George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Two Enduring Legacies

JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA | 1936-2016

Justice Scalia will go down in history as one of the most important Supreme Court justices ever, and also as one of the greatest. His articulation of textualist and originalist principles, communicated in that distinctive, extraordinary prose, did nothing less than transform our legal culture.

– THE HONORABLE ELENA KAGAN 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 
(From her speech at the Scalia Law School dedication, October 6, 2016)

GEORGE MASON | 1725-1792

George Mason, a Virginia planter and politician, was the principal author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, adopted by the Virginia Convention in 1776, and a document that later inspired the United States Bill of Rights. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Mason refused to sign the Constitution and lobbied against its ratification, believing it gave too much power to a central government, and was incomplete because it did not include a bill of rights to guarantee individual liberty. His dissent arose in part, too, from what he perceived as the Convention’s reluctance to deal more harshly with the institution of slavery.

Life at Scalia Law

Scalia Law is a tight-knit and collaborative community, located in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, an important historical and economically thriving county.

Scalia Law students are just minutes away from national treasures such as Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), and the Pentagon Memorial. With 11 Metro stops, Arlington is car-optional and pedestrian friendly. In addition, Arlington boasts a lively restaurant, music and bar scene, as well as many bike paths and beautiful parks.

Arlington is the new home to Amazon’s HQ2, and the center of the hottest new technology region in the nation. With all that Amazon brings, Scalia Law students are best situated to become engaged with cutting edge issues as they arise in the tech sector. 

Over 40 student-run organizations in which to become involved.

Why Scalia Law?

A small law school, serving a student body of approximately 500, Scalia Law offers hands-on instruction from a world-class faculty. With a faculty/student ratio of 1/9.2, small class sizes allow for direct and personalized interaction with professors—an invaluable advantage when learning complex legal doctrines. Although still a relatively young law school, Scalia Law has risen very quickly in a number of prestigious rankings.

US News has ranked Scalia Law School Top 50 law school for 18 consecutive years.

Located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, D.C., Scalia Law offers students unparalleled opportunities to gain practical experience while in law school. Students benefit from established relationships the school has developed with major national and international law firms, leaders in Congress, federal and state court judges, and a multitude of government agencies and public service organizations. 

Scalia Law School ranked number #16 in the U.S. by Shanghai’s Global Rankings for Law.

Offering a top-tier legal education, Scalia Law teaches students to critically evaluate prevailing orthodoxy and to pursue new ideas. With an intensive four-semester legal research and writing program, as well as robust course offerings in various substantive areas of the law, Scalia Law provides the highest level of legal training and prepares students to hit the ground running upon earning their law degrees.

Forbes has ranked Arlington as one of the best places for young professionals to live.

World-Class Centers

Scalia Law is home to a number of research centers and institutes that offer students opportunities to learn from some of Washington’s leading policymakers, journalists, military leaders, intelligence officials, and federal court judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justices. 

RESEARCH CENTERS AND INSTITUTES

The Corley Institute for Diversity & Inclusion Education offers a certificate program designed to educate students about the social and economic benefits derived from diversity and inclusion and to give students a working familiarity with fundamental aspects of diversity and inclusion efforts in the legal profession.

Dynamic Faculty

Scalia Law is proud of its faculty who not only are renowned scholars in their respective fields, but who also are sought out by journalists, lawmakers, technology titans, and government leaders for their legal expertise and experience. In addition to the full-time faculty, many accomplished practicing attorneys, as well as judges and justices of the Supreme Court, teach courses as members of Scalia Law’s adjunct faculty. 

Career Tracks

Students at Scalia Law are encouraged to explore a wide range of substantive areas of practice and to enjoy fully what may be their last academic experience. However, individuals who have very specific interests and a clear idea of what they hope to do in their legal careers may choose to focus their studies by pursuing a set track or concentration. 

TRACKS/CONCENTRATIONS

No other place could have better prepared me for a career in antitrust law. Scalia Law has the most cited scholars in the field, offers the most relevant courses, and presents the most valuable career advancement opportunities, in D.C. or anywhere else in the world. I am grateful for the brand-name recognition that my law school has brought me as I start out in the profession.

– ANORA WANG, CLASS OF 2019 
Associate, Winston & Strawn, LLP

Experiential Learning

All students are encouraged to participate in one or more clinics and journals in order to gain practical experience and further hone their writing skills. Students also may gain valuable work experience, while still in school, through a multitude of externships that are available during both the academic semesters and summers. 

CLINICS AND SUPERVISED EXTERNSHIPS 

JOURNALS AND ADVOCACY 

Career and Academic Services

A staff of career services and academic advisors provides individualized attention to Scalia Law students to ensure that they enjoy success in their legal studies and achieve their career goals. 

  • Academic Assistance 
  • Alumni Connections & Mentors 
  • Application Review 
  • Bar Exam Report 
  • Career and Academic Services Programming 
  • Communications Training
  • Course Planning
  • Event Assistance
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Interview Training
  • Leadership & Professional Development Training
  • Media Training
  • Networking Events
  • One-on-One Counseling
  • Professional Headshots
  • Recruiting Programs
  • Student Mentors
  • Subscription Services 

Fall 2019  Entering Class Profile*

*As of August 30, 2019. Final data will be submitted to ABA in October

I am something of a contrarian, I suppose. I feel less comfortable when everybody agrees with me. I say, ‘I better reexamine my position!’ I probably believe that the worst opinions in my court have been unanimous. Because there’s nobody on the other side pointing out all the flaws.

– THE HONORABLE ANTONIN SCALIA
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
(From an interview published in New York Magazine, October 6, 2013)

Contact Us

Phone: 703-993-8010
Email: lawadmit@gmu.edu
Web: law.gmu.edu