Orientation Information for the Class of 2026

Mandatory orientation for the J.D. Class of 2026 will be held Aug. 17, 18 and 21


Community Fellows Program

Monday, Aug. 14-Wednesday, Aug. 16 (half-day)

The UVA Law Community Fellows Program fosters the values of collegiality, cooperation and belonging each year by selecting first-year students to serve as ambassadors to their peers throughout their time in Law School and later in the professional world. Participating students gain insight and develop skills that benefit them personally, from leadership to negotiation. 


Orientation Schedule 

Thursday, Aug. 17 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

8:30-9:30 a.m., WB126, WB128, WB152

J.D. Registration

  • WB126: TBD
  • WB128: TBD
  • WB152: TBD

8:30-9:30 a.m., Caplin Auditorium Lobby

Continental Breakfast (Optional)


9:30-10:45 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Welcome


10:45-11 a.m.

Break


11-11:45 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Welcome to the Profession: Civility Matters

Moderated by M. Scott Bucci, American Board of Trial Advocates


12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

Lunch With Sections and Orientation Facilitators 

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B WB102
  • Section C WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H SL294
  • Section I SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

1:30-2 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Professional Expectations in Law School 


2-3 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Fundamentals of the First Amendment and Law School Policies on Free Speech


3-3:15 p.m. 

Break 


3:15-3:45 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

The Flow of the First Year — What to Expect When


3:45-4:30 p.m., Various Classrooms

Tour of the Law School/Library


4:45-6 p.m., Various Locations

Picnic Dinner by Section (optional)


Friday, Aug. 18 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

8:45-9:45 a.m., Caplin Auditorium & Caplin Auditorium Lobby

Registration and (Optional) Continental Breakfast


10-11:30 a.m., Sections A-E in WB154, Sections F-J in Caplin Auditorium

Creating an Inclusive Community

  • Jacqueline Cranford ’93
  • Denise Robinson

11:45 a.m.

Group Photo in Front of Law School 


12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

Lunch and Debrief by Section with Orientation Facilitators

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B WB102
  • Section C WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H SL294
  • Section I SL298
  • Section J - WB126

1:30-1:45 p.m.

Break


1:45-2:45 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Skills and Strategies for Managing Conflict


2:45-4 p.m., Various Classrooms

Facilitated Discussions by Section

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B WB102
  • Section C WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H SL294
  • Section I SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

4-5 p.m., Spies Garden

Ice Cream Social


Saturday, Aug. 19 (Optional)

Optional Student Organization Events/Meetings (will send schedule closer to date)


Sunday, Aug. 20 (Optional)

9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., WB125/Lounge 1

PILA Day of Service

The Public Interest Law Association will host its annual Fall Day of Service, offering students a chance to be involved in and give back to the Charlottesville community by volunteering with a variety of partner organizations. Students will need to physically be in Charlottesville for all options.
 
The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end around 1 p.m. It is open to all law students.  

Sign Up to Participate 

Contact: Delaney Tubbs


Monday, Aug. 21 (Required Unless Otherwise Noted)

8:30-9:30 a.m., Caplin Auditorium and Caplin Auditorium Lobby

Registration and (Optional) Continental Breakfast 


9:30-10:15 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Preparing for Class: Reading and Briefing 


10:15-11 a.m., Caplin Auditorium

Mock Contracts Class (and Why Cold Calls Are Important)


11-11:15 a.m.

Break


11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Caplin Auditorium

Habits for Success

  • Justin Earley

12:15-2 p.m., Pickup in Caplin Pavilion, Lunch in Various Classrooms

Welcome Lunch with Peer Advisors by Section

  • Section A - WB101
  • Section B WB102
  • Section C WB103
  • Section D - WB104
  • Section E WB105
  • Section F - SL262
  • Section G - SL278
  • Section H SL294
  • Section I SL298
  • Section J - WB126
  • Section LL.M. - WB128

2-2:30 p.m., Various Classrooms

Meet Your Legal Research and Writing Professor


2:30-2:45 p.m.

Break


2:45-4:45 p.m., Various Classrooms

Meet Your Doctrinal Professors 

Civil Procedure, 2:45-3:05 p.m. 

Torts, 3:15-3:35 p.m. 

Criminal Law, 3:45-4:05 p.m. 

Contracts, 4:15-4:35 p.m. 


5-7 p.m., Caplin Pavilion and Spies Garden

Law School Kickoff BBQ


UVA ID Cards

Each student must secure a photo ID card from the University. Students may submit a passport-style photo online by July 21, 2023. We will distribute ID cards after Aug. 8 at the Law School. 

You must present an original valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) in order to pick up your ID card.

Your ID photo will be used in the Law School’s photo directory and seating charts. You will need your ID to enter the Law School building when it is locked, use University Transit and check out exams in your second semester.  

Parking

Parking is available for students in the D3 lot and the Blue lot near the Park. (See the parking map.) You can either use the ParkMobile App for daily parking, or buy a parking pass from the University’s Parking and Transportation Department (compare options).

You can use the Online Parking Portal to manage your parking account. For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at @email or (434) 924-7231.

Additional Information