Korematsu Center news

Robert S. Chang, Executive Director, Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and Professor of Law

Judge tosses case against WA man beaten by police

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Chang was among five attorneys representing Joseph Zamora as Grant County tried to prosecute him a second time.

Robert S. Chang, Executive Director, Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality and Professor of Law

Police nearly beat this WA man to death. Will the prosecution continue?

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Chang is representing a man being prosecuted by Grant County for a crime he was already convicted of.

Please note: The Korematsu Center concluded its tenure at Seattle University in June 2024.

Why prosecutors in WA are recharging a man police nearly beat to death

The Seattle Times

Grant County tried to prosecute Joseph Zamora for the second time for assaulting a police officer, even after Zamora had been convicted of the crime once, served time, and then had the conviction overturned by the Washington Supreme Court. Now, a judge has thrown out the new case, ending a legal process that has been going on for nearly seven years. Professor Robert Chang, executive director of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, is one of five attorneys who has been representing Zamora pro bono.

June 5, 2023 | In the News


Six students join Calhoun racial justice fellowship

Six first-year law students committed to equal justice were selected for this year’s Calhoun Family Fellowship and will embark on a summer of advocacy, education, and inspiration. The students are Francis Argueta, Hallie Conyers-Tucker, Nora Gunning, Jeremiah Noonan, Laurissa Stokes, and Jane Thomas.

April 20, 2023


Police nearly beat him to death. Six years later, he’s being prosecuted.

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Chang signed an amicus brief in support of Zamora, saying the repeated prosecution is not in the interest of justice.

April 2, 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


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


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


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


Seattle U Law student served on ABA police practices consortium

As a 2022 LEPPC Fellow, Timea Soos joined a cohort of inaugural fellows from 33 Consortium member law schools supporting a multidisciplinary approach to policing. The American Bar Association formed the Legal Education Police Practices Consortium in 2020 to contribute to the national effort to examine and address legal issues in policing and public safety.

April 29, 2022


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


Bannai, now retiring, combined teaching skills with zealous advocacy

As a professor of lawyering skills and director of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, Lorraine Bannai spent 25 of her 41 teaching years at Seattle University School of Law. As a lawyer, she helped reopen the case of Fred Korematsu and often speaks on the atrocity of Japanese American incarceration during World War II.

June 14, 2021