September 8, 2026
Two institutions working together to help TLU graduates advance to law school at St. Mary’s Law
There’s a new pathway between Seguin and San Antonio, thanks to a formal agreement between Texas Lutheran University and the St. Mary’s University School of Law. The two institutions are working together to help TLU graduates map their course to law school — and in turn, to bring exceptional students to St. Mary’s Law.
Per the new TLU-St. Mary’s Articulation Program, which was signed at a formal ceremony at TLU on Sept. 4, current Texas Lutheran students on track to complete a bachelor’s degree, as well as those who earned their degree within three years of applying to law school, are eligible for the program.
The vetting process includes advising sessions, character and fitness reviews, faculty consultations and an endorsement from the designated pre-law adviser at TLU, confirming that the applicant is recommended for consideration for the program. Those accepted to the program who maintain minimum cumulative GPAs during their undergrad years and achieve acceptable LSAT scores are guaranteed admission to St. Mary’s Law as full-time, in-person students in the University’s J.D. program.
The new agreement, the third of its kind for St. Mary’s, will ensure that the law school receives highly qualified applicants — and in turn, will forge a clear path for those students to attend St. Mary’s Law, which has served as the premier source of legal education for San Antonio and South Texas for the past 100 years.
TLU’s William O’Brochta, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Chair of Political Science, will be taking on the role of pre-law adviser.
“Many TLU students who pursue careers as attorneys want to do so in the San Antonio and Austin areas,” said O’Brochta. “St. Mary’s Law is among the best-connected programs in this region, providing excellent networking and career development opportunities. TLU graduates have a long history of academic and career success at St. Mary’s School of Law, and this articulation agreement builds on that success to formalize a pathway to law school for interested students. The agreement also provides clarity for TLU students about the steps toward law school admission and academic and professional goals to achieve that better prepare them to succeed in law school.”
Another benefit of the program: Admitted applicants will be awarded a scholarship that will continue throughout their years at St. Mary’s as long as they remain in good standing.
“Our new agreement with St. Mary’s Law provides a significant opportunity for our students as they consider their post-graduate options,” said TLU President Debbie Cottrell, Ph.D. “It also signals the kind of partnership that TLU values and appreciates, as we join with a nearby institution with a long history of offering high-quality law education. We look forward to what this partnership will mean to both institutions.”
St. Mary’s University President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., commended the new agreement with TLU.
“This partnership showcases the access to legal education that St. Mary’s University’s School of Law has remained committed to providing since its founding 100 years ago,” Erevelles said. “We look forward to building and growing this partnership between two historic faith-based universities that are deeply committed to excellence, justice and the common good.”
St. Mary’s Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D., shared her excitement for the new partnership, which will build a pipeline of academically excellent future lawyers seeking to continue faith-based education.
“Embedded in both universities is a vision to create a more just world,” Roberts said. “At St. Mary’s, we are grateful for this unique partnership with TLU that allows highly qualified students to continue their journey toward servant leadership in the legal profession.”