The International School of Law Celebrates 50th Anniversary

On Wednesday, April 20th, the first students of the International School of Law (“ISL”) returned to Arlington to mark 50 years since the school’s inception and celebrate the many successes that followed. While lunch was served, alumni shared stories of their time in the law school, speaking fondly of their professors, and remembering how hard they fought to earn accreditation. Many had not seen each other since graduating but found an easy time reconnecting on the ground of the former Kann’s Department Store.

After lunch was served, Dean Ken Randall, Founding Administrative Dean Daniel Smith, and Mark Cummings (’78) gave remarks. Dean Randall addressed the school’s direction, maintaining its founding values while striving for excellence. Dean Smith spoke about the founding of the law school, the resilience of the students, faculty, and staff, and the merger with GMU, all of which culminated in accreditation. The program concluded with a special video message from Commonwealth of Virginia Supreme Court Senior Justice Charles S. Russell. Senior Justice Russell also spoke to the early days of the school, remembering John T. (“Til”) Hazel, John Brabner-Smith, Ralph Norvell, George Johnson, and his own instrumental role in the merger. As the event wound to a close, the ISL alumni enjoyed looking over photos from their time at the law school.