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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 14, 2025

Background readings on professionalism (required)

Your assignment for the Academic Skills class is to read and brief these four cases. You should have a completed brief for each case with you on the first day of class (January 21) when you will also be assessed on your class preparation. To aid you with the case reading and briefing assignments, here is an introductory guide to case law briefing, and instruction on how to read a legal opinion.
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.

ALERT: Slippery Conditions. Although the campus roads are mostly cleared of snow and ice, there are still slick spots in the parking lots and sidewalks. Please be careful when walking, especially to and from your vehicles.

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 at:
https://washburn.zoom.us/j/88011155115?pwd=zNbbkDhiaX7wi2KKsk6iGZKLC3cuCs.1
Meeting ID: 880 1115 5115
Passcode: 046132

9:00 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

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

  • Laptop/phone, Email, Wi-Fi, and Printer Setup
  • Frequently used Library Resources
  • 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 International House

8:30 a.m. – Coffee

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 – Pizza will be available in the Smith Student Commons/lobby and 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

  • Ms. Laurel Klien Searles – Chief of Attorney Services, Kansas Supreme Court
  • Ms. Amanda Kohlman – Attorney Admissions Program Manager, Kansas Supreme Court, admissions@kscourts.org
  • Ms. 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
  • 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. and LL.M. 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

  • Professor Chelsea Baldwin, Director for Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage

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

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)

  • Professor Emily Grant, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

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

 12:00–12:45 p.m. – Amending Your Law School Application and Administration of Professionalism Oath

 12:45-1:30 p.m. – Lunch – On Your Own

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

Regular class schedule begins