Centers and Institutes
"Since the completion of our magnificent Anheuser-Busch Hall in 1997, the Washington University School of Law has enjoyed a programmatic renaissance. Within the last few years, we have established new interdisciplinary and international centers that will focus on cutting edge issues that connect to the law. " ~ Former Dean Joel Seligman
Center for Empirical Research in the Law
The Center for Empirical Research in the Law supports application of sophisticated empirical methodology to legal studies research. Housed in Washington University's Law School, CERL provides research infrastructure to affiliated projects and supports the research activities of faculty and students throughout the university. CERL-affiliated faculty also train law students, doctoral students, and legal academics in empirical methods through workshops and traditional courses.
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Created in 1999 at the Washington University School of Law, the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies supports interdisciplinary legal research and scholarship. The Center sponsors annual programs and activities that focus on cutting-edge legal issues and that require expertise, exploration, and discussion from other disciplines.
Center for Research on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Opened in the Spring of 2005, the Center for Research on Innovation and Entrepreneurship will provide law students with unique opportunities to work with intellectual property counsel in providing early stage legal advice to innovators both within the University and in the wider community. Students will learn to collaborate in interdisciplinary experiential learning activities with students from the School of Medicine, Olin School of Business, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, and Arts & Sciences; and to provide IP and business formation legal services to clients who might otherwise not have access to competent legal counsel.
Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse
The Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse is a collection of documents and information about civil rights cases in selected case categories across the United States. Currently, the categories include: Child Welfare, Election/Voting Rights, Immigration, Jail Conditions, Juvenile Institution, Mental Health Facility, Mental Retardation Facility, Nursing Home Conditions, Police Non-Profiling, Police Profiling, Prison Conditions, Public Housing, School Desegregation. To begin using the collection, go to the search page.
Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute
The Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute was created for a global age. By promoting an integrated approach to student, faculty, and community interaction, the Harris Institute functions as a center for instruction and research in international and comparative law, expands our knowledge and understanding of real-world issues and prepares lawyers for the professional challenges of the 21st century. To achieve these aims the Harris Institute draws on a vast pool of overseas and national expertise to promote continuous dialogue and exchange of views among students and faculty of Washington University with colleagues around the country and the world.
