ASU Law welcomes first cohort of online and part-time JD students

When the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University announced its new online and part-time JD program last year, the goal was clear: to expand access to legal education while helping address critical legal workforce shortages nationwide, particularly in rural communities and public service roles. This January, that vision became reality as the program welcomed its inaugural cohort of students.

Drawing students from Arizona and beyond — including those working abroad — the first class brings together an extraordinary mix of professionals with unique life experiences and varied aspirations. Spanning a wide age range and representing communities across the country, the cohort reflects ASU Law’s commitment to meeting students where they are, both geographically and professionally.

“Legal education must evolve alongside the profession, and this model allows us to innovate while maintaining the academic excellence ASU Law is known for. By expanding how and where students can earn a JD, we are strengthening the legal profession and helping address critical gaps in legal services nationwide,” said Stacy Leeds, the Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents and Foundation Professor of Law.

Students in the inaugural cohort hail from nearly 20 states, including Arizona, California, Texas, Colorado and Georgia, underscoring the national demand for a flexible, high-quality legal education. Many are balancing careers, family responsibilities, active military service or public service roles alongside their legal studies.

“From the moment I applied, it was made clear that ASU is about helping underserved communities, and that sentiment has proven itself to be ingrained in the very DNA of the online, part-time JD program,” said Bruce Orr of Powerdly, Texas, an online, part-time JD student at ASU Law. “I definitely would not be attending law school this Spring without the program, and I may have never been able to make the commitment to a residential program at this point in my life. It would not come as a surprise if I am the only person in Lamar County, Texas, currently attending law school; that speaks volumes for the reach and mission of the online, part-time JD program to deliver a means of justice to legal deserts across the country.”

Their professional backgrounds are wide-ranging. Members of the class include military leaders, engineers, first responders, nonprofit executives, educators, health care professionals, small business owners and professionals working in local, state and federal government. Others arrive with experience in law-adjacent roles such as paralegal work, immigration services and criminal justice, while some are pursuing law as a second or third career.

Academically, the cohort arrives with strong credentials and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including master’s and doctoral programs in business, education, public health and public administration. Their interests span critical areas of need such as public service, criminal law, family law, immigration, health law, environmental law and rural practice — areas where communities across the country face persistent legal shortages.

The cohort also reflects ASU Law’s focus on access and inclusion with many students being first-generation law students.

“Law school has always been a dream of mine, but the timing never felt right,” said Natalie Winzenried of South Jordan, Utah, an online, part-time JD student at ASU Law. “As a mom of two young kids working full-time, I did not think law school would be possible. This spring, I decided it was finally time to make this dream a reality. After doing some research, I found out that ASU had just announced its online, part-time JD program focused on public interest law. I felt like the timing was fate, and I immediately started looking into the application process and preparing for the LSAT.”

Winzenried chose ASU Law over other online JD programs because of its mission and public interest specialization. 

“I was immediately drawn to ASU Law’s focus on public interest. My career goals are focused on public interest work, particularly in the area of child welfare advocacy. The program’s structure and courses stood out to me as a great fit for what I am most passionate about,” she said. “After earning my JD from ASU Law, I hope to work in a career that allows me to make a difference in my community. I am particularly interested in advocating for children in the child welfare system or working in roles focused on special education and disability rights. As a member of a Native American Tribe, I would also like to deepen my understanding of Tribal law and explore ways I can advocate in Native American communities.”

To support students balancing their commitments, ASU Law has built a comprehensive student support model designed specifically for the online, part-time JD program. Students have access to around-the-clock academic advising and technical support, ensuring help is available whenever and wherever it’s needed. The program is led by Jennifer Albright, the inaugural director of student success for part-time, online JD students, who works closely with students to provide personalized guidance, proactive outreach and seamless coordination of resources. Together, this support structure reflects ASU Law’s commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them thrive throughout their law school journey.

“Our students are logging in from different states, different time zones and very full lives. That means support can’t be limited to traditional office hours. We’ve built a model where help is always within reach — academically, technically and personally — so students never feel like they’re navigating law school on their own,” Albright said.

What distinguishes this program is not only its format and mission, but its leadership. The online and part-time JD was developed and is being led at the highest level of the law school, under the direction of the dean’s office, with Angela Banks, vice dean and the Charles J. Merriam Distinguished Professor of Law, serving as the program’s lead. This dean-level leadership structure is uncommon among law schools offering part-time or online programs, signaling ASU Law’s long-term commitment to quality, rigor and innovation.

“From the outset, this program has been part of ASU Law’s core mission,” Banks said. “Its development has involved significant time and preparation, sustained faculty engagement, and the creation of robust support structures, all focused on preparing students for the realities of modern legal practice.”

In addition to its flexible format, the program is designed to be future-facing. ASU Law is intentionally integrating artificial intelligence and legal technology into the student experience to ensure graduates are prepared for a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Students will engage with emerging tools and methodologies that support learning, efficiency and ethical legal practice.

As part of this focus, students will have opportunities to participate in ASU Law’s AI and Legal Tech Studio led by Sean Harrington, where they will explore how technology is reshaping legal services, access to justice and the role of lawyers. The studio connects students with hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world problem solving at the intersection of law and technology, turning students into future-ready professionals equipped to serve their communities wherever they live and work.

As the inaugural class settles into coursework and community-building, their presence represents more than the launch of a new online and part-time JD option. It reflects ASU Law’s broader vision for what legal education can be: accessible, innovative, technologically informed and deeply connected to the needs of society.