College of Law

Professors:
JACQUELYN BRIDGEMAN, B.A. Stanford University 1996; J.D. University of Chicago 1999; Professor of Law 2008, 2002.

JOHN M. BURMAN, B.A. University of Wyoming 1978; J.D. University of Minnesota 1981; Carl M. Williams Professor of Law and Ethics 1993, 1988.
DIANE E. COURSELLE, B.A. Fordham University 1987; J.D. Loyola University-New Orleans 1991; Professor of Law 2006, 1999.

DEBRA L. DONAHUE, B.S. Utah State University 1974; M.S. Texas A&M University 1977; J.D. University of Colorado 1989; Professor of Law 1999, 1993.
STEPHEN M. FELDMAN, B.A. Hamilton College 1977; J.D. University of Orgeon 1982; J.S.M. Stanford University 1986; Professor of Law 2002.
HARVEY GELB, A.B. Harvard University 1957; J.D. 1960; Kepler Chair of Law and Leadership and Professor of Law 1979.
TIMOTHY G. KEARLEY, B.A. University of Illinois 1971; J.D. 1976; M.L.L. University of Washington 1977; Professor of Law 1993.
JERRY R. PARKINSON, B.S. Northern State University 1976; M.P.A. University of South Dakota 1981; J.D. University of Iowa 1985; Professor and Dean, College of Law 1998.
MARY D. PRIDGEN, B.A. Cornell University 1971; J.D. New York University 1974; Professor of Law 1985, 1983; Associate Dean and Carl M. Williams Professor of Law and Social Responsibility 2002.

ALAN ROMERO, B.A. Brigham Young University 1990; J.D. Harvard University 1993; Professor of Law 2007, 2003.
JOEL L. SELIG, B.A. Harvard University 1965; J.D. 1969; Professor of Law 1984, 1983.

MICHAEL R. SMITH, B.S. Florida State University 1982; J.D. University of Florida 1985; Winston S. Howard Distinguished Professor of Law 2006.
ELAINE A. WELLE, B.A. University of Colorado 1977; M.B.A. 1981; J.D. University of Arizona 1986; Professor of Law 1999, 1993.

Associate Professor:
JAMES M. DELANEY, B.A. University of Washington 1985; J.D. Gonzaga University 1992; LL.M. University of Florida 1997; Centennial Distinguished Associate Professor of Law 2006, 2003.

ERIC A. JOHNSON, B.A. University of Washington 1984; J.D. University of Michigan 1988; Associate Professor of Law 2007, 2004.

Assistant Professors:
MICHAEL DUFF, B.A. West Chester University 1991; J.D. Harvard University 1995; Assistant Professor of Law 2006.

ROBERT W. SOUTHARD, B.A. University of Notre Dame 1980; J.D. University of Michigan 1984; Assistant Professor of Law 2006.

Academic Professionals

N. DENISE BURKE, B.A. University of Wyoming 1979; J.D. 1993; Assistant Dean 2003.

DEBORA PERSON, B.A. Arizona State University 1981; M.L.S. Rutgers University 1992; Library Associate 1993; Associate Law Librarian 2005, 1994.

TAWNYA PLUMB, B.A. University of Wyoming 1996; M.L.I.S. University of Texas at Austin 1998; Electronic Services and Assistant Librarian 2004.

The curriculum of the College of Law consists of three years of study within the college. Required courses necessary to basic legal knowledge make up the first two semesters of study, while courses in the final four semesters are largely elective. Students become eligible to receive the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree upon successful completion of 89 semester credit hours of law courses with a grade point average of at least 2.0.

The college acts as a law center for Wyoming. It serves lawyers, judges, and government by a program of continuing legal education for attorneys and others interested in significant legal developments, by research projects aimed at improving state law, and by publishing the Wyoming Law Review.

Accreditation

The college is approved by the American Bar Association and its graduates are eligible for admission to the bar in every state. In many states there are additional requirements including residence, registration and prelegal education. A student planning to practice in a particular state should check its rules for admission to the bar.

The college is also a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Membership is conditioned upon the maintenance of an adequate teaching staff and library, the offering of a sound educational program and adherence to prescribed standards for the admission and graduation of students.

Prelegal Curriculum

There is no prescribed or required set of courses for prelegal work. A student must usually have a B.A. or B.S. degree before beginning the professional study of law. There are no restrictions on the field in which the degree is earned.

The objective of prelegal study should be to acquire knowledge and skills useful in the study and practice of law. College study should prepare the student for law school by developing language comprehension and use, understanding of political, economic, social and cultural institutions, and the ability to think logically and creatively. Courses promoting these objectives are included in the basic requirements for most undergraduate degrees. The choice of a major should be determined by the student’s academic interest and professional objective in law.

Valuable background may be acquired through the study of English, history, philosophy, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, business administration, mathematics and the natural sciences.

For additional information, see the current Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools which includes material on the law and lawyers, pre-law preparation, applying to law schools, and the study of law, together with individualized information on most American law schools. It may be obtained at college bookstores or ordered from Law Services, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940, (215) 968-1001, or http://www.lsac.org.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Admission to the professional curriculum in law is granted by the admission committee of the College of Law. The College of Law restricts the number of entering students to a class size consistent with its facilities and its educational objectives. In evaluating an application, the committee primarily considers the applicants undergraduate college scholastic record and score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Other criteria relevant to the probability of success in the study and practice of law will also be considered.

1. Prior to beginning work in the College of Law, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, unless they have requested and been granted one of the following exceptions:
   a. An applicant who needs not more than 6 semester hours of college credit to qualify for a bachelor’s degree may be admitted in exceptional cases to law school if the committee determines that the applicant has sufficient education and preparation for the study of law; has an outstanding undergraduate scholastic record; and has an approved program signed by the appropriate undergraduate official indicating that the remaining requirements for the bachelor’s degree may be met by summer school attendance or by other means that will not interfere with the study of law
   b. IIn very exceptional cases, an applicant without a bachelor’s degree may be admitted as a special student and become a candidate for the professional degree in law. The applicant must furnish evidence to satisfy the committee that age, experience, and training have equipped the individual to engage successfully in the study of law despite the lack of the required prelegal education.

2. Every applicant must take the Law School Admission Test. A packet giving information about the test, the dates on which it is given, and centers at which it can be taken, sample questions and an application form, may be obtained from Law School Admission Council, Box 2000, Newtown, PA 18940, by phone at (215) 968-1001, online at http://www.lsac.org, or from the College of Law.

3. Every applicant must register with the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) by submitting the appropriate form included with the LSAT packet. The LSDAS will prepare an analysis of the applicant’s undergraduate transcripts and send copies to the college.
4. Every applicant must submit a College of Law application form. This form and the College of Law Bulletin may be obtained from the College of Law, Dept. 3035, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071, by phone at (307) 766-6416, or online at http://www.uwyo.edu/law.
5. Official transcripts sent directly to the College of Law from each college attended must be on file in the Admissions Office at least 30 days before the student’s registration date.

Application Deadline

An initial entering class will be selected from completed applications on file on March 1. An application is complete only when the college has received the LSAT score, the LSDAS transcript analysis, and the College of Law application form. Applications completed after March 1 will be considered in filling vacancies which occur in the entering class initially selected.

Admission With Advanced Standing

Transfer students are admitted only when the College of Law facilities and curriculum permit. No more than 30 semester credit hours may be transferred from another law school. Transfer credit will not be given for courses in which a grade of less than C or its equivalent was received. Applicants who have more than 30 credit hours will be admitted only in exceptional cases and will only be able to transfer 30 credit hours. Applicants admitted must satisfy the requirements for graduation established by the College of Law, including such other requirements as may be imposed as a condition of admission. Students interested in transferring should write the College of Law for information concerning application procedures.

Joint Degree Program

Nonprofessional Degree Students

Graduate students from other colleges of the University of Wyoming may be permitted to take one or more law courses on an S/U basis for non‑law credit when the following conditions are met: the law course taken is acceptable for their degree program and the prior written approval of the professor assigned to the course and the associate dean of the College of Law has been obtained. In order to obtain audit or visitor privileges, students must obtain prior written approval of the professor assigned to the course and the dean or the associate dean of the College of Law. For further information and requirements contact the Associate Dean, College of Law, Dept. 3035, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071.

Course descriptions are contained in the College of Law Bulletin which may be obtained by contacting the College of Law Admissions Office, College of Law, Dept. 3035, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071, (307) 766-6416, lawadmis@uwyo.edu, or online at www.uwyo.edu/law.

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Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 10/31/08