The Red Velvet Lawyer

The Appalachian School of Law Education Law Association Students created this organization in December 2009. Mission Statement The ELA promotes awareness and understanding of the issues surrounding the law of education, both in the public and private sector.  It promotes interest in and understanding of the legal framework of education and the rights of students, parents, school boards, and school employees.  Student members are committed to the strong support of local education programs and work with interested parties to attain common goals through active participation in community service activities.  Any ASL student or alumnus may join the ELA.  

The Appalachian School of Law Sutin Public Interest Association (SPIA) The Sutin Public Interest Association recognizes the deep-seated commitment our former Dean, L. Anthony (Tony) Sutin, held for serving the public. Dean Sutin had a distinguished  career  as a Harvard Law graduate holding a top job in the U.S. Department of Justice before moving to Grundy in 1999.  He hoped the school would enhance economic development in the area and train pubic service-minded lawyers.  The law school continues that focus on service to the community and to the public through its curricular  and co- curricular   programs and student organizations.  I blogged about ASL's award-winning community service program  here . Mission Statement The Sutin Public Interest Association promotes awareness, educates, and empowers public-service-minded law students to uphold Dean Sutin's strong beliefs in serving the public. Any member of the student body...

The August 2013 issue of preLaw: A National Jurist Publication features the Appalachian School of Law in its article entitled: "Small and Personable." The article focuses on 12 law schools -- located in Virginia, West Virginia and eastern Tennessee -- that offer small class sizes and a personal touch. The discussion of ASL notes that its founders decided to place the law school in the heart of central Appalachia so it could serve the region in many ways. It quotes our fabulous Dean, Lucy McGough, saying: We are committed to and take great pride in our "Cheers Effect."  Here at ASL, everybody not only knows your name, but also is invested in your success in law school, in passing the bar, and in ensuring your professional career.  It notes ASL's focus on experiential learning leading to practice-ready skills.  It recognizes our nationally known externship program . It also describes our upper level focus on dispute resolution , our bar exam prep cou...

My bragging marathon about the Appalachian School of Law continues. Award-Winning Community Service Program ASL has twice won the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. In 2007, it was one of six recipients to win it. The sponsors of the Honor Roll include the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps., and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Selection factors include the scope and innovative nature of the program, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. Emphasis on Serving the Community Since the founding of the Appalachian School of Law, students have provided over 100,000 hours of community service.   The founders of ASL made community service one of the three focuses of the school.  ASL s...

A Mission Tied to Its Locality As I noted in an earlier blog, I am using this week to remind faculty, students, alumni, and entering students why the Appalachian School of Law is so special.  Let's move to its unique mission. The Mission Appalachian School of Law (ASL) is a mission-driven school created by local business, legal, and political leaders concerned about the well-being of people living in the central Appalachian Mountains.   ASL’s founders hoped to create an opportunity for central Appalachians to see beyond their own mountain valleys and, having done so, to return home with greater insight, effective legal skills, leadership ambitions, high ethical standards, and a commitment to community service.    A 2008 student survey, conducted in conjunction with the strategic planning process, revealed that on average the parents of ASL students only had “some college” or a “2-year degree.”  Thirty-four percent of our students rep...