Brian Wall to Serve on Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program Board
Brian Wall, Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Academic Support at William & Mary Law School, has been selected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (VJLAP) for a term of two years.
“Dean Wall graciously accepted his board appointment and will be introduced and have his first board meeting in July,” said Barbara Mardigian, LPC, Clinical Director of VJLAP. “We are very excited to have his experience, passion and connection to William & Mary, the students and the wellness collaboration with the school, students and with VJLAP.”
Wall, a Class of 2011 alumnus, returned to William & Mary in 2023. He not only serves full-time as Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Academic Support, but teaches Trusts & Estates and Advanced Legal Analysis & Doctrine, and co-teaches Law & Literature with the Wolf Law Library team.
During 2024’s Commencement ceremony, Wall was presented with the Walter L. Williams, Jr., Memorial Teaching Award, determined by a vote of the graduating class, and honoring the memory of the late Walter L. Williams, Jr., an outstanding teacher, and member of the faculty from 1972 to 1991.
Wall earned his B.A. and M.A. from Brigham Young University, before earning his J.D. from William & Mary and Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh where he served as a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow. In 2016, he joined the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada-Las Vegas as Director of Graduate Programs and led the Admissions and Financial Aid team from 2017-21, before becoming Boyd’s Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
“On behalf of Lawyers Helping Lawyers [LHL], we couldn’t be more thrilled at the news of Dean Wall’s appointment to the VJLAP Board,” said Shannon Callaghan ’25, Vice President of the William & Mary chapter of Lawyers Helping Lawyers. “As LHL’s faculty advisor, he’s been instrumental in helping us resurrect the organization: whether it’s coordinating wellness resources, speaking on panels, or helping us promote events, Dean Wall is easily our staunchest advocate.”
Formerly known as Lawyers Helping Lawyers, and now celebrating its 40th year, VJLAP provides confidential, non-disciplinary help to lawyers, judges, law students, bar applicants and other members of the legal community who are experiencing personal or professional impairment as a result of substance abuse or mental health issues. Assistance helps prevent disciplinary problems for the lawyer, protects the client, supports the lawyer’s family and professional associates, as well as strengthens the profession.
“VJLAP has been a wonderful partner in providing emotional and mental health support for our students,” Wall said. “I am looking forward to deepening our connection with them through this opportunity to serve.”