Mercer University - Walter F. George School of Law

Two decades ago, Mercer University's School of Law—which was founded in 1873—resolved that no graduate would enter the legal profession without a solid grounding in practical legal skills. Enrolling around 140 students each year, the Macon-based law school educates future lawyers using the Woodruff Curriculum, which highlights ethics, professionalism, and practical skills (such as interviewing and counseling, negotiation, mediation, and trial advocacy). In addition, Mercer also features a renowned Legal Writing Program (including the nation's only Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Drafting). With an “emphasis on practice rather than theory,” around half of all Mercer students take part in clinical training through the school's Experiential Education program, incorporating clinical courses, moot court and mock trial competitions, and opportunities such as the Habeas Project, which offers a legal lifeline (and potential new trial) to people who have been wrongfully imprisoned. As one student shares, “At the start of my second year, I have already been sworn into the court and represented clients of my own.” Additionally, third-year students can take part in the Semester in Atlanta program, which allows the benefits of being in close proximity to the state capital: access to more classes available at the school's Atlanta campus as well as further externships. The school has “stayed up-to-date with current technology and implementing [it] in the classroom,” ultimately cultivating “a beautiful facility to work in.” Another student sums up the offerings by saying, “We have everything we need to be successful.”

The “faculty is the friendliest,” and is “supremely helpful, always available, and provides … everything we need resource-wise to be successful.” Furthermore, “they really care about the students” and “thoroughly enjoy the subject, [which] comes through in their teaching style.” Classes are filled with “teaching practical aspects of law and giving practice pointers for students.” This is possible because “most have … experience in [their] specific field and are very knowledgeable on the subject matter.” The dean and professors both “set great examples and help set the learning atmosphere to be cooperative and not cutthroat.” Career Services also “does a good job of listening to our interests prior to urging us to apply for jobs.” As one enrollee shares, “I never felt ‘pushed' into Big Law. I told them my goals and they told me of the opportunities available.” Plus, the school has “some of the most helpful, caring and knowledgeable alumni,” so “wherever you are looking to intern, … you can find a Mercer Law grad there.”

The ambitious students at Mercer are “deeply and widely involved,” so “there is no shortage of people who are presidents of organizations who are also participating in externships.” That widespread involvement leads to a place where “everyone smiles and greets each other” and a community that is “very tight knit and has good open communication.” One of the school's greatest strengths is “how everyone works together to succeed instead of sabotaging each other.” The environment at Mercer “is friendly, yet there is room for appropriate debate,” and “students treat each other with dignity and respect.” That respect is even more admirable here as there “is a good mix of students from a wide social strata.” One student says, “There is a strong sense of ‘we are all in this together' on campus.” As for the surrounding area, the school has a “great reputation amongst the community” and “good connections throughout the state of Georgia.” Surrounding Macon is “going through a modern revival and restoration,” so it has plenty of “music venues and bars” for those looking to blow off some steam.