2L Jayla Meeks has been named a 2026 J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association Scholarship Award recipient, recognized among emerging legal leaders at a major gathering of the legal community. Take a closer look: tinyurl.com/Jayla-Meeks-Award
#ChampionWhatMatters
AUWCL Professor @christinefarley.bsky.social, a leading voice in international and comparative intellectual property law, has been named a Fulbright Distinguished Chair for 2026–2027. She will advance global scholarship in design law at the Hanken School of Economics. @pijip.bsky.social
American University Washington College of Law welcomes Michael Barry as its next dean. With a record of strategic leadership and innovation, he joins AUWCL at a time of strong national momentum.
Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/Dean-Michael-Barry
WTO Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered the annual Wenger Lecture at AUWCL, warning that the multilateral trading system faces its worst disruptions in 80 years, but remaining cautiously optimistic. https://tinyurl.com/Wenger-Lecture-26
AUWCL celebrated the 2025–2026 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship cohort on April 14, honoring the Fellows’ achievements and the global impact of the Fulbright exchange program. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2026-Humphrey-Fellows
Driven by purpose and a passion for protecting democracy, 3L Ruchika Sharma is turning her commitment to civil rights into action as she prepares to defend voting rights through a fellowship with the Campaign Legal Center. Discover her journey: tinyurl.com/Ruchika-Sharma
From tort law and fraud enforcement to international law, peptide risks, and toxic waste, AUWCL faculty continue to share expertise that matters. Check out their recent contributions in leading media outlets and policy forums:
#ChampionWhatMatters
The Trade, Investment & Development Program at AUWCL welcomes Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, for the 2026 Wenger Lecture on the future of global trade.
April 15 | 5:15–6:30 p.m.
Register: tinyurl.com/Wenger-Lecture-2026
AUWCL remains strong in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, with four top-10 programs: Clinical (#2), International (#4), IP (#6), and Part-Time (#9). Health Care (#16) and Environmental (#51) also moved up. Rankings are one measure. Our impact and momentum continue.
AUWCL named a Top Law School for International Law by preLaw Magazine, adding to its recognition as one of the nation’s top international law programs in rankings including U.S. News & World Report. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/preLaw-WCL-International
ITILS hosted its annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet honoring AUWCL alum Steve Gardner of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The evening featured a panel discussion with alumni leaders in international trade and investment law. #ChampionWhatMatters
AUWCL Professors Claudia Martin and Susana SáCouto co-authored an international report on alleged human rights violations in El Salvador.
tinyurl.com/AUWCL-ElSalvadorReport
Over 100 attendees joined AUWCL’s Business Law Program for a timely conference on digital assets, exploring the legal, regulatory, and policy issues shaping this rapidly evolving market. More photos: www.auwclphotos.com/2025-2026-Events/Digital-Asset-Conference
Congrats to Rachel Johnson, associate director of student affairs and adjunct professor, who published an article in AALS titled “Law Student as Client: Applying Client-Centered Lawyering Skills to Law Student Development.” Read her article on page 9 here: https://tinyurl.com/AALS-Johnson
American University Washington College of Law is proud to announce that U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin will serve as commencement speaker on May 16.
From housing rights and alternative medicine to Supreme Court mechanics, hazardous chemicals, and international law, AUWCL faculty continue to share expertise that matters. Check out their recent contributions in leading media outlets and policy forums:
Thank you to @stevevladeck.bsky.social for a timely discussion on the Supreme Court’s shadow docket and the growing impact of emergency rulings. Hosted by the WCL American Constitution Society.
AU Law named a Top School for Trial Advocacy by preLaw Magazine, recognizing the strength of the Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program and its tradition of excellence in trial advocacy and mock trial competition. Read more: nationaljurist.com/top-law-schools-for-tria...
A timely discussion at AUWCL on the future of Afrodescendants in the Second UN Decade, featuring Laura Gil of the Organization of American States and a focus on human rights across the Americas.
Join us for the 2026 Sylvania Woods Black Alumni Homecoming, “Voices in Action: Legal Insights on Current Events and Social Movements.” April 11, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Register: tinyurl.com/Woods-Homecoming-2026
Don’t miss this timely conference on the exploding digital asset market and the evolving legal and regulatory landscape. Hosted by the Business Law Program at American University Washington College of Law. Register: https://tinyurl.com/BusinessLaw-Conference-2026
Join the AUWCL Brazil–US Legal and Judicial Studies Program for a conversation on the evolving public security landscape across the Americas, and the roles on regional cooperation, criminal networks, and inequality.
Members of the AUWCL Mock Trial delivered an impressive showing at AAJ over spring break, rising from a field of 18 teams to finish as semifinalists in one of the country’s most prestigious advocacy competitions. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/AU-Mock-Trial
Maryland Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker sat down with the AUWCL National Security Law Brief for an engaging fireside chat, where he discussed his career path and shared insights and advice for the next generation of attorneys. More photos: https://tinyurl.com/MDSecofCommerceFiresideChat
Congrats to Grace Pederson, one of five recipients of the Nat'l Assoc. of Bond Lawyers’ 2026 Fredric L. Ballard Jr. Scholarship. She is part of AUWCL’s Part-Time Program, ranked No. 4 in the nation, supporting those pursuing a legal education while balancing full-time careers.
Great evening in NYC! AUWCL brought together admitted students and members of the New York area's vibrant alumni community for a special reception. Thanks to @lathamwatkins for hosting, and Bradd Williamson ’94 for helping organize the event. More photos: tinyurl.com/NYC-Alum-Admitted-Students
Five people wearing formal attire stand behind a wooden bench. Two of them hold ribbons, one blue and one red. They appear to be in a courtroom setting.
A group of individuals is seated at desks in a formal setting, likely a conference or meeting room, clapping. The environment is professional, with people dressed in business attire. Stained glass windows are visible in the background.
A group of people is sitting in rows of chairs in a large room. Two individuals in the foreground are clapping, facing forward. Others in the background are also clapping, with blurred and smiling faces. The setting resembles a conference or formal gathering.
A student listening to the instructions at the moot court.
The courtroom was calling and these high schoolers answered. AUWCL was honored to host the Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition. The future of the legal profession is looking bright. See more photos here: https://tinyurl.com/AU-MB-2026
In Clear and Convincing: Modern Legal Writing, Professors David Spratt and Heather Ridenour guide students from foundational skills to advanced advocacy, with exercises, examples, digital research, and AI to build confident, credible writers. Discover: https://tinyurl.com/Spratt-Ridenour-Book
A new article from Prof. Charles Duan and 3L Rachel Bamberger, Defining the Character in Copyright Law, examines what truly counts as a “character” in copyright law and offers a clearer test based on agency and personality. Read: https://tinyurl.com/Duan-DefiningCharacter @pijip.bsky.social
Today, we celebrate the strength, leadership, and achievements of women across the AUWCL community and around the world. Your voices, ideas, and advocacy continue to shape the future of law and justice.
#IWD2026 #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLaw #WomensDay #ChampionWhatMatters
