News and Announcements

Students Travel to India for AI & Technology Immersion Course

March 19-29

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

Over spring break, Seattle University offered an AI & Technology in Law immersion program. Hosted at O.P. Jindal Global University, this program gave Seattle University law students the chance to travel to New Delhi and engage directly with India’s legal system. Through a comparative lens, students explored the ethical use of AI in legal practice and its potential to expand access to justice, complemented by site visits to courts and historical landmarks. The program emphasized hands-on, global learning and cross-cultural perspectives on the future of law and technology.

SU Hosts Talk on AI and Healthcare

March 17, 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

Dr. Christopher Austin, M.D. and Seattle University School of Law Professor Chryssa Deliganis discussed the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and law, highlighting AI’s growing role in radiology and early detection. Despite rapid technological progress, their conversation emphasized that data access, regulatory limits, cost, and disparities in care remain significant barriers. Hosted as part of the TILE Institute Spring 2026 Speaker Series in collaboration with Seattle University’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the event drew strong student interest and a full room. See more information at: LinkedIn Post, Mar. 23, 2026

Three Inn Meeting Hosted at SU’s Campion Hall

March 12, 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

The Seattle IP Inn of Court hosted its annual Three-Inn Meeting with the William L. Dwyer Inn of Court and the Hon. Robert J. Bryan Inn of Court at Seattle University’s Campion Hall, bringing together students and attorneys for networking. The CLE panel on trademarks and counterfeits featured Don McGowan, Xuan-Thao Nguyen, and Joseph W., moderated by Caroline Bercier. The discussion covered trademark fundamentals, the challenges of counterfeiting, and practical strategies for protecting client brands. See more information at: LinkedIn Post, Mar. 20, 2026

Empire of AI Presentation

March 5, 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

The TILE Institute co-hosted a speaker event with the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University featuring Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI. Following opening remarks from Jeffery Smith and Onur Bakiner, Hao’s keynote critiqued the “scale-at-all-costs” approach to AI, highlighting environmental, privacy, and labor harms. Using the metaphor of AI as forms of transportation, Hao argued that we do not need more rockets to get to where we are going, but we may benefit from more bicycles and trains. See more information at: LinkedIn Post, Mar. 10, 2026

SU and UW Host Data Breach Competition

February 27, 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

Seattle University and University of Washington law students partnered for a Data Breach Competition hosted at UW, where teams worked through a fast-paced cybersecurity scenario from initial containment to long-term remediation. Organized by both schools’ Privacy Law Societies in collaboration with the Washington State Bar Association, the event challenged participants to think on their feet across multiple stages of a breach response. As a first-time event, it drew strong participation and interest, with hopes of becoming an annual competition. See more information at: LinkedIn Post, Mar. 2, 2026

Pathways To Patent Panel   

February 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

On February 17, 2026, the TILE Spring Speaker Series presented a panel organized and hosted by 2L Nikita Johnson. Panelists emphasized that patent law offers diverse career opportunities beyond patent prosecution. They reminded the audience that a hard science background is not always required to work alongside patents, and highlighted the importance of strong litigation, advocacy, and ability to understand client goals. Panelists included: Niky Bagley (’07; Managing Counsel at Toyota Motor North America); Darian Mullen (3L); Adjunct Professor Lori Kim Tonnes.

Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Speaks to KOMO 4 

February 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

On February 2, 2026, Professor Steve Tapia spoke to KOMO 4 about a lawsuit against Tesla brought by a Snohomish County family following a fatal crash involving a vehicle operating on autopilot. Tapia noted that this case is part of a series of of autopilot-related lawsuits. highlighted the potential liability manufacturers may face when such features are involved. For more information, see: LinkedIn Post.

Associate Director for Digital Innovation Speaks on Legal Tech Education

January 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

Professor LeighAnne Thompson, Associate Director of Law Library Digital Innovation, was featured in a January 16 MiAI Law podcast episode, discussing how legal education must evolve to prepare students for an AI-driven future. She shared insights on the importance of building critical thinking, ethical research habits, and practical skills so law students can effectively and responsibly use AI as part of modern legal practice. For more information, see LinkedIn Post

Guest Speakers Join Winter Intersession Course

January 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

The January Winter Intersession at the School of Law offered a course on Practical Skills for Technology & IP Licensing. Taught by adjunct professors Kelly Lawton-Abbott (’17) and Lori Kim Tonnes, this course provided students with practical from experienced practitioners in the field. Guest speakers Andrea Louie (Attorney, Blockchain, Crypto, and Startups at Fenwick & West) and David Cromwell (Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation  and former Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP) shared their expertise with students.

Student-Scholar Program Announces Inaugural Cohort

January 2026

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

Law students Alex Betty (JD '26), Yana Chakalo (JD '26) and Radhika Dhanotia (SJD '26) were selected for the inaugural Seattle University Technology Ethics Initiative Student-Scholar Program. This new program incentivizes undergraduate and graduate students to investigate the relationship between technology, ethics, society and governance. TILE Faculty Director Margaret Chon, Distinguished Practitioner Steve Tapia, and Dr. Nate Kremer-Herman will serve as faculty advisors. Projects by School of Law students Alex Betty (JD '26), Yana Chakalo (JD '26) and Radhika Dhanotia (SJD '26) were among those awarded a $1000 stipend toward completion of a publishable work. For further information, see: LinkedIn post.

TILE Spring Speaker Series Begins with Privacy Panel

January 2026 

By TILE RA Jorge Zelidon (’27)

TILE’s Spring Speaker Series kicked off with a panel hosted by Professor Mark Verstraete  who was joined by privacy experts Jevan Hutson, Darla Raitt, and Ira Rubinstein. Panelists emphasized that there is no single path into privacy law, noting that while some take a traditional path from a firm to in-house privacy counsel, others entered through adjacent work in consulting, contracts, or other tech focused roles. Panelists included Darla Raitt (JD '18; Consulting Attorney at Elevate Law, and formerly Senior Privacy Program Manager at The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.); Ira Rubinstein (Senior Fellow at New York University School of Law Information Law Institute, and formerly Associate General Counsel at Microsoft); and Professor Jevan Hutson (Privacy Counsel at Grindr, and Director of the Technology Law & Public Policy Clinic at the University of Washington). For more information, see: LinkedIn Post, Jan. 30, 2026.

Professor Margaret Chon Awarded Bellagio Center Residency

January 2026

The Rockefeller Foundation awarded TILE Faculty Director and Professor Margaret Chon a prestigious Bellagio Center Residency. Professor Chon joined a distinguished global cohort of artists, scholars, and policymakers. A distinguished leader in intellectual property law and sustainable development, Professor Chon will explore legal frameworks that leverage generative AI for multilingual scientific translation, aiming to break down barriers to global knowledge exchange and advance equitable innovation and technology transfer worldwide. For more information, see LinkedIn Post, Jan. 8, 2026.

TILE Co-Sponsors "People, Planet & Progress”

January 2026

The TILE Institute co-sponsored the “People, Planet & Progress: India's AI Strategy for Social Good, Economic Growth, and Sustainability,” a pre-summit event to the India-AI Impact Summit. Professors Onur Bakiner (Director, Seattle University Technology Ethics Initiative) along with School of Law and TILE-Affiliated Professor Sital Kalantry (Director, Roundglass India Center) joined other academic, industry, and policy experts to explore India’s national AI strategy and its potential to advance social well-being, economic growth, and sustainable development. For more information, see LinkedIn Post.

From Around the Law School

Social Justice Monday Features Alumna

Catherine Romero ('96) spoke at Social Justice Monday in November 2025, in a program co-sponsored by TILE and the AI Law Society. Pictured from l-r: Garrett Gregory, Kate Sargent, Itzel Gonzalez Patino, Catherine Romero, Jorge Zelidon, Jack Marino, and Allison Olivares, November 2025.

Privacy in Practice Guest Speaker

The Privacy in Practice class welcomed guest speaker Cari Benn (’05), Microsoft’s Chief Privacy Officer, in a moderated discussion led by Adjunct Professor Chris Koa. Pictured here (l-r) are: TILE Director Maggie Chon, Professor Mark Verstraete, Adjunct Professor Jake Bernstein ('07), Cari Benn ('05), and Adjunct Professor Chris Koa, November 2025.

Fashion Law Panel Features Local Attorneys

Student Organization Leaders 2025-26

TILE-affiliated student organization leaders gather before the first TILE monthly meeting of the fall 2025 semester, September 2025.

Jindal Summer Exchange Program

Speakers at final dinner culminating the successful Jindal Law School summer exchange program, July 2025.

IAPP Certification Workshop

The TILE Institute partnered with the WSBA Privacy Law Committee to host an IAPP certification workshop for the new AIGP exam, thanks to the efforts of Olivia Holder (Holder & Bracken), Sofia Kovach as well as SU alumna Esther Arokun ('25), June 2025.

Innovation and Technology Conference Panel

TILE Speaker Series Features Alumnus

Social Justice Monday

Business and Entrepreneurship Law Association

Expanding Access to Justice