

features 60 academic and residential buildings, the largest collegiate chapel in the U.S., and

abundant courts and playing fields around campus. A state-of-the-art fitness center offers

a range of equipment and classes for almost any type of workout. You can also participate

in the broader University community by attending chapel services, relaxing in the student

union, visiting the University library, playing intramural sports, and cheering on 9 men’s and

10 women’s NCAA Division I varsity sports teams.

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Something for Everyone

Valparaiso Law offers you the entire university experience. There are more than 100 co-curricular organizations, plus eight fraternities and seven sororities. Hundreds of students also participate annually in concerts, plays, and exhibitions held in state-of-the-art performance facilities. “I spend a lot of time on the undergrad campus,” says Jennie Bell, 3L. “There’s a 24-hour computer lab in the student union, and I often study there. People come in and out, and they’re very friendly.”

A STIMULATING CAMPUS EXPERIENCE“If you are looking to be a part of a campus

community where lifelong friends are made,

professors are both astute and welcoming, and

you graduate feeling ready to competitively

enter the marketplace, then Valpo Law is the

place for you.”

– Brandon McCoy, 3L

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“ I came from a large state university with 40,000 students, so I’m struck by how accessible everything is at Valpo – and by how much I can do here. As president of the Business Law Society, I’m very involved with the local business community. We work back and forth to help promote local small businesses, and it’s exciting. We’re also doing a lot of charity work, such as hosting the Catwalk for the Cause. Next year, we plan to build on this success by launching a ‘no bullying’ mentoring program at the local middle schools.”

– Jeremy Hahn, 3L

35 Law Student Organizations

Amnesty International

Black Entertainment and Sports Law Association

Black Law Students Association

Business Law Society

Catholic Law Students

Christian Legal Society

Client Counseling Team

Equal Justice Works

Federalist Society

The Forum

Intellectual Property Law Association

International Law Society

International Moot Court

Lambda Student Association

Latino Law Students Association

Law School Running and Fitness Club

Military Veterans Law Association

Moot Court Society

Multicultural Law Student Association

Muslim Students Association

National Lawyers Guild

Parents Attending Law School

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity

Real Property Law Society

Richard Blennerhassett Tax Law Society/ VITA

Sports and Entertainment Law Association

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Student Bar Association

Trial Advocacy

Valparaiso Environmental Law Society

Valparaiso Law Blog

Valparaiso Law Democrats

Valparaiso Law Republicans

Valparaiso University Law Review

Women Law Students Association

Plus many students get involved in local and state bar associations.

STUDENT LIFE

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“Valpo Law feels like family.”

– Manuela Cabal Carmona, 2L

“As a Hispanic Latina, born and raised in Colombia, I bring with me the experience of growing up in a third world country marked by social, racial, and economic inequality – a country where the judicial system does not always serve the people, and where legal procedures usually are not respected. I know the value and need for lawyers who are diverse, as well as ethically and socially responsible. At Valparaiso University Law School I have had the opportunity to learn in a diverse environment that encourages a blend of experiences. I have met people from all walks of life that have encouraged me to analyze the law from a variety of perspectives. The small-class environment has allowed me to develop closer relationships with my classmates and provided the opportunity for one-on-one guidance from the professors. Furthermore, as an international student, finding a strong support system away from home is very important. And I found that support system at Valpo. Both professors and staff are caring and supportive.”


Exploring Personal InterestsLaw school is also a time to cultivate and explore intellectual interests, and Valparaiso offers many opportunities. The school hosts a broad range of conferences, symposia, and other events that explore the most important legal and societal issues of the day. You can try out and participate in one of three advocacy teams: Trial Advocacy, Moot Court, or International Moot Court. All teams compete in national competitions

where you develop your oral skills in the courtroom and use valuable technical skills in a team environment with the full support of faculty and student mentors. You can also join the editorial staff of the Valparaiso Law Review and explore scholarly work as you fine-tune your research and writing skills. Founded in 1966, the Valparaiso University Law Review is one of the oldest Law Reviews in the Midwest. Comprised solely of Valparaiso Law students, it publishes four issues each year and affords qualified students an invaluable opportunity for training in precise analysis of legal

problems and in clear presentation of legal issues.

Law students experience and serve the Valparaiso community by joining co-curricular organizations that reflect their personal interests. These groups sponsor and participate in a variety of activities and annual charity events – from the Cardozo Cup softball tournament to the 5-kilometer Ambulance Chase run to the Barrister’s Ball. Students also provide vital community services such as free tax preparation and tutoring for local children.

“ I wanted to be more than the number I was in college. I wanted a community invested in my success, and one I could invest in. Here, I’m encouraged to grow and learn – both professionally and personally.”

– Emily Mussio, 3L


A Global PerspectiveValparaiso Law balances this community focus with the broader recognition that today’s lawyers participate in a global market – and that students benefit from viewing U.S. law within the broader perspective of foreign cultures and their legal systems. As such, the school offers international experiences that include a human rights program over spring break in Israel and a comparative law program in London and Cambridge, UK. The students also get involved with international advocacy conpetitions through the International Moot Court Team.

In addition, a new Practicum for 3L students on Public International Law gives students the opportunity to work with a number of international human rights organizations. Over time, this Practicum will create a pipeline to help students studying international law go straight from the program into careers in human rights law. “Increasingly, law crosses international borders, and our own legal system is bound by treaties and customary international law,” says Professor Jeremy Telman. “Experiences like this provide a valuable firsthand perspective.”

These experiences in turn bring a valuable global dimension to the classroom

and the law school community. “I want to go into the international nonprofit arena. The lifeline Valpo gives me to connect to people is critical,” says Michael Sanchez, 3L. “The people around me come from all walks of life, and from all over the world. I can immerse myself in multiple cultures and experiences. This didn’t happen by accident; I am where I need to be.”

“Going on the Israel trip with Professor Telman really opened my eyes to the realities of the conflicts at issue, especially compared to the American media output. This experience allowed us to become immersed in both cultures and gave us the opportunity to formulate our own opinions based on our legal knowledge of international humanitarian law.”

– Michael Sanchez, 3L


DIVERSITY

The Law School is a tight-knit learning community of 430 full-time and part-time students and LL.M. students who represent a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. For example, the 2015 entering class consists of 133 students from 21 states, four countries, and 91 undergraduate institutions; 44 are from groups underrepresented in the law and 49 are age 25 or older. This diversity creates a dynamic classroom experience where people bring different perspectives to class discussions. This culture of inclusion ensures that every

student has a voice. It also helps prepare students to serve clients and collaborate with colleagues in a variety of professional environments.

“Getting to know people and being involved in extracurricular activities is very easy. We have a variety of student organizations that help you meet people that share your same interests. As a member of the Latino Law Students Association, I have had the opportunity to meet other Latinos that have the same concerns as I do. Being a part of

this organization helps me stay in touch with my heritage and customs,” says Manuela Cabal Carmona, 2L.

“I smile just thinking about how an entering class that is so broad in terms of age, gender, geography, race, sexual affiliation, and work experience was able to gel in a short period of time,” says Caitlan Ruff, 3L. “We truly support each other and treat each other as colleagues.”

TRADITION

“My experience at Valpo Law has been more than what I expected. The close–knit, diverse community that the Law School provides has been beneficial for me during this journey. It’s good to see that everyone here cares for your success.”

– DeMarkus Muhammad, 2L

33%

50%

37%

Underrepresented Minorities

Women

Non-Traditional Students

Key Facts: 2015 Entering Class


DIVERSITY

1879Valparaiso University Law School was founded as the Northern Indiana Law School on November 11, 1879 by Colonel Mark L. DeMotte, making it the 38th oldest ABA accredited law school in the United States. DeMotte shared a populist view of education – open, affordable, and accessible for all who were willing to work hard to better themselves, regardless of gender, nationality, or ecomonic or social class.

1898Florence Higgins-Butler graduated; she was one of the first female law professors in the country.

1899Within 20 years of opening, the Law School was the largest law school in Indiana.

1925The University was purchased by the Lutheran University Association and the Law School was moved to the Domestic Science Building (renamed DeMotte Hall in 1959).

1929The Law School received ABA accreditation.

1930The Law School was admitted into the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

1950Hilbert Bradley graduated as the first African-American graduate of the Law School.

1964Wesemann Hall (now renamed Kretzmann Hall) was built for the Law School on Valparaiso University’s campus.

1966The Law Review at Valparaiso Law was established.

1967The Legal Clinic was founded, and now includes nine different live-client legal clinics where third years can practice law.

1986Wesemann Hall on Old Campus was constructed as the new home for the Law School.

2004125th Anniversary of the Law School with guest of honor, President George H.W. Bush.

2010Heritage Hall reconstructed as the new Lawyering Skills Center and home to the Legal Clinic, dedicated as an additional Law School facility.

Founded in 1879, the Law School embraces law as a calling to leadership and service. Our legal education blends theoretical and practical skills with humanitarian values to ready lawyers for that calling. The Law School is a community of learning, inquiry, and opportunity dedicated to excellence in legal education and invested in the academic and personal success of its students, preparing and empowering them to serve others and fulfill their potential in their chosen careers.

TRADITION


Valparaiso Law’s diverse faculty demonstrates thought leadership in many of the leading legal issues of our time. As examples, they’re actively engaged in such contentious civil rights issues as sexual discrimination and harassment. They lead dialogue about how anti-terror laws impact the Muslim community. They write new standards for surrogate decision-making and incapacity planning in the health care system. And they explore the nuances of current standards for food labeling.

Equally important, Valparaiso Law faculty shares these professional interests with students both inside and outside the classroom. “Having a scholarly agenda and making time to work on these projects on a regular basis help me relate to my students,” says Assistant Professor Nicole

Negowetti. “I understand the difficulties, frustration, and accomplishment that my students also experience during the research and writing process.”

As mentors, the faculty also take an active role in helping students broaden their exposure, cultivate talents, pursue career interests, and succeed during and after law school. “The faculty and staff really make this school,” says Olivia Robinson, 3L. “You can drop by their offices with questions. They’ll stop you in the hallway and congratulate you personally on something you’ve accomplished. And they have great networks to help you find internships.”

Professors understand that there are many paths to a fulfilling career serving people

and communities, and they provide support, encouragement, and ideas to help you discover your call to the law.

“We are building a mosaic here, a community in the most positive sense where every student believes he/she is valued as an individual,” says Professor JoEllen Lind. “We’re creating bridges of understanding between people, introducing people who have never had a chance to interact with those different from themselves. Students want to interact, and they want the school to help them develop skills they need to succeed.”

FACULTY: DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS


2015–2016 FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS

Prof. Natalie Banta

Prof. Ivan Bodensteiner

Prof. Robert Blomquist

Prof. Geneva Brown

Prof. Michael Bushbaum

Prof. Derrick Carter

Prof. Curt Cichowski

Prof. David Cleveland

Prof. Debra Denslaw

Prof. Laura Dooley

Prof. Edward Gaffney

Prof. Marcia Gienapp

Prof. Geoffrey Heeren

Prof. David Herzig

Prof. Sally Holterhoff

Prof. Derrick Howard

Prof. Rebecca Huss

Assoc. Dean Emily Janoski-Haehlen

Prof. Robert Knowles

Prof. Paul Kohlhoff

Prof. Faisal Kutty

Prof. Rosalie Levinson

Prof. JoEllen Lind

Dean Andrea Lyon

Prof. Sy Moskowitz

Prof. Nicole Negowetti

Prof. Clare Nuechterlein

Prof. Ana Osan

Asst. Dean Steve Probst

Judge Andrew Rodovich

Prof. Barbara Schmidt

Prof. Jane Siegel

Prof. Michael Straubel

Assoc. Dean Acad. Affairs Susan Stuart

Prof. Larissa Sullivant

Prof. Mary Szto

Prof. Jeremy Telman

Prof. Bernard Trujillo

Prof. Ruth Vance

Prof. David Vandercoy

Prof. David Welter

Prof. Stephen Wilks

Prof. Del Wright

Full faculty profiles available at: valpo.edu/law

“Law professors lead through example by demonstrating a personal commitment to serving society at large.”

– Derrick Carter, J.D. ‘75 Associate Professor of Law

Valparaiso Law professors hail from a variety of colleges and universities such as the University of Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, the University of Illinois, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Minnesota, MIT, NYU, Notre Dame, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia, Yale, Washington University, Williams, and the University of Wisconsin, among others. Many of them hold not only J.D. degrees, but also have had postgraduate training in economics, education, ethics, history, religion, sociology, and philosophy.

Numerous faculty members have served as federal court clerks; others have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif. Some are members of the American Law Institute or are active in key sections of the American Bar Association and engaged in law reform. Many are grounded in empirical methodology; numerous faculty members are experts in electronic media and the ways in which they affect legal scholarship. A substantial number of professors – especially those teaching clinical and practical skills – are expert practitioners actively engaged

not only in classroom teaching, but in the practice of law.

Given the breadth and depth of our faculty’s experience, it is not surprising that its members are deeply involved in national and international discourse and activities concerning the cutting-edge social, political, and economic issues of our time.


In 2013, Valparaiso University Law School became the only law school in the country to replace the traditional law school curriculum with a curriculum that provides feedback in seven-week sessions, and immediately immerses you into the lawyer’s fundamental role as counselor and communicator. Inherent in this role is a necessary skill set of interviewing, counseling, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate with clients in a professional manner. Alongside your doctrinal courses, you will experience classroom opportunities and gain supervised live-client exposure that hone these skills. You and each of your classmates will personally experience what it is to be a lawyer. “I feel like I’m getting more education from the outset – more bang for my buck – because I’m learning essential skills alongside courses

like Contracts and Civil Procedure,” says Steven Harper, 3L.

Extensive Legal Writing and Research

Valparaiso Law maintains top legal writing and research programs. You will graduate knowing how to research, write, and advocate. Our new curriculum carefully integrates three years of required writing as well as three semesters of required research – two separate programs that provide exceptional training in practical skills, generate remarkable student satisfaction, and ignite student passion for the practice of law. “During my internship with the Indiana Court of Appeals, I was assigned many online legal research and writing duties,” says Jennie Bell, 3L. “I found I could quickly leverage and apply what I learned from

my required courses as a 1L. The other legal interns asked me to train them in the process of conducting legal research and writing briefs, and I was happy to do so. I was proud to have a competitive advantage from Valparaiso Law’s new curriculum.”

First Year: A Solid Foundation

During the first year, carefully sequenced courses build the context you need to engage with clients as their lawyer. This new structure provides early and frequent feedback, so you can gauge early in the process how well you grasp the course material.

You complete four seven-week sessions designed and integrated to build a doctrinal foundation. You move from doctrinal courses in Contracts and

“We’ve re-crafted our curriculum with three goals in mind: your bar passage, your employment, and your satisfaction. At the end of your studies here, you will have mastered the full complement of professional competencies of an entry-level practitioner.” – Curt Cichowski, J.D. ‘81 Associate Professor of Law

AN INNOVATIVE NEW CURRICULUM


Cultivating Essential Skills

The new curriculum carefully integrates the key skills you need to pass the bar exam – exam-taking skills, essay writing, performance test writing, and review of Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) topics. As such, it aims to build the precise competencies required of an entry-level practitioner while maximizing bar passage on the first attempt.

A Practical Approach To Learning

Session

The first-year curriculum is delivered in four integrated seven-week sessions.

1Legal Research I

Legal Research IILegal Writing I

Legal

Communications2

3

4

Praxis

A contextual introduction to being a lawyer

Contracts

Civil Procedure

Torts

Torts

Damages and Equity

Contracts Criminal Law

Property

Criminal Law

PropertyCivil Procedure

Doctrinal/Skills

Substantive courses in each session build a doctrinal foundation in a unified and progressive manner.

First-Year Chart:

Criminal Law to Torts, Property, Civil Procedure, and a course on Damages and Equity. Throughout this sequence, you also build essential legal writing and critical reading and thinking skills through the Foundations course. In addition, a year-long Praxis component helps you adjust to your role as a professional, become a better problem-solver, develop interpersonal and professional skills, and understand how to learn from experience. At the end of your first year you will complete a comprehensive diagnostic to analyze your base-line knowledge of your core courses.

Second Year: Gaining Market Insight

During the second year, you focus on courses most often tested on the bar exam, plus substantive areas and skills necessary for entry-level competency. You also

complete an experiential requirement of five skill credit hours. You will again complete another comprehensive diagnostic that tests your knowledge from the first and second year course material to help facilitate your third year course selection.

Third Year: Pursuing Individual Interests

The third year is entirely elective. You can take a series of Practicums, which are coordinated, extensive offerings that immerse you in substantive and practical experiences. Many students also participate in a legal clinic or take a series of classes based on a specific area of interest. These offerings are Valparaiso’s in-house equivalent to the medical residency model and are linked to distinct practice settings.

“I’m especially excited about the third year. Through clinics, extern-ships, and internships, I’ll gain the experience I need to know what I’m doing from day one. I’ll know what it’s like to report to associates, and how to draft memos and write case briefs. And I’ll be able to discover what I love to do without having to jump from job to job to find out.”

– Courtney Smith, 3L

Foundations


CURRICULUM OFFERINGSDual Degree Programs Offered

JD/MBA in Business Administration JD/MS in Sports Administration JD/MA in Psychology or Clinical Mental Health CounselingJD/MS in International Commerce & Policy JD/MA in Chinese Studies JD/MA in Liberal Studies, Theology Individualized dual degrees available

Required 1L Courses (29 total credits)

Contracts I Contracts II Criminal Law I Criminal Law II Foundations of Legal Analysis Torts I Torts II Property I

Property II Civil Procedure I Civil Procedure II Damages & Equity Legal Communications Legal Writing I Legal Research I Legal Research II

Required 2L Courses (25 credits)

Constitutional Law I & II (4 credits)Evidence (3 credits) Legal Profession (2 credits)Trust & Estates (3 credits)Administrative Law (2 credits)Business Associations (3 credits)Legal Research III (1 credit)Legal Writing II (2 credits)Skills (5 credits)

Additional 9 credits required for graduation

UCC: Sales & Commercial Paper (3 credits) or UCC: Secured Transactions (3 credits)Tax Law (4 credits) Family Law (2 credits) Criminal Procedure: Investigation (3 credits) or Criminal Procedure: Adjudication (3 credits)Bankruptcy (4 credits) Constitutional Law III: Separation of Powers (2 credits)

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CURRICULUM OFFERINGS

ELECTIVE COURSES BY SUBJECT AREA

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute ResolutionLabor Arbitration Negotiation Mediation Mediation Clinic Remedies

Business/Intellectual Property Law

Alternative Dispute ResolutionBankruptcy Business Planning Corporate Finance Federal Income Taxation of IndividualsIncome Taxation of Corporations & PartnershipsIntellectual Property Law International Business TransactionsMergers & Acquisitions Municipal Finance Law Non-Profit Organizations Real Estate Transactions & FinanceSecurities Regulation Trademark & Unfair CompetitionUCC: Sales & Commercial PaperUCC: Secured Transactions

Civil/Constitutional Law

American Legal History Civil Clinic Civil Rights Legislation and LitigationConstitutional Law III: Separation of PowersIndiana Constitutional Law Jurisprudence Remedies

Criminal Law

Advanced DiscoveryCriminal Forensics Criminal Law Clinic Criminal Procedure: AdjudicationCriminal Procedure: InvestigationPost-Conviction Law Clinic Elder/Health Law

Elder Law Estate Planning Health & Medical Research for LawyersMedical Malpractice LawMedicine, Law, & EthicsSocial Security Disability

Employment/Labor Law

Alternative Dispute ResolutionEmployment Law Labor Arbitration Labor Law Workers’ Compensation Law

Environmental Law & Policy

Agrarianism, Farming, and SustainabilityEnvironmental Law & PolicyFood Law

Human Rights/Immigration

Civil Rights Legislation and LitigationImmigration Law Immigration Law Clinic International and Foreign Legal ResearchInternational Moot Court Israel/Palest. Intl. Humanitarian LawNational Security Law

International & Comparative Law

Comparative Law: Focus on EuropeInternational and Foreign Legal ResearchInternational Business TransactionsInternational Law: Human RightsInternational Law: Use of ForceIntroduction to American Law & Legal SystemIsrael/Palest. Intl. Humanitarian LawNational Security Law Public International Law RepresentationPublic International Law: Introduction

Juvenile/Family Law

Children and the LawDomestic Violence Law ClinicFamily Law Family Law PracticumJuvenile Law Clinic Selected Topics: Family Law

Practical Skills

Academic Success ProgramAdvanced Appellate Advocacy: GeneralAdvanced Discovery Advanced Legal ResearchCurrent Representation International Moot Court Law Clinic Law Practice ManagementLaw Review Legal Drafting Legal Profession Moot Court Society Pretrial Skills Technology in Law Trial Practice I Trial Practice II

State & Local Government

Land Use Local Government LawMunicipal Finance Law

Sports & Entertainment Law

Alternative Dispute ResolutionArt Law Entertainment Law Media Law Mediation Negotiation Sports Law Sports Law Clinic

Taxation

Federal Estate & Gift Taxation Federal Income Tax of IndividualsFederal Tax Procedure Federal Tax Research Income Taxation of Corporations & PartnershipsTax Law Tax Law Clinic

ASP/Bar Prep

Advanced Legal Analysis MPT Advanced Legal Studies Advanced Topics (Selected MBE Subjects)ASP Workshops MBE Strategies

Other

Animal Law Cambridge/London Study AbroadIndependent Reading and ResearchIsrael Spring Break Study AbroadSeminar (various topics) Washington D.C. Program

Elective courses listed are offered in the

current and past two academic years.

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700

Learning to Practice Law Valparaiso Law was among the first U.S. law schools to establish legal clinics to help students gain practical experience while providing a vital service to the community. And today, it is one of the only law schools operating a legal clinic in which students are directly responsible for managing clients and cases.

In 2010, the newly reconstructed Heritage Hall opened to create a genuine law firm environment where students can learn and practice the critical skills they need to succeed as legal professionals. The new Lawyering Skills Center features custom-designed spaces where students can practice advocacy, dispute resolution, moot court, mock trial, client counseling, negotiation, arbitration, and pre-trial preparation. Heritage Hall also houses nine clinics that extend vital services to the community. In addition, they support the school’s new curriculum by giving students practical experience managing and arguing cases. The Immigration Clinic, opened in 2013, also has an office located in Hyde Park on Chicago’s vibrant South Side. With so many opportunities, participating students can enter the job market knowing exactly what to do in court – and how to balance demanding case loads involving as many as 15 clients.

Number of clients, on average, who receive free or low-cost legal services each year.

LEGAL CLINICS

“Most law schools really have externships rather than clinics. We provide intensive mentorship and training on individual cases supervised in-house by faculty with many decades of experience.”

— Geoffrey HeerenAssistant Professor of Law


Nine Legal ClinicsEstablished in 1967, the Law Clinic serves the community as a law firm where third-year law students represent disadvantaged clients, at low or no cost, who would not otherwise have access to legal services. Participating students receive a special license from the state of Indiana to provide legal services to the regional community through the Valparaiso Law Clinic. Students develop a full range of lawyering skills in advocacy, negotiation, mediation, representation, and more.

Civil Clinic

The Civil Clinic assists clients with a wide range of civil matters, including consumer disputes, debt collection, credit reporting problems, adoption, guardianship, and divorce. Students represent clients directly. You interview and counsel clients, draft legal pleadings and correspondence, conduct legal research, confront and resolve ethical issues, engage in negotiations with opposing counsel, and appear in court.

Criminal Clinic

Valparaiso Law students represent clients charged with a range of misdemeanors and felonies. You conduct discovery, prepare and argue motions, negotiate plea

agreements, and represent clients at all court proceedings, including bench and jury trials.

Domestic Violence Clinic

Students assist victims of domestic violence who are seeking temporary or permanent restraining orders. You provide advice, represent clients in court, and provide legal assistance to residents of domestic violence shelters.

Immigration Clinic

Students represent immigrants with claims grounded in human rights and domestic and international law. You also serve as lead counsel for asylum seekers, torture survivors, crime victims, persons who have been trafficked into the U.S. or abused or exploited here, and persons who are facing deportation as a result of immigration infractions.

Juvenile Clinic

Students are appointed to serve as guardian ad litem for children who have been abused or neglected, or are involved in custody and visitation issues related to guardianship, paternity, and adoption cases. You also serve as public defender for children in delinquency cases.

Mediation Clinic

Understanding the nature of conflict and developing skills to resolve conflicts through negotiation are fundamental to the practice of law. You receive intense training as mediators and then assist parties in resolving disputes filed in small claims courts.

Post-Conviction Clinic

Students investigate and litigate claims of wrongful conviction, unjust sentences, factual innocence, and violations of procedural rights. You file and litigate post-conviction petitions, habeas petitions, and motions for sentence modification.

Sports Law Clinic

Students represent clients from all amateur arenas of competition – Olympic, college, high school, and others – in cases involving such issues as doping and drug testing, discipline, team eligibility, gender equity, visas to compete, and loss of scholarship.

Tax Clinic

Students hone their lawyering skills by representing low – income taxpayers in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).


Charting Your Course

In today’s environment, employers expect new hires to arrive “practice ready.” That means a mastery of legal doctrine, but also well-cultivated skills and a practical knowledge of how to conduct yourself in legal practice settings.

We believe career planning starts on day one, and our Career Planning Center actively engages you to begin defining goals and strategies from the outset. We assign every student a career counselor and require you to meet in person on a regular schedule. As you define your individual ambitions, your advisor can help you select appropriate programs to attend and develop an effective professional network to fulfill your goals.

You will participate in a series of events focused on professional development: skills-based programming targeting writing effective resumes and cover letters and seminars on specific areas of traditional and non-traditional legal practice.

Valparaiso Law was one of the first law schools to adopt a pro bono graduation requirement. The majority of students significantly exceed the 60 hours of required service, working a combined 7,000 to 9,000 hours per year. You can fulfill this requirement through participation in community events under the direct supervision of an attorney and by completing qualified externships and internships.

Externships and Internships Over the years, Valparaiso University Law School has established externship sites where you earn course credit at more than 190 individual offices that include businesses and government organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. You can also pursue internships, both paid and unpaid, in a wide variety of national and international settings. By working with attorneys, you can apply your legal research, writing, and administrative skills to gain valuable field experience.

CAREER PLANNING


Sports, Arts, and Entertainment

NCAA

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Entertainment Law

Immigration

Chicago Immigration Law Firm

National Immigrant Justice Center

Hispanic Immigrant Support Center

Family and Child Services

Department of Children Services

Kid’s Law

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Human Rights

Americans United for Life

Legal Services Older Adult Program

Public Guardian

Equip for Equality

Environmental Protection Agency

Judicial and Government

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Illinois Attorney General

Indiana Court of Appeals

Federal Trade Commission

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Indiana Attorney General

Cook County State’s Attorney

Wisconsin Department of Justice

Business and Health

ArcelorMittal Steel

NiSource

Rush University Medical Center

Franciscan Alliance Legal and Regulatory Affairs

American Medical Association

Selected Externship Opportunities

Areas of Employment for Valparaiso Law Graduates

In 2014, for the students who secured employment, a little over half the graduating class accepted positions in law firms, nearly 15 percent are working in business and industry, and almost 30 percent entered the non-profit sector, including government. Valparaiso Law encourages students to gain valuable perspectives on different career paths by participating in externships and internships.

n 56% Law Firms

n 14% Business & Industry

n 29% Government, Public Interest, & Judicial Clerkships

n 1% Academia

CAREER PLANNING

The Career Planning Center sponsors a variety of formal and informal networking events throughout the year, each designed to connect students with alumni and potential employers and to sharpen networking and interviewing skills. In 2014 – 2015, 65 programs were offered, some of those included:

• Advancing your Career Path: Corporate Jobs Outside the Legal Department

• Applying for Federal and State Judicial Clerkships

• Careers as a Trial Lawyer

• Careers as a District Attorney/ Prosecutor and Careers in Criminal Defense

• Careers in Employment and Labor Law

• Careers in Federal Government

• Careers in Immigration/ International Law

• Careers in Tax Law

• Cover Letter and Resume Workshop

• Dress for Success

• Etiquette Dinner

• Externship Expo

• How to Succeed in Your Summer Job

• Judicial Staff Attorney Positions

• Legal Rebel Panel

• Professional Development Day

• Rainmaking and Networking 101


ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM

Many new law students find the transition to law school challenging because none of their previous educational experiences have prepared them for the rigors of law school. Valparaiso Law’s Academic Success Program (ASP) facilitates academic excellence by providing comprehensive academic support- from the time you enter law school through the bar exam.

1L Success

The 1L ASP program includes participation in a small learning community led by a successful upper level student. During weekly meetings, the learning groups will discuss practical skills, such as study strategies, outlining, and essay writing. These communities are designed to help you ease your transition into law school and give you support through your first semester from an established peer mentor. Additional ASP workshops will be offered throughout the semester to further develop exam-taking and critical thinking skills. The ASP team is available to meet with students one-on-one at any time.

2L Improving Skills

In the 2L year, the ASP program offers a two-credit legal analysis course, Advanced Legal Analysis (MPT). This course uses the Multistate Performance Test to improve the skills of critical reading, rule synthesis, factual analysis, problem-solving, and organization and management of a legal task. In addition, all 2L students will take a comprehensive diagnostic exam to analyze retention of core bar exam subjects and key skills for success on the bar exam. This diagnostic helps you and the Law School measure successes and opportunities for future semesters.

3L Focus on the Bar

The ASP program in the 3L year focuses on the bar exam preparation process. Our bar preparation curriculum builds bar-related skills into coursework and provides students with regular feedback on skills development. We currently offer two courses, Advanced Legal Studies and MBE Strategies. Our two-credit Advanced Legal

Studies course focuses on essay writing for the bar exam. Students will become familiar with techniques for analyzing, organizing, and writing bar exam essay questions. The ASP Professors provide written feedback on the essays completed in class and provide opportunities to review sample bar-examinee answers with the students. MBE Strategies is a one-credit course designed to introduce hot topics on the Multistate Bar Exam. Through the use of problems and exercises in the MBE format, students are able to become familiar with techniques for answering multiple choice questions similar to those that appear on the MBE. In addition to the courses outlined above, the ASP program provides post-graduation bar review programming that supplements commercial bar review courses and consists of several important components. The programming includes individual bar coaching, essay workshops, and mock exams.

FALL 2015 WORKSHOP SERIESSWEET RELIEF: A CASE BRIEFING WORKSHOP Monday, August 24 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Stride Classroom Tuesday, August 25 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

ESSAY BALLET: TEACHING YOU THE STEPS OF A SUCCESSFUL LAW SCHOOL ESSAY Monday, August 31 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. and 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Pelzer Classroom

WE’VE GOT THE LOOT: TEACHING YOU HOW TO DISSECT A STATUTE Monday, September 14 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Stride Classroom Tuesday, September 15 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

EMPHASIS ON SYNTHESIS: SYNTHESIZING CASES WORKSHOP Monday, September 21 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Stride Classroom Tuesday, September 22 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

LEARNING FROM YOUR FIRST SET OF GRADES Tuesday, October 20 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

EXAM STRATEGIES WORKSHOP Tuesday, November 3 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

EXAM STRATEGIES WORKSHOP Tuesday, November 10 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom

PREPPING FOR FINALS/CREATING YOUR SCHEDULE FROM TODAY THROUGH THE END OF FINALS Tuesday, December 1 12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ulbricht Classroom


“You always have someone to turn to with questions about study skills, strategies, and preparing for exams. We’re invested in your success.” –Bethany Lesniewski Director of Academic Success


A Valuable Resource

At Valparaiso Law, you benefit from a vibrant network of successful graduates who are making a difference in their communities and in the profession. They pursue a wide range of careers that span the globe. Most importantly, by upholding the values and integrity nurtured at Valparaiso Law, our alumni consistently prove to be leaders and difference-makers in their respective communities.

These alumni are the best evidence of the versatility – and the value – of a Valparaiso Law education. Graduates are currently pursuing a wide variety of legal careers, with titles that include Vice President of Legal Affairs, Director of Employee Benefits, Assistant Director of Enforcement Services for the NCAA, General Counsel, law firm Partner, Director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, and Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.

“ I wanted a law school that would help me enhance my skills for the job market no matter where I would decide to practice.”

– Lakshmi Jayanthi, J.D. 2014 Associate at Ernst & Young, LLP

ALUMNI NETWORK

26 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 27 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 27

Valparaiso Law alumni have worked across the United States and around the world, including international sites such as: Bermuda, Burkina Faso, China, Mexico, Oman, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

n 3,000+ Valparaiso Law alumni

n 2,000+ alumni

n 1,000+ alumni

For current students, Valparaiso Law’s strong alumni network plays a vital role in helping you discover mentors, learn about the profession, build strong networks, gain professional experience, and pursue employment opportunities.

“This network is a valuable source of information and opportunities for students as their careers evolve,” says Vanessa Verner, Associate Director of Alumni Relations. “We’ve created a wealth of meet-and-greet-network opportunities at the Law School and across the country in such cities as Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Chicago to help our students take advantage of our extensive alumni network.”

“ Valparaiso University Law developed my passion for law and made me a better lawyer –and ultimately a better person.” –Ryan Rowan, J.D. 2011

Porter County Deputy Prosecutor and First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate Indiana Army National Guard

ALUMNI NETWORK

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VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAP DIRECTORY

5B Alumni Hall (Residence) 16

4D College of Arts and Sciences 34

3C Athletics-Recreation Center (ARC) 43

3D Art-Psychology 46

4B Beacon Hall (Residence) 27

6C Brandt Hall (Residence) 12

5C Brauer Museum of Art

(located in the Center for the Arts) 10

3C Brown Field 39

4B Center for Diaconal Ministry 26

5D Chapel of the Resurrection 31

4D Christopher Center for Library and

Information Resources (CCLIR) 33

7D Confucius Institute 23

3D Dickmeyer Hall 48

6B Domke Center 14

6D Donald V. Fites Engineering

Innovation Center 5

2D Dopper Radar 50

5E Dusenberg Welcome Center 32

7E Emory Bauer Field 24

1E Facilities Management 56

3C Fitness Center 39

6D Gellersen Engineering and Mathematics

Center (College of Engineering) 4

4D Guild Hall (Residence) 37

5C Harre Union 30

5B Health Center (Promenade East) 19

3D Heidbrink Hall 44

2D Henrichs House 51

1D Heritage Hall (Law Clinics) 55

4B Interlink (Promenade West) 20

6D James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy

Research Facility 6

2D Kade-Duesenberg German House

and Cultural Center 53

6C Kallay-Christopher Hall 9

5D Kretzmann Hall (O.P. Kretzmann Hall) 1

3D Kroencke Hall 47

5B Lankenau Hall (Residence) 17

3B LeBien Hall (College of Nursing

and Health Professions) 41

3B LeBien Hall Annex 41A

4E Linwood House 35

3D Loke Hall 45

6D Meier Hall 2

3D Memorial Hall (Residence) 38

2D 807 Mound Street (Residence) 52

4D Meuller Hall (Christ College –

The Honors College) 36

5C Neils Science Center 11

6D The Observatory 3

5B Parking Ramp East (Ramp 8) 15

3B Parking Ramp West 42

5B Scheele Hall (Residence) 18

6C Schnabel Hall 8

7D Soccer and Intramural Fields 25

4C Softball Field 29

4C Tennis Complex 28

7E University Mail Center 22

4B The Uptown East Apartments 21

6C Urschel Hall (College of Business) 3C 7

5C Valparaiso University Center

for the Arts 10

2D Valparaiso University

Police Department 49

3C Warren G. Hoger Track 40

6C Wehrenberg Hall (Residence) 13

1D Wesemann Hall (Law School 54

CAMPUS MAP

28 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

VISIT VALPARAISO LAW

We invite you to experience our unique learning community for yourself by visiting our campus and meeting our students and professors.

As an admitted student, we encourage you to attend a personal visit day, where we prepare an experience tailored to your interests. Or, you can attend one of our Admitted Student Open Houses — group visit events where you can meet your professors and learn more about Valparaiso Law’s academic curriculum. We also host a Pre-Orientation event in June —another great event to prepare you for your entry in August and to get to know your future colleagues. If you have questions or would like to schedule your visit, please call 219-465-7821 or email [email protected].

IMPORTANT DATES

September 1, 2015

Application Opens for Fall 2016 Admission The Admissions Committee begins reviewing and releasing final decisions on a regular basis. Scholarship award decisions are released (no separate application required) at the same time as admit decisions.

October 3, 2015 LSAT administration

December 5, 2015 LSAT administration

February 6, 2016 LSAT administration

March 18, 2016 Admitted Student Open House

April 15, 2016 Admitted Student Open House

June 13, 2016 LSAT administration

July 15, 2016 Application Deadline for Fall 2016 Admission

ADMISSIONS

28 VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

WESEMANN HALL

656 S. GREENWICH STREET

VALPARAISO, INDIANA 46383

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

PHONE: 219.465.7821

FAX: 219.465.7975

EMAIL: [email protected]

www.valpo.edu/law/admissions

Valparaisolaw

Valparaiso University provides equality of opportunity to its applicants for admission, enrolled students, graduates, and employees. The University does not discriminate with respect to hiring, continuation of employment, promotion, and tenure, other employment practices, applications for admissions, or career services and placement on basis of race,

color, gender, age, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, or (as qualified herein) religion. An institution committed to its Lutheran tradition, the University reserves its right to promote the teaching of the Church and to exercise

preferences in admissions and employment-related practices in favor of Lutherans.

Valparaiso Univers i ty Law School

Documents

Valparaiso University Law School 2015 - 2016 Viewbook