Our Alumni:
The Best Measure Of Our Success
Washburn Law played an important part in shaping the nation's history. Since its beginning, the law school regularly admitted both women and ethnic minority students, making it a pioneer in equality. The school also played an important role during the earliest moments of the Civil Rights movement. In 1953, law school alumni found themselves on both sides of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark civil rights case that would forever change a nation.
The best measure of Washburn Law's success is the success of our graduates. Since opening our doors in 1903, Washburn Law has graduated some of the finest law professionals in the country. Our more than 6,000 alumni live in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and many foreign countries. They are engaged in careers in law firms, government, and the for-profit and non-profit sectors. They include solo and group practitioners; judges; city, county, district, state, and U.S. attorneys; public defenders; legislators; and administrators. Our alumni also serve as senior executives or general counsel of numerous international corporations, including Alcon Laboratories, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp., Lone Star Steakhouse, Pepsico, and Shell Oil.
The significance of our alumni's Washburn Law education is reflected in their continued support of the law school, which takes many forms. They make generous contributions to help sustain the law school in its mission to teach the next generation of lawyers and leaders. They serve as visiting instructors and mentors, which enriches our curriculum. They volunteer as judges and instructors in moot court, trial advocacy, and other skills competitions. They also work closely with the Professional Development Office to help new graduates find employment. In these and so many other ways, Washburn Law is enhanced by our former students.
- Washburn University School of Law graduates have been members of Congress in all but two terms since 1927.
- Five Washburn Law graduates have served as chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, including the current chief justice, who is the first woman ever to serve in that position.
- The first African-American federal administrative law judge in U.S history is a Washburn Law graduate.
- A Washburn Law alumnus served as president/CEO of National Public Radio and was the first African American to serve as U.S. ambassador to The Republic of South Africa.
- A Washburn Law graduate served as president of the Hispanic National Bar Association. She was named "one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the nation" by Hispanic Business Magazine.
