Capital University Law School is an innovator and leader of law schools.
Offering daytime and evening programs for its students, the Law School is a
pioneering educator of the next generation of legal professionals.
The Law School is part of Capital University, the oldest and largest independent college
in Central Ohio and the largest university affiliated with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America. Founded in 1830 and incorporated in 1850, Capital
University's programs include a College of Arts and Sciences, a Graduate School
of Administration, a Conservatory of Music and a School of Nursing. Because of
its relationship with a major university, the Law School can offer joint degree
programs and access to facilities and resources at the main campus of Capital
University.
Capital University Law School grew from the Columbus Law School, which was
founded in 1903 as part of a national program sponsored by the YMCA that sought
to make legal education practical, accessible and affordable. Since its
affiliation with Capital University in 1966, the Law School has grown
considerably. Its full-time faculty now stands at 31 and its Law Library
holdings have increased to 250,000 volumes and microfilm equivalents. The Law
School maintains three degree programs – a Juris Doctor, LL.M. and a Masters in
Taxation and houses national centers and institutes, including The National Center for
Adoption Law & Policy, the Center for Dispute Resolution. In addition to enrolling nearly
800 students, Capital Law School also serves the legal profession and business
professionals through certificate programs (paralegal, legal nurse consultant
and life care planner) and a variety of scholarly symposia and conferences which
offer continuing legal education credit.
Located in the heart of Columbus, Ohio’s Discovery District,
the Law School is ideally situated near the State Capitol among numerous
government, legal, cultural, and educational institutions. Capital University
Law School resides in a modern, renovated facility at 303 East Broad Street in
downtown Columbus.
Capital University Law School graduates excel in their careers, whether that
is private practice or public, big firm or small firm, nonprofit, government or
corporate law. They are also dedicated to public service. Some prominent alumni
who have or are serving in public roles, include:
Thomas Bonasera, L’75, President, Ohio State Bar Association
(1999-2000)
Jennifer Brunner, L’83, Ohio Secretary of State
(2007-2010)
Bruce E. Johnson, L’85, Ohio Lt. Governor
(2005-2006)
U.S. Representative James D. Jordan, L’02
(2007-Present)
Greg Lashutka, L’74, Mayor of Columbus, Ohio
(1991-1999)
Paul J. McNulty, L’83, United States Deputy
Attorney General (2005-2007)
U.S. Representative Deborah
Pryce, L’76 (1992-2008)
Heather G. Sowald, L’79,
President, Ohio State Bar Association (2004-2005)
The Hon. Michael H.
Watson, L’87, United States District Court Southern District of Ohio
(2004-Present)
The Law School is proud of its many distinguished alumni and their exemplary
service to the judicial system — serving in courts at all levels of government,
not just in Ohio, but throughout the country. The Law School estimates that
among its 6,300 living JD alumni, more than 130 are judges or magistrates.