Wake Forest University School of Law has reported a series of achievements and activities as it concludes 2025. In a message to alumni, Evan G. Didier, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, noted that the school attended over 120 recruiting events nationwide this fall and welcomed more than 300 prospective students to campus between September and November.
Didier highlighted that the law school received 2,883 JD applications for its most recent admission cycle—the highest since 2012—with an acceptance rate of 25%. The incoming Class of 2028 posted a median LSAT score of 166 and a median GPA of 3.79. Students in this class come from 33 states and the District of Columbia, representing over one hundred undergraduate institutions. Eight percent are active-duty service members or veterans.
Didier also addressed upcoming changes to federal student loans, stating: “A new cap on graduate and professional school borrowing will likely force more students to seek private loans, resulting in higher borrowing costs. As such, alumni support is a defining factor in our ability to offer the robust financial aid necessary to recruit the best and brightest.” He added: “Your generosity is the bridge that allows students to choose Wake Forest Law regardless of financial constraints, and ensures that a Wake Forest Law education remains accessible to the next generation of leaders.”
The message further noted that last year about 70% of JD students received scholarships, with more than half receiving awards covering at least half their tuition.
Among alumni updates, W. Ellis Boyle (JD ’05) was sworn in as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Don Vaughan (JD ’79), adjunct faculty member, received the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina State Bar; Timothy J. Rooks (JD ’93) was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to serve on North Carolina’s Superior Court for Judicial District 36.
Student accomplishments included Vivian Bolen (3L) arguing before the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces as part of Wake Forest Law’s Appellate Advocacy Clinic; Ellie Stamps (1L) winning the final round in this year’s Trial Bar Competition; Jakob Christopherson (3L) and Macey Tipton (3L) placing first and second respectively in an American Agricultural Law Association essay competition; Thomas Altman’s (1L) article being published in Journal of Law and Courts; Sophie Liechty (2L) named Edwin M. Stanley Moot Court Champion after an intramural competition involving thirty-five students.
Faculty highlights included Professor John H. Knox receiving the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy alongside Dr. David R. Boyd for their work as UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights related to environmental issues; Professor Raina Haque featured on Deacs.AI podcast discussing patent law amid AI developments; Professor Zaneta Robinson joining discussions on Capitol Hill regarding AI-generated music copyright law.
Events during this period included oral arguments by judges from North Carolina Court of Appeals held at Wake Forest Law—a tradition spanning over two decades—and symposia such as “Principles in Practice: Integrity and the Rule of Law in an Era of Uncertainty,” which brought together legal professionals to discuss integrity within government decision-making processes.
The school announced its bar passage rate reached ninety percent among graduates who took exams across twenty-four jurisdictions this past July.
Wake Forest Law was recognized by CASE with a Best of District III Award for its Legal Deac podcast episode “The Heirs’ Property Project.” South Residence Hall was renamed Hopkins Residence Hall honoring alumni Dr. Larry Hopkins (’72, MD ’77) and Beth Hopkins (’73), recognizing Beth Hopkins’ leadership in pro bono programs at Wake Forest Law.
