Ave Maria School of Law

Last updated
Ave Maria School of Law
MottoFides et Ratio
Faith and Reason
Established1999
School type Private law school
Dean John M. Czarnetzky
Location Naples, Florida
26°14′32″N81°43′53″W / 26.242147°N 81.731321°W / 26.242147; -81.731321
Enrollment299 (2021)
Faculty22 full time
USNWR ranking(161 tie) [1]
Bar pass rate71.4% (Florida bar exam, July 2024 first-time takers) [2]
Website www.avemarialaw.edu
Ave Maria School of Law Official Logo 2024.png

Ave Maria School of Law is a private Roman Catholic law school in Naples, Florida. It was founded in 1999 and is accredited by the American Bar Association.

Contents

History and governance

Ave Maria School of Law was founded in 1999, accepting its first class in 2000 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The law school's beginnings lie in discussions between Tom Monaghan and disgruntled current and former faculty members of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, including future founding dean Bernard Dobranski, former dean at Detroit Mercy Law School and then dean of Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, who complained that there were no "true Catholic" law schools. Monaghan supported the school through his Ave Maria Foundation and has served as the chairman of the board of governors of the school.

The founding board of governors included right-wing and pro-life religious and political figures including Henry Hyde, Edward Cardinal Egan, Robert P. George, Kate O'Beirne, Adam Cardinal Maida, Bowie Kuhn, Frank Joseph Dewane, and John Cardinal O'Connor. Robert Bork was an early faculty member and Antonin Scalia and Charles E. Rice consulted on the structure of the curriculum. [3] Faculty and administrators are required to make a profession of faith, and vow to follow Catholic teachings, the Magisterium and the Holy See. [4] In 2020, the school was described by the National Catholic Reporter as having "a more conservative religious orientation than any existing Catholic law school in the nation" and "militantly religious". [5]

In 2002, Monaghan proposed to develop a university campus at the Domino's Farms office park outside Ann Arbor, to combine Ave Maria College and Ave Maria law school into Ave Maria University, including a 250-foot tall crucifix as a campus monument, but his plans were rejected by the Ann Arbor Township planning commission. After this rejection, and over extensive opposition from the school's administration, faculty and students, Monaghan proposed to move the school from Ann Arbor to Florida. Following a purge by Monaghan of opposing administration and faculty members, [6] [7] the school moved from Ann Arbor to Florida in 2009. [8] The initial plan was to co-locate the law school and university in Monaghan's proposed planned community Ave Maria, Florida, but after several years in leased temporary quarters in a former retirement home in Vineyards, in suburban Naples, Florida, the plan to co-locate in the city of Ave Maria was abandoned in 2015 and the law school purchased the facilities it had been leasing. [9]

John Czarnetzky was named dean of the law school in May 2021. [10]

Academics

The school's curriculum combines a traditional legal education with an emphasis on how the law intersects with the Catholic intellectual tradition and natural law philosophy. All students are required to take courses in the moral foundations of the law, jurisprudence, and law, ethics and public policy. Faculty are to address moral issues in all courses, and to explore them through Catholic or other religious teachings. [11]

As of 2023, the school had 27 full-time and 14 part-time faculty. [12]

Accreditation, admissions, bar exam passage, and employment

The law school was accredited by the ABA in 2005. [13]

In 2016, the school was sanctioned by the American Bar Association due to lax admissions standards. [14] [15] In February 2018, the ABA announced the lifting of the sanctions following remedial actions by the school. [16]

In 2023, the law school had an acceptance rate of 45.2% and an enrollment rate of 28.74% of admission offers. The 50th percentile LSAT score was 152 and the 50th percentile GPA was 3.35. [12]

In 2023, the law school had a first-time bar passage rate of 66.22%, with 72.41% passing in Florida, and 43.75% passing in other jurisdictions. [17]

For 2023 graduates, 66 of 98 (67.34%) had full-time employment and three had part time employment in positions requiring bar passage, 9 full-time in J.D. advantage positions, and one in a full-time professional position. [18]

In 2022, the ABA's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar determined Ave Maria had failed to significantly comply with Standard 316, which was revised in 2019 to provide that at least 75% of an accredited law school's graduates who took a bar exam must pass one within two years of graduation. [19] Graduates in 2019 had a 67.21% bar pass rate. [19] However, Ave Maria had an 83.58% pass rate in 2018 and claimed a 2020 rate of 89.7%, and so the school expected the matter to be resolved with the council at its February, 2023 meeting. [19] The ABA determined the school was back in compliance by March of 2023. [20]

Campus

The school is a converted former retirement community in Vineyards that it initially leased, and later purchased, from Ave Maria University. [9] The campus consists of academic facilities in five buildings, and residence facilities in apartments and sixteen villa housing units. [21] The law library was converted from the community center, with a large reading room developed from the central auditorium and with activity areas repurposed to hold the collections. [22]

Publications

The Ave Maria Law Review is published by students at Ave Maria School of Law. [23] The school's moot court program publishes a magazine called The Gavel. [24] The law school previously published The Ave Maria School of Law Advocate, a yearly publication for alumni. [25] From 2009-2018, the school published the Ave Maria International Law Journal. [26]

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranks Ave Maria in the fourth tier of U.S law schools. [27] Ave Maria touts its perennial rankings as the "most conservative" and "most devout" law school in the US by surveys such as The Princeton Review and PreLaw Magazine. [28]

The school was one of 114 private colleges nationwide to fail a federal financial responsibility test in 2007, 2008, and 2009. [29] [30] The school said its low asset-to-debt ratio was "typical of recently founded institutions" and "represents no change in our fiscal health and should not be cause for concern". [31] In 2010, Ave Maria's Dean Milhizer stated that the school's finances were very strong and its fundraising results were improving. [32]

Related Research Articles

Boston College Law School is the law school of Boston College, a private Jesuit research university in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It is situated on a 40-acre (160,000 m2) campus in Newton, Massachusetts, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the university's main campus in Chestnut Hill.

Thomas Stephen Monaghan is an American entrepreneur who founded Domino's Pizza in 1960. He also owns the Domino's Farms Office Park, located in the Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan, which he first started building during 1984. He also owned the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1983 to 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinnipiac University School of Law</span> Law school in Connecticut, U.S.

Quinnipiac University School of Law is the law school of Quinnipiac University located in North Haven, Connecticut. Quinnipiac Law is the newest law school in Connecticut, having received full accreditation from the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1992. It is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, and is currently ranked tied at 143rd by U.S. News & World Report.

Ave Maria, Florida, United States, is a planned community and census-designated place located in Collier County, Florida, consisting of approximately 5,000 acres. The population was 6,242 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Naples-Marco Island, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Mississippi College School of Law is an American Bar Association accredited law school. MC Law is one of two law schools in the state of Mississippi, and is the only law school in the capital city of Jackson, Mississippi. The school is a professional school of Mississippi College, founded in 1826.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio State University Moritz College of Law</span> Law school of the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, US

The Michael E. Moritz College of Law is the law school of Ohio State University, a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1891, the school is located in Drinko Hall on the main campus of the Ohio State University in Columbus. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ave Maria University</span> Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida, US

Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. It existed formerly as Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which was founded in 1998 and reestablished in 2007 along with an interim Naples, Florida campus created in 2003. The school was founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur, Tom Monaghan. In 2021, the enrollment was 1,245 students. In 2016 its student body was 80% Catholic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta's John Marshall Law School</span> Private for-profit law school in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Atlanta's John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) is a private for-profit law school in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1933 and named for John Marshall, the fourth chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. AJMLS is accredited by the American Bar Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Florida Levin College of Law</span> Public law school in Gainesville, Florida, US

The University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law is the law school of the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest operating public law school in Florida and second oldest overall in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Coastal School of Law</span> For-profit law school in Jacksonville, Florida

Florida Coastal School of Law was a private for-profit law school in Jacksonville, Florida. It was established in 1996 and was the last operating of three for-profit law schools of the InfiLaw System owned by Sterling Partners. Because of funding and accreditation issues, the school closed its doors in 2021. U.S. News & World Report ranks Coastal Law 147-193, its lowest law school ranking. In July 2022, the school had the lowest Florida bar passage rate of all Florida law schools, at 31%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Goode Jones School of Law</span> Law school in Montgomery, Alabama, US

The Thomas Goode Jones School of Law is the law school of Faulkner University, located in Montgomery, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law</span> Law school in Ponce, Puerto Rico founded in 1961

The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law is the law school of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, a private Catholic university with its main campus in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It was established in 1961.

The Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law is located in Orlando, Florida. The school is an academic college of Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Barry Law offers various programs for full-time and part-time students, including a three-year daytime program and a four-year extended studies program in the evening for working students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's University School of Law</span> Catholic law school in San Antonio, Texas, US

St. Mary's University School of Law is the law school of St. Mary's University, a private Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas.

Widener University Delaware Law School is a private law school in Wilmington, Delaware. It is one of two separate ABA-accredited law schools of Widener University. Widener University Law School was founded in 1971 as the Delaware Law School and became affiliated with Widener in 1975. In 1989, it was known as Widener University School of Law when it was combined with the campus in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 2015, the two campuses separated, with the Harrisburg one renamed to Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

Regent University School of Law is the law school of Regent University, a private Christian university in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was founded in 1986 and accredited by the American Bar Association in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Forest University School of Law</span> Private law school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, US

Wake Forest University School of Law is the law school of Wake Forest University, a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Established in 1894, Wake Forest University School of Law is an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS). The current dean is Andrew R. Klein.

The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law is the law school of the University of Detroit Mercy and is located in Downtown Detroit, Michigan across from the Renaissance Center. Founded in 1912, Detroit Mercy Law is a private Roman Catholic law school and has been ABA-accredited since 1933. The Law School has an annual enrollment of 612 students including 223 Nonresident Aliens, and currently has 67 faculty members.

Cooley Law School (Cooley) is a private law school in Lansing, Michigan, and Riverview, Florida. It was established in 1972. At its peak in 2010, Cooley had over 3,900 students and was the largest US law school by enrollment; as of the Spring of 2022, Cooley had approximately 500 students between its two campuses. In November 2020, Western Michigan University's board of trustees voted to end its affiliation with Cooley, which began in 2014, with disassociation effective November 5, 2023. As of 2024, Cooley has failed to reach the 75% two year bar passage required of ABA Standard 316 for continued accreditation. Multiple media outlets have labeled Cooley the "worst law school in America".

Widener University Commonwealth Law School is a law school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and part of Widener University, a private university in Chester, Pennsylvania. It is one of two separate ABA-accredited law schools of the university. It was founded in 1989 as an expansion of Widener University's law school in Wilmington. It awards the Juris Doctor degree in its full-time and part-time programs and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

References

  1. ↑ "Ave Maria School of Law". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  2. ↑ Press release July 2024 supremecourt.flcourts.gov
  3. ↑ Hollis-Brusky & Wilson 2020, p. 56.
  4. ↑ Hollis-Brusky & Wilson 2020, p. 83.
  5. ↑ Hollis-Brusky & Wilson 2020, p. 3.
  6. ↑ Leonard, James (2012). Living the Faith; A Life of Tom Monaghan. University of Michigan Press. pp. 238ff. ISBN   9780472117437.
  7. ↑ Blake, Maria (August 20, 2009). "Pie in the Sky". Washington Monthly. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  8. ↑ Osborne, John (February 17, 2009). "Ave Maria Law School gets ABA approval to move to Naples on July 1". Naples Daily News. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Ave Maria Law School to Purchase Vineyards Campus as Permanent Home". Ave Maria Herald. April 14, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Ave Maria School of Law Names Czarnetzky Dean". The Florida Bar News. Florida Bar Association. May 5, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  11. ↑ Taylor, Clifford; Hershock, Martin; Finkelman, Paul (2006). The History of Michigan Law. Ohio University Press. p. 270. ISBN   9780821416617.
  12. 1 2 "509 Required Disclosure" (PDF). Ave Maria School of Law - 2023 Standard 509 Information Report. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  13. ↑ Lederman, Doug (July 8, 2005). "Ave Maria Gets High Sign From ABA". Inside Higher ED. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  14. ↑ Rasmussen, Kristen (November 21, 2017). "10 Law Schools Sanctioned by ABA for Lax Admissions". Law.com. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Ave Maria School of Law Public Notice of Specific Remedial Action" (PDF). American Bar Association. August 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  16. ↑ Journal, A. B. A. "ABA removes remedial actions requirements for Ave Maria School of Law". ABA Journal. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  17. ↑ "ABA Required Disclosures - Bar Passage Outcomes". abarequireddisclosures.org. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ "ABA Employment Outcomes". abarequireddisclosures.org. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  19. 1 2 3 "3 law schools dinged for low bar pass rates". Stephanie Francis Ward, ABA Journal, December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ "3 law schools dinged on bar pass rates see improvement; another back in compliance with diversity standard". Stephanie Francis Ward, ABA Journal, March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Facilities". avemarialaw.edu. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ "How Do You Library?" (PDF). AALL Spectrum. 18 (7). American Association of Law Libraries: 9. May 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Law Review". Archived from the original on Jun 12, 2010. Retrieved Apr 20, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Ave Maria Law | Moot Court Board". avemarialaw-moot-court.avemarialaw.edu. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved Apr 20, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Advocate; Ave Maria School of Law Magazine". avemarialaw.edu. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Ave Maria International Law Journal-Issues". avemarialaw.edu. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  27. ↑ "U.S. News & World Report Rankings" . Retrieved Apr 20, 2020.
  28. ↑ Hollis-Brusky, Amanda; Wilson, Joshua (2020). Separate but Faithful; The Christian Right's Radical Struggle to Transform Law and Legal Culture. Oxford University Press. p. 215. ISBN   978-0190637279.
  29. ↑ Sloan, Karen (August 13, 2010). "Government says law school's financing lags". The National Law Journal. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  30. ↑ Blumenstyk, Goldie; Richards, Alex (August 11, 2010). "149 Nonprofit Colleges Fail Education Department's Test of Financial Strength". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  31. ↑ Dillon, Liam (June 10, 2009). "Report: Ave Maria Law School Fails Federal Financial Test". Naples Daily News. Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  32. ↑ "Ave Maria Law School's Bar Passage Rate Lags Most Florida Schools". Ave Herald. Archived from the original on 2011-10-15. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.