This year, Seton Hall Law School proudly celebrates 75 years of transformational legal education and commitment to the rule of law.
The school earned full accreditation from the American Bar Association in 1951 under the visionary leadership of Miriam T. Rooney, the first woman to serve as dean of a U.S. law school. Her pioneering example established a tradition of excellence that continues today.
The legal landscape is evolving faster than any generation has seen. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the practice of law and the protection of rights. Democratic institutions and legal norms are being tested in courts, legislatures and communities across the country. In this unprecedented moment, our law school’s mission extends beyond teaching the law—it is to strengthen the foundations of justice itself.
For 75 years, our mission has been clear: to open doors to the legal profession, advance justice, and serve our communities. Generations of faculty, staff, students and alumni have carried this mission forward with distinction. Our presence in the heart of Newark reflects a commitment to remain engaged with the life of the city and to anchor legal education in real-world challenges and opportunities.
I am deeply honored to lead Seton Hall Law at this historic milestone. My journey in public service and legal education has reinforced my belief that a great law school must be both academically distinguished and civically engaged.
Our anniversary is not only a time to reflect but a time for forward motion as we embrace three core commitments for the next chapter:
First, Excellence in Legal Education. We will strengthen academic programs, support outstanding faculty, expand experiential learning, and ensure our graduates are prepared to lead with judgment, integrity, and practical skills in a changing world.
Second, Access and Inclusion. Inspired by our founding values, we will welcome students from all backgrounds. Building on the success of our Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) program, we provide financial aid and holistic support so that aspiration and talent—not circumstance—determine opportunity.
Third, Impact with Purpose. We will deepen the integration of scholarship, service, and real-world problem-solving. Through expanded clinics, centers, and partnerships with courts, policymakers, and community organizations, our students and faculty will continue to advance justice and the rule of law.
This integrated approach—where students learn by doing and scholarship informs practice—positions Seton Hall Law at the forefront of legal innovation while preserving the close-knit, values-driven community that defines us.
As we mark this milestone, we reaffirm our dedication to educate, serve, and lead with purpose. I invite alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to join in honoring our past while looking boldly to our future. Together, we strive to form not just skilled lawyers, but thoughtful, resilient and compassionate leaders.
The 75th anniversary is both a tribute and a promise: a tribute to the courage and vision of our founders, and a promise that Seton Hall Law will continue to educate lawyers who are not only capable advocates, but principled leaders committed to justice, service, and the common good.
The next chapter begins now.
Ronald Weich, Dean
Seton Hall University School of Law
