Professor Emeritus David Boerner, a celebrated faculty member who faithfully served the law school and the legal profession with distinction during his long career, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, on Mercer Island. A gifted lawyer and dedicated professor who was passionate about justice and education, he was 85 years old. His obituary is posted online.
Boerner leaves behind his three children and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Barbara, who passed in December of 2024, and his parents and sister.
“We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Professor Boerner’s family in their time of grief,” said Dean Anthony E. Varona. “While losing a colleague, a friend, and a loved one is heartbreaking, we can find comfort in celebrating his extraordinary legacy of significant contributions to the many students he taught and mentored over the years, our law school, legal education, and the practice of law during his career.”
After earning bachelor and law degrees at the University of Illinois, Boerner and his family moved to Seattle, where he began his legal career with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO).
During his 18-year tenure, he rose to become the Chief Criminal Deputy. In his role, Boerner helped to shape the Community Protection Act and the Sexually Violent Predators Statute, and spearheaded the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.
In 1981, Boerner joined the faculty of the University of Puget Sound School of Law (which later became Seattle University School of Law), beginning a second career devoted to teaching, scholarship, and service that lasted for nearly a quarter of a century. He was a renowned expert in Administrative Law, Criminal Law, and Professional Responsibility.
One of Boerner’s singular and lasting achievements was co-founding the law school’s Access Admission Program, an innovative initiative that has provided a pathway to a law degree for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities over the past 30 years. Students admitted to the program demonstrate potential for success through their grit, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to overcome barriers, qualities which are not necessarily reflected by grades and test scores.
During his academic career, Boerner published many notable books and law review articles on sentencing reform and legal ethics. This scholarship, combined with his work as a prosecutor, earned him state and national recognition as a leader in criminal justice reform.
Boerner’s extensive service to the legal profession included tenures as: chair of the Board for Court Education; chair of the Washington Supreme Court’s Time for Trial Task Force; chair of the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee of the Washington State Bar Association; and member of the Washington Supreme Court's Jury Instruction Committee.
During his career, Boerner also lectured frequently for groups such as the Washington Criminal Justice Institute, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Federal Bar Association.
Upon Boerner’s retirement in 2005, Seattle University conferred emeritus status in recognition of his long service, dedication, and accomplishments.
A memorial service has been scheduled for July. In lieu of flowers, Boerner’s family has requested that donations be made to the Native American Rights Fund or the Seattle Clemency Project.