Alum David Meadows ('76) looks at his former years as a BYU Law School graduate. The BYU Law School Reunion created a space to celebrate "all that is past and all that is to come," said President Dallin H. Oaks in his letter to the alumni. (Alexandria Larson)
"You will always be among my happiest memories," wrote President Dallin H. Oaks to the first graduating class of the Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School.Celebrating 50 years since graduating in 1976, BYU Law School alumni traveled from states as far away as Hawaii to reunite with smiles, hugs and an exchange of memories on the third floor of their alma mater last Friday, Sept. 11.
Several alumni reunite with care and concern for one another. They traveled from far a wide to come together last weekend. (Alexandria Larson)
"It's just that these former students seem a lot older than I remember them," Steven Killpack said, a 1976 graduate of BYU Law School.Dean David H. Moore read from a letter that President Oaks wrote for the occasion. The former BYU president shared his admiration for the charter class and expressed gratitude for the impact they had on the school as a result of their pioneering."You've been a vital part of this speedy establishment for the significance of our law school," wrote President Oaks.The charter class has several notable alumni who rose to be leading public servants in their respective fields. Their legacy shaped BYU Law School into the top-tier school it is today. Among American law schools, BYU is ranked 24th according to U.S. News.
Lynn Davis ('76) and Lenore Davis pose to share their excitement in being at the alumni reunion. Lynn Davis worked as a judge in the Utah fourth district court for more than 33 years. (Alexandria Larson)
"They're disproportionately awesome," Jonathan Madsen said, the immediate past president of BYU Alumni and a 2004 graduate.Decades earlier, though, starting a law school took a leap of faith.With an unfinished law school building, a new team of professors and no accreditation—meaning no promise that students would be able to take the bar exam after graduation—the 156 accepted students weren't exactly sure what lay ahead."They all took a risk. I mean, they literally could have gotten into Harvard or Stanford," Madsen said. "But then they decided, 'I'm going to come to a law school that's never existed. Ever. And see how it goes.'"
Before the BYU Law School finished being built, students attended a local catholic elementary school. They often referred to it as "St. Reuben's". (Courtesy of BYU Law School Alumni)
Students spent the first two years of law school at St. Francis of Assisi, a closed local elementary school sometimes nicknamed "St. Reuben.""The fact that we didn't have an upper class to show us the ropes made it all more exciting to be the first class in the law school," Danny Ferguson, a 1976 graduate, explained. "We just had to scramble and figure out things on our own."In 1975, students were able to attend the newly constructed BYU Law building for the first time, receiving approval from the American Bar Association just a year prior.Why attend a school with such few accolades? Dean Moore brought it all back to the vision and mission of BYU Law School."It is an incredible vision, and I believe it will have eternal effects," Moore said to the former students. "So thank you for laying down the groundwork for this mission."
The first graduating class of the BYU Law School in 1976. The BYU Law School wasn't accredited until 1974. Students had to take that risk when attending. (Courtesy of BYU Law School Alumni)
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