The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) welcomed its incoming first-year students with Catholic Law Orientation 2022. The three-day orientation began on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, with a welcome to the Classes of 2025 and 2026 (Day Division and Evening Division respectively). Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Mary Graw Leary made opening remarks, being the first to welcome the new class of students. Dean Graw Leary then introduced Dean Stephen C. Payne. Dean Payne excitedly addressed the group, welcoming them to the Catholic Law community.
The program transitioned into its morning information session, a 1L Faculty Panel moderated by Professor Veryl Miles where professors discussed “How to Succeed in Law School: The Faculty Perspective.” Members of the Catholic Law faculty added voices of welcome and introduced themselves, their specialties, and the courses they teach.
After the welcome luncheon, the afternoon continued with additional information sessions including: “Introduction to Academic and Bar Support at Catholic Law,” “Law School Study Strategies: How to Read and Brief a Case and Introduction to the IRAC Method,” “Introduction to Counseling Services,” and “Implicit Bias Training for the Legal Profession.” Each session provided students with tips on how to navigate these important resources that are available to them. Students were then invited to the Law School courtyard for a welcome gathering hosted by the Student Bar Association (SBA) and the Evening Law Students Association (ELSA).
Day two provided additional opportunities for both day and evening division students to acquaint themselves with the Catholic Law community and the expectations of law school. Students experienced an introductory class and received introductions to financial planning for law students, Catholic Law research services, Court Structure and Stare Decisis, career development at Catholic Law, and other support services. They also heard the student perspective on “How to Succeed in Law School.”
The day concluded with closing remarks from Dean Payne and then each new student took the induction oath— led by The Honorable Coral Wong Pietsch ’74, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims —ready to begin their law student careers.
The final day of Catholic Law Orientation 2022 included a full day of community service in which students connected with the members of the Brookland community and lived into the Law School’s mission of service.
Class of 2025 
Class of 2026