Letter from Dean Duffy - Columbus School of Law

Dear CUA Law Student, Class of 2015:
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Columbus School of Law
Associate Dean for External and Student Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20064-8015
202 319-5491
Fax 202 319-4004
Welcome to the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America. We are very
pleased that you are joining the CUA law school community, and we are committed to making
your transition to this exciting new chapter in your life as smooth as possible.
Please read this letter carefully, as it will guide you through Orientation week, which includes
our Community Service Day, Registration, and Introductory Classes. The attachment will give
you an overview of the week, highlighting the dates and times of the week’s activities.
Community Service: Monday, August 15
Orientation week aims to impart everything you need to know to successfully begin your law
school career. There is one experience we offer in particular that cannot be taught in a
classroom. On the first day of Orientation week, you will have an opportunity to get to know and
support your new community by participating in a community service project organized by the
law school.
While we know that many of you work full-time during the day, we hope that you will be able to
adjust your schedule to join us. There will be three opportunities for service: painting classrooms
at St. Anthony’s, a neighborhood school; cleaning a section of a neighborhood park; and
volunteering at a nearby nursing home. Please email Eric Kingsepp at kingsepp@law.edu to
confirm your attendance. Plan to arrive at the law school café by 8:30 a.m. on Monday,
August 15. We will provide transportation and refreshments, and return to the law school for
lunch around 1 p.m.
Volunteerism and service to others are hallmarks of education at Catholic University, and we
believe they are an essential part of your legal formation which will stay with you for life. This
service project, while not mandatory, gives you an opportunity to collaborate with your fellow
students and at the same time provides an excellent beginning to your Orientation week.
Orientation Class Schedule
The Orientation program is designed to introduce you to the unique ways in which law students
study and learn the law. The program begins on Monday evening, August 15, with dinner at
5 p.m. Following the dinner, Professor Stephen Goldman will lecture on “Professionalism:

What’s Special (and Challenging) about Being a Lawyer.” On Tuesday, after registration, you
will attend a class taught by Professor Marin Scordato, “Managing the Project of Law School.”
His insights may be put to use immediately as you delve into your coursework with a series of
Lawyering Skills classes taught throughout the rest of the week by Professors Everhart, Lewis,
Young, and Woods. These classes emphasize linear thinking, legal reasoning, and briefing of
cases.
On Monday, class will begin at 6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, class will begin after registration at 7
p.m. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, classes will begin at 5:30 p.m. Starting the week of
August 22, all classes will begin at 6:20 p.m. Later this month, you will receive instructions on
how to view your Fall 2011 courses online, including schedule and booklists. In addition, you will
receive the Rules of Professional Conduct for Law Students and the Academic Rules.
Registration: Tuesday, August 16
Registration permits each new student to complete the administrative and academic tasks
necessary to start law school. On Tuesday, August 16, please report to the law school atrium
at 5 p.m. If you prefer, you may attend a full-time student registration session earlier in the day.
Registration sessions are held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Please call the Office of Admissions if you
wish to participate in one of the earlier sessions. Your class on Tuesday begins at 7 p.m.
During the registration period, you will attend an introductory session, complete all necessary
paperwork, and obtain your student ID, parking pass, and library access. You will also have the
opportunity to purchase textbooks and register for LexisNexis and Westlaw.
Reading Assignments
The required readings for your Lawyering Skills classes, which begin on Wednesday, August
17, may be found at http://www.law.edu/academic/2011LSPReading.cfm. You will receive a
binder containing these readings at registration.
* * *
On Friday evening, August 19, Dean Veryl V. Miles and our university provost, Dr. James F.
Brennan, will offer welcome addresses to the entering class, followed by a reception in our
atrium for students, friends, and family.
The law program at Catholic University is a demanding and dynamic one. Our curriculum is
designed to help all students realize their potential and become knowledgeable, ethical, and
skilled attorneys—and to leave here practice ready.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:
Office of Admissions, Shani Butts
Office of Financial Aid, David Schrock
Office of Academic Affairs, Georgia Niedzielko
Butts@law.edu
Schrock@law.edu
Niedzielko@law.edu

I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer, and we look forward to welcoming you on
Monday, August 15.
Best regards,
Mara Duffy
Associate Dean for External and Student Affairs
Columbus School of Law
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC 20064
202-319-5491
duffym@law.cua.edu