Class of 2027 on their first day of Orientation at Catholic Law
Catholic Law in Washington, DC recently welcomed an impressive 126 new students to its full-time and part-time programs, representing thirty states and over eighty colleges across the nation. According to first-year student Claire Smrt from Kansas, “You cannot quite capture the feeling of a place when you are touring. My gut and tour guide told me that everyone here is very kind and helpful, but I am shocked by just how true it really is. This is a very unique law school!”
While some students transitioned directly from undergraduate studies, others brought valuable professional experience, with backgrounds including Assistant Vice President, Registered Nurse, Legislative Correspondent, Chief Operating Officer, and Senior Paralegal. The diverse array of experiences spans various sectors, such as law, government, healthcare, and education.
This fall, Catholic Law has transformed its highly regarded Part-Time Evening Program into a hybrid format. This allows students to attend classes online on two designated evenings per week and in-person on the other two evenings, creating a balance between full-time jobs and legal studies while fostering a sense of community within the law school. Evening student Noah Mitchell, who works in the DC area, believes that the hybrid model has eased his transition to law school. He remarked, “It offers the best of both worlds: in-person instruction from exceptional faculty combined with the flexibility to continue advancing my career.”
Catholic Law’s encouraging and supportive community allows students to focus on their studies within a collegial environment that values diverse backgrounds as assets and promotes personal growth through healthy discussions of differing perspectives. Law student Jackie Magner remarked, “What a great atmosphere to learn and grow. I see a wide spectrum of opportunities.” In addition, Pete Leggett, a University of Virginia graduate, shared, “I am so glad to be here. It’s quite the happy accident. I love it, and I have already found my people; the mission and focus on service resonate with me.”
First-generation law student Ian Macari, in conversation with alumni, was assured he would thrive at Catholic Law. He noted, “Alumni from other schools didn’t recommend or seem to have the same feelings about their law schools. Now that I’ve started, I find the people here are fantastic.”
Faculty members at Catholic Law are not just experts in their fields; they are passionate educators dedicated to both teaching and scholarship. What truly sets them apart is their commitment to building meaningful, one-on-one connections with students, ensuring personalized guidance and support throughout their law school journey. Reflecting on his experiences over the past eight weeks, Caden O'Neal observed, “Out of the one-hundred students my professors meet in a day, they are genuinely interested in all one-hundred.”
Noting a significant departure from typical law school stereotypes, students continually emphasize the unparalleled dedication of the faculty and staff, with a focus on mentorship and personalized attention. Commenting on classroom dynamics, particularly the practice of "cold calling," Olena Voloshyna said, “We have such a unique environment here.... Even the cold calls feel supportive rather than intimidating.” And, in the words of Cameron Nordstrom, “I believe this environment has been intentionally created and nurtured to help us all succeed. This is not what I imagined law school would be!”
To learn more about the impressive statistics of the Fall 2024 incoming class, the incredible employment outcomes for 2023 graduates, and other featured information about Catholic Law, click here to download the 2024 Profile Sheet. Law students quoted in the article are members of the Fall 2024 incoming class.