From representing immigrants, helping juvenile offenders, competing in Moot Court competitions, and welcoming new faculty, Rutgers Law School had an exciting and dynamic school year. There is lots to celebrate as we head into 2018. Here is a look at some of our highlights in 2017:

1. Rutgers Law continued to be recognized nationally for its value and affordability as a law school. Rutgers Law was ranked as a top 25 nationwide Best Value Law School by National Jurist, the only law school in the northeast to make the top 25. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rutgers 62^nd nationally in its Best Graduate School category, a 30-spot jump from the previous year and the largest increase in ranking of any law school.
2. The incoming class in Fall 2017 came from 16 states and 22 foreign countries, bringing the total number of students at Rutgers Law School to around 1,100, making it one of the largest law schools in the Northeast.
3. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was one of the guest judges for the first-ever Judge Leonard I. Garth Competition, a moot court-style contest between Rutgers Law students in both locations. In a close contest, Camden’s team won this year.
4. As the newly-elected Gov. Phil Murphy takes office in January, Rutgers Law School was well represented on his transition team and in his committee appointments, including Co-dean Ronald K. Chen.  A phalanx of Rutgers Law alumni also are on the transition team, including Lloyd Freeman ’07, former chancellor of the alumni association in Camden.
5. National scholars and experts joined the faculty at Rutgers Law School. Three new social justice scholars started in the fall: Sahar Aziz, an expert in the Middle East, national security, race and civil rights; Rachel Godsil, whose scholarship focuses on race, implicit bias, and property, and Adnan Zulfiqar, an expert in criminal law, Islamic Law, and the laws of war. Former Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court, Victoria Pratt, joined the Newark faculty and also launched a TED Talk; and Rose Cuison Villazor, who will be teaching immigration, property law and a citizenship seminar, will join the law school next fall.
6. Recent graduates returned to Rutgers Law School to take part in swearing-in ceremonies conducted by the New Jersey State Bar Association. New Jersey State Bar Association President Robert Hille administered the oath in Newark, while NJSBA Trustee and Camden County Bar Association President Eric G. Fikry ’96 performed the ceremonies in Camden. Both ceremonies were connected in a live video feed.
7. A total of 365 students graduated from Rutgers Law School in May 2017. U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Patty Shwartz spoke in Newark and James Sandman, President of Legal Services Corporation, spoke in Newark.
8.  This school year, Rutgers Law launched the Rutgers Immigrant Community Assistance Project, which along with the Immigrant Justice Clinic and Immigrant Rights Clinic, helped communities in need. Attorney Jason Hernandez served clients, including Rutgers students, throughout the entire state.
9. Faculty members were recognized for scholarly excellence and exemplary teaching skills. Katie Eyer was named one of this year’s recipients of the Society of American Law Teachers’ Junior Faculty Teaching Award. The Association of American Law Schools (AALS) honored Stacy Hawkins with the 2017 Derrick A. Bell Award. Former Co-dean John Oberdiek and Vice Dean Reid Weisbord, were recognized by their peers with the Gregory Lastowka Award.
10. Rutgers Alumni continued to give back in a big way, sponsoring summer internships, externships, scholarship money and serving as mentors to current law students. Jeffrey Hsi ’97 kicked off a challenge campaign for the 50^th anniversary of the Minority Student Program.
11. Rutgers Law students continued to excel in Moot Court competitions, both locally and regionally. Students in both the spring and fall semesters represented Rutgers Law School competitively.
12. Looking to the new year, Rutgers Law will welcome a new Co-Dean for its Newark location. A national search is underway to replace Co-Dean Ronald K. Chen, who will return to his role as a full-time law professor.