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Pre-Law Society Visits the University of Richmond School of Law
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by Bryan S. Vanetten '10
 On February 28, members of the Hampden-Sydney College Pre-Law Society
visited the University of Richmond School of Law. We left Hampden-Sydney at 7:00 that morning and
later met Everett Gardner, who graduated from
Hampden-Sydney in 2007 and currently attends Richmond Law. The first part of the tour began in Everett’s
very interesting environmental
law class which, for many members of the Pre-Law Society, was their first experience in a real
law school class.
The classroom was very modern, spacious, and comfortable. There were about thirty students in the class, which is very
small for an introductory law class. Professor Sachs, an assistant professor of law at Richmond, taught the class. He
was a very good speaker, interacted directly with students, answered questions from previous readings, and used effective
visuals to instruct the class. We were able to understand most of the terms used by
Professor Sachs and most of his references to specific cases.
After the class ended about 10:30, Everett took us on a personal tour of the Law School. Richmond Law prides
itself on its small classes, excellent professors, selectivity, and architectural beauty.
Much of the school is reminiscent of medieval Gothic architecture,
with vaulted ceilings, beautiful gardens, and Gothic windows and doorways. Everett took us around the law school and into the Moot Court Room, which is a vast chamber where mock trials are held. We visited the law school’s library
and admissions office and took a tour of the law professors' offices. Everett
showed us his unique space, a private study carrel. In the back of the library, each law student is assigned an
individual study carrel for the duration of his or her time at the law school.
We continued our tour and visited the student break room and the career
development office and ran into Professor Hamilton Bryson, who graduated from
Hampden-Sydney College in 1963 and is the current Blackstone Professor of Law at
Richmond. Later the members met with Dean Rahman, Assistant Dean of
Admissions, and discussed various topics of admissions and our
majors at Hampden-Sydney, and she answered our questions about Richmond Law.
Overall, every member of the Pre-Law Society who visited Richmond Law was very
impressed. We all were very honored by how well we were received on campus, the amount of individual attention we
were shown, the beauty of the campus, and the
amazing program offered at Richmond Law. For me, Richmond Law is now a top choice in my pursuit of a law degree.
On
behalf of the Pre-Law Society, I would like to personally thank Everett Gardner, Dean Rahman,
Professor Sachs, Richmond Law School Admissions, and Hampden-Sydney College for
making this amazing opportunity available to us.
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