Law building

School of Law History

Chronicling Our Law School's History

The roots of the School of Law extend to the inception of Western New England University. The institution we know today was was founded in 1919 as part of the Springfield Division of Northeastern College (University). It became Western New England College in 1951 and moved to its present campus in 1959. The original law offering was a part-time evening Bachelor of Laws degree, LLB.  In 1973 the full-time JD program was introduced.  In 1979, the Blake Law Center became the new home of the JD program. Western New England became a University in 2011 with five academic divisions, the School of Law, and four colleges. 

Western New England University School of Law is the only ABA accredited law school in Massachusetts outside greater Boston. It is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Offering both full- and part-time programs, the School of Law attracts students from more than 30 states and Canada. It enrolls students who have just graduated from college and those with lengthy professional careers. Some students are interested in pursuing a traditional legal career, while others plan to use their legal education to further an existing professional career.

While our students' backgrounds and career objectives vary, their reasons for choosing Western New England University School of Law are often identical: they are drawn to our philosophy of collaborative teaching and learning, and our faculty’s experience and dedication to teaching. As a distinguished institution of higher learning, we are fully committed to serving our students by providing all who join us with a well-rounded legal education and an enriching experience.

Alumni of Distinction

The School of Law's more than 8,500 alumni are truly one of its greatest assets. Our alumni practice in 49 U.S. states and in countries around the world. Our outstanding legal education provides the foundation for graduates to build rewarding and meaningful careers in legal practice, the judiciary, business, communications, criminal justice, finance, government, insurance, journalism, medicine, social work, and numerous other fields. Many alumni support the School of Law through mentoring and internship participation, service as a moot court judge, recruiting at alumni functions, membership on Alumni Association committees or boards, and through financial donation.