Dean's Message
In recent years, disruptive forces have created multiple crises across the globe, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political, racial and economic divisions, global warming and international conflict. Many of them seem insurmountable. But the law remains a consistently powerful tool to find solutions that create real, lasting change.
Today鈥檚 students understand this. More than ever, they are driven to attend law school by the causes that matter most to them. They want a school that can give them an excellent legal education, but they also want one that will challenge them to think differently, provide a community founded on a mutual respect for all backgrounds and perspectives, and connect them to their calling within the law.
At AV研究所 Law, connecting students to the most fulfilling careers has been at the core of our mission since our founding in 1929. Our commitment to academic excellence and to student formation is built on the centuries-old Jesuit tradition of discernment, which asks everyone to consider questions like:
- What does it mean to have a life well lived?聽
- How do you find true meaning in work?聽
- How do you form an authentic connection to your community?聽
- How can you make a difference in the world 鈥� whichever career path you take?
In addition to providing cutting-edge scholarship, academic rigor and rich experiential opportunities, our mission challenges us to continuously evaluate the role of law and legal institutions in offering solutions to the world鈥檚 greatest problems, to focus on moral and ethical values within the pursuit of justice, to express care for every individual, and to advance the common good.
Our community is based on collegiality, warmth, and authentic connection with others. To build the kind of environment where fresh ideas and respectful dialog can thrive, we place a premium on providing the support structures students need, from our leading Academic Success Program, LAHANAS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging program, our year long 1L Bootcamp series (a partnership between the Career Services Office and the Law Student Association), Mental Health and Wellness programs, and assigning faculty, current student and alumni mentors for all incoming students.聽We provide all of this on a beautiful, safe and quiet suburban campus, located just a few miles away from the City of Boston鈥檚 many professional opportunities through the nation鈥檚 largest law firms, corporations, start-ups, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
This approach clearly pays off. Our graduates go on to the highest positions in leading law firms, corporations, government offices and nonprofits across the world, and they help shape a legal profession grounded in commitments to justice, equal human dignity, serious ethical inquiry and service to others. But what is perhaps most gratifying is that our students consistently say their three years with us were some of the best years of their lives: a time when they made lasting friendships, found their true calling, and learned what it means to be 鈥榣awyers who lead good lives.鈥�
If all this sounds good to you, I invite you to explore our website, sign up for a virtual info session or in-person tour, read and our , or reach out to our students or faculty directly. We look forward to meeting you.
Warmest wishes,
Odette Lienau
Marianne D. Short, Esq., Dean and Professor of Law
