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Elon Law meets ABA approval to launch full-time Charlotte program in Fall 2027

Michael Abernethy — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:26:14 +0000

�þ�� School of Law has been approved by the American Bar Association to open a full-time law program in Charlotte planned for launch in Fall 2027.

Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 1, 2026.

The ABA approval clears the way for Elon Law to expand its nationally recognized model of full-time legal education to North Carolina’s largest city. At that point, Elon Law will offer three pathways to a law degree in North Carolina: a full-time program in Greensboro, a full-time program in Charlotte and the part-time Elon Law Flex Program in Charlotte.

“This comes at an incredible moment for Elon Law,” said Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer. “Within the last year, we’ve celebrated historic bar passage rates and employment outcomes for our graduates, along with record enrollment and student applications. The ABA’s approval of our Charlotte program builds on that momentum, allowing Elon Law to bring our signature approach to legal education to one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.”

The inaugural Charlotte class, consisting of up to 75 students, will begin studies in August 2027 on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte. The charter cohort will graduate in December 2029, following Elon Law’s existing 2.5-year, seven-trimester academic calendar in Greensboro. The Elon Law Flex Program will also begin holding its part-time evening classes on the Queens campus in Fall 2027.

The part-time Flex Program in Charlotte will enroll its third class of up to 50 students in August 2026. More than 75 students have enrolled since 2024.

The full-time Charlotte program will replicate the innovative curriculum established at Elon Law’s Greensboro campus. The hallmark of Elon Law’s experiential, skills-based, community-centered approach to legal education is the Residency-in-Practice Program: a course-connected placement that pairs every student with a practicing attorney or judge during the winter or spring of their second year.

That experience moves students beyond studying the law to begin living it — working alongside attorneys and judges, serving clients and communities, and developing the professional judgment and practical skills expected of new lawyers. �þ�� return to campus with greater confidence, stronger professional connections and a clearer sense of the kind of lawyer they will become.

Elon Law is in the early stages of hiring a full complement of professors, administrators and student support personnel who will lead the full-time program in Charlotte. The move aligns with the proposed merger of �þ�� and Queens University, which remains subject to final approval from SACSCOC and the U.S. Department of Education.

Elon leaders are working closely with Queens University to ensure law students benefit from a vibrant campus experience and the resources of a thriving university community.

Flex Program students Lamarie Austin-Stripling LF’29, left, and Aaron Johnson LF’29, center, speak with clients at a Wills for Heroes event hosted at �þ��’s Charlotte Center on Nov. 8. 2025.

The expansion also builds on Elon Law’s longstanding relationships throughout Charlotte’s legal community. Already, more than 10 percent of the law school’s alumni live and work in the Charlotte area. Law school leaders plan to strengthen existing partnerships, develop new connections and grow opportunities for students to serve in a region with a need for legal talent, legal services and innovative legal education.

Through clinics, residencies and community partnerships, Elon Law students regularly work alongside attorneys, judges, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help address unmet legal needs.

“We’ve been in Charlotte all along through our students, alumni and community partnerships,” Kramer said. “This approval gives us an opportunity to deepen our commitment to Charlotte. We’re excited to invest here, build new partnerships and help shape what comes next.”

Additional information about admissions, faculty hiring and program development will be announced in the coming months.

About Elon Law

Elon Law has graduated more than 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining an A+ rating each year since 2023. Elon Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched in Charlotte in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it will enroll its third cohort in Fall 2026.

Elon Law Flex Program leader joins Mecklenburg Bar Foundation board

Michael Abernethy — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:25:31 +0000

Emma Butterworth, staff director of Elon Law’s Flex Program in Charlotte, has been named to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the .

Flex Program Staff Director Emma Butterworth

The foundation is the charitable arm of the Mecklenburg Bar Association, dedicated to service, access to justice and community engagement in the Charlotte region.

The appointment reflects Elon Law’s growing engagement with Charlotte’s legal community and the law school’s emphasis on service and experiential learning through its existing part-time Flex Program and proposed full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program, which plans to enroll its first class in fall 2027.

Since the launch of the Flex Program in 2024, Butterworth has helped cultivate partnerships between Elon Law and nonprofit organizations across the Charlotte area, connecting students with volunteer opportunities, nonprofit organizations and community service initiatives. Those efforts have included collaborations with organizations such as Safe Alliance, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and the Guardian ad Litem Program, as well as campus supply drives and events hosted by area agencies.

Many of those organizations have also met with Flex Program students during weekly Evening Docket events, providing students the opportunity to meet with and learn from legal professionals in the community.

Dean Zak Kramer said Butterworth has played an important role in establishing the Flex Program’s presence and growing the law school’s presence in Charlotte.

“Emma has invested herself in the life of the Flex Program and the Charlotte community,” Kramer said. “She has made a real difference for Elon Law, our students, and our neighbors in Charlotte.”

Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan D. Woodlief said Butterworth’s appointment reflects both her commitment to community engagement and Elon Law’s broader mission in Charlotte.

“The Mecklenburg Bar Foundation does important work throughout the Charlotte area, and Emma has been deeply committed to connecting our students with opportunities to serve and learn,” Woodlief said. “Her leadership has strengthened Elon Law’s ties to Charlotte’s legal and nonprofit communities, and advanced our students’ professional lives.”

Butterworth said the role aligns closely with Elon Law’s mission and will create additional ways for students to engage with the legal profession in Charlotte.

“I’m honored to serve alongside members of the Mecklenburg Bar Association in support of the Foundation’s mission of giving back to the Charlotte community,” Butterworth said. “The Charlotte legal community has warmly welcomed both the Flex Program and me personally, and that support has created opportunities for meaningful partnerships and collaboration. I look forward to continuing to build connections with local nonprofits while expanding opportunities for our students to engage in service and professional development.”

Elon Law students hear from six N.C. Court of Appeals judges in rare opportunity

Michael Abernethy — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:57:29 +0000

A visit from judges on the North Carolina Court of Appeals is an anticipated rite of spring at Elon Law, but it’s rare for students to hear from and interact with as many as they did last week.

Six judges, comprising two panels, heard oral arguments in two cases inside the law school’s Robert E. Long Courtroom on Wed., April 15. Following recess, they held an extended Q&A session with students in the courtroom where they shared lessons drawn from decades of experience on and off the bench.

Among their advice to young lawyers:

Be willing to concede a point — then quickly move on to explain why your client still prevails.
It’s OK to say, “I don’t know,” rather than risk your credibility. Return to your argument about why your client should win the case.
Structure legal briefs as clear roadmaps of your argument for the Court.
Be concise in your writing. Make your point, support it with the law and move forward.
Use caution with AI: Verify facts and citations before submitting any work to the court. Large language models often hallucinate legal matters.

Annie Angle L’27 poses a question to judges on the N.C. Court of Appeals inside the Robert E. Long Courtroom at Elon Law on April 15, 2026.

Judges hearing arguments and interacting with students were:

The Hon. Chris Dillon, Chief Judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals
The Hon. John Arrowood
The Hon. Jefferson Griffin
The Hon. Toby Hampson
The Hon. Donna Stroud
The Hon. John Tyson

Judges heard arguments in two very different cases.

The first, , centers on whether certain residential units should be classified as townhomes or duplexes under local building codes, a distinction with significant regulatory consequences — and now potential financial consequences for individual property owners.

The second case, , out of Forsyth County, involves the state’s appeal of a trial court’s decision to dismiss charges after testimony referenced a prior case, raising questions about prejudice and appropriate remedies.

“It was an incredible experience for our students to observe six judges from the North Carolina Court of Appeals and four highly skilled appellate advocates in action, particularly as our first-year students prepare to present their own appellate arguments in their required Legal Method & Communication course in a few weeks,” said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law. “Several of the judges visiting today consistently welcome Elon Law students to their chambers for their Residencies-in-Practice, summer internships, or full-time clerkships after graduation. It was great to have several current Residency students accompany their judges to the oral arguments.”

First-year law students meet with appellate judges for a Q&A session at the Elon School of Law on April 15, 2026.

Elon Law students’ takeaways

Law students listened intently to judges’ lines of questioning, but also to the ways appellant litigators structured their arguments, responded to jurists’ questions and addressed the court.

“I was paying attention to everything. I could understand why this is such a complicated case — codes changing, proposals changing, multiple parties — and I appreciated the judges asking why it got to this point and where responsibility lies,” said Lamarie Austin-Stripling LF ’29. A student in Elon Law’s part-time Charlotte Flex Program, Austin-Stripling drove from her home in Concord, North Carolina, to hear arguments before returning to the Queen City for classes that night.

Greensboro law students were just as engaged.

“What struck me most is how much of what I’ve already been doing — in the classroom, in residency, and in internships — showed up in these arguments. It reinforced that I’m learning the skills I’ll need to be in that position one day.” – Tyler Sesker L’26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who earned her �þ�� and graduate degrees at Hollins University and the University of Virginia.

“I was surprised by how collaborative the process is — judges discussing cases with each other and their clerks before and after arguments. It was valuable to see how the pros do it and what approaches seemed to resonate.” – Tom Desch L’27, of Cornelius, North Carolina, who earned his �þ�� degree at the University of South Carolina

“One of the most impactful takeaways was hearing from the judges that if an attorney doesn’t know an answer, it is okay to say, ‘I don’t know.’ Being honest about the limits of your knowledge is much better than risking your credibility.” – Paulina Escobar L’27, of Ecuador, who holds a law degree from the University of the Americas in Quito, Ecuador.

Elon Law alumnus argues in his home court

For one attorney arguing before the court, the visit marked a return to where his legal career began.

Reginaldo Williams L’11, an appellate attorney with the N.C. Department of Justice, presented oral arguments before the N.C. Court of Appeals in his alma mater’s Robert E. Long Courtroom on April 15, 2027.

Reginaldo Williams L’11, now an attorney with the North Carolina Department of Justice, presented arguments in State v. Cuadra. His path to appellate advocacy, however, was far from certain.

“I was that person wondering, ‘Why did I do this?’” Williams said following hearings, recalling his time as a law student. “I didn’t feel like I fit as a prosecutor or a public defender. But when I did my first oral argument, I knew — this is it.”

Williams credits guidance from Professor of Law Catherine Ross Dunham with helping him stay the course at a moment when he considered leaving law school altogether. That decision ultimately led him to appellate practice, where he now represents the state in criminal appeals.

“There are a lot of students who may not feel like they’ve found their place yet,” he said. “But you will. And when you do, it makes all the difference.”

Meeting the Moment

Alexa Milan — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:37:51 +0000

Elon’s latest cohort of physician assistant students are now on a demanding
journey, one that will lead them into hospitals, clinics and communities where skilled health care providers are urgently needed.

This year’s group is the largest in the program’s history. Elon doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at �þ��. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Elon’s Master of Science in Business Analytics is expanding to Charlotte with a new Flex Program.

Guided by the Boldly Elon Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need — strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning Elon to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. Elon launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

“Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,” says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

Elon’s growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

“We’re seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows Elon to serve new learners while staying centered on our �þ�� mission,” says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. “Health care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,” Duffney says.

The South End campus in Charlotte is home to several Elon graduate programs.

Several graduate programs are expanding to Elon’s National �þ�� in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

“Growth in Charlotte allows Elon to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,” says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. “It creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.”

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, Elon expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

Elon plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

“Establishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,” Marciano says. “Our goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.”

A Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is Elon’s newest graduate-level offering.

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on Elon’s main and Charlotte campuses.

“Mental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,” says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. “Communities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.”

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

“The growth of graduate education at Elon reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,” Folmar says. “What excites us most is the alignment between Elon’s engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.”

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

“Organizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,” says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “The MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes — without pausing their careers.”

Built on the same STEM-certified core as Elon’s full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence. — Allie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

“Faculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,” says Elon alum Craig Brandstetter ’25 g’25. “That flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.”

Alongside degree programs, Elon is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

Elon Law expanded its presence in Charlotte in 2024 with a part-time Flex Program.

Elon Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina’s largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and Elon Law’s established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. Elon has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

“We already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,” says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. “The legal community’s embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.”

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position Elon’s School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university’s future.

“The heart of Elon will always be our �þ�� liberal arts education,” Kohn says, “but we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.”

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, Elon is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

Elon Law marks highest ever first-time N.C. Bar Exam passage

Michael Abernethy — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:43:32 +0000

The �þ�� School of Law Class of 2025 set a school record for first-time passage of the North Carolina Bar Examination, with a pass rate of 91.96%.

Results from the February 2026 exam were released Wednesday, April 1, by the . Elon Law’s result far exceeds the statewide first-time passage rate of 74.78% and the school’s previous high of 82%, set by Elon Law’s charter class in 2009.

The Class of 2025’s success reflects a sustained, school-wide focus on �þ��, preparation, and student support, all aimed at helping graduates succeed not only on the bar exam, but in their legal careers.

“This is what Elon Law is all about,” said Zak Kramer, dean of Elon Law. “We’re in the dream-making business. The better our students perform, the faster they can begin making an impact as lawyers.”

An upward trajectory

In recent years, faculty and staff have aligned around the mission of excellence on the bar exam. They adopted a new motto and mindset: “One and Done.”

The gains are striking. First-time passage has climbed from 52.8% for the Class of 2021 to 91.96% for the Class of 2025, with steady increases along the way, including 79.4% for the Class of 2023, and 73.5% for the Class of 2024.

These efforts are part of a broader vision. Elon Law’s faculty continuously refine how they teach for real-world lawyering. The school’s 2.5-year J.D. program accelerates students’ path to the profession — with a December graduation and February bar exam — while reducing the cost of a legal education. Recognized nationally for practical training with an A+ rating from PreLaw Magazine, Elon Law prepares graduates to enter the profession with confidence and experience.

“We’re so proud of our students who took the bar,” said Jenny Lane, assistant dean for academic success. “We gave them the mission, ‘Commit, complete, conquer,’ and that’s exactly what they did.”

With its highest bar pass rate in recent history and a multi-year trend of steady growth, Elon Law is on a sustained upward trajectory.

“Big things are happening at Elon Law,” Kramer said, “and we’re just getting started.”

About Elon Law

Elon Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining a Top 10 placement and an A+ rating each year since 2023. Elon Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

�þ�� has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

Elon Law Flex Program students named to Moot Court Board

Michael Abernethy — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:39:30 +0000

The following Elon Law students in the Flex Program have been named to serve on the School of Law’s Moot Court Board.

The new members are:

Favia Delgado LF’28
Trinity Jones LF’28
Yukai Johnson LF’28
Jane Lockwood LF’28
Nadia Mazza LF’28
Kayla Price LF’28

They are the first Flex Program students to become members of the School of Law’s Moot Court Board. �þ�� were selected based on a combination of their performance in the fall 2025 Flex Program Intramural Moot Court Competition, their appellate brief writing in the Legal Method and Communication III course, and their overall academic record.

Members of the Moot Court Board represent Elon Law in external appellate advocacy competitions and help organize internal moot court events.

“These students distinguished themselves through strong written and oral advocacy skills, thoughtful analysis, and professionalism,” said Vice Dean Alan Woodlief, director of Elon Law’s Moot Court Program. “We’re excited to welcome them to the Moot Court Board and look forward to seeing them represent Elon Law in national competitions. They will also play an important role this fall helping coordinate the Intramural Moot Court Competitions and the 17th Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, one of our program’s signature events.”

Elon Law named a top law school for student access, opportunity by National Jurist

Michael Abernethy — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:36:41 +0000

�þ�� School of Law has been recognized among the nation’s top law schools that are growing access to legal education and opportunity by an influential legal journal.

Elon Law received an “A,” the highest rating in of law schools expanding access and success. Elon Law is among 21 schools to earn an “A” nationally. It is the only law school in North Carolina named to the honor roll and among only three in the Southeast recognized in the list.

Schools were evaluated for the unranked list based on the scope and maturity of their programs, including evidence of scale and measurable impact. According to the National Jurist, institutions rated at an “A” demonstrate “multiple, well-established access strategies that work together to lower barriers to entry and persistence. The Honor Roll is a recognition of meaningful action at a moment when access pathways matter more than ever.”

Elon Law’s distinctive academic model was singled out, noting that its 2.5-year J.D. program and the part-time Flex Program in Charlotte “reduce cost and widen access” to legal education.

The recognition reflects Elon Law’s continued focus on removing barriers to the legal profession while preparing students for practice through hands-on learning.

“Elon Law is the access law school. It’s who we are, and it’s in everything we do,” said Dean of Elon Law Zak Kramer. “Our job is to open the door to the legal profession and prepare students to walk through it ready to serve with skill, integrity and purpose.”

The school’s accelerated 2.5-year J.D. program in Greensboro allows students to complete their degree more quickly and enter the profession sooner than traditional law programs. The Flex Program in Charlotte provides a part-time evening pathway designed for working professionals and place-bound students seeking greater flexibility.

�þ�� and Elon Law have applied to the American Bar Association to launch a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in Fall 2027.

The Honor Roll recognition complements Elon Law’s strong national reputation for experiential learning. Elon Law is the only law school in North Carolina to earn an A+ rating for Practical Training from PreLaw Magazine, the National Jurist’s sister publication. Elon Law has placed in the top 10 with an A+ rating annually since 2023.

Together, these distinctions highlight Elon Law’s commitment to expanding access to legal education while ensuring graduates enter the profession with the skills and experience needed to serve clients and communities.

About Elon Law

Elon Law has graduated nearly 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 540 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining an A+ rating and Top 10 placement annually since 2023. Elon Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

In downtown Greensboro, the Elon Law campus spans several buildings within a two-block radius adjacent to the judicial hub of central North Carolina. Courts a short walk from the law school include the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Several branches of the North Carolina General Court of Justice, including the Superior, District, Drug Treatment, Mental Health and Small Claims Courts, are within walking distance. Dozens of large, medium and small law firms, as well as municipal offices, are likewise located nearby.

Elon Law is one of only a handful of law schools in the nation to house a working court with the North Carolina Business Court hearing cases in the Robert E. Long Courtroom on the Greensboro campus. The Long Courtroom annually hosts oral arguments of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and has twice welcomed the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

In Charlotte, the Elon Law Flex Program — a part-time, in-person J.D. program for working professionals and place-bound students, launched in fall 2024. Housed at �þ��’s national campus in Charlotte, the Flex Program is designed to be completed in just under four years. It enrolled its second cohort in fall 2025.

�þ�� announces plans for a full-time law program in Charlotte

Eric Townsend — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:48:28 +0000

�þ�� has announced plans to further expand its legal education presence in Charlotte and has applied to the American Bar Association for approval to launch an additional full-time law program, with classes planned to begin in Fall 2027.

Once the additional program is approved and launched, Elon Law will offer three North Carolina-based options for law students:

A full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Charlotte
A part-time, 4-year Elon Law Flex Program in Charlotte
A full-time, 2.5-year Juris Doctor program in Greensboro

“The need for graduate and professional programs in one of our nation’s fastest-growing cities makes the launch of a full-time law program a natural next step for Elon Law,” said �þ�� President Connie Ledoux Book. “�þ�� is deeply committed to serving the Charlotte community by introducing new and innovative programs that enhance educational offerings for professionals and address the expressed needs of the region.”

�þ�� is deeply committed to serving the Charlotte community by introducing new and innovative programs that enhance educational offerings for professionals and address the expressed needs of the region.

– �þ�� President Connie Ledoux Book

The new full-time J.D. program in Charlotte will mirror Elon Law’s existing, nationally recognized curriculum and successful approach to experiential learning. It also will expand the reach of the school’s robust law alumni network in a metropolitan region where a significant number of Elon Law graduates live and practice.

Elon Law Dean Zak Kramer speaks with members of the news media at a Jan. 13, 2026, news conference in Charlotte.

With the launch of this additional program, Elon Law will have a full-time presence in two cities that are home to influential federal courts — the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in Greensboro, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte — as well as the state court system; federal, state and municipal government agencies; and nonprofits that provide legal services to underserved communities.

The full-time Elon Law program plans to enroll a class of about 75 students, a size that allows Elon Law to strategically develop partnerships with Charlotte’s legal community and provide options for future growth. Elon Law students in Charlotte will complete a full-time, course-connected residency-in-practice with a practicing attorney or judge during their second year.

“Elon Law’s advantage is that our students learn the law by practicing it in the community,” said Zak Kramer, dean of �þ�� School of Law. “We’ve been part of Charlotte for years. This is about deepening those relationships, building new ones and doing more through the community-connected model we’ve developed in Greensboro.”

Beginning in Fall 2027, Elon Law plans to operate both of its law programs from the Queens University of Charlotte campus, either upon completion of the planned merger of the two institutions or through a lease agreement.

Applications will be accepted starting in August 2026. Per ABA requirements, offers of admission will not be extended until formal permission is granted.

Visit www.elon.edu/law for more information and updates on Elon Law’s offerings for aspiring attorneys.

– Dena King, partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina

What They’re Saying

“I am delighted to learn that Elon Law is expanding its presence in Charlotte with the addition of a full-time program. As our city continues its remarkable growth, offering both part-time and full-time law school options will strengthen access to legal education and serve the needs of our community. Charlotte’s dynamic business environment attracts law firms and companies from across the country, creating new opportunities for lawyers and increasing the demand for legal services. Elon’s expansion ensures that Charlotte remains a hub for legal talent and innovation—a vision we all share and support. As president of the Mecklenburg Bar Association, I look forward to collaborating with Elon Law to provide networking and professional development opportunities that will enrich the experience of future lawyers and strengthen our legal community.” – Sarah Motley Stone, partner, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, and 2025-26 president of the Mecklenburg Bar Association
“As a native of Charlotte and a practicing attorney in this community, I am excited about Elon Law’s plans for a full-time J.D. program in Charlotte. As a major metropolitan region, Charlotte-Mecklenburg has a growing need for legal services across both the public and private sectors. Establishing a law school here creates a pathway for aspiring attorneys to earn their law degrees in Charlotte, benefit from mentorship and experiential opportunities within our region’s legal profession and remain here to begin their legal careers. This will advance the legal profession and broader legal community” – Dena King, partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina
“Locales in our state and region with far less complexity than Charlotte have long been enriched by local institutions of legal education and training. That same need has persisted here for many years. A growth explosion in our community requires — now more than ever — an expanded pool of skilled and proficient attorneys to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, particularly in public interest law. The safety and vitality of our community depend on preparing the next generation of prosecutors here in Charlotte, and Elon Law’s experiential programs cultivate competent and credible practitioners, rooted in a community they can serve and support throughout their legal careers.” – Spencer B. Merriweather III, Mecklenburg County District Attorney

About �þ�� School of Law

Elon Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers. Elon Law is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining an A+ rating and Top 10 placement annually since 2023. The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched at �þ��’s Charlotte campus in 2024. Tailored to students whose work or other obligations make Charlotte the ideal place to earn their law degree, the program is designed to be completed in four years and currently enrolls 77 students.

About �þ��

�þ�� is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture. At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff. More than 70 �þ�� majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business administration, business analytics, accounting, education, higher education, physician assistant studies and physical therapy.

Elon Law Flex Program names top student advocates in inaugural Moot Court Competition

Michael Abernethy — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:52:52 +0000

�þ�� School of Law marked a new milestone in its growing Charlotte-based Flex Program this month, hosting the program’s first Intramural Moot Court Competition.

Nearly half of the Flex Two class’ 31 students participated in the evening competition Nov. 11, which drew significant support from the Mecklenburg County legal community and showcased the growing advocacy skills of students in the part-time, evening J.D. program. In all, 15 Mecklenburg County attorneys — including four Elon Law alumni — served as judges.

Ashley Holmes L’27 and Kayla Carmenia Price, Flex Two student, discuss their arguments as they prepare to compete in the Flex Program’s first Intramural Court Competition on Nov. 11, 2025.

�þ�� argued a fictional appellate case involving a 15-year-old junior counselor at a religious summer camp whose late work hours prompted a Department of Labor complaint. After the Department sued the sponsoring Church of Unity for violating federal child labor laws, a trial court dismissed the case, finding the teen was an employee but concluding the church was protected by the ministerial exception and First Amendment. Competitors examined two key questions: how employment should be defined and reviewed, and whether the teen’s role qualified as ministerial work.

After multiple rounds of strong advocacy, the Moot Court Board announced the Top 5 Oral Advocates:

Top Oral Advocates in the 2025 Flex Program Competition

1. Nadia Mazza

2. Yukai Johnson

3. Drew Brett

4. Favia Delgado

5. Jasmine Lauture

Vice Dean and Director of the Flex Program and Moot Court Program Alan Woodlief applauded the students’ preparation and the community’s response.

“I was so proud of the Flex Two students for their initiative and excellent work competing in this inaugural Flex Program Intramural Moot Court Competition,” Woodlief said. “We are also so appreciative of the enthusiastic support from the bench and bar in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, which filled all the volunteer judge positions within hours after the call for judges went out. Their engagement continues to make the Flex Program experience truly distinctive and impactful for our students.”

Several members of Elon Law’s Moot Court Board in Greensboro helped lead and coordinate the competition: Rebecca Bailey L’25, Kelsey Greene L’25, and Elizabeth Gregory L’26. Several Flex One students volunteered as bailiffs, contributing to the smooth running of the event.

Selections for the 2026 Moot Court Board will be announced in January. �þ�� chosen from the Flex Program will have opportunities to represent Elon Law in national competitions during their Flex Three and Flex Four years and will help coordinate next fall’s second annual Flex Program competition.

About Elon Law

The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study for place-bound students at �þ��’s Charlotte campus in South End, welcomed its second cohort in Fall 2025. �þ�� balancing work, family and other commitments can earn their J.D. in just under our years through evening classes featuring the same academic rigor and experiential opportunities available to full-time students.

Elon Law has graduated more than 1,700 alumni since opening its doors in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students and the law school is regularly featured in the top tier of PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings.

Elon Law supports first responders and veterans through Wills for Heroes clinics

Michael Abernethy — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:09:23 +0000

Nearly 40 first responders, veterans and their families across the state received free estate planning and advance directive assistance this fall through clinics hosted by �þ�� School of Law in partnership with the North Carolina Bar Foundation.

Flex 1 students Summer Allen, left, and Shelby Ferguson, supervised by attorney David Osborn, review documents and questionnaires with a first responder and family during the Wills for Heroes event at Elon’s Charlotte Center on Nov. 8, 2025.

A clinic at Elon Law’s downtown Greensboro campus served 14 law enforcement officers, three first responders and 11 of their spouses. For the first time, the Elon Law Flex Program in Charlotte hosted its own Wills for Heroes clinic, assisting 21 police officers, first responders, veterans and their spouses and families.

For those who dedicate their lives to protecting others, preparing for the unexpected is an act of care for their families. Through the simple but essential step of completing wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives, participants found clarity and peace of mind.

“We’re able to serve those who serve us,” said Bianca Simmons, program coordinator with the NC Bar Foundation. “First responders are on the line every day, and these documents give them and their families peace of mind. It’s meaningful to see attorneys and students work together to make that happen.”

Flex 1 students Lamarie Austin-Stripling, left, and Aaron Johnson, and attorney John Suhr speak with clients at the Wills for Heroes event hosted at �þ��’s Charlotte Center on Nov. 8. 2025.

Now in its 18th year, the foundation’s Wills for Heroes program connects licensed attorneys providing pro bono legal services with first responders and veterans statewide. Elon Law has long served as a host partner for Greensboro clinics and now extends that service through the Charlotte Flex Program, giving students across both campuses valuable experience drafting legal documents, interviewing clients, and working under attorney mentorship — skills that define the profession they are preparing to enter.

Statewide impact, shared purpose

“I’m former military and incoming president of (Elon Law’s) Military Law Society, so I know how quickly life can change,” said Olivia Domowitz L’26, an Army Reserve paralegal who volunteered at both sites. “It’s empowering for people to make these decisions ahead of time, and for us as students, it’s a privilege to be part of that process.”

Attorney Bradley Smith, left, supervises Flex 1 students Jeremy Yagoda and Jai Neighbors as they discuss estate and advance directive documents with first responders at �þ��’s Charlotte Center on Nov. 8, 2025.

For Yukai Johnson, a second-year Flex Program student, whose family includes members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, and law enforcement, the experience blended professional growth with personal purpose.

“We’re a family that serves,” Johnson said. “Having this opportunity to serve back was something I couldn’t pass up. Watching attorneys model how to navigate these difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism was an incredible learning experience.”

Molly Hohler L’26, a member of Elon Law’s Pro Bono Board who helped coordinate the events, called the clinics a reminder of law’s human side.

Flex 1 student Jai Neighbors prints estate planning documents as Molly Hohler L’26 and Associate Professor of Law Kathy Conner discuss the Wills for Heroes program at �þ��’s Charlotte center on Nov. 8, 2025.

“It’s rewarding to see the confidence and peace that comes from knowing your family will be taken care of,” Hohler said. “Our clients spend their lives protecting others. Helping them prepare for the future is one way we can give back.”

Participants included Officer Alexander Keller of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, who said he attended the Charlotte clinic to ensure his family would be protected.

“After some recent events, I realized how important it is to have these things in place,” Keller said. “I wanted to take care of my family in case something bad happens.”

“Elon Law was excited to partner with the North Carolina Bar Foundation to host a very successful inaugural Wills for Heroes event in Charlotte and continue to host in Greensboro,” said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and faculty director of the Flex Program. “On the weekend before Veterans Day, it was gratifying to see Flex Program and full-time students working with volunteer attorneys to prepare estate-planning documents for deserving veterans and first responders in Mecklenburg County.”

Through Wills for Heroes, Elon Law students gain practical skills that complement the school’s nationally recognized experiential curriculum, while attorneys and faculty mentors guide them in translating classroom lessons into real-world impact.

“I loved working with clients and walking through this step-by-step with them,” Domowitz said. “Having a practicing attorney next to me, guiding me through that process has been the best learning experience I’ve had in law school.”

Attorney Julia Gentile ’19, center, and Elon Law Flex Program students N’Taezha Davis and Yukai Johnson, complete wills and advance directives with Officer Mitchell Montgomery of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department during the Wills for Heroes event on Nov. 8, 2025.

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