Center for Employment Law Recognized as a Top Program

SLU LAW's William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law is listed as a top program by Pre-Law Magazine.

Between the changing framework of today’s labor unions and the rapidly growing gig workforce, the faculty at the Saint Louis University School of Law William C. Wefel Center for Employment Law have their hands full.

The Center was recently named among the top three law school programs nationwide for employment and labor law by Pre-Law Magazine. Noting the growing popularity and ever-evolving nature of the specialty, the magazine applauds the comprehensive academic program and breadth of student opportunities available at SLU LAW. 

“We are pleased our school has been recognized as a top place to learn labor and employment law,” said Matt Bodie, co-director of the Wefel Center for Employment Law and Callis Family Professor of Law. “For over 30 years, the School has supported the Wefel Center and the talented faculty – Jack Dunsford, Tonie FitzGibbon and Joe Rohlik – who created it.” 

The Center offers a variety of experiences for students including a diverse schedule of courses, programming that offers access to industry leaders and practical experience in unemployment clinical work. 

In 2018, the ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law awarded the Center editorial responsibility for its ABA Journal of Labor & Employment Law. SLU LAW students are invited to participate in the Journal as well as the student-run Employment Law Association. Students also have the unique opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, D.C., working in a federal agency. 

These experiences are attributed in large part to the network of alumni and partners of the Center. 

“We are especially fortunate to have a terrific and growing number of alums who represent employers, unions, individual workers, and the public in a wide array of leadership roles throughout the profession,” said Bodie. 

Students interested in studying employment and labor law at the Center are also eligible for specialized fellowships and scholarships. The Art Martin Fellowships are awarded to law students who are committed to working in public interest jobs focusing on worker rights. The Jackson Lewis Scholarship is awarded to law students with demonstrated interest in labor and employment law and is funded with a generous donation by Jackson Lewis P.C. 

Employment law specialty programs are not currently ranked by traditional ranking publications like U.S. News & World Report. In this recognition by Pre-Law Magazine of the strength of this program, the School of Law impressively holds top marks nationwide in two critical areas of law, including the health law program.