The Elon University School of Law has been granted provisional accreditation by the American Bar Association, substantially meeting ABA standards for curriculum, faculty, facilities, funding, library and admissions. The ABA approval, achieved at the earliest possible date under accreditation guidelines, means that Elon Law graduates may take bar exams in any U.S. jurisdiction and may practice professionally with full rights after passing the bar.
“This milestone achievement is an important step toward realizing our vision of a nationally distinctive school of law at Elon University,” said Leo M. Lambert, Elon University president.
“We look forward to continuing our journey toward excellence, creating a law school that emphasizes preparation for leadership in society and Elon’s hallmark of engaged learning.”
Lambert said that many people share in the law school’s success, but noted that special thanks are due to the school’s students, faculty, staff and administration.
“They have been supported in their work by hundreds of people on the main campus, trustees, advisory board members and members of the Greensboro community. I extend grateful thanks and congratulations to all of you,” Lambert said.
Elon enrolled its charter law school class in fall 2006 and implemented a strategy to exceed all ABA requirements. According to the ABA timeline, Elon applied for provisional approval in fall 2007 and spent the past academic year conducting a self study and hosting ABA representatives who did a thorough review of all aspects of the school. Under the ABA rules, Elon Law will become eligible for full approval in summer 2010.
“The ABA approval perfectly positions Elon Law to continue its progress toward becoming a national model of engaged learning in legal education,” said David Gergen, chair of the school’s advisory board and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
“From the outset, the goal has been to create a law school with a difference, one that prepares lawyers who embrace their roles as society’s problem-solvers and leaders,” Gergen said.
The ABA action came at the meeting of the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, which met in Seattle June 6-8. Elon was one of two schools to receive provisional approval, bringing the total number of ABA-approved schools to 200. The ABA’s Accreditation Committee recommended provisional approval for Elon Law at its meeting in April.
“We believe the ABA team that visited the school was impressed by Elon Law’s facilities, faculty and staff, technology resources and our approach to legal education,” said Leary Davis, founding dean of the law school. “In a very short time, we have built a program that is drawing interest from around the nation. We are especially proud of our focus on leadership and the opportunities our students have to interact with people who have a legacy of civic involvement and community service.”
When the third class enrolls at Elon Law this fall, the school will have approximately 325 students. Outstanding faculty and staff members have been recruited from around the world, providing a diverse set of backgrounds and expertise to the school. Students are also assigned preceptors, practicing attorneys who mentor and guide their professional development.
The 84,000-square-foot law school facility in downtown Greensboro includes a multimillion-dollar library, the latest technology and a spacious courtroom that also serves as the home of the North Carolina Business Court, making Elon Law one of only a handful of law schools in the nation to house a working court.
Interest in Elon Law has been strong from the outset, as students learned of the school’s distinctive curriculum and strong ties with the legal profession. About 500 students applied for the 110 class positions in each of the last two years; enrolling students had an LSAT median score of 153 and a grade point average of 3.2. Applications for next fall’s class are up 7 percent from 2007, with most positions in the class already filled.
In addition to strong financial support and advocacy from individuals, corporations and foundations and law firms in Greensboro, Elon Law has assembled an advisory board of prominent public servants, judges, attorneys and business leaders. In addition to chair David Gergen, members include former North Carolina governors James Holshouser and Jim Hunt; former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justices James Exum, Henry Frye and Rhoda Bryan Billings; former ABA president A.P. Carlton; former U.S. Ambassador to Finland Bonnie McElveen Hunter; and business leader Robert E. (Bobby) Long Jr.
About Elon University School of Law
Location: $10 million law center in downtown Greensboro, N.C., adjacent to federal and state courts, government offices and major law firms
Year founded: 2006
Enrollment: Approximately 325 (fall 2008)
Faculty and deans: 22
Distinguished faculty and coaches-in-residence: 4
Administrators and staff: 20
Founding Dean: Leary Davis
Elon University President: Leo M. Lambert
Advisory Board:
David Gergen (chair), former adviser to four U.S. presidents and director of the Center for Public Leadership, Harvard University
Noel Allen, partner, Allen and Pinnix, PA
Rhoda Bryan Billings, N.C. Supreme Court, 1985-86, chief justice 1986; president, N.C. Bar Association, 1991-92
R. Steve Bowden, principal, R. Steve Bowden Associates
Alfred (A.P.) Carlton Jr., partner, Allen and Pinnix, PA; President, American Bar Association, 2002-03
Donald R. Dancer, executive vice president/chief administrative officer, International Rectifier Corporation
David L. DeVries, partner, Kaplan DeVries, Inc.; senior fellow, Center for Creative Leadership
James G. Exum, Smith Moore LLP; N.C. Supreme Court, 1974-94, chief justice, 1986-94
Henry E. Frye, special counsel, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP; N.C. Supreme Court, 1983-2000, chief justice, 1999-2000; N.C. legislator 1968-82
Ellen M. Gregg, partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC
James E. Holshouser, senior partner, The Sanford Holshouser Law Firm LLP; N.C. governor, 1973-77
James B. Hunt, partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC; N.C. governor, 1977-1985, 1993-2001
Robert E. (Bobby) Long Jr., Granville Capital, Inc.
Thomas P. (Pat) Maroney, principal owner, Maroney, Williams, Weaver & Pancake PLLC
Bonnie McElveen Hunter, chair of the American Red Cross; founder and CEO, Pace Communications; U.S. ambassador to Finland 2001-2003
William (Bill) McNairy, partner, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP
Maureen Kelley O’Connor, chief administrative officer and general counsel, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Edmond Seferi, partner, McKee Nelson, LLP; chief of staff to the president of Albania, 1992-1994
James C. (Jack) Spencer Jr., resident superior court judge, Judicial District 15A
Jonathan Wall, partner, Robertson, Medlin & Troutman PLLC