AB INITIO - THE BIRTH OF A LAW SCHOOL

Throughout this series of articles, I’ve tried to articulate a number of answers to the question of why build a new law school. Why build a law school in an area where there are already three fine law schools? Why build a legal education institution at a time when there seems to be a plethora of lawyers in this country?

The feasibility study gave a number of answers to these “why” questions, including the fact that, despite the number of lawyers, many in our society are under-represented. Beyond that, the main reason given for reopening the University of St. Thomas School of Law has been the belief by the University officers and trustees that there was a need for another faith-based law school - a place that could consider, in depth, the intriguing questions of law and morality - a place that might inspire specially motivated legal representatives and other leaders.

It has occurred to the author that it might help readers understand the answer to the “Why?” questions if we hear it from others. Why are people deciding to come to the St. Thomas School of Law?

A faculty member, who had an outstanding academic record at prestigious undergraduate and law schools, and who followed significant practice experience with five years of teaching at Notre Dame Law School, wrote the following to students already accepted into St. Thomas’ foundation class: “The most striking thing that I learned [while teaching at Notre Dame] was how different the experience of law school is for students at a faith-based school like Notre Dame than my experience at the decidedly secular [law school I attended as a student]. As my students graduated from Notre Dame and started practicing law, I saw that this difference results in a high proportion of well-balanced, decent, and honorable lawyers. I decided to join St. Thomas’ new law school because I am convinced that the University is wholeheartedly committed to establishing a similarly different experience of legal education at its new law school.”

Another faculty member, with longtime experience at another school, reflected: “I decided to join the faculty at UST, because I believe that a law school that sees itself as a faith community will nurture what is best in each person: faculty, staff, and students alike. Additionally, I believe that every single student will be important at UST, and that will make a difference not only to their law school experience, but also to the lawyers they will become. I believe that at UST, we will help students to strive for academic excellence, but also to develop and refine their core beliefs and values, and to integrate those with their work in the law.”

The new law school has received an application from a remarkable woman. She is a humanitarian who has already “walked-the-walk” and wants to go farther. She and her husband have adopted several children who have disabilities. These children came to their new family with a range of disabilities, described by the non biological mother as: “appeared severely mentally retarded”...”severe heart problems”...”Deaf/Blind”...”profound physical disability”...”severely retarded, autistic and self-injurious”...”dying and no one knew how to save her.” The success of the loving care given by this woman and her husband is evidenced by other excerpts from the applicant’s personal statement: “Eight years later, he is healthier than anyone imagined”...”She is now fully verbal, included at school and rarely has behavioral problems. She is no longer considered autistic.” And the child who was dying: “She is now thriving.”

Why does this woman, with great successes in her life already, want to go to law school? Why apply to St. Thomas? She explains in her personal statement: “ I plan to use my law degree to ensure that children and adults with disabilities and their families receive the support necessary to optimize and maximize community integration for all. The University of St. Thomas School of Law interests me greatly. As Dean David Link states in the q&a section of the Making the Case brochure: ‘There is a need for schools that go beyond intellectual formation and look at social, cultural and spiritual formation plus the moral value of law and the role of lawyers’... I believe this program would be a great match for me.”

Another applicant notes that, although he had a very high LSAT score, he had not decided to attend law school. He had trouble seeing past the negative stereotypes of those practicing law. But, after reading a brochure, he decided to apply to this new school stating: “I knew that the university’s promise of integrating faith and reason and focusing on morality and social justice was a promise I wanted to experience.” This applicant also declares: “A school that focuses its efforts on ethics, that challenges a student to be not only a good lawyer but also a good human being, is an environment in which I want to study.” His conclusion: “In truth, the University of St. Thomas is the only law school to which I am applying, the only law school that seems to fit my perceptions and beliefs about what a law school should be.”

Undoubtedly, there are many reasons that faculty members or students will decide to go to a particular law school. Certainly some students have chosen to apply to St. Thomas School of Law because of the significant amount of financial aid (it would be hard to resist a free legal education). Others are attracted by the loan forgiveness plan, the prospect of an interdisciplinary clinic, or some other aspect of the social justice program. However, as the faculty and student applications quoted above illustrate, the most attractive feature is often the mission. For a new educational enterprise, the lesson here is that vision counts.

Why start a new law school at this time? The simplest answer is that it is being started for people like the faculty and student applicants quoted above. They deserve a special kind of place. To expand on a theme noted in an earlier column, if we build the right kind of place, the right kind of people will come.

David T. Link
Dean
University of St. Thomas School of Law

posted April 1, 2001

For more information please contact:

University of St. Thomas School of Law
MPL 440
1000 LaSalle Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55403

E-mail: Lawschool@stthomas.edu
Web: http://www.stthomas.edu/lawschool

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