December 13, 2005

MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Carey

(202) 994-3087; wcarey@gwu.edu

Kim Faille

(732)560-8888; kmfaille@hildebrandt.com

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AND THE HILDEBRANDT INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE 2006 LAW FIRM GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Law Firm Management and Professional Service Firm Leadership Improve Administration

SOMERSET, N.J., and WASHINGTON, D.C.  - The Hildebrandt Institute and The George Washington University's College of Professional Studies have announced the 2006 dates of their Graduate Certificate Programs in Law Firm Management and Professional Service Firm Leadership.  These programs are designed for law and service firm professionals currently holding or aspiring to hold management positions and together lead to a GW master's degree in Professional Service Firm Management.

The initial nine-day residency for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Service Firm Leadership is scheduled for February 4-12, 2006, with the capstone residency set for May 5-8, 2006.  For the Graduate Certificate in Law Firm Management, the initial nine-day residency is set for June 17-25, 2006, and the capstone residency is scheduled for November 3-6, 2006.  Students may register for one or both certificate programs and the two certificates may be completed in either order.  Applications for both programs currently are being accepted by GW.

"Law and service firm professionals will develop leadership skills and learn how to make their firms more efficient through these convenient certificate programs," said Roger Whitaker, dean of the College of Professional Studies at The George Washington University.  "The curriculum is tailored to deal with the constantly evolving environment of today's firms.  It gives working professionals the necessary tools they need to become more effective managers."

These unique, executive education programs consist of a nine-day residency at GW's Graduate Education Center in Alexandria, Va., followed by a three to four month, Internet-based distance learning segment.  Both conclude with a four-day capstone residency at GW.   Students successfully completing both certificate programs as well as an independent research project may obtain a Master of Professional Studies degree in Professional Service Firm Management.   

"These certificate programs as well as the related master's degree fill an important gap in the legal and service industry markets," noted James Jones, director of The Hildebrandt Institute.  "Through these unique programs, we are able to offer highly focused and practical educational opportunities for professionals charged with management responsibilities in law firms across the country, as well as accounting and other similar service organizations."

The 2006 graduate certificate program in Law Firm Management builds on the highly successful initial offering of 2005.  The first cohort of students completed the program in October.  All participants in the inaugural class were enthusiastic about the scope and content of the offering.  As one student observed, "The wealth of information we learned about strategic planning, competitive advantage, and aligning people will prove invaluable in my firm."