school of law
December 6, 2024
Access to justice
Tamara Lawson, dean of the UW's School of Law, lays out common barriers to justice—and how we can overcome them.
June 4, 2023
From the outside in
Mentorship, scholarship and compassion made Teresa Dennerlein’s journey to law school possible after an isolated childhood.
February 14, 2022
The power of representation
An El Paso native's journey to UW leads to a key position as the White House Deputy Cabinet Secretary — and a piece of political power.
November 19, 2021
Changing the law
Enoka Herat works with law enforcement leaders and the families of people who have died from police violence to change practices in Washington.
August 31, 2021
Global vision
Stan Barer, recipient of the 2021 Gates Volunteer Service Award, used his UW Law degree to help make the world a better place.
June 21, 2021
Professors nonpareil
One year into remote learning, these seven distinguished scholars kept class as fresh and relevant as ever. Find a seat and meet your 2021 Distinguished Teachers of the Year.
November 29, 2020
For many UW retirees, service never stops
Retiring from the UW doesn’t end the story for faculty and staff. They are driven to serve their communities on a local or global scale.
Bill Gates Sr.’s legacy
As a leader in public service and champion of the UW, Bill Gates Sr. leaves a legacy far beyond his legal contributions.
June 3, 2019
A week in ‘Baby Jail’
As a former undocumented immigrant, I felt it was my duty to help.
September 1, 2014
Straight shooter
She fights crime the only way she knows how — with directness, smarts and a wicked sense of humor.
June 1, 2014
Teachers of the year
Why do we come to the UW? To learn. Lucky for us, we had the chance to meet the exceptional teachers honored here. They didn’t just teach us course material or put us on the path to a career. They inspired us. Challenged us. Pushed us. Opened our minds. Made us be our best.
March 1, 2014
Jack R. MacDonald, 1915–2013
When Jack R. MacDonald died Sept. 13 at age 98, a $187.6 million charitable trust was provided for three of this favorite causes in Western Washington: the UW School of Law, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and The Salvation Army’s Northwest Division.
June 1, 2013
Home of the freer
The state constitution provides more rights than the U.S. Constitution.
March 1, 2013
Top cop
Jim Pugel, ’81, keeps mementos from the sometimes-grueling adventures he completes each year with his former University of Washington crew teammates.
June 1, 2009
Professor of innocence
Since 1997, when Professor Jackie McMurtrie established the Innocence Project Northwest Clinic at the UW School of Law, she and her students have helped exonerate 13 wrongfully convicted people.
March 1, 2008
Leading lawyer
Praised as one of the best and brightest by his peers in the most recent edition of Best Lawyers in America, Rodney Moore, ’87, has been practicing law for more than 20 years.
March 1, 2006
Gift honors Gates
The UW School of Law received a record $33.3 million gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for scholarships that will allow hundreds of talented students to pursue careers in public service law.
June 1, 2005
Top Dawgs
More than 175 faculty have been given a UW Distinguished Teaching Award since 1970, and this year seven more from Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma join their ranks. In addition, the UW salutes 12 other professors, graduate students and staff members for their public service and teaching excellence.
September 1, 2003
Up and coming
Four new buildings open this fall to meet the UW's 21st century teaching, research and public service missions.
June 1, 2003
Legal aid for Earth
The natural habitats of the Pacific Northwest will receive more vigorous protection with the establishment of a new clinic in the UW School of Law.
September 1, 2002
Admissions upheld
U.S. District Judge Thomas Zilly ruled that the University of Washington School of Law did not break any laws in a highly publicized “reverse discrimination” lawsuit.
June 1, 2001
New home for Law
Construction will start in August for the $75 million William H. Gates Hall, the new home of the UW School of Law, to be built on the site of a parking lot south of the Burke Museum.
December 1, 2000
A civil action
Almost a century after snubbing Takuji Yamashita, the state's legal establishment is taking steps to honor the first Japanese graduate of the UW Law School.
June 1, 1997
Reverse discrimination suit aimed at UW law school
Katuria E. Smith, '94, filed a lawsuit against the UW law school, claiming that she was a victim of racial discrimination when she was denied admission.
June 1, 1996
Gates family pledges $12 million for new Law School building
Microsoft Chairman and CEO William H. Gates III and his wife, Melinda, will contribute $12 million toward construction of a new law school.
December 1, 1990
Master of his fate
At the UW School of Law, Wallace Loh became the first Asian American to head a law school in the United States.