ASL offers the standard law school curriculum while adding an Alternative Dispute Resolution curriculum that, during my time there, was one of the first of its kind. Similarly, the school embraces its location in Coal Country by offering Natural Law courses and the Natural Resources Law Journal which  is published in addition to the Appalachian Journal of Law.

My time at ASL, as it is for many  of its students, was arduous. However, the faculty, staff, and students provided the necessary support for anyone to embrace the realities of living in such a remote area, that for some can add to the already present stress and demand of law school. From school functions to off-campus gatherings, there was rarely a weekend without something to do. The school understood the need for non- academic events for its students, given the lack of quality restaurants, bars, and other social offerings that are present in other cities where Virginia law schools are located. Various student organizations would host events that had kegs  of beer, wine, food, and a DJ with sober drivers available for those who needed  a safe ride home. Students also enjoyed  flag football and ultimate frisbee tournaments, held to raise money for various charities. The school softball team prides itself on competing against much larger schools at the annual tournament in Charlottesville.

In addition to the academic and social aspects of ASL, the opportunity  to volunteer in the community was  ever present. All students were required to volunteer at Remote Area Medical (RAM), that provides medical, den tal, and vision care to underprivileged families in the area. I was lucky enough to be a member of ASL Cares, helping  at the Buchanan County Animal Shelter cleaning out cages, feeding animals, and most importantly playing with the cats and dogs sheltered there. Many ASL students, like myself, foster animals to avoid having them euthanized and work to have the animals find permanent homes. This often leads to what was referred to as a “foster fail.” Such was the case for me as I provided my family with a memorable Christmas present in 2011 by adding Buster (pictured in Witmeyer’s alumni photo) the beloved mutt to the family.

I cannot write about ASL without writing about Tom Scott. Professor Scott is a pillar in the Southwest Virginia legal community. He selflessly devotes his time to being a professor at ASL while also practicing law full time, and he  is barred in Virginia, Tennessee, and various Federal Courts. In addition to seeing him on campus and at the local YMCA, I was fortunate enough to visit with he and his wife at their home on many occasions. Other law students and I would eagerly listen to stories from his legal career, pick his brain on certain  law related issues, discuss life outside of the law, and enjoy some Jack Daniels on the rocks. He and his wife taught me so much outside of the law, and their hospitality greatly added to my law school experience.

I would encourage any aspiring lawyer to consider attending ASL as it provides a unique law school experience in a peaceful, small-town environment in the Appalachian Mountains.