Appalachian School of Law

Appalachian School of Law This is the official Appalachian School of Law page. Our Program:

What sets ASL apart is its deep commitment to community service and leadership.

ASL takes an innovative approach to education, going beyond just talking about the law to actually experiencing it through an emphasis on practical skills and an incomparable externship program. The curriculum is rigorous, but students are supported by a mentoring faculty, dedicated staff, and encouraging classmates. ASL maintains a focus on dispute resolution, ethics, and professional responsibil

ity. Our Faculty:

ASL professors aren't just exceptional law scholars. They've also been in the trenches, practicing what they teach. They're approachable, accessible, and devoted to students' success. Our Commitment:

ASL's commitment is three-fold: to advance the legal profession, to serve the community, and to produce civic-minded lawyers. The school strives to produce alumni with heart who have the drive to not only reach their goals, but help their communities in the process. Whatever a student's definition of success, ASL's goal is to provide the tools to make it happen. ASL is committed to developing community-minded leaders. That's why students fulfill 25 hours of community service each semester, a standard matched by only about a dozen law schools in the country. Recent graduates volunteered nearly 25,000 hours during three years at ASL. See also our official Instagram:
https://instagram.com/appalachian_law/
And our official Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Appalachian_Law

For any of your admissions related needs visit the Official Appalachian School of Law Admissions page! https://www.facebook.com/theAppalachianSchoolofLaw?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Meet Macy Foxwell – ASL Class of 2029We’re excited to continue introducing members of our incoming Fall 2026 class!Macy ...
06/04/2026

Meet Macy Foxwell – ASL Class of 2029

We’re excited to continue introducing members of our incoming Fall 2026 class!

Macy graduated from George Mason University in 2021 and was born and raised on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore. She currently calls Cambridge, Maryland home.

“Hi everyone! My name is Macy, and I graduated from George Mason University in 2021. I was born and raised on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore and currently live in Cambridge, MD.

I chose ASL because I immediately felt a strong sense of belonging. After speaking with alumni and community members during the admissions process, I knew ASL was the right fit for me. Their warmth, support, and genuine enthusiasm made choosing ASL one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made!”

We’re honored that Macy found a home at ASL and look forward to welcoming her into the close-knit community that first inspired her to join us.

Meet Madalynn Learn – ASL Class of 2029We’re excited to begin introducing members of our incoming Fall 2026 class—future...
06/01/2026

Meet Madalynn Learn – ASL Class of 2029

We’re excited to begin introducing members of our incoming Fall 2026 class—future attorneys who bring unique experiences, perspectives, and passions to the Appalachian School of Law community.

Madalynn is a graduate of Temple University and has already gained valuable experience in the legal field as a litigation paralegal.

“Hi I’m Madalynn, I am excited to announce that I’ll be joining Appalachian School of Law as a J.D. candidate this fall. As a Temple University graduate with experience working in the legal field as a litigation paralegal, I’m looking forward to continuing my growth in advocacy, leadership, and the study of law. Excited for this next chapter and grateful for the opportunities ahead!”

From the courtroom support role of a litigation paralegal to the next step of earning her J.D., Madalynn is already building a strong foundation for a future in the legal profession, and we’re proud to welcome her to ASL.

We are proud to see Appalachian School of Law alumni using their legal education to advocate for children and families a...
05/28/2026

We are proud to see Appalachian School of Law alumni using their legal education to advocate for children and families across Appalachia.

Class of 2023 graduates Kaitlin and Jacob Snuffer recently appeared on an episode of Creepalachia discussing foster care, adoption, and the realities facing many families throughout our region.

Their conversation offers an important look at the challenges within the foster care system and the role compassionate legal advocacy can play in changing lives.

Thank you to Creepalachia for highlighting these important conversations and the work being done throughout Appalachia.

Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/_ia_2NYkqjo?si=1YY8uWyr1xK1ChNX 

History has a way of coming full circle in Appalachia.Appalachian School of Law Class of 2003 alumna Suzy Gibson Shearer...
05/27/2026

History has a way of coming full circle in Appalachia.

Appalachian School of Law Class of 2003 alumna Suzy Gibson Shearer is preparing to take office as Pike County Judge Executive — following in the footsteps of her mother, Karen Gibson, who previously held the same title years before her.

What makes this moment even more remarkable is that Karen Gibson was the second woman to ever hold the position, and now Suzy becomes the second in her family.

Two women. One family. One historic legacy.

In a region where leadership is often deeply rooted in family, service, and community, this story represents more than politics. It is a powerful example of generational leadership and the impact women continue to make across Appalachia.

Adding even more meaning to the moment, Suzy’s son Mason worked throughout her campaign and was able to cast his very first vote for his own mother this election season — creating a three-generation story of public service, civic engagement, and Appalachian pride.

From mother to daughter to son, the legacy continues.

We are proud to celebrate ASL Class of 2003 alumna Suzy Gibson Shearer and the generations of leadership surrounding her story.

Suzy Gibson Shearer for Pike County Judge Executive

For the fifth consecutive year, Appalachian School of Law has been named the statewide winner in the Law School division...
05/25/2026

For the fifth consecutive year, Appalachian School of Law has been named the statewide winner in the Law School division of Virginia’s Legal Food Frenzy.

This recognition means so much because it reflects something deeply rooted in the culture of ASL: service to our communities.

Throughout the Legal Food Frenzy, our students, faculty, and staff came together once again to help support Feeding Southwest Virginia and families across our region. From campus fundraising efforts to volunteer service opportunities like this mobile food pantry distribution in Council, Virginia, the ASL community continues to show up for Appalachia in meaningful ways.

A very special thank you goes to Jina Sauls, whose dedication, organization, and passion for this program have helped lead ASL’s efforts year after year. Her commitment to serving others has made a lasting impact both on our campus and throughout the communities we serve.

We are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to this year’s effort and grateful to Feeding Southwest Virginia, the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, and the Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for organizing such an important initiative.

Five years in a row is an incredible accomplishment, but the real victory is the impact these efforts make for families across Virginia.

The Appalachian School of Law would like to congratulate the newly selected Executive Board for the Appalachian Journal ...
05/20/2026

The Appalachian School of Law would like to congratulate the newly selected Executive Board for the Appalachian Journal of Law for the 2026–2027 academic year.

These students will continue a tradition of scholarship, leadership, and academic excellence while helping guide one of ASL’s most important student publications into its next chapter.

-Editor-in-Chief: Emma Duty
-Executive Editor: Sydney Kimberlain
-Senior Articles Editor: Sehjal Kaur
-Senior Notes and Comments Editor: Le Solomon
-Managing Editor: Samuel Sandler
-Publications Editor: Jeffrey Watkins
-Symposium Editor: Daniel Huff
-Online Development Editor: Jaxon Harris

Outgoing Editor-in-Chief Olivia Woosley reflected on her time leading the Journal, sharing:

“It has been my utmost honor to serve as Editor-in-Chief this year. We have been working hard at restructuring the Journal to make it the most effective it can be, and we aim to have a publication over the summer to commemorate this effort.”

She also offered encouragement to the students continuing their legal education and to the graduating Class of 2026 preparing for the July bar exam.

Thank you to Olivia and the outgoing Executive Board for your leadership, dedication, and service to the Appalachian Journal of Law. We look forward to seeing what this next board accomplishes.

We love celebrating the accomplishments of our alumni, and today we’re congratulating Appalachian School of Law Class of...
05/20/2026

We love celebrating the accomplishments of our alumni, and today we’re congratulating Appalachian School of Law Class of 2025 graduate Thomas Goodwin on officially being sworn into the South Carolina Bar.

While earning his law degree, Thomas worked for years as a clerk at Goodwin Law in Anderson, South Carolina. Now, he officially joins the firm as an attorney and member of the South Carolina Bar.

This milestone feels especially meaningful as Thomas now joins his mother in practice, continuing a family legacy of serving their community through the law. It’s always special to watch our graduates step into careers they’ve worked so hard to achieve, but even more so when those journeys come full circle in moments like this.

Congratulations, Thomas. Your ASL family is proud of you, and we cannot wait to see all that lies ahead in your legal career.

A new legal analysis from Appalachian School of Law Professor Tom Scott examines the recent debate surrounding Virginia’...
05/15/2026

A new legal analysis from Appalachian School of Law Professor Tom Scott examines the recent debate surrounding Virginia’s redistricting process and the potential implications of a U.S. Supreme Court appeal.

In his latest article, Professor Scott explores the constitutional arguments, political realities, and financial considerations surrounding the issue while offering insight into why such an appeal could face significant legal and practical hurdles.

Read the full article here:
https://www.asl.edu/news/virginias-redistricting-gamble-why-a-scotus-appeal-would-be-legally-dubious-politically-futile-and-financially-irresponsible/

The Class of 2026 has officially crossed the stage.On Saturday, the Appalachian School of Law celebrated Commencement at...
05/14/2026

The Class of 2026 has officially crossed the stage.

On Saturday, the Appalachian School of Law celebrated Commencement at Riverview Elementary/Middle School as graduates, families, faculty, alumni, and friends gathered to honor this milestone achievement.

The ceremony featured addresses from co-valedictorians MacKenzie Eva-Rose Haley and Sana Fadah, as well as commencement speaker Matthew L. Harvey, a 2004 ASL graduate and current United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.

We are proud of every member of the Class of 2026 and look forward to seeing the impact they make in their communities and throughout the legal profession.

Read the full commencement recap, honors recognition, and complete graduate list here:
Appalachian School of Law Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Commencement Ceremony

Appalachian School of Law is proud to recognize Jordan Kirby, a 2L student recently named Volunteer of the Year by the 2...
05/11/2026

Appalachian School of Law is proud to recognize Jordan Kirby, a 2L student recently named Volunteer of the Year by the 29th Judicial District CASA program.

Since August 2025, Jordan has dedicated 208 hours to CASA and is currently serving four children and two families. This semester alone, she completed 200.5 hours of community service, with 191.5 of those hours credited to CASA.

CASA volunteers provide a voice for children in the court system, offering consistency, compassion, and advocacy when it matters most. Jordan’s commitment reflects the heart of service and the mission of ASL in action.

Congratulations, Jordan. We are proud of you.

Address

1169 Edgewater Drive
Grundy, VA
24614

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12769354349

Website

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