Legal Writing Institute Renews Contract with Law School Through 2016

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MACON – Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law will remain the host law school for the Legal Writing Institute until at least 2016, renewing a previous five-year contract, which began in 2003.

With close to 2,000 members representing all ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, the Legal Writing Institute is a nonprofit corporation that exchanges ideas about legal writing and provides a forum for research and scholarship about legal writing and legal analysis. The Institute promotes new activities through a bi-annual newsletter, an annual scholarly journal, and an annual conference.

In 2009, Mercer Law School was ranked the nation’s No. 1 legal writing program among all ABA-accredited law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” The seven-year contract renewal means Mercer Law School will continue to host the LWI until at least 2016.

“We’re delighted that the connection between the LWI and Mercer Law School will continue,” said Mercer law professor Linda Berger, founder and current editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors. Berger is also the law school’s representative to the LWI board. “It’s an honor to support the institute’s work in strengthening legal education by supporting the development of legal-writing teaching and scholarship.”

In addition to Berger, Legal Writing faculty members at Mercer Law School include professors David Ritchie, Jennifer Sheppard, Karen Sneddon and Sue Painter-Thorne. The law school’s Yonna Shaw provides administrative support for LWI, including maintaining membership lists, organizing records, overseeing election procedures, and working closely with LWI incoming presidents and treasurers for logistical support.

“This is a wonderful relationship for the law school, and I am grateful for the collective commitment that makes it possible for the relationship to continue,” said Mercer Law School Dean Daisy Hurst Floyd.
 
For information about Mercer Law School’s legal writing program, visit www.law.mercer.edu/academics/legal_writing/about.cfm

About Mercer Law School:
The Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law is ranked among the Top 100 law schools in the United States, and its legal writing program is ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 ranking of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” Founded in 1873, Mercer Law School is among the oldest in the nation. Its innovative Woodruff Curriculum – which focuses on ethics and practical skills amid small class sizes – earned the Gambrell Professionalism Award from the American Bar Association for its “depth of excellence.” With a total enrollment of about 400 students, taught by some of the sharpest legal minds in the country, Mercer Law School is recognized as one of the nation’s best. For more information about Mercer Law School, visit our Web site at www.law.mercer.edu or call (478) 301-5000.

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