Dean's Message
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Willamette University College of Law and to invite you to get to know us better.Choosing the law school that is right for you may be the most important step in your pursuit of a successful career in law. You have many choices, because there are many good law schools around the country. In my more than 30 years in legal education, I have taught at a few of them. When I came to Willamette in 1999, I knew this was a fine law school. Since then, I have come to appreciate the many intangibles that make this such a great place to study law.
Willamette is a welcoming and nurturing community, because everybody who studies and works here is excited to be here. It is a selective and intimate school with a small enrollment and close teacher-student interaction. It has a terrific faculty with an amazing array of practical experience and scholarly expertise that is patiently and methodically conveyed to our students every day.
This viewbook attempts to give you a taste of Willamette and a glimpse at its rich history. Yes, sometimes we brag a bit about this being the first law school in the Northwest. But this long history translates into tangible benefits for our students, because it gives us the confidence and patience to take the long-term view and do things “the right way.” We don’t just impart practical skills. We educate the whole person. We produce well-rounded, competent lawyers who are able and ready to compete with the very best anywhere.
But don’t take my word for it. Test our case: Read on. Come visit. Get to know us better and compare us with other fine law schools across the country. We encourage and welcome the comparison. We believe you will discover that Willamette University College of Law is the right school for you.
Warmest regards,
Symeon C. Symeonides
Dean and Professor of Law
Willamette University College of Law
