2022: UMass Law reflects on year of accomplishments

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UMass Law reflects on year of accomplishments

2021 saw record enrollment and applications, a new Arc of Justice Atrium, and expanded opportunities for students

UMass Law's Arc of Justice Atrium, designed by Mattapoisett artist John Magnan '99, who also contributed three unique works of his own, was dedicated last fall. The atrium features original works of art by UMass Dartmouth MFA graduates and is designed to inspire a call to action.

As the spring semester begins, UMass Law reflects on the exciting accomplishments of the past year for the law school, its students, and faculty.

UMass Law

UMass Law opened the 2021-2022 academic year with record enrollment while the 1L class holds the highest median LSAT score and undergraduate GPAs in the school’s history.
Selected from a record number of applicants, the Class of 2024 represents a worldwide geographic reach and nearly 100 undergraduate colleges.
UMass Law dedicated the beautifully renovated Arc of Justice Atrium, including seven unique works of art created by UMass Dartmouth MFA graduates and designed to inspire a call to action. The atrium was dedicated to Chancellor Emerita Jean MacCormack, the late Margaret “MarDee” Xifaras ’78, and all those who championed the establishment of the Commonwealth's only public law school.
The UMass Law chapter of Delta Theta Phi received a record number of national awards at their annual convention, including Most Outstanding Student Senate, Most Outstanding Professor for Dwight Duncan, and Most Outstanding Student for Raven Francomano '22.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation—in its first dedicated law school partnership—will enable full tuition support for Truman Scholars attending UMass Law.
Springfield College became the 13th institutional partner for UMass Law's 3+3 program, through which students can earn a law and undergraduate degree in six rather than seven years.

A student in the joint JD/MSW program, 2021 Rappaport Center Fellow Emily Dillan, JD candidate '23, worked in the office of MA Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Worcester) on issues related to survivors of domestic violence. She was also named the Law Student Liaison to the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.

Our students

Emily Dillan and Jennifer White, both JD candidates ’23, were selected as the seventh and eighth UMass Law Rappaport Center Fellows, a highly prestigious public policy summer fellowship.
Emily Dillan was also chosen as the Law Student Division Liaison to the ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Rbrey Singleton, JD candidate ‘22, received the Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland Leadership and Juvenile Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA).

Nearly 90 UMass Law students and faculty participated in Walk to the Hill to lobby for increased civil aid funding and received the Strongest Participation for a Law School Award for the fourth consecutive year. UMass Law will participate in the upcoming virtual 2022 Talk to the Hill, the seventh year of participation in this event.

Our community

For the fourth consecutive year, the Equal Justice Coalition presented UMass Law with the Highest Participation for a Law School Award for its efforts to increase civil legal aid.
The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation awarded $120,000 to UMass Law’s Justice Bridge Program, which provides quality legal representation to disadvantaged clients while supporting our graduates as they begin their law practices.
UMass Law will partner with UMass Dartmouth and Massasoit Community College to create an innovative curriculum for a Transformative Justice Certification Program with a $150,000 grant from the MA Board of Higher Education.
UMass Law Dean Eric Mitnick, Esq. was honored by the Fall River Diocese for his service to the community with the ecumenical award at the Red Mass held at St. Mary’s Cathedral.