Dean's Welcome
Welcome to the Washburn University School of Law Web site. Whether you are a prospective student, a valued member of our alumni family, part of the national or local legal community, a member of the media, or someone simply interested in the essence of Washburn Law, I encourage you to explore our site, visit the law school, use our research tools, or call me or one of our staff members to get the information you desire.
As the new dean of the law school, I am honored to lead this dynamic and ground-breaking legal community into the future. Washburn Law has helped shape our nation's history. Since its beginning, the law school regularly admitted both women and minorities. The school also played an important role during the earliest moments of the Civil Rights movement. In 1953, law school alumni found themselves on both sides of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark civil rights case that would forever change our nation.
I believe Washburn Law's location in the heartland—where my roots were first established and are now firmly planted—offers a 360-degree view of the world and all its complexities and opportunities. This perspective helps us connect with our various constituents on a more personal level. We are able to anticipate and meet the needs of the next law school generation by observing, communicating, listening, and implementing.
Our proactive nature has produced "firsts" in many areas of legal education. As early as 1968, Washburn recognized that the practice of law was becoming increasingly global and responded with a summer study abroad program. In 1970, the Washburn Law Clinic became one of the nation's first in-house clinics. From its inception, faculty members teaching in the clinic have been on tenure track, placing our clinic at the forefront of legal education. Washburn's writing program sets the standard for others and received national recognition this year. Washburn's law library was one of the first to offer a web-based online catalog and consistently ranks high among law school libraries for its extensive collection and innovative use of technology.
You have not seen the last of our "firsts." It is my goal to continue this tradition of progress and excellence in legal education.
Thomas J. Romig
Dean
