Featured News Stories

Twyla Carter

NYC Legal Aid Society CEO and alumna to deliver commencement address

Twyla Carter ’07, a nationally renowned public defender and advocate for bail reform and pretrial assistance to low-income clients, will address Seattle University School of Law’s Class of 2023 graduates at commencement on May 13.

March 1, 2023 | Announcements


Sullivan Hall (background) and blooming tree flower (foreground)

Professor, multiple alumni earn recognition at Pierce Co. awards banquet

Seattle University School of Law alumni and a longtime professor earned nearly every honor at the 115th Annual Lincoln Day Awards Banquet, held by the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association at the Tacoma Convention Center earlier this month.

February 22, 2023


Globe map

Seattle U Law recognized as top school for international law

Seattle University School of Law earned an “A” grade in international law from National Jurist’s preLaw magazine, as reported in the Winter 2023 issue.

February 9, 2023


Collage of new faculty photos

Law school welcomes five new teacher-scholars to career faculty

The new professors, whose positions begin July 1, 2023, are Erin Carr (legal writing), Jeremiah Chin (constitutional law), Elizabeth Ford (law clinic), Kip Hustace (civil procedure), and Luke Maher (tax law).

February 6, 2023


Sullivan Hall brick wall exterior with 'Seattle University School of Law' lettering.

Seattle U Law suspends participation in U.S. News law school rankings

Seattle University School of Law remains committed to providing prospective students with the information necessary to make an informed decision about where to undertake their law studies.

January 24, 2023


Law school faculty share expertise, insight at U.S. law schools meeting

Seattle University School of Law faculty scholars and administrators provided valuable leadership and academic insight at the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) annual meeting in San Diego, California, last week.

January 10, 2023


Law students condemn gender policing in solidarity with Iranians

In a show of solidarity with human rights protesters in Iran, Seattle University School of Law students issued a statement condemning gender policing and discrimination by the governing Islamic regime and are working to educate the law school community about the country’s laws and history.

November 28, 2022


Amazon GC emphasizes need for writing skills and pro bono engagement

Speaking at Seattle University School of Law as part of Dean Anthony E. Varona’s Luminaries in Law Lecture and Conversation Series, David Zapolsky said Amazon is notorious for banning PowerPoint presentations in its meetings.

October 24, 2022 | Events


A dynamic new dean: Anthony E. Varona

With abundant enthusiasm and a bold strategic vision, Anthony E. Varona looks to take Seattle U Law to new heights of achievement. (From fall 2022 Lawyer magazine)

October 11, 2022


Task force issues recommendations to combat racism in justice system

A statewide task force examining race and the criminal justice system in the state of Washington has developed a comprehensive set of 140 recommendations aimed at reducing or eliminating the disproportionate impact of the legal system on people of color.

October 10, 2022


Dean Anthony E. Varona of Seattle University School of Law and Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Raj Kumar of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) holds up signed partnership agreements during a virtual signing ceremony.

Seattle U Law partners with O.P. Jindal Global University in India

On September 22, 2022, Dean Anthony Varona, Seattle University School of Law, and Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Raj Kumar, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), signed two key agreements creating new opportunities for law students in India and the United States to pursue a global education.

September 22, 2022


Workshop promotes diverse leaders in legal education

The workshop assembles law school deans and executive university leaders from across the country to serve as presenters and panelists, providing a venue for them to share advice, wisdom, and mentorship with the attendees. Workshop attendees are primarily current law faculty members and assistant or associate deans who aspire to apply for deanship positions in the future.

September 16, 2022


Sullivan Hall statue artwork

Five Gregoire Fellows welcome chance to diversify legal profession

The program, named in honor of former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, recognizes students for their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives, and leadership potential to diversify the legal profession in Washington. Five first-year students at Seattle University School of Law were named Gregoire Fellows: Kali Clark, Gabriela Dionisio, Ania Kamkar, Kalina Spasovska, and Sarah Yoon.

September 15, 2022


Brooke Coleman named Fredric C. Tausend professor

This professorship is named for Dean Tausend, who led the law school from 1980 to 1986 and is widely credited with strengthening the school’s commitment to social justice, academic excellence, and access to legal education, as well as diversity in education and the profession.

September 7, 2022


Law school welcomes diverse class of entering first-year students

There are 224 students in the class, with 178 full-time students and 46 in the hybrid online Flex JD program for part-time students. Students of color comprise 37 percent of the entering class, an increase from 35 percent last year. Thirty-two percent were the first in their family to attend college.

August 17, 2022


Calhoun Fellows from 2000-2022 visit Southern Poverty Law Center

Calhoun Fellows author amicus brief in support of jury diversity

Inspired by their visit to civil rights sites in Alabama earlier this summer, Seattle University School of Law’s Calhoun Fellows assisted in writing a moving and persuasive legal brief to encourage jury diversity. The case aims to strengthen the right of defendants to have a jury drawn from a jury pool that reflects a fair cross section of the community.

August 12, 2022


Jessica Pouley Deb Haaland

Student sees Native American legal history in the making as Udall intern

Jessica Pouley is one of only 11 students nationally who were selected for the prestigious Native American Congressional Internship, a program run by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation and the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy.

July 22, 2022


Isabel Freitas Peres and Lily Su

Bar Studies and ATJI receive grant to study bar exam interventions

Isabel Freitas Peres, director of Bar Studies, and Lily Su, associate director of the Access to Justice Institute, were awarded an 18-month grant to study the effectiveness of bar exam interventions as part of the Professionals in Legal Education Developing Greater Equity (PLEDGE) Fellowship.

July 20, 2022


Sullivan Hall brick wall exterior with 'Seattle University School of Law' lettering.

Acclaimed legal scholars and professors return to Seattle U Law

Acclaimed law professors Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic will return to Seattle University School of Law’s faculty as distinguished professors this year. As leading authors and theorists on race and social change in the United States, they have published numerous books and articles over their distinguished careers that have explored groundbreaking legal frameworks, including critical race theory.

June 21, 2022


David Skover at the outside entrance of Sullivan Hall

Singing scholar: David Skover retires from teaching, legal scholarship

'My experience as a teacher of bright, dedicated, and hard-working students is quintessential to my role as a professor. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with so many young men and women who graduated from this institution and became distinguished leaders in their respective fields,' Skover said.

May 18, 2022


Lisa Brodoff

Lisa Brodoff’s righteous legacy of mentorship and advocacy

Lisa Brodoff considers herself lucky. That's because for the past 25 years, she's held her dream job as a professor and director of Seattle University School of Law's nationally ranked Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic. Alongside her academic career, Brodoff has been a fierce advocate for laws and policies to protect the state's most vulnerable populations.

April 21, 2022


Composite headshots of new faculty 2022

Highly accomplished new faculty join Seattle U Law

The law school welcomes an accomplished cohort of new tenure-track faculty members, each of whom brings a wealth of teaching, practical, and scholarly expertise.

April 12, 2022 | Announcements


Sidney DeLong at graduation

Signing (off) on the dotted line

Professor Sidney DeLong retires after 37 years of teaching.

April 10, 2022 | Announcements


Sydney Lopes, Tarra Simmons, Dean Annette Clark

Tarra Simmons ’17 receives 2022 Woman of the Year Award

In accepting the 2022 Woman of the Year award, Tarra Simmons ’17 thanked the many women in the legal profession who helped her along the way and encouraged those who will come after her.

March 31, 2022 | Announcements


Ukraine flag

Law students help Ukrainian refugees start asylum applications

Seattle University School of Law has partnered with Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest to provide legal assistance to more than 30 Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn home country. Thirteen student volunteers, overseen by professors and licensed attorneys, will help the refugees complete the initial paperwork required to seek asylum in the United States.

March 29, 2022 | Announcements


Janet Ainsworth

A tale of forks and torts: Janet Ainsworth reflects on her career

As Ainsworth prepares to retire after 34 years of teaching, first at University of Puget Sound School of Law and then at Seattle University School of Law when the law school moved north, she reflected on the forks in the road that led her to what she calls “the best job in the world.”

March 29, 2022 | Announcements


Equal Justice Initiative

Law school names five Calhoun Fellows for 2022

Five dedicated students and equal justice advocates will undertake a summer of skills training and race equity work as part of Seattle University School of Law’s Calhoun Family Fellowship. The 2022 fellows are Marcel Baugh ‘24, Leslie Burnett ‘24, Naomi Rothenberg ‘24, Jean Russell ‘24, and Talia Starr ‘24.

March 22, 2022


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Recent News Stories

Jury selection begins in trial for suspect in Everett police shooting

KING 5 News

Professor Deborah Ahrens comments on the challenges of defending someone charged with killing a police officer.

March 14, 2023 | In the News


Restraining orders can 'create a false sense of security'

KING 5 News

Professor Deirdre Bowen discusses the limitations of protection orders.

March 10, 2023 | In the News


Washington lawmakers are trying to protect abortion patients

The Spokesman-Review

Professor Deirdre Bowen discusses the legal challenges yet to come for out-of-state abortion care.

March 6, 2023 | In the News


Seattle City Council bans caste discrimination

KUOW

Professor Sital Kalantry offers legal analysis and important historical context to the issue of caste discrimination.

February 23, 2023 | In the News


UFOs and CRT: Republicans are in a constant state of panic

Salon

Essay includes excerpt from Professor Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic's article about "Space Traders."

February 17, 2023 | In the News


Families of 2 men killed by WA police wait years for officers’ trials

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Boruchowitz says the outrage is real and understandable.

February 13, 2023 | In the News


The Wash. Labor Developments That Experts Are Watching

Law360

Professor Elizabeth Ford explains new and groundbreaking labor laws in Washington state.

February 9, 2023 | In the News


With rulings against racial bias, court starts 'hard discussions'

KUOW

Professor Robert Chang explains how unfair treatment due to race prevents due process.

February 7, 2023 | In the News


Washington Cases to Watch in 2023

Law360

Professor Deirdre Bowen says a pending sexual assault case could have massive implications for universities.

February 3, 2023 | In the News


Jeff Bezos wants the world to know he’s a philanthropist

Vox

Sara Rankin comments on the Amazon founder's charitable giving to end homelessness.

January 24, 2023 | In the News


Kohberger attorney represented parent of victim in Moscow homicides

Idaho Statesman

Robert Boruchowitz comments on how attorneys handle conflicts of interest.

January 23, 2023 | In the News


Want to understand L.G.B.T.Q. Life in America? Go to Alabama.

The New York Times

Professor Dean Spade is quoted about social movements against oppression.

January 6, 2023 | In the News


SCOTUS case from Washington could have implications for unions

Washington News Service

Professor Elizabeth Ford says the ruling could shift the cost of striking onto unions.

December 28, 2022 | In the News


Rail strike averted, but workers left without sick leave

KUOW

Professor Liz Ford explains what happened to the tentative agreement railway workers had reached with the Biden administration.

December 1, 2022 | In the News


Wage Recovery Funds

California Law Review

Hear Prof. Ford discuss Wage Recovery Funds at this podcast produced by the California Law Review.

November 29, 2022 | In the News


Top law schools rebel against U.S. News’ annual rankings

The National Jurist

Dean Anthony Varona's 2014 essay on the harms of law school rankings is quoted in this article.

November 29, 2022 | In the News


The Law School Promise

Law360

Dean Anthony E. Varona is featured in Episode 1: The Pipeline to the Legal Profession.

November 21, 2022 | In the News


Realty company offering cash after locking homeowners into deal

KIRO 7

Jesse Jones spoke with Professor Steven Bender in this investigation.

November 17, 2022 | In the News


Railway strike averted after tentative agreement reached

KOMO News

Railway strike averted after tentative agreement reached

September 15, 2022 | In the News


Seattle Pacific University trustees sued by students and faculty

KUOW

Seattle Pacific University trustees sued by students and faculty

September 13, 2022 | In the News


The invisible side of abuse: Inside the mind of a manipulator

Q13 FOX

The Spotlight goes inside the mind of a manipulator

September 6, 2022 | In the News


Seattle Children's nurses would get $10 per hour raise

KING 5

Seattle Children's nurses would get $10 per hour raise under proposed contract

August 30, 2022 | In the News


Criminalization of Homelessness

The Doorway Project

Criminalization of Homelessness: An Interview with Ashley Karlstad '21

August 22, 2022 | In the News


Starbucks says labor board helping pro-union workers in Seattle

The Seattle Times

Professor Elizabeth Ford explains the role of the National Labor Relations Board in union votes.

August 16, 2022 | In the News


Cities continue to pass homeless camping ordinances

OPB Think Out Loud

Professor Sara Rankin discusses the current legal framework for cities addressing homelessness.

August 11, 2022 | In the News


Anti-Abortion Leader Says a 10-Year-Old’s Abortion Wouldn’t Count

VICE

Professor Deborah Ahrens says the hope of a governor's pardon might not be enough to reassure abortion service providers.

July 14, 2022 | In the News


How Biden's executive order to protect abortion access impacts WA

KING 5

Professor Deirdre Bowen said Biden’s executive order is more of a policy statement.

July 10, 2022 | In the News


Law Schools Mull How to Address 'Dobbs' and a Changing Court

Law.com

Law schools must figure out how to teach as well as how to help students cope, says Professor Sital Kalantry.

July 5, 2022 | In the News


Prosecutor who asked jury about immigration committed misconduct

The Seattle Times

Prosecutor who asked jury about immigration committed misconduct

June 30, 2022 | In the News


What does Idaho's pending ban on abortion mean for Washington state?

KUOW

States will realize quickly they can't regulate travel for abortion care, says Professor Sital Kalantry.

June 29, 2022 | In the News


Will case of praying Bremerton coach affect other public employees?

KOMO News

Activities on an employee's personal time are protected, says Professor Andrew Siegel.

June 27, 2022 | In the News


Opponents say SCOTUS decision could impact more rights than abortion

KIRO 7

Professor Sital Kalantry describes the potential fallout on same-sex marriage, privacy, and contraception.

June 24, 2022 | In the News


Are juvenile records public? There's a movement to make changes

USA Today

Professor Paul Holland describes concerns about legal system's impact on children.

June 19, 2022 | In the News


SpaceX firings likely violate US labor law, experts say

The Verge

The employees have a strong case for retaliation claims, says Professor Charlotte Garden.

June 17, 2022 | In the News


Why is Starbucks’ union drive speeding ahead while Amazon’s stumbles?

The Guardian

Professor Charlotte Garden says one company isn't more pro-union than the other.

June 14, 2022 | In the News


Race must be considered in determining legality of police stops

The Seattle Times

Whether the ruling affects police behavior remains to be seen, says Professor Robert Chang.

June 9, 2022 | In the News


Race must be considered in determining legality of stops and seizures

The Seattle Times

The question is whether the ruling will affect police behavior, says Professor Robert Chang.

June 9, 2022 | In the News


Cargo loaders are exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act

SCOTUSblog

Professor Charlotte Garden's analysis of a workers' rights case at the U.S. Supreme Court.

June 7, 2022 | In the News


Apple to Boost Retail and Corporate Pay in Face of Inflation

Bloomberg

Companies often introduce improvements during union-organizing efforts, says Professor Charlotte Garden.

May 25, 2022 | In the News


Seattle Human Rights Commissioners Feel “Gagged” by City Attorney

The Stranger

Professor Emeritus John Strait weighs in on a conflict regarding the consent decree governing Seattle police.

May 25, 2022 | In the News


Courts may not “make up” new procedural rules to favor arbitration

SCOTUSblog

Professor Charlotte Garden says this case does not undo the court's previous pro-arbitration rulings.

May 24, 2022 | In the News


Tiny home villages a potential solution to Spokane's homeless crisis

KREM

Large congregate shelters are the least effective way to address homelessness, says Professor Sara Rankin.

May 19, 2022 | In the News


Clashing Abortion Laws in US Northwest Show Chaos of Post-Roe Care

Bloomberg

There are “no very clear answers” about aiding out-of-state abortions, says Professor Sital Kalantry.

May 16, 2022 | In the News


Data-driven procedural inequality

JOTWELL

Professor Brooke Coleman reviews a scholarly critique of how data is gathered and used.

May 13, 2022 | In the News


Years of court changes led to weakening of Roe v. Wade

New Day NW

Professor Andrew Siegel discusses the ramifications of the leaked draft ruling that could overturn abortion rights.

May 9, 2022 | In the News


Was it something I said? Legal protections for employee speech

Economic Policy Institute

Professor Charlotte Garden traces the legal rules governing freedom of speech at work.

May 5, 2022 | In the News


What the overturning of Roe v. Wade could mean for marriage equality

KING 5

"Everything is up for grabs," Professor Sital Kalantry predicts, saying the ruling impacts four decades of constitutional law.

May 5, 2022 | In the News


If Roe v Wade falls, what does that mean for Washington?

KUOW

Professor Sital Kalantry discusses the "new battleground" of interstate jurisdiction if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

May 4, 2022 | In the News


Seattle law clinic helps target 'wage theft'

KING5

Professor Liz Ford and students describe their advocacy on behalf of low-wage workers.

April 20, 2022 | In the News


Washington Lyft, Uber Driver Deal Not Safe from Court Challenge

Bloomberg

Professor Liz Ford speculates on Washington's new law mandating benefits for app-based drivers.

April 4, 2022 | In the News


Seattle U law students help Ukrainian refugees in Wash. state

KOMO News

Professor Deirdre Bowen says it's important for future lawyers to learn empathy.

April 3, 2022 | In the News


Ukrainians get aid from Seattle law students for asylum applications

KING 5

Professor Deirdre Bowen describes the challenges of an asylum application.

April 3, 2022 | In the News


How data can inform policies to end homelessness and housing insecurity

Crosscut

Professor Sara Rankin says there isn't enough investment in housing, the only real solution to homelessness.

April 2, 2022 | In the News


Workers at N.Y. warehouse vote to unionize

GeekWire

Professor Charlotte Garden outlines the next step between Amazon and its new union.

April 1, 2022 | In the News


Airport ramp agents are probably excluded from federal arbitration

SCOTUSblog

Professor Charlotte Garden analyzes the high court's oral argument in an employment dispute.

March 30, 2022 | In the News


Are airline cargo loaders engaged in interstate commerce?

SCOTUSblog

Professor Charlotte Garden previews an employment dispute that will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

March 25, 2022 | In the News


Arbitration clauses, prejudicial delays, and one justice’s contract-law

SCOTUSblog

The high court seems poised to deter strategic delays, says Professor Charlotte Garden.

March 24, 2022 | In the News


Is turnabout fair play under the Federal Arbitration Act?

SCOTUSblog

A U.S. Supreme Court case looks at the issue of delayed arbitration and Professor Charlotte Garden offers a preview.

March 18, 2022 | In the News


Mark Chinen discusses Big Tech's involvement in the Ukraine war.

KUOW

Professor Mark Chinen discusses Big Tech's involvement in monitoring cyber threats associated with the Ukraine war.

March 10, 2022 | In the News


Seattle legal experts react to Supreme Court nomination

KING 5 News

Professors Natasha Martin and Andrew Siegel react to the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court.

February 25, 2022 | In the News


Seven Reactions To NFIB v. Department of Labor

Law & Political Economy Project

Professor Charlotte Garden joins other scholars in analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in recent vaccine case.

January 26, 2022 | In the News


U.S. Labor’s Watershed Year Failed to Boost Union Memberships

Bloomberg

Professor Charlotte Garden says labor law makes it difficult for worker activism to translate into union membership.

January 20, 2022 | In the News


Steeped in two worlds, law professor crusades for women’s rights

NW Asian Weekly

Professor Sital Kalanty discusses how her bicultural upbringing influences her legal scholarship.

January 20, 2022 | In the News


Hundreds of Portlanders Are Living in Their Cars. Here’s How They Do It.

Willamette Week

Professor Sara Rankin says vehicle residency is a "hidden crisis in plain sight."

January 19, 2022 | In the News


Homeless must meet specific criteria for emergency, transitional housing

Florida Today

Research by Seattle University law students is cited in this story about barriers to shelter.

January 18, 2022 | In the News


The Paradox of Predatory Pricing

Competition Policy International

An essay by Prof. John Kirkwood explores effective options for legal challenges to predatory pricing.

January 5, 2022 | In the News