Southwestern Law School has received a $2.5 million commitment from the Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Foundation to support the law school’s Online J.D. program, the nation’s first fully online J.D. at an ABA-accredited law school to offer both full-time and part-time options. 

The program, which launched in fall 2024, delivers a fully online, ABA-accredited curriculum that combines mostly asynchronous, video-based courses, interactive assessments, and optional live sessions with faculty. It is designed for students who need flexibility in how and where they complete their legal studies, while holding them to the same academic standards as Southwestern’s on-campus programs. 

Leichtman, Chair of Southwestern’s Board of Trustees and CEO of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, has been a key advocate for expanding access to legal education through thoughtfully designed online offerings. This new gift will provide scholarships to new and returning students and support program operations.  

“Lauren and Arthur’s gift affirms the extraordinary work of our faculty and staff to build a high-quality Online J.D. It will help us strengthen the program as it grows.” said Darby Dickerson, President and Dean of Southwestern Law School. “We appreciate their continued leadership, trust, and incredible support.” 

In December 2025, Leichtman was re-elected Chair of the Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees for a new three-year term.