Featured News Stories

The panelists at the Hate Crimes Overview

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


The panel consisted of Kasha Roseta ’14, Sarah Elerson ’12, Kiran Griffith ’13, Joan Miller ’12, Seattle U Law Professor Brooke Coleman, and Maria Wiederkehr ’21.

Brooke D. Coleman celebrated as Fredric C. Tausend Professor of Law

Seattle University School of Law celebrated the installation of Brooke D. Coleman as the Fredric C. Tausend Professor of Law. The title, named for a former Seattle U Law dean and professor, honors a Seattle U Law faculty member for their scholarly pursuits, teaching ability, and service work.

November 30, 2023 | Events


University of Washington School of Law student James Stafford (left) and Seattle University School of Law alumnus David Fernández Antelo ’23 (right) visit the Capitol in Olympia the day the wage theft bill is signed into law.

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


L-R: Dean Anthony E. Varona, Professor Sital Kalantry, director of the RoundGlass India Center, Professor C. Raj Kumar, founding vice chancellor of Jindal Global University and Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a member of the Parliament of India and India's leading Supreme Court litigator.

Seattle U Law welcomes member of Indian Parliament for Luminaries in Law

Seattle University School of Law, in collaboration with the RoundGlass India Center, welcomed Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a member of the Parliament of India and India's leading Supreme Court litigator, to give a lecture on the Supreme Court of India.

October 26, 2023 | Events


Seattle U Law Professor Deirdre Bowen (left) interviews Dahlia Lithwick (right).

Nationally renowned author, Dahlia Lithwick visits Seattle U Law

New York Times bestselling author and legal journalist Dahlia Lithwick, whose journalism has appeared in Slate, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, CNN, and other prominent media outlets, kicked off Seattle U Law’s 2023-24 Dean’s Luminaries in Law Lecture & Conversation Series.

October 3, 2023 | Announcements


Law Library, Sullivan Hall, Seattle University School of Law

Seattle U Law professors publish impactful scholarship

Seattle University School of Law professors have been hard at work producing scholarship on a variety of important legal topics and issues.

August 25, 2023 | Announcements


Dean Tony Varona

Dean headlines event aimed at supporting legal scholars of color

Anthony E. Varona, dean of Seattle University School of Law, recently delivered the keynote address at the second annual Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute, a one-day international online event created to provide support and encouragement to junior and senior academic scholars of color in their writing projects.

August 14, 2023


Supreme Court building in New Delhi, India

Law professor’s new book examines Supreme Court of India

“Court on Trial,” co-authored by renowned India legal expert Sital Kalantry, is getting global media attention for shedding light on the inner workings of India’s highest court.

August 14, 2023


Decorative image: Supreme Court affirmative action webinar graphic

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


Sullivan Hall building exterior

Law school hosts preeminent constitutional law expert

Seattle University School of Law is hosting a renowned legal scholar and professor, Ronald J. Krotoszynski, as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar in Residence this summer.

July 10, 2023


Exterior of the Sullivan Hall building on the Seattle University campus

Seattle U Law ranked among top schools for academic impact

Seattle University School of Law is the top law school in the Pacific Northwest for academic impact, according to a soon-to-be published article in the Florida State University Law Review.

July 7, 2023


2023 Stevens Public Interest Fellows

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


Kelli Rodriguez Currie

New program aims to develop sports law practitioners

Seattle University School of Law is set to launch a new Sports Law program this fall to provide its students with the knowledge, expertise, and resources needed to navigate the many legal issues that arise in the fast-paced sports industry.

June 7, 2023


Ates Serifsoy, right, and Connor Trapp

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


Lori K. Smith, chief judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One, administered the oath of office to Leonard J. Feldman. He will serve as one of 10 judges on the court.

Ceremony honors law professor appointed to state appeals court bench

Professor from Practice Leonard J. Feldman’s appointment to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One, was recognized and celebrated last week during a swearing-in and robing ceremony that was hosted by Seattle University School of Law, his professional home for the past three years.

May 22, 2023


Sullivan Hall statue artwork

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


 A technology inspired artistic illustration of Sullivan Hall, home of Seattle University School of Law. The building is depicted as part of a circuit board. Illustration by Neil Griffith.

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


University administrators sit at a table and sign documents

Going global

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

May 8, 2023


James Stafford and David Fernandez

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


Woman with cell phone in urban setting

New program prepares law students to confront future tech challenges

A new Seattle University School of Law program aims to prepare a cadre of diverse legal professionals to help guide the development and implementation of current and future technologies in lawful and ethical ways.

May 2, 2023 | Announcements


Bree Black Horse addressing guests at Dean Varona's community brunch

Building belonging with brunch

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

April 24, 2023


Dean Tony Varona

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


Equal Justice Initiative

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


Sullivan Hall building exterior

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


Judge Janet Chung

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


Centennial Fountain on the Seattle University campus

New campaign aims to help sexual assault/DV survivors

For the first time, campus community can obtain protection order filing assistance from Seattle U Law’s Family Law Center.

March 30, 2023 | Announcements


Twyla Carter

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


Sullivan Hall (background) and blooming tree flower (foreground)

Professor, multiple alumni earn recognition at Pierce Co. awards banquet

Seattle University School of Law alumni and a longtime professor earned nearly every honor at the 115th Annual Lincoln Day Awards Banquet, held by the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association at the Tacoma Convention Center earlier this month.

February 22, 2023


Globe map

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


Collage of new faculty photos

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


Sullivan Hall brick wall exterior with 'Seattle University School of Law' lettering.

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


Erwin Chemerinsky, Kevin Johnson, Anthony Varona at AALS

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


Professor Russell Powell describes the creation of Iran's constitution while three other panelists listen.

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


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Recent News Stories

What happened during Week 8 of the trial for the death of Manuel Ellis

KING 5

Professor Deborah Ahrens joined a KING 5 panel to discuss the trial of three police officers charged with killing Manuel Ellis.

December 1, 2023 | In the News


Cities crack down on encampments. Advocates say that’s not the answer.

The Associated Press

Seattle U Law Professor Sara Rankin talks to the Associated Press about the increase in encampments and sweeps across the U.S.

November 28, 2023 | In the News


Antitrust Agencies Should Take Stronger Approach to Common Ownership

The Sling

Professor John Kirkwood examines common ownership, where investors own shares in two or more competitors, for The Sling.

November 22, 2023 | In the News


Kroger/Albertsons: Proposed Deal Could Suffer from Affiliate's Reliance

The Capitol Forum

Professor John Kirkwood spoke to The Capitol Forum about a proposed fix in the Kroger/Albertsons merger.

November 13, 2023 | In the News


Climate Disaster Is Here—and the State Will Never Save Us

In These Times

In an op-ed for In These Times, Professor Dean Spade writes that irreversible effects of climate change are already happening.

November 1, 2023 | In the News


New video shows deadly Bellevue crash; driver still wanted

KING 5

Professor Ron Slye spoke to KING 5 about the likelihood that a Chinese woman is extradited to face vehicular homicide charges.

November 1, 2023 | In the News


WA among 41 states suing Meta claiming its platforms harm mental health

KOMO News

Steve Tapia speaks to KOMO News and its sister stations across the country about the lawsuit filed against Meta.

October 24, 2023 | In the News


SpaceX blasts FAA for warning of falling Starlink satellites

FOX 13

Steve Tapia talks about space junk in the wake of the Federal Aviation Administration's report concerning satellite fragments.

October 19, 2023 | In the News


I still pinch myself to see if this is all real

Bar and Bench

International LLM student Ashok Kumar recounts his journey to study law in the U.S. to Indian news site Bar and Bench.

October 15, 2023 | In the News


NTSB report says fatigue caused ferry crash

KING 5

Elizabeth Ford spoke to King 5 after an NTSB report revealed that a 2022 ferry crash was caused by the captain falling asleep.

October 12, 2023 | In the News


Yale, Harvard Among Law Schools Eliminating 'Diversity Statements'

Law.com

In an interview with Law.com, Dean Tony Varona reaffirmed Seattle U Law's commitment to admitting diverse students.

October 10, 2023 | In the News


Woman whose case changed Washington drug law passes away

KNKX

Professor Pilar Margarita Hernández Escontrías spoke to KNKX Public Radio about the impetus for the Blake decision.

October 9, 2023 | In the News


An amnesty for reconciliation

EL PAÍS

In El País, Professor Ronald Slye explains the demands made for amnesty from the Spanish government toward secessionists.

October 5, 2023 | In the News


Why is liberal Seattle appealing to the conservative U.S. Supreme Court?

KUOW

Professor Rankin discusses the request to SCOTUS by Seattle and other Western U.S. cities to overturn two federal court rulings.

October 2, 2023 | In the News


Amazon sued by FTC and 17 states

KING 5

Professor John Kirkwood, a nationally renowned antitrust expert, shared his insights on the Amazon suit.

September 26, 2023 | In the News


Seattle is at the forefront of gig worker protections

Fast Company

Professor Elizabeth Ford explains that Seattle is setting the bar when it comes to protections and rights for gig workers.

September 7, 2023


Woman stabbed over 100 times highlights domestic violence statistics

KING 5

Professor Deirdre Bowen explains just how lethal the risk is for those who intervene in domestic violence incidents.

August 24, 2023 | In the News


Supreme Court ruling opens door to limit LGBTQ+ civil rights

Crosscut

Professor Andrew Siegel says a recent U.S. Supreme Court case could let businesses circumvent anti-discrimination laws.

August 23, 2023 | In the News


Who I'm Hurting By Shopping At Walmart

TIME

Professor John Kirkwood talks about the likelihood of the FTC enforcing a 1930s-era law meant to help small businesses.

August 23, 2023 | In the News


Supreme Court: Why India's top court is in a 'crisis'

BBC News

BBC News says Professor Sital Kalantry's new book contains "striking findings" about the Supreme Court of India.

July 31, 2023 | In the News


Federal public defenders could lose staff, be unable to handle caseload

KING 5

Professor Paul Holland talks to KING 5 about budget cuts and public defenders.

July 28, 2023 | In the News


SC reflects India’s religious diversity but not gender & caste diversity

ThePrint

Professor Sital Kalantry's new book is reviewed by ThePrint India.

July 26, 2023 | In the News


Families Will Feel Impact of SCOTUS Ruling Against Affirmative Action

South Seattle Emerald

Professor Deirdre Bowen talks to the South Seattle Emerald about the affirmative action decision.

July 24, 2023 | In the News


Can a program to help homeless people with biggest needs pay off?

The Seattle Times

Professor Sara Rankin explains why housing can be a cheaper alternative to jails or hospitals.

July 21, 2023 | In the News


What are reparations for? In Brazil Amazon community, its culture.

The Christian Science Monitor

Professor Thomas Antkowiak talks to the Christian Science Monitor about an environmental lawsuit in Brazil.

July 12, 2023 | In the News


The forthcoming Florida brain drain | Opinion

The South Florida Sun Sentinel

In an op-ed, Professor Erin Carr writes that Florida's policies may cost the Sunshine State its best and brightest.

July 2, 2023 | In the News


Victims seeking protection steer clear of a judge accused of DV himself

InvestigateWest

Professor Deirdre Bowen talked to InvestigateWest about the challenges for judges facing protection order requests.

June 30, 2023 | In the News


WA transgender youth bill targeted in national culture war

Crosscut

Professor Deirdre Bowen reflects on reaction to the bill as a "moral panic."

May 1, 2023 | In the News


New Task Force Aims to Increase Latinx Representation in Law

Law.com

Dean Anthony Varona says faculty role models will encourage Latinx law students.

April 28, 2023 | In the News


Jury deliberating seditious conspiracy case against Proud Boys

KING 5

Professor Danieli Evans says seditious conspiracy is rarely used and can be hard to prove.

April 27, 2023 | In the News


Fact check: False claims about Washington bill, gender surgery

USA Today

Professor Deirdre Bowen explains that parental custody rights remain intact.

April 26, 2023 | In the News


New Seattle University campaign hopes to help violence survivors

KING 5

Students, staff and community members can get help filing protection orders from the school's Family Law Center.

April 20, 2023 | In the News


Posts distort Washington estranged minors law

Associated Press

“It is not remotely what this bill says," according to Professor Deirdre Bowen.

April 20, 2023 | In the News


Fact Check: Bill Does NOT Allow Government To Take Minor Children Away

Lead Stories

The bill actually encourages family reunification, says Professor Deirdre Bowen.

April 18, 2023 | In the News


Dueling abortion-pill rulings show expanding role of judiciary

The Spokesman-Review

Professor Deirdre Bowen says courts are now "weaponized" in the abortion fight.

April 13, 2023 | In the News


Who is Thomas Rice, the Washington judge who ruled mifepristone is safe?

The Washington Post

Professor Deirdre Bowen explains contradictory federal court rulings.

April 8, 2023 | In the News


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

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Chang says the decision to prosecute is "startling."

April 2, 2023 | In the News


Ferry captain lost 'situational awareness' before vessel's landing

KING 5

Professor Elizabeth Ford comments on the likelihood of criminal charges.

March 30, 2023 | In the News


Trying to count unhoused people is 'like nailing water to the wall'

KUOW

Professor Sara Rankin says the counts miss thousands of people.

March 29, 2023 | In the News


Jury selection begins in trial for suspect in Everett police shooting

KING 5 News

Professor Deborah Ahrens comments on the challenges of defending someone charged with killing a police officer.

March 14, 2023 | In the News


Restraining orders can 'create a false sense of security'

KING 5 News

Professor Deirdre Bowen discusses the limitations of protection orders.

March 10, 2023 | In the News


Washington lawmakers are trying to protect abortion patients

The Spokesman-Review

Professor Deirdre Bowen discusses the legal challenges yet to come for out-of-state abortion care.

March 6, 2023 | In the News


Seattle City Council bans caste discrimination

KUOW

Professor Sital Kalantry offers legal analysis and important historical context to the issue of caste discrimination.

February 23, 2023 | In the News


UFOs and CRT: Republicans are in a constant state of panic

Salon

Essay includes excerpt from Professor Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic's article about "Space Traders."

February 17, 2023 | In the News


Families of 2 men killed by WA police wait years for officers’ trials

The Seattle Times

Professor Robert Boruchowitz says the outrage is real and understandable.

February 13, 2023 | In the News


The Wash. Labor Developments That Experts Are Watching

Law360

Professor Elizabeth Ford explains new and groundbreaking labor laws in Washington state.

February 9, 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


Washington Cases to Watch in 2023

Law360

Professor Deirdre Bowen says a pending sexual assault case could have massive implications for universities.

February 3, 2023 | In the News


Jeff Bezos wants the world to know he’s a philanthropist

Vox

Sara Rankin comments on the Amazon founder's charitable giving to end homelessness.

January 24, 2023 | In the News


Kohberger attorney represented parent of victim in Moscow homicides

Idaho Statesman

Robert Boruchowitz comments on how attorneys handle conflicts of interest.

January 23, 2023 | In the News


Want to understand L.G.B.T.Q. Life in America? Go to Alabama.

The New York Times

Professor Dean Spade is quoted about social movements against oppression.

January 6, 2023 | In the News


SCOTUS case from Washington could have implications for unions

Washington News Service

Professor Elizabeth Ford says the ruling could shift the cost of striking onto unions.

December 28, 2022 | In the News


Rail strike averted, but workers left without sick leave

KUOW

Professor Liz Ford explains what happened to the tentative agreement railway workers had reached with the Biden administration.

December 1, 2022 | In the News


Wage Recovery Funds

California Law Review

Hear Prof. Ford discuss Wage Recovery Funds at this podcast produced by the California Law Review.

November 29, 2022 | In the News


Top law schools rebel against U.S. News’ annual rankings

The National Jurist

Dean Anthony Varona's 2014 essay on the harms of law school rankings is quoted in this article.

November 29, 2022 | In the News


The Law School Promise

Law360

Dean Anthony E. Varona is featured in Episode 1: The Pipeline to the Legal Profession.

November 21, 2022 | In the News


Realty company offering cash after locking homeowners into deal

KIRO 7

Jesse Jones spoke with Professor Steven Bender in this investigation.

November 17, 2022 | In the News