Laith Kewan '27, a first-year Seattle University School of Law student who possesses a variety of interests, life experiences, and future goals in the legal profession, has been named a 2024 Gregoire Fellow.
“Laith’s interest in gaining experience at both a private law firm and corporate legal department, coupled with his strong academic credentials and work ethic, made him a strong candidate for this year’s Gregoire Fellowship,” said Matt Etter ’12, assistant dean for the Center for Professional Development, who was on the committee that selected Kewan. “We look forward to Laith putting his goals into action at Seattle U Law as this year’s Gregoire Fellow.”
Kewan, who said receiving the fellowship is “an incredible honor,” plans to use his law degree to work for the federal government. This desire comes partly from his experience growing up in Bentonville, Arkansas, as the child of a Syrian father, who experienced discrimination by certain government agencies.
“Change from within is the best way to make change,” he said of his future career in government. “I’ve always wanted to change the world. I wanted to make the world a better place for people.”
Fellows are chosen in recognition of their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives and experiences, and leadership potential to diversify the Washington legal profession. The program is named in honor of former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, who practiced law before seeking elected office.
“Seeing the things she has accomplished and pushed for, like legalizing gay marriage and medical marijuana, it’s a great honor to be able to work with her and carry something that carries her name,” Kewan said. “It also gives me a lot of hope for that public service life that I want.”
After completing their first year of law school, fellows spend the summer clerking at both a major law firm and either a Seattle-based corporation or government agency. In addition to summer employment, Gregoire Fellows receive:
- Three-year Seattle U Law scholarship
- $20,000 first-year summer stipend
- Mentorship from Gregoire and members of the Seattle legal community
- $5,000 bar exam study stipend
“I think this fellowship, with the mentorship aspects and the summer internships that it offers, will give me the necessary experience and perspective to better find out who I am not just as a legal professional, but also who I am as a person,” Kewan said.
Kewan was drawn to law school as an undergraduate history major. Studying the history of the United States and the world exposed him to patterns of violence and power used to inflict injustices on others.
“As I started to have my eyes opened to people who have been disadvantaged, truths that have been buried because they don’t follow the main narrative, that’s got me more interested in making change,” he said.
He chose Seattle U Law for its top-ranked Legal Writing Program, its focus on social justice, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As a student with autism, he has also found a welcoming community for people with disabilities at Seattle U Law.
“Here, being neurodivergent [on the autism spectrum] seems easier,” he said. “I don’t feel like I’m judged. I feel like, if anything, I’m celebrated.”
While moving away from friends and family has been a difficult transition, Kewan said the people at Seattle U Law, especially fellow law students, have made campus feel like home.
“The culture of justice has popped up a lot more at Seattle U Law. If you’re here, you’re wanting to make some sort of change,” he said. “It’s made me more and more aware of the injustices around us, around the world, around the country.”