Orientation Information for the Class of 2027

Mandatory orientation for the J.D. Class of 2027 will be held Aug. 15, 16 and 19. 

Summer Programming

Please note that the recording of each session will be available afterward. 

DateSessionDescriptionSpeaker(s)

June 5

 

Getting Started at UVAThings to do to get yourself set up to start at UVA Law.

Megan Durkee, Director of Student Affairs

Law IT – John Sawyer

June 12

 

Who Does What WhereAn introduction to the different kinds of legal practice, different venues, and terms of art to provide context.Sarah Davies, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

June 26

 

Setting Goals, Developing a Schedule, and Managing StressSlow and steady wins the race. This session focuses on setting realistic goals and coming up with a plan to achieve them. We will also discuss techniques for managing stress in a healthy way to enhance your ability to perform at your best.

Sarah Davies & Megan Durkee

Dr. Kate Gibson & Karen Painter, LPC – Counseling & Psychological Services

July 10

 

Navigating DifferenceAs law students and lawyers, you will be engaging in conversations with people from all backgrounds. Join this session to explore strategies and insights for navigating important, and sometimes difficult, conversations and interactions with your peers and colleagues in the law.Mark Jefferson, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Equity

July 17

 

Law School Finances 101: Strategies for Bills, Books, Budgets, and Financial AidYour legal education is an important and expensive investment, and this session will explore strategic resources for managing that investment. We will discuss funding law school; budgeting for expenses like rent, health insurance, and books; managing financial aid; and anticipating student loan repayment in both public service and private practice. Bring your questions and let us help you develop a plan for healthy finances.Matt Wakeman, Assistant Dean for Financial Aid, Education, and Planning

July 24

 

Reading, Notetaking, and BriefingThis session will cover tips for managing readings, briefing cases, and taking effective notes before, during, and after class.Megan Durkee

July 31

 

Speaking Up in Law School

This session will cover tips for approaching the Socratic Method and other public speaking opportunities specific to law school.

We will also spend time in this session helping to familiarize you with common law school systems, such as SIS, Lawweb, Canvas, and Expo.

Megan Durkee

Jason Dugas, Assistant Dean for Academic Services and Registrar

August 7

 

Studying, Outlining, and Taking ExamsA session about what you can expect as the semester progresses.Megan Durkee 

Community Fellows Program

Monday, Aug. 12-Wednesday, Aug. 14 (half day)

The UVA Law Community Fellows Program fosters the values of collegiality, cooperation and belonging each year by selecting first-year students to serve as ambassadors to their peers throughout their time in Law School and later in the professional world. Participating students gain insight and develop skills that benefit them personally, from leadership to negotiation. If you are interested in applying, please complete the application by June 21, 2024, at 5 p.m. 

Orientation Schedule 

Thursday, Aug. 15 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

J.D. Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:30 a.m., Caplin Pavilion Lobby (Check-in) and Caplin Auditorium Lobby (Breakfast)

Welcome

9:30-10:30 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Oath of Professionalism

10:30-10:45 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Break

10:45-11 a.m.

Welcome to the Profession: Civility Matters

11-11:45 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Moderated by M. Scott Bucci, American Board of Trial Advocates

Lunch With Sections and Orientation Facilitators 

11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B - WB102
  • Section C - WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E - WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H - SL294
  • Section I - SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

Professional Expectations in Law School 

1:30-2 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Free Expression at the Law School 

2-2:45 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Break 

2:45-3 p.m.

The Flow of the First Year — What to Expect When

3:15-3:45 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Optional Sessions

3:45-5 p.m., Various Locations

  1. Personal Safety in Charlottesville (3:45-4:15 p.m.), WB154
  2. Tour of the Law School/Library (3:45-4:15 p.m., 4:15-4:30 p.m., 4:30-4:45 p.m.), Law Library
  3. Title IX Policies and Procedures (4:15-4:45 p.m.), WB152

Picnic Dinner by Section (optional)

5-6 p.m., Various Locations

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B - WB102
  • Section C - WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E - WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H - SL294
  • Section I - SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

Friday, Aug. 16 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

Registration and (Optional) Continental Breakfast

8:30-10 a.m., Caplin Auditorium Lobby 

Creating an Inclusive Community

10-11:30 a.m., Sections A-E in WB154, Sections F-J in Caplin Auditorium

  • Jacqueline Cranford ’93
  • Denise Robinson

Lunch and Debrief by Section with Orientation Facilitators

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B - WB102
  • Section C - WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E - WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H - SL294
  • Section I - SL298
  • Section J - WB126

Managing Difficult Conversations

1-1:45 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Break

1:45-2 p.m.

Facilitated Discussions by Section

2-3 p.m., Various Locations

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B - WB102
  • Section C - WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E - WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H - SL294
  • Section I - SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

Sweet Treats Social

3-4 p.m., Spies Garden

Getting Ready for Class (Optional)

3:15-4 p.m., WB154

 

 

Sunday, Aug. 18 (Optional)

PILA Day of Service - TBD

 

 

Monday, Aug. 19 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

Registration and (Optional) Continental Breakfast

8:30-9:30 a.m., Caplin Auditorium Lobby 

Preparing for Class: Reading and Briefing 

9:30-10:15 a.m., Caplin Auditorium 

Mock Contracts Class (and Why Cold Calls Are Important)

10:15-11 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Break

11-11:15 a.m.

Habits for Success

11:15 a.m.-Noon, Caplin Auditorium

  • Justin Earley

Setting Goals

Noon-12:30 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Welcome Lunch with Peer Advisors by Section

12:30-2 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B - WB102
  • Section C - WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E - WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H - SL294
  • Section I - SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

Meet Your Legal Research and Writing Professor

2-2:30 p.m, Various Classrooms

Break

2:30-2:45 p.m.

Meet Your Doctrinal Professors 

2:45-4:45 p.m., Various Classrooms 

Law School Kickoff BBQ

5-7 p.m., Caplin Pavilion, Spies Garden

 

 

UVA ID Cards

Each student must secure a photo ID card from the University. Students may submit a passport-style photo online by July 22, 2024 at noon. We will distribute ID cards at the Law School after Aug. 5, 2024. 

You must present an original valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) in order to pick up your ID card.

Your ID photo will be used in the Law School’s photo directory and seating charts. You will need your ID to enter the Law School building when it is locked, use University Transit and check out exams in your second semester.   

Parking

Parking is available for students in the D3 lot and the Blue lot near the Park. (See the parking map.) You can either use the ParkMobile App for daily parking or buy a parking pass from the University’s Parking and Transportation Department (compare options).

You can use the Online Parking Portal to manage your parking account. For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at @email or (434) 924-7231.

Additional Information