Law 2023: MELANIE D. WILSON

Dean of Washington and Lee University’s law school since July 2022, Wilson is a prolific writer and author who also holds the Roy L. Steinheimer Jr. Professorship in Law.

Her experience spans multiple schools, states and awards: She was an associate professor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and a visiting professor at William & Mary’s law school. In 2007, she joined the faculty of the University of Kansas School of Law, where she served as professor of law, associate dean for academic affairs and director of diversity and inclusion. In 2015, she went on to become dean of the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville for five years before returning to teaching.

Wilson practiced law for 13 years in the private and public sectors, including as an assistant U.S. attorney for six years and as assistant Georgia state attorney general for four years. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia, where she played on the 1986 Southeastern Conference championship women’s golf team.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington and Lee University’s law school 40th in its 2023-24 Best Law Schools list.