Starting your legal education with a solid foundation

Washburn Law's orientation is a weeklong program dedicated to acclimating our new students to the study of law at Washburn. During this time, you will be introduced to legal research and writing, how to brief a case and strategies for success. In addition, you will have opportunities to familiarize yourself with all things Washburn Law, and equally important, you'll have a chance to meet your new classmates and professors.

Assignments: Readings to be completed before January 13, 2026

Background readings on professionalism (required)

Assignments for the Academic Skills classes

Updated 1/5/2026

In addition to completing the reading assignments, attempt to write a case brief not exceeding two pages of 12-pt single-space serif font for both of the cases assigned.

Prior to the start of your for-credit classes, you should complete a brief for each case and take a hardcopy of your brief with you to the first day of class (August 23) when you will also be assessed on your class preparation. 
A student smiles while dressed professionally in one of the courtroom classrooms.
First week schedule

Breaks are NOT noted on the schedule, but will be provided throughout the day as needed.

All sessions will be in Robert J. Dole Hall, room 150, unless noted. While modifications may occur to this schedule, in-person attendance is required for all events unless otherwise noted and/or due to inclement weather.

In cases of inclement weather, programs will be held via Zoom.

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Breakfast, Check-in and Photos – Robert J. Dole Hall, Smith Student Commons

  • Directory photos will be taken at this time. Please dress/prepare accordingly.

10:00-10:30 a.m. – Welcome

  • Dean Jeff Jackson
  • WSBA President Michael Gallegos and Vice-President Abby Harding

10:30-Noon – Law School Resources   

  • Academic Accommodations
  • Professionalism Mentors
  • Academic Support and Bar Passage
  • Library and Tech Staff
  • Student Organizations
  • Student Lockers
  • Emergency Loan programs
  • Building/Scheduling
  • Enrollment/Student Records
  • Journal, Moot Court and Competition Teams
  • Centers, Internships, Externships and Clinic

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lunch - provided - Smith Student Commons 

1:00-2:00 p.m. – Professionalism Small Group Program/Mentor Introductions and Building Tour

  • Explanation of Program Introduction of Small Group Mentors

2:00–3:30 p.m. – D2L Tutorial - Library Resources and Laptop Setup

  • Students will get their Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis database account information and have an introductory training session on how to use these databases, Zoom, and D2L (the Learning Management System used by Washburn).
  • Laptop and Printer Setup
  • Frequently used Library Resources and Library Tour
  • D2L/Tutorial – Panorama Tools

3:30-4:30 p.m. – Washburn University Campus Resources

  • Washburn University Financial Aid
  • Washburn University Recreation and Wellness Center
  • Washburn Law Student Emergency Loan Program.
  • Washburn University Alumni Association Emergency Assistance Grant
  • Washburn University Food Bank – BFB Outpost
  • Washburn University Police Department/iALERT 785.670.1300
  • Washburn University Health Services 785.670.1470
  • Washburn University Counseling Services 785.670.3100
  • Washburn University Campus Advocate
  • Washburn University EEOC Office
  • Washburn University Study Abroad

8:30 a.m. – Coffee – Smith Student Commons

9:00 a.m. – Class Photo – Smith Student Commons

9:15-10:00 a.m. – Planning for a Meaningful Legal Career

10:00-11:00 a.m. – Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program and Wellness (ABA Standard 303)

11:00-11:45 a.m. – Academic Support and Bar Passage Resources
  • Professor Chelsea Baldwin, Director for Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage Programs
  • Professor Andrew Stewart, Assistant Director for Academic Enrichment and Bar Readiness

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Pizza Lunch with Your Professionalism Mentor Group – Smith Student Commons/lobby

  • Pizza will be available and then your mentor will lead you to your meeting space.

1:00 -1:45 p.m. – Character and Fitness Qualifications for the Bar Exam, Character and Fitness information, disclosures and investigations required for licensure

  • Gayle Larkin, Disciplinary Administrator, Office of the Disciplinary Administrator
  • Laurel Klien Searles, Chief of Attorney Services, Kansas Supreme Court
  • Amanda Kohlman, Attorney Admissions Program Manager, Kansas Supreme Court, admissions@kscourts.org
  • Royetta Rodewald, Investigative Specialist, Office of the Disciplinary Administrator, rodewaldr@kscourts.org
  • Crystalyn Ellis, Director of Investigations, Office of the Disciplinary Administrator

1:45-2:15 p.m. – Amending your Law School Application

2:15-5:15 p.m. Academic Skills Program – Part I

  • Professor Chelsea Baldwin, Director for Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage Programs
  • Professor Andrew Stewart, Assistant Director for Academic Enrichment and Bar Readiness
  • This intensive program will introduce students to many of the basic skills and processes they need to succeed in law school. Students will begin the study of case law during the program and the process of learning how to extract critical information from case readings. Students will also be exposed to law school fact patterns and the mechanics of answering law school examination questions. These skills are not explicitly taught in the traditional legal education model, but the program represents Washburn's commitment to cutting-edge legal pedagogy that is supported by modern educational research.
  • The Academic Skills Program is required for all J.D. students. It is optional for Transfer and Visiting students

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast – Smith Student Commons

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Academic Skills Program – Part 2

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Lunch Provided – Smith Student Commons

1:00-3:00 p.m. – Academic Skills Program – Part 3

3:00-4:00 p.m. – Cross-Cultural Competency for Lawyers

  • Professor Michelle Ewert, Sheila Reynolds Chair, Washburn Law Clinic Director and Professor of Law

4:00-5:00 p.m. – Brown v. Board National Historic Park – 1515 SE Monroe, Topeka, KS

8:30 a.m. – Coffee

9:00-10:00 a.m. – Building a Sense of Belonging in Law School

  • Professor Emily Grant, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

10:00-11:00 a.m. – Professionalism and the Honor Code (Academic Section)

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Academic Integrity, Professional Responsibility and the Use of AI in Law School

  • Professor David Rubenstein, Ahrens Chair in Constitutional Law and Director of the Dole Center for Law and Government

 12:00–12:30 p.m. – Administration of Professionalism Oath

 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch – On Your Own

 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Academic Skills Program – Part 4

Regular class schedule begins
Other Activities Through the Semester Most law students are advised not to immerse themselves in other activities at the beginning of their first semester, until they find their footing and know how much time they will actually have.

  • Orientation to Your Professional Development Office – TBD 
  • Legal Resume and Cover Letter Workshop – TBD 

Dates TBD: Academic Support will email you details.

  • Welcome Back Event for all students: Details TBD and announced in the WSBA Newsletter, which is emailed to students each weekend. 
  • WSBA Fall Elections: Details TBD. 

  • Learn about student and non-student organizations at the Opportunity Fairs – Dates TBD. 
  • Feel free to contact the organizations on your own at any time. See more about student organizations.

Non-Student Organizations Opportunity Fair 

  • Information about and opportunities with university, law school, and legal community organizations. 

Non-Washburn Organizations

Faculty, Staff, & WSBA leadership
There are some of the profiles and contact information for faculty, staff, and WSBA leadership that are listed on this page.

Jeffrey Jackson

Dean, professor of law
Jeffrey's profile
Jeffrey Jackson

Emily Grant

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Emily's profile
Emily Grant

Danielle Dempsey-Swopes

Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Danielle's profile
Danielle Dempsey-Swopes

Chelsea Baldwin

Associate Professor of Law, Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage
Chelsea's profile
Chelsea Baldwin

Michelle Ewert

Sheila Reynolds Chair, Washburn Law Clinic and Professor of Law
Michelle's profile
Michelle Ewert

Tammy King

Assistant Dean for Professional Development
Tammy's profile
Tammy King

Glen McBeth

Instructional Technology, Law Library
Glen's profile
Glen McBeth

Lori McMillan

Director of LL.M. program, professor of law
Lori's profile
Lori McMillan

Ryan Purcell

Interim Director of Marketing Communications
Ryan's profile
Ryan Purcell

David Rubenstein

Ahrens Chair in Constitutional Law and Director of the Dole Center for Law and Government
David's profile
David Rubenstein

Thomas Sneed

Law Library Director, Professor of Law
Thomas' profile
Thomas Sneed

Priscilla Samarripa

Director Law School Admissions
Priscilla's profile
Priscilla Samarripa

Andrew Stewart

Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Readiness
Andrew's profile
Andrew Stewart

Bo Turney

Assistant Dean for Admissions
Bo's profile
Bo Turney

Michael Gallegos

WSBA President
Contact Michael

Abby Harding

WSBA Vice-President
Contact Abby
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