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The National Jurist named Seattle University School of Law as one of the top 10 law schools nationally in its “Best Law Schools for Public Service” rankings.
The national publication’s rankings, published in the fall 2025 issue, designate Seattle U Law:
- #7 for overall national public service law
- #1 for overall public service law in the Pacific Northwest
- #7 nationally for public interest law
- #17 nationally for criminal law
"We are thrilled but not surprised by this important distinction. Seattle U Law graduates have long distinguished themselves in government service, the judiciary, public interest, criminal law, legal and higher education, and other public service roles," said Dean Anthony E. Varona. "Many of our faculty and staff members also have been, or still are, leaders in public service, and help hone our students’ own passion for the common good. Our shared Jesuit, Catholic mission also exhorts us to use our professional skills to improve the lives of the less fortunate and change the world for the better. It is no wonder then that our graduates truly become leaders serving justice."
Lily Su, director of the Access to Justice Institute, encourages students to take on pro bono and public interest work, including by performing summer internships with nonprofits through the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF).
“Seattle U Law’s strength in public interest is rooted in our students, supported by dedicated staff, faculty, and community partners,” Su said. “At the Access to Justice Institute, we see students participate in Social Justice Mondays, take the Pro Bono Pledge, become a First Year Fellow, and pursue other public interest opportunities from their very first semester. We are continually inspired by how students turn these experiences into a lasting commitment to justice.”
Professor Zaida Rivera directs the Immigrant Justice Clinic and frequently leads groups of students around the state to provide pro bono aid to immigrants in rural areas with limited legal resources.
“Providing pro bono opportunities to students is essential to creating well-rounded attorneys. Not only will students obtain hands on experience, but they will make an impact to our underserved communities and see the need, especially in ‘legal deserts,’” she said. “I am proud and excited to be able to provide pro bono opportunities to our Seattle U Law community.”
“Our law school’s commitment to public interest is woven into everything we do — from faculty mentorship to the opportunities students have to serve underrepresented communities,” said PILF Board President and 3L Ashlan Hilden. “This national recognition affirms what students already know. We are being prepared to lead with purpose and advance justice in our communities.”