Elon University School of Law Students Poised to Meet High Demand
How many aspiring lawyers does it take to fill a class at Elon University? Answer: about 115.
That’s no joke. It’s the number in the university’s first class of law students.
The Elon University School of Law opened in August 2006 in Greensboro‚ 25 miles from the main campus‚ where the overall enrollment is 5‚230.
The law school’s formation followed a four-year planning process‚ from conception to enrollment.
“We worked with the community and raised $10 million and got a public facility‚ a former public library building‚” says Dan Anderson‚ director of university relations. “We totally renovated the building. We took it right down the concrete floor and built it right back up.”
There are a couple of reasons the law school campus is separate from the main one. The first is better access to courts and major law firms‚ where there are opportunities for internships and clerkships. The second is that the Greensboro community made financial resources available.
The reason for opening a new law school at all was the low number of lawyers per capita in the state‚ Anderson says.
“The projected job market for graduates is very good‚” he adds.
Elon stands apart from other law schools with its active‚ engaged learning approach‚ where students participate in community organizations. In its preceptor program‚ local judges and attorneys form mentoring relationships with the students.
“Another unique thing is that the North Carolina Business Court is in the building‚” Anderson adds. “We’re one of the few in the nation where there is a working court within the school where students can observe and study.”
