The Columns » Series The Columns » Experience, W&L Law » Washington and Lee University
The
Columns
Feature
Stories
Campus
Events
All
Stories
Experience, W&L Law
Experience, W&L Law
April 14, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Allie R. Cyr ‘26L and Emma Claire Canterbury ’26L
Allie Cyr and Emma Claire Canterbury discuss their time in the Criminal Justice Clinic.
Experience, W&L Law
April 9, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Hazel Fernandez ‘26L
Hazel Fernandez learned what kind of lawyer she wants to become during her externship with the Virginia Court of Appeals.
Experience, W&L Law
March 27, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Lucie Cao ’26L
Lucie Cao gained valuable experience in corporate law working for the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Experience, W&L Law
March 25, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Sanat Wuernikebai ’26L
Sanat Wuernikebai worked on numerous cases for the Imperial County District Attorney's office in California.
Experience, W&L Law
March 18, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Blair Brown ’26L
Blair Brown spent her 3L year as a student attorney in the Tax Clinic.
In Case You Missed It
Experience, W&L Law
March 5, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Allison Hermann ’26L
Allison Hermann participated in the general externship program, working in the Augusta County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Staunton.
Experience, W&L Law
February 16, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Symone Gibbs ’26L
No two days looked the same for Symone Gibbs during her externship with Blue Ridge Legal Services.
Experience, W&L Law
February 10, 2026
Experience Spotlight: Jamie Rowley ‘27L
Jamie Rowley completed an externship this fall with NOCAP sports, one of the leading NIL companies in the college sports economy.
Experience, W&L Law
December 18, 2025
Immigrant Rights Clinic Client Wins Citizenship after 15-Year Struggle
The clinic first assisted the client, a woman from Central America, with an asylum claim.
Experience, W&L Law
October 29, 2025
Summer Experience: Julia Lanning ’26L
Julia Lanning spent the summer as a student case worker in the Black Lung Clinic.
Experience, W&L Law
September 9, 2025
Summer Experience: Caroline Penfield ’26L
This summer, Caroline Penfield worked at the Public Defender’s Office in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Experience, W&L Law
June 26, 2025
Immigrant Rights Clinic Prevails in Six Year Asylum Case
The clinic secured asylum for a client who was persecuted in his home country for his political beliefs.
Experience, W&L Law
April 11, 2025
Third-Year Law Student Argues Black Lung Benefits Case Before Fourth Circuit
Annelise Burgess '25L argued the case as a student attorney in W&L Law’s Advanced Administrative Law Clinic, better known as the Black Lung Clinic.
Career Paths
April 10, 2025
W&L Law Releases 2024 Graduate Employment Report
According to the report, 95 percent of the class of 2024 secured a job that either requires bar passage or for which a J.D. degree is an advantage.
Experience, W&L Law
March 28, 2025
A Collaborative Partnership
This fall, Ana Laura Gonzalez Coria ‘25L was as an extern at Scognamiglio Law Firm in Naples, Italy.
Experience, W&L Law
March 4, 2025
Criminal Justice Clinic Students Win Freedom for Client Due to Ineffective Counsel
Katie Heller ‘24L and Nina Gagnon ‘24L gained valuable practice experience before beginning careers as public defenders.
Experience, W&L Law
February 26, 2025
A Relentless Pace
This fall, Jermaine Jones '25L was an extern with the Delaware Court of the Chancery.
Experience, W&L Law
February 21, 2025
At Work with Brilliant Minds
This fall, Cory Morris '22, '25L worked at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Experience, W&L Law
February 17, 2025
Asking the “Why”
Mikayla Nasis '25L reflects on working in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office for Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington.
Experience, W&L Law
February 13, 2025
In House at USAG
Lillian Weitz '22, '25L spent the fall semester working for USA Gymnastics.
Experience, W&L Law
February 11, 2025
Committed to Service
Olivia Scheidt ‘25L discusses her experience as a student attorney in the Community Legal Practice Center.
Experience, W&L Law
February 10, 2025
Achieving Just Outcomes
Spencer Thomas '25L discusses his externship with the Commonwealth's Attorney in Roanoke.
Experience, W&L Law
December 5, 2024
Meet Siju Oshin ’26L: Legal Fellow with the International Refugee Assistance Project
This semester, Siju Oshin is working in an independent research position with a global legal aid and advocacy organization.
Accolades
May 16, 2024
Black Lung Clinic Wins Case in Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Haley Carter '24L argued the case as a student attorney in the clinic.
Accolades
April 24, 2024
W&L Law Student Argues Case before Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Haley Carter '24L argued the case as a student attorney in W&L Law’s Advanced Administrative Law Clinic, better known as the Black Lung Clinic.
Experience, W&L Law
April 9, 2024
Good Work for Good People
Taryn Washburn ‘24L discusses her experience working with clients in the Trusts and Estates Practicum.
Experience, W&L Law
February 23, 2024
A Client-Focused Experience
Colin Matthaei ‘24L spent the fall semester working in the Intellectual Property group at Nixon Peabody in Washington, D.C.
Experience, W&L Law
February 16, 2024
Clinic Students Win Asylum for Afghanistan Human Rights Advocate
The case spanned nearly two years and involved two sets of clinic students who worked to secure the outcome.
Experience, W&L Law
January 24, 2024
Gaining Insight at Juvenile and Domestic Court
Lexi Acosta '24L spent the fall semester as a judicial extern in the Roanoke City Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Experience, W&L Law
December 12, 2023
Empowered in the Immigrant Rights Clinic
Jose Lopez '24L describes his clinical experience and trip to Mexico City to advise migrants and refugees on the U.S. asylum process.
Experience, W&L Law
December 5, 2023
Trial Experience at the Department of Labor
Madison Howell ’24L spent the semester as an extern in the litigation office of the Plan Benefits Security Division.
Career Paths
September 13, 2023
Summer Experience: Yardley Borten ’25L
Yardley Borten spent the summer as a legal intern at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP) in Washington, D.C.
Experience, W&L Law
May 15, 2023
Real Practice in the Black Lung Clinic
Lexi Weber '23L discusses her year helping miners get federal benefits.
Experience, W&L Law
April 17, 2023
Overcoming Barriers in the Refugee Protection Practicum
Anne Rodgers '20, '23L writes about her experience using creativity and emotion in her work helping her client seek asylum.
Experience, W&L Law
April 13, 2023
More than a Number
In the Rights of Prisoners practicum, Courtney Ebersohl '24L urges the Virginia Parole Board to see past the crime.
Experience. W&L Law
March 31, 2023
Help During the Hardest Times
Mallory Kostroff ‘23L discusses her year as a student attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic.
International Law
March 16, 2023
International Human Rights Practicum in Tanzania
Audrey Curelop '23L discusses a recent research trip to Tanzania as part of the International Human Rights Practicum.
Experience, W&L Law
March 8, 2023
Real Practice in the Immigrant Rights Clinic
Winni Zhang '24L discusses her work in the Immigrant Rights Clinic, where she has been able handle important legal matters from start to finish.
Experience, W&L Law
March 1, 2023
With the Delaware Court of the Chancery
Melissa May ’23L spent the fall semester as an extern in the Delaware Court of Chancery under Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will.
Experience, W&L Law
February 8, 2023
Connecting with Clients in the Tax Clinic
Ben Halligan '23L discusses his year as a student attorney in the Tax Clinic, helping clients resolve post-filing controversies with the IRS.
Experience, W&L Law
February 1, 2023
With the Brooklyn Defender Service
Shannon McGrath ‘23L spent the fall working in the criminal defense practice of the Brooklyn Defender Service.
Experience, W&L Law
January 31, 2023
Clerking for the EEOC
Nikolaus Smith '23L spent the fall semester as a judicial extern for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Experience, W&L Law
January 19, 2023
A Semester in New York
This fall, Joseph Aminov '23L researched cryptocurrency and other emerging financial technologies with the law firm Pryor Cashman.
Experience, W&L Law
November 8, 2022
Law Students Argue Case in 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
Sica Matsuda ‘23L and Brian Warren ‘23L were assigned the case as part of their work with the school’s Criminal Justice Clinic.
Experience, W&L Law
February 17, 2022
W&L Law Professor and Students Win Pardon for Excessive Sentence
Ronald Davis was given 80 years in prison—an effective life sentence—for a series of armed robberies where no one was hurt and he never held a gun.
Experience, W&L Law
November 12, 2021
Planning for the Future
W&L Law students offer free estate planning to area residents.
Experience, W&L Law
November 4, 2021
Starting Up
W&L Law students help launch local businesses.
From the Magazine
August 23, 2021
Farewell to the VC3
Alumni and faculty reflect on the legacy of the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse, closing its doors after over 30 years serving capital defense attorneys.
Career Paths
February 1, 2021
2L Reflects on Tax Court Externship
Andrew Dagen '22L got the chance to work in the United States Tax Court in Washington D.C. after it reopened virtually this fall.
Engaged Community
October 23, 2020
Erin Hayes ’21L Works for Racial Justice in Texas
Third year law student Erin Hayes works pro bono as legislative director for the Racial Justice Coalition of Texas.
Experience, W&L Law
June 12, 2020
Black Lung Clinic Files Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Health Care Case
The brief seeks to protect two provisions of the Affordable Care Act that impact coal miners' ability to receive payments through the Black Lung Benefits Act.
International Law
April 1, 2020
Anti-corruption Efforts in Albania
3L Kyle Hess reflects on the Global Corruption and Good Governance Practicum.
Experience, W&L Law
March 27, 2020
The Delaware Court of Chancery
Melissa Lagoumis '20L writes about how a 3L externship changed her outlook and her career.
Experience, W&L Law
March 19, 2020
In-House at the UVA Hospital
Helen Gray Dunnavant '20L shares experiences from her internship last summer.
In the News
March 18, 2020
U.S. Senators Respond to a Case in W&L Law’s Immigrant Rights Clinic
Kevin Euceda, a Honduran immigrant seeking safety from persecution in the United States, saw confidential therapy notes used against him in court. Now, legislation has been introduced to stop the practice.
Experience, W&L Law
March 11, 2020
A Semester with Washington and Lee University’s Office of the General Counsel
Mary Kate Nicholson '20L reflects on her externship, saying the general counsel is a "jack of all trades."
Experience, W&L Law
March 9, 2020
Working in the Criminal Justice Clinic
Kasia Wiggins '20L, a future public defender, has advocated for clients during two bond hearings and two trials in the CJC.
Experience, W&L Law
March 6, 2020
Immigrant Rights Clinic Wins Asylum for Client after 20 Year Struggle
Student Caseworkers Andrew Salinas '20L and Isabella Gray '20L delivered strong, creative arguments that beat the odds.
Experience, W&L Law
January 31, 2020
The Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the DOJ
Bapi Bikkani '20L reflects on his semester working on environmental law issues in Washington, D.C.
Experience, W&L Law
November 19, 2019
Time Served
W&L Law students help long-serving inmates earn parole.
Experience, W&L Law
November 19, 2019
Day (and Night) at the Museum
Hannah Cloh is taking part in W&L Law’s residential externship in Washington, D.C., working at the Smithsonian Institution.
Experience, W&L Law
November 12, 2019
Anywhere Can Be Somewhere
W&L Law students and Ed Walker '96L bring his unique brand of community-based real estate development to Buena Vista.
Accolades
April 23, 2019
IRS Renews W&L Tax Clinic Federal Grant Award for Three Years
The Tax Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law has been awarded a matching grant by the Internal Revenue Service’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program Office. This is the twelfth straight year that the Tax Clinic has received federal dollars to support its efforts.
Experience, W&L Law
January 21, 2019
Semester in DC: Gabriella Passidomo at the U.S. Department of Energy
W&L’s DC Externship Program enables students like myself not to have to make that fretful decision-- urban or rural, academic or experiential. I got the best of both words, and will be a more effective lawyer because of it.
Experience, W&L Law
January 18, 2019
Semester in DC: Daniele San Roman at Federal Appeals Court
Even if I had taken a full course load of patent classes, I would not have gained as much practical knowledge of patent law as I did in Judge Reyna’s chambers.
Experience, W&L Law
January 17, 2019
Criminal Tribunal Students Provide Input on Anti-Terrorism Proclamation
This past Fall semester, a team of W&L Law students in the Criminal Tribunal Practicum class were given the unique opportunity to review and suggest legislative amendments to Ethiopia’s Anti-terrorism Proclamation.
Experience, W&L Law
January 15, 2019
Semester in DC: Michael DiBiagio ’19L at the SEC
Working full time and living in DC granted me the opportunity to immerse myself in the work I was assigned and form a network of securities law professionals.
Engaged Community
December 21, 2018
Al Otro Lado
W&L law students provide legal assistance at the border.
Experience, W&L Law
October 18, 2018
Black Lung Clinic Wins Case in Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a client represented by the Black Lung Clinic at W&L Law.
Experience, W&L Law
June 4, 2018
IRS Matching Grant Helps W&L Tax Clinic Serve Low-income Taxpayers
The Tax Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law has been awarded a matching grant from the Internal Revenue Service’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic program (LITC).
Accolades
May 1, 2018
Charu Kulkarni ‘18L Wins Oliver White Hill Pro Bono Award
The Virginia State Bar has named Washington and Lee University law student Charu Kulkarni, a member of the Law Class of 2018, as the recipient of the Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award.
Experience W&L Law
April 19, 2018
International Human Rights Practicum: 2018 Trip to Tanzania
This year's class focused on investigating the divorce process in Tanzania that often leaves women in poverty.
Experience, W&L Law
April 12, 2018
W&L Law Student Argues Case before Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
3L Luisa Hernandez argued an appeal of a Black Lung Case, moving one step closer to her life-long dream of becoming a lawyer.
Experience, W&L Law
February 14, 2018
Experience, W&L Law: Inside the Black Lung Clinic with Dowin Coffy ’18L
Dowin Coffy is a registered nurse whose desire to understand fully the healthcare system brought him to W&L Law.
Experience, W&L Law
February 8, 2018
Experience, W&L Law: A Week in the Immigrant Rights Clinic
3Ls Kendall Manning and Aileen Almonte, student attorneys in the Immigrant Rights Clinic, provide a snapshot into a typical week working in the clinic.
January 11, 2018
Finding Passion and Purpose in the Law
An externship in DC gave Ali Hakusui '18L a chance to do something different, and find new meaning in the law.
January 11, 2018
Using the Network for a One-of-a-Kind Experience
Mark Dewyea '18L used the W&L alumni network to find a unique placement with the government affairs and legal departments at Rolls Royce in DC.
Commentary
December 20, 2017
W&L Law Student Contributes to Report on Juvenile Detention Center
Washington and Lee law student Hollie Webb ‘18L offered her experience representing underage immigrants for a recent media report on conditions at a regional juvenile detention center.
December 8, 2017
Roland Hartung ’18L Argues Case Before U.S. Tax Court
Tax Clinic cases rarely go to trial, but this semester, for only second time in the Clinic's history, a student argued a case before the U.S. Tax Court.
November 9, 2017
Tax Clinic Students Present at State Legal Aid Conference
W&L Law Tax Clinic students Gabrielle Ongies, Roland Hartung, and Javier Puga presented at the Annual Statewide Legal Aid Conference.
February 15, 2017
Stacey LaRiviere ’17L for the Commonwealth
Third-year law student Stacey LaRiviere got the unique chance to try a jury trial during her externship with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office of Roanoke City.
December 16, 2016
W&L Law Students Organize International Anti-Corruption Conference
The students are participating in an innovative practice-based course that engages them in research and analysis of international acts pertaining to good governance and corruption.
December 16, 2016
The DC Program: Andrea Marshall ’17L Gets “The Talk”
3L Andrea Marshall interned with the EPA while participating in W&L Law's Program in DC, a one-semester, residential program that gives W&L students practice experience in the nation's capital.
December 14, 2016
Tax Clinic Students Release Guides for Taxpayers
The guides help with a variety of tax issues, including determining filing status and information about claiming children as dependents.
Looking for older stories? See the complete
Experience, W&L Law
archive
US