Almost 40 years ago, Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Supreme Court. Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” was awarded for the first time to a non-human, computer. Telephones were introduced to the US market, MTV was launched, the first cases of HIV/AIDS were reported, DNA testing appeared – and the World Wide Web was not yet I started it.
The early 1980s also marked the beginning of a new era in Atlanta’s legal landscape. Ronald J. Freeman Sr. (J.D. ’85) remembers sitting in on a hearing in 1981 at the State Capitol regarding support for a new law school in Georgia.
“I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and persistence of Dean Ben F. Johnson Jr. (Founding Dean of Georgia State Law),” Freeman said. “I believed this would be a very good place for me and my legal career.”
Ronald Freeman (J.D. ’85) serves on the College of Law’s board of visitors.
Johnson and others advocated for a low-cost, high-quality law school that offered evening classes and part-time enrollment, which would open up students who might otherwise have they can’t get a license any other way – so they grow and diversify. forget it.
In 1982, Georgia State University College of Law hosted 200 Juris Doctor candidates in the new school building, on the first floor of Georgia State’s Urban Life building—a short walk to the State Capitol, courts, and many law firms. Back then, GSU was a community college rather than a regional powerhouse, and the pioneering spirit fostered a close-knit community.
“We were very happy to be trailblazers,” said Freeman, managing partner of Johnson & Freeman, LLC. I was very close to many of my classmates, and we are always in touch.”
Six college professors led thoughtful discussions on prominent topics of the day.
Freeman, who was the first president of the Black Law Students Association, which is now named after him, said: “We used to talk about reimposing restrictions in Georgia. “We also discussed inequality for women and minorities as it relates to access to education, affordable housing and wealth.”
Seven students were the first to graduate from the law school in December 1984, and the first full class of 85 students was organized in 1985.
For students like Sylvia Caley (MBA ’86, J.D. ’89) who chose law as a second career, Georgia State Law struck. He enrolled the same year the late Marjorie F. Knowles became dean of the College of Law. Knowles was also the 17th woman in U.S. history. serving as a trustee of the law school.
Sylvia Caley (MBA ’86, J.D. ’89) retired after 11 years as director of the Health Law Partnership (HeLP), a medical and legal community partnership within Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta Legal Aid Society and College of Law, and co-director of the HeLP Legal Services Clinic, which he helped found.
“That was a big deal,” Caley said. “It was a wonderful experience to have such a charismatic woman leading the law school.”
Just six years after opening its doors, Georgia State Law won its first State Moot Court Competition in 1988.
Caley said: “We were very proud. “It was one of the first events that helped build the name of Georgia State Law.”
The Gritty 1990s

Under Knowles’ leadership, the College began the 1990s by receiving full accreditation from the American Bar Association in 1990. To see also : Perkins Coie Defends Military Contractor Following Death of 9 Service Members During Training Exercise.
The decade has been one of incredible change. The Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union had fallen, and the Internet and mobile phones were changing the way we communicate. It was the time of the Gulf War, the Rodney King trial, four nominations to the Supreme Court, Dolly the artificial sheep, Matthew Shepard, the impeachment of Bill Clinton, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the shooting of school at Columbine.
1996 was very important for Atlanta as the city hosted the summer Olympics.
“Looking at current events through a legal lens—especially in a group with a minority of students—was eye-opening, said Ernesto Perez (J.D.’92), executive director and leader of global trends Alvarez & Marshall Taxand, LLC.
“I was in class with doctors, accountants, engineers – it added an interesting dimension,” he said. “My fellow students and professors were very influential along the way. my way of thinking and they changed the way I think and my understanding of many things in the world.”
The students were determined to show that the law school can be self-sustaining, even with those already in the area.
“We wanted to prove that we were one,” Perez said. law firms took a strong interest in seeing the law school succeed and grow, so students had good academic and career opportunities.”
By the time Perez graduated in 1992, the college had grown to 617 students with 35 faculty members, and applications for admission exceeded 2,200 for 180 open positions.
Ernesto Perez (J.D. ’92) & friends at the College of Law graduation in 1992.
As the college grew, so did its number of programs and academic offerings. Caley had returned to school as a supervising attorney and adjunct faculty member in 1990 and co-founded the Health Law Partnership (HeLP), and later the HeLP Clinic.
Since then, the health school’s law program has grown into a nationally recognized powerhouse, now consistently ranked among the top in the U.S. News & World Report Status.
Experiential learning in the new millennium

Health law studies were of particular interest to Jerri Nims Rooker (J.D. ’03), chief international operations officer at Haggai International. To see also : US Supreme Court remands Eight Circuit qualified immunity finding – JURIST – News. He enjoyed the “a-ha!” moments that would occur when a real-world situation or concept was explained and explored during class.
“This has happened repeatedly, during discussions of everything from the regulation of health insurance to the principles of embryonic research,” Rooker said.
The new millennium has ushered in many discussions of real words. Students in the 2000s experienced the attacks of Sept. 11 and the wars in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the stock market crash and recession, and the election of the nation’s first Black president.
The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg visited the campus in 2003, just after the College celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2002 with 672 students and 40 faculty members.
As it became more diverse, Georgia State Law continued to promote a connected and caring community committed to inclusiveness and consideration.
Jerri Nims Rooker stands in front of the Georgia State University College of Law sign at the groundbreaking for the new building in 2015.
“The culture of Georgia State Law has fostered relationships among people of diverse personalities, beliefs and interests, and graduates benefit from it in the future, individually and professionally,” Rooker said.
The college was committed to developing well-rounded students and providing many opportunities outside the classroom to build practical legal skills.
“The law school was smart enough to recognize the emerging trend of law students having experiential learning opportunities, and they intentionally incorporated experiential methods into existing courses and created clinics. innovative and experiential learning to better prepare students to enter the real-world legal practice,” said Rooker, who was the deputy director of the Georgia State Laws Center for Law, Health & ; Association from 2004 to 2011.
‘Supercharged’ in a new home

As Georgia State University flourished into the new century, it needed a larger home for its growing student population that could also showcase all that it had to offer. This may interest you : Year later, Flint water criminal cases move slowly in court.
Under the leadership of Dean Steven Kaminshine, in 2015 the college moved into a new state-of-the-art $82.5 million building.
Law Colleges Cutting Ceremony at 85 Park Place in 2015.
“On that day, our outward appearance accurately reflected our inner beauty,” Rooker said. “We were no longer an academic secret – we were front page news!”
The move to the new building “took a toll on everything,” Caley said.
“Every day I went to work I felt strong when I walked through the front door,” Caley said. “I think we became an even more important member of the legal council with that move. It added a special glow to the law school in that building.”
New building technologies, along with improved infrastructure, have opened up new opportunities. Pierce Hand (J.D. ’16), who attended both Urban Life and Park Place classes, said another special moment was when the Georgia Supreme Court held oral arguments in the Courtroom. of the school.
The Justices of the Supreme Court of Georgia conducted their oral arguments on Georgia State Law.
Courageous, Committed, and Curious

But even in the “beautiful” new building, the foundation of Georgia State Law remained the same—a community of brave, determined and curious faculty, students and staff.
Hand, Fulton County’s deputy district attorney, said the school was a wonderful place to discuss controversial topics at the time, such as Obergefell v. Hodges.
“You can immerse yourself in issues that have an impact on people and have thoughtful conversations with other students in a community setting,” he said. “My desire to help people was before law school but it really got stronger when I was a law student and [had] the opportunity to study at Lambda Legal. It really affected me and inspired me in my work at the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation for people who cannot afford legal representation.”
With amazing professors and a leading staff, Hand said Georgia State Law has strengthened Atlanta’s legal community by cultivating students who are prepared to graduate.
“I felt better prepared as a writer, as a legal researcher, and as a professional when I graduated,” Hand said. “Law firms and nonprofits that serve people love Georgia State students because they know they are hard-working and ready to train.”
The future of legal education
With an alumni community more than 6,000 strong, Georgia State Law has made a significant impact in its 40 years as an innovative and forward-thinking institution committed to equality and inclusion.
“From a criminal defendant receiving a fair trial, to a law protecting victims, to a start-up company leveraging its intellectual property, to an industry expanding its international footprint to provide life-saving equipment, to a patient receiving coverage for public safety. Necessary treatment, in thousands of other examples, Georgia State Law has a life-changing effect and makes life better than its place names,” said Rooker.
Georgia State Law currently offers 12 academic programs and a variety of learning opportunities through 18 research centers and clinics, and has more than 70 full-time faculty members. It has been recognized as one of the “best quality” law schools in the nation, and dream pass rates remain high.
Freeman said the achievements of the school and its students make him proud to be an alumnus, and he sees a bright future ahead for the college.
“Georgia State Law will continue to be a beacon of law for Atlanta,” Freeman said. “I think GSU will continue to change the face of downtown Atlanta and be a major player in promoting economic growth in the region,” he said.
Rooker believes the college will continue to create creative, thoughtful lawyers.
“As thought and policymaking continue to decline in our society, Georgia State Law has the opportunity to continue to regulate the transmission of ideas and empower diverse voices across diverse perspectives,” he said. said so. “This has been a hallmark of my experience as a Georgia State Law student, staff member, and Alumni Board Officer, and I think the school continues to support this unique approach in a culture that continues to break up.”
Dean LaVonda Reed became the seventh dean to lead Georgia State Law in July 2021. She plans to build on its legacy.
“It is truly an honor to continue the legacy established by the law school’s first six deans and the many faculty members whose vision and dedication created the affordable school and continues to provide exceptional access to the legal profession and access to legal representation,” Reed said. “I look forward to building on this legacy and the incredible community of faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends of the College of Law who generously support our mission and programs. I know that Law of Georgia State will continue to emphasize legal education and the profession for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Written by: Stacey Evans (B.A. ’02)
What GPA is required for Georgia State law school?
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50; and. scored above the 85th percentile nationally on the SAT or ACT during the administration period.
Can I get into GSU with a 3.0 GPA? Is your high school GPA equivalent to Georgia State University? The average high school GPA for students admitted to Georgia State University is 3.49 on a 4.0 scale.
What GPA do you need to get into Georgia law school?
Number of Students | 974 |
---|---|
LSAT scores | 166 |
Undergraduate GPA | 3.74 |
% Women | 50.50% |
% Students of Color | 3.0% |
What is the lowest GPA you can get into law school with?
So in general, if you are trying to get into top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question of what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least 2.5. That is actually the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.
How do I get into Georgia law school?
All applicants must have a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score, unless they are applying as a UGA Scholars applicant. Applicants applying with GRE scores must select UGA School of Law Code No. 4814 in order for the Law School to receive their information.
Is it hard to get into UGA law?
UGA Law is ranked #26 in terms of student choice with an acceptance rate of 26.8% among those who applied for admission. UGA Law is tied for #29 in average LSAT score (163) among admitted applicants enrolled as full-time students.
Is it hard to get into Georgia State law school?
Currently, Georgia State University College of Law has an acceptance rate of 30%. This means that it performs moderately among law schools across the country, giving high chances of admission to law school hopefuls. In 2022, the GSU College of Law received 2,125 applications but accepted only 475 of them.
Is Ga state a good law school?
Status. Georgia State University College of Law is currently ranked as the 78th best law school in the U.S. News & World Report (2022). The College of Law also boasts a strong Health Law program (currently ranked 3rd nationally) and a large part-time program (ranked 17th nationally).
What tier is Georgia State law school?
Admissions and education Georgia State University College of Law is ranked 56th by USNews and World Report, placing it at the top of the Tier 2 law school category. The average GSU student average is a 3.40 GPA and 158 LSAT score.
What is Governors State acceptance rate?
Is Governors State University a good university? Governors State University’s 2022-2023 Rankings Governors State University is ranked #127-166 out of 167 Regional Universities in the Midwest. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a series of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Is it hard to get into Governors State University?
The acceptance rate at Governors State University is 37.8%. For 100 applicants, 38 are accepted. This means that the school is very selective. If you meet Governors State University’s requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other application areas, you will have a good chance of admission.
How long does it take to hear back from Governors State University?
Completed applications received after November 1st will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and students should expect an admissions decision within 3-5 business days. You will be notified of your decision by letter from the Admissions Office.
What GPA do you need to get into Governors State University?
An unweighted high school GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum ACT score of 18 or SAT score of 980.
Is Governors State a 4 year school?
Nestled among 750 acres of prairie, GSU is 40 miles south of Chicago, and is proud to offer the lowest tuition for a four-year public university in Illinois.
When did Governors State become a university?
History. Governors State University was established as a state-sponsored, top-ranked educational institution on July 17, 1969, when Illinois Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed into law House Bill 666.
Why do we have Governors State University?
At each college we have stellar programs and stellar professors, all focused on delivering academic excellence at the junior level. Not only will you find the programs and courses you want, you’ll also find more than 80 student groups and honor societies that allow you to dig deeper into whatever interests you.
What GPA do you need for Governors State University?
Requirements-Applicants must: graduate or be graduating from high school with at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale. earned a minimum ACT composite score of 18 or SAT equivalent (minimum SAT score of 860-890 when combining Critical Reading and Math)
What GPA do you need to get into Governors State University?
An unweighted high school GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Minimum ACT score of 18 or SAT score of 980.
What is ACE accreditation?
What is ACE recognition? ACE CREDIT offers are used by students to obtain college credit or advanced college placement for formal courses or exams taken outside of the traditional classroom, including the military.
Is ACE a reputable college? They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Council on Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP), and the Commission on Accreditation of Nursing Education (CCNE). I recommend the Major in Educational Leadership to anyone who wants to pursue higher education.
What does ACE mean in college?
In 2015, the California Community Colleges Research and Planning Group (RP Group) was contracted by the Joyce/Cabrillo Foundation to evaluate the long-term impact of the Academy for College Excellence (ACE) on participating students. in the program between fall. 2003 and year 2014 in three California Community …
What does ACE stand for education?
About the American Council on Education.
What is an ACE transcript?
‣ The American Council on Education (ACE) Working Transcript includes recommendations and skills that students have acquired through workplace training, exams, certifications. , and other educational experiences.
What does ACE mean in high school?
Adverse Childhood Conditions (ACEs)
What is ACE credit recommendation?
The ACE credit recommendation represents the equivalent college standards based on assessment of workforce training, military or career training, and other sources of learning outside the college classroom, such as national exams and certificates.
What is an ACE transcript?
‣ The American Council on Education (ACE) Working Transcript includes recommendations and skills that students have acquired through workplace training, exams, certifications. , and other educational experiences.
What does ACE evaluated mean?
ACE (American Council on Education) is a third-party credit evaluator that evaluates all types of non-college education. Examples include military classes, on-the-job training, and non-college providers such as Studycom, Sophia, Straighterline, and Saylor Academy to name a few.
What is the ACE National Guide?
What is the ACE National Guide? The ACE National Guide is a collection of college credit recommendations for courses and assessments that CREDIT has reviewed. As a resource for higher education, it provides a link between work-based learning and higher education.
What does ACE accreditation stand for?
âThe American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that brings together the higher education community to create effective public policy and promote innovative, high-quality practices.
Is ACE college accredited?
ACE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers teacher and administrative preparation programs that are also accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Educational Preparation (CAEP).
What does ACE stand for in higher education?
Founded in 1918, the American Council on Education (ACE) is the nation’s unified voice for higher education.
How long is Georgia State law school?
The JD can be earned in 4 years with summer enrollment, although most students complete the program in 5 years. All programs and resources are available to part-time and full-time JD students, including moot court, Exam Law and case programs.
How long does it take to become a lawyer in Georgia? How long does it take to become a lawyer in Georgia? Future lawyers must complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 3-year law school program. They can take the bar exam once they receive their JD degree.
Does Georgia State University have a good law school?
Georgia State University 2023 Rankings Georgia State University is ranked No. 78 (tie) Best Law Schools and No. 13 (tie) of the Provisional Law. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a series of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Who has the best law school in Georgia?
Here are the Best Law Schools in Georgia
- University of Georgia.
- Emory University.
- Georgia State University.
- Mercer University (George)
- John Marshall Law School of Atlanta.
What tier is Georgia State law school?
Admissions and education Georgia State University College of Law is ranked 56th by USNews and World Report, placing it at the top of the Tier 2 law school category. The average GSU student average is a 3.40 GPA and 158 LSAT score.
Is Georgia State University a good law school?
Georgia State University College of Law is currently ranked as the 78th best law school in the U.S. News & World Report (2022). The College of Law also boasts a strong Health Law program (currently ranked 3rd nationally) and a large part-time program (ranked 17th nationally).
Is Georgia State law school hard to get into?
Currently, Georgia State University College of Law has an acceptance rate of 30%. This means that it performs moderately among law schools across the country, giving high chances of admission to law school hopefuls. In 2022, the GSU College of Law received 2,125 applications but accepted only 475 of them.
Is Ga state a good law school?
Status. Georgia State University College of Law is currently ranked as the 78th best law school in the U.S. News & World Report (2022). The College of Law also boasts a strong Health Law program (currently ranked 3rd nationally) and a large part-time program (ranked 17th nationally).
What are the requirements to get into Georgia State law school?
Admission Statistics | 2020 | 2017 |
---|---|---|
LSAT Scores (Intermediate) | 158 | 158 |
LSAT scores (25th-75th percentile) | 155-160 | 155-160 |
GPA (Average) | 3.47 | 3.36 |
GPA Range (25th-75th percentile) | 3.25-3.64 | 3.12-3.60 |
What tier is Georgia State law school?
Admissions and education Georgia State University College of Law is ranked 56th by USNews and World Report, placing it at the top of the Tier 2 law school category. The average GSU student average is a 3.40 GPA and 158 LSAT score.