George Washington University School of Law
http://www.law.gwu.edu/Pages/Default.aspx
History
In the early years of the Republic, when the nation’s new capital was no more than a small collection of public buildings separated by pastureland, President George Washington advised Congress to establish a national university at the seat of government. His goal was to educate future generations of civil servants and thereby forge a national identity based on “principles friendly to republican government and to the true and genuine liberties of mankind.” He left in his will fifty shares of stock in the Potowmack Canal Company for the endowment of a university “to which the youth of fortune and talents from all parts thereof might be sent for the completion of their Education in all the branches of polite literature—in arts and Sciences—in acquiring knowledge in the principles of Politics & good Government.”
Though it would be decades before George Washington’s namesake university would be established by an Act of Congress, the George Washington University Law School—established in 1865—was the first law school in the District of Columbia. Today, the school continues to embody the aspirations of the nation’s first president.
GW Law at a Glance
Established in 1865, The George Washington University Law School is the oldest law school in the District of Columbia. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools. The Law School is located on the GW campus in the downtown Washington, D.C. area familiarly known as Foggy Bottom. The main Law School complex is located at 2000 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052. Telephone 202.994.6260.
Student Body
The Law School has a total enrollment of about 2,000 students. Approximately 1,395 students are in the full-time division for the J.D. degree and 285 are enrolled in the part-time division; 320 students, many from abroad, are enrolled in graduate law degree programs.