Essential law student stories

All law student stories

New certificate to help prepare law students for tech law practice

Seattle University School of Law’s Technology, Innovation Law, and Ethics (TILE) Program has developed a new TILE Certificate program to equip the next generation of legal professionals with the skills needed to lead in rapidly evolving legal practices rooted in technology and innovation.

September 13, 2024 | Announcements


Seattle U Law 'Hybrid Hub' to expand Central WA legal education access

Aspiring lawyers in central Washington will have a new way to earn a law degree while remaining in their communities thanks to a partnership between Seattle University School of Law and Heritage University to establish a “Hybrid Hub.”

September 6, 2024 | Announcements


2024 Scholars for Justice advocate for immigrants

This year’s Scholars for Justice are using their own backgrounds as immigrants as inspiration to help future newcomers gain legal residency, economic stability, and a permanent new home.

September 4, 2024


New JD class embarks on transformative journey

A new class of 211 JD students entered Seattle University School of Law this week to begin a challenging yet rewarding journey to become lawyers.

August 30, 2024


Conference introduces high school students to law school, legal careers

More than 60 high school students from underserved backgrounds around Western Washington experienced life as Seattle University School of Law students for a day as part of the 2024 ilead Law and Leadership Conference.

August 13, 2024 | Events


Pipeline program brings prospective Central WA law students to campus

A group of prospective law students from the Central Washington region had the opportunity to envision themselves attending Seattle University School of Law during a campus visit as part of an innovative pipeline program.

July 11, 2024


Two students named Justice John Paul Stevens Fellows

Two Seattle University School of Law students have been awarded 2024 Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowships for demonstrating strong interest in public interest law and social justice, as well as high academic achievement.

June 26, 2024


12 Years in Pursuit of Vindication

The International Human Rights Clinic scored a victory for a Tacoma man who was wrongfully imprisoned abroad.

May 30, 2024


First-ever graduates of innovative Flex JD program honored

Among the more than 200 graduates recognized at Seattle University School of Law’s Spring Commencement Ceremony include the first-ever cohort of students to earn their law degree through the law school’s innovative hybrid-online Flex JD program.

May 20, 2024


A Day in the Life of Youth Education & Advocacy Project Volunteers

Zulen Pantoja-Ortega ’24 and Tiana Pereira ’24 regularly help out at the King County Juvenile Detention Center as part of the Youth Education & Advocacy Project (YEAP). Here, Pantoja-Ortega and Pereira share their experience working with incarcerated youth.

April 15, 2024


Law school event explores hate crime stats, characteristics, reporting

A Sullivan Hall event featuring speakers from the U.S. Department of Justice and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office provided a deep-dive into hate crimes, including proper identification, most commonly reported types in King County, reasons for underreporting, and much more.

December 4, 2023 | Events


From Advocacy to Action

Students in Seattle U Law's Workers' Rights Clinic score a victory against wage theft with passage of legislation.

November 16, 2023


Legal experts weigh in on affirmative action ruling

A webinar hosted earlier this month by Seattle University School of Law attracted nearly 2,000 registered viewers, who listened to top experts from Seattle U Law and across the country analyze the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, which ruled that race-conscious admissions in higher education is largely unconstitutional.

July 24, 2023


Three students earn Stevens Public Interest Fellowships

Three Seattle University School of Law students have been chosen to receive Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowships, enabling them to spend this summer working in public interest law.

June 20, 2023


Students awarded prestigious labor law fellowships

Two Seattle University School of Law students have been awarded prestigious fellowships by the Peggy Browning Fund, a Philadelphia-based organization dedicated to educating the next generation of workplace justice advocates.

June 2, 2023


Law student earns prestigious post-graduation fellowship

Charla Boley, who graduates this month from Seattle University School of Law, was awarded a prestigious Equal Justice Works (EJW) fellowship to continue her advocacy for economic justice and the legal rights of people with disabilities.

May 10, 2023


Move fast and build things

Seattle U Law prepares lawyers for opportunities, challenges in technology sector. (From the spring 2023 issue of Lawyer magazine.)

May 9, 2023


Going global

Dean Varona launches effort to internationalize Seattle U Law. (From the spring 2023 issue of Lawyer magazine.)

May 8, 2023


Inslee signs bill championed by Seattle U Law Workers’ Rights Clinic

Assistant Professor Elizabeth Ford, the clinic’s director, called the bill “an incredibly important step forward.” The measure allows the Department of Labor and Industries to collect 12% interest on all meritorious claims of wage theft, which is when an employer illegally withholds or reduces the pay a worker is due.

May 4, 2023


Building belonging with brunch

Dean Anthony E. Varona hosts a series of gatherings to cultivate community for underrepresented law students.

April 24, 2023


Varona to lead national task force on Hispanic representation

HNBA President Mariana Bravo announced the formation of the National Task Force on Hispanic Law Faculty and Deans on Monday and will elaborate on the task force’s mission at a reception hosted by Seattle University School of Law on Tuesday, April 25.

April 24, 2023


Three law students selected as liaisons to state commission

Seattle University School of Law has chosen three outstanding law students to serve as student liaisons to the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission (MJC): Leslie L. Burnett Locke (2L), Stephanie Chavez (3L), and Mónica Mendoza-Castrejón.

April 14, 2023


Law school honors Judge Janet Chung as Woman of the Year

Judge Janet Chung reflected on what she called her “anti-resume” – opportunities missed, choices not made, offers rejected – encouraging the audience to embrace their full stories, not just their successes.

March 31, 2023 | Events


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


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


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


Clinic students testify in favor of worker protection bill

Students in the law school’s Workers’ Rights Clinic testified before a Washington State Legislature committee in Olympia last week, arguing for a measure that would deter wage theft and help workers recover from victimization by their employers.

February 2, 2023


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 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


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


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 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


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


Seattle U students join Justice Stevens public interest fellowship

Two Seattle University School of Law students were selected for the prestigious Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship Program, which expanded to include Seattle U Law and seven other new law schools this year.

June 30, 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


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


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


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


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


Law school awards inaugural Bond scholarship to aspiring defender

Cierrah Loveness is an aspiring public defender from Mount Vernon, Washington, and the first recipient of Seattle University School of Law’s newly created Dean James E. Bond Endowed Scholarship.

March 18, 2022 | Announcements


Seattle University selects new dean to lead law school

Former Miami Law dean Anthony E. Varona brings strong legal background, leadership experience to position

February 17, 2022 | Announcements


Pro Bono Day clinic helps area residents stay housed

For the second straight year, law students and alumni teamed up to hold a one-day Housing Justice Clinic, helping residents at risk of losing their homes. Twenty clients received valuable legal counseling on issues such as the eviction moratorium, disputes with their landlords, confusing legal notices, and questions about their leases or federal housing vouchers.

November 15, 2021


New scholarship helps formerly incarcerated students come full circle

Thanks to Amanda DuBois's advocacy and generosity, Seattle University School of Law launched the Full Circle Scholarship, which provides $5,000 each year for a student whose life has been directly impacted by the criminal justice system, with a preference for students who have been incarcerated themselves.

October 6, 2021


Scholarship recipients find motivation close to home

Ana Hernández-Zamudio and Zulen Pantoja-Ortega were named the 2021 Scholars for Justice, an honor that goes to students committed to working in public interest. Molly Gunther received the 2021 Douglas R. Nash Native American Law Scholarship, given to an enrolled member of an Indian tribe (or lineal descendant of an enrolled member). The awards are three-year, full-tuition scholarships that recognize outstanding law students.

October 1, 2021


2021 Gregoire Fellows help diversify legal profession

First-year students Emery Birch, Betsy Castro, and Halley Cody were selected as Seattle University School of Law's 2021 Gregoire Fellows. The program recognizes students for their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives, and leadership potential to diversify the legal profession and law schools in Washington.

September 21, 2021


Kristin DiBiase joins law school as new associate dean

"Seattle U Law's reputation for social justice advocacy; innovative legal writing, academic support, and bar preparation programs; and talented faculty and staff made the decision nearly effortless."

January 11, 2021


Seattle U Law announces inaugural Gregoire Fellows cohort

Seattle University School of Law is proud to announce its inaugural cohort of the Gregoire Fellows Program, a unique initiative founded in 2015 to increase diversity in the legal profession in Washington state.

October 27, 2020


Law school welcomes newest class of 'society's problem solvers'

With this incoming class, the law school maintains its status as the Pacific Northwest's most diverse law school, with 40 percent students of color. Seventeen percent are LGBTQ and 65 percent are women.

August 20, 2020


Law students help protect domestic violence victims during pandemic

Liu and almost a dozen other Seattle University School of Law students have signed up for a new project launched by Professor Deirdre Bowen - a "pop-up clinic" of sorts that addresses the increased need for domestic violence protection orders during the pandemic. Student volunteers, all of whom studied family law with Bowen, will be on call to help victims fill out the required legal forms to obtain a protection order. And all of it will happen online.

April 20, 2020


Seattle U Law faculty quickly pivot to online teaching

In early March, as the spread of the coronavirus was beginning to accelerate, Seattle University made a difficult yet necessary decision: to protect the health and safety of students, classes would no longer meet in person, and all instruction would take place exclusively online. Practically overnight, the Seattle U Law faculty found themselves having to adapt their courses to the virtual world.

April 3, 2020