Judge John White Brockenbrough established the Lexington Law School in 1849. In 1866 Washington College President Robert E. Lee invited Judge Brockenbrough to affiliate his law school with the college. The school was known first as the School of Law and Equity, then as the Department of Law and Equity. During this period, Brockenbrough continued as the sole professor in the law school, but he was not considered to be a member of the college faculty. When a complete merger occurred with the college in 1870, the School of Common and Statute Law was born, and Brockenbrough was made a regular faculty member. In 1873, Brockenbrough resigned as a result of a salary dispute. He died in 1877.
Introductory Address to the Law Class of Lexington, delivered October 31, 1849.