Seattle University School of Law: A Comprehensive Overview

Seattle University School of Law, situated in the heart of Seattle, Washington, is a mission-driven and civically engaged institution dedicated to providing a comprehensive legal education that extends beyond the traditional classroom setting. The School prepares its students to become powerful advocates for justice.

Accreditation and Affiliations

The School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

History and Key Milestones

The School of Law opened its doors on September 5, 1972, as the University of Puget Sound (UPS) School of Law in Tacoma, Washington. Seattle University purchased the University of Puget Sound Law School in November 1993. In September 1980, the Norton Clapp Law Center was dedicated.

Deans

Dean Bond resigned to return to teaching in July 1993 and was succeeded by Professor Donald M.
Kellye Testy was appointed dean on February 15, 2005. During her tenure at the law school, she co-founded the Law School's Access to Justice Institute, the Seattle Journal for Social Justice, and the Center on Corporations, Law & Society. In 2009, Testy left Seattle University to be the new dean at the University of Washington School of Law.
In 2013, the School of Law welcomed Annette Clark to serve as permanent dean. After completing her MD at the University of Washington in 1985, she earned her J.D. at Seattle University in 1989 and served as a member of the SU Law faculty for many years. Dean Clark was the first alumna of the law school to serve as its dean. In August 2021, Dean Clark announced her intention to retire.
Former Miami Law Dean, Tony Varona, was selected to succeed Dean Clark. Prior to serving as Miami Law Dean, Mr. Varona served as Vice Dean, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, and Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL). Before his 14 years at AUWCL, Dean Varona was an associate professor at Pace University School of Law in New York and adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

Campus and Facilities

Sullivan Hall, home to the School of Law, is a five-story building housing the law school and law library on the eastern boundary of Seattle University campus. Sullivan Hall is a spectacular, five-story building that houses all law classrooms, faculty offices, administrative offices, the law library, and a café. It features a street-front law clinic, media-equipped classrooms, law library, full courtroom, and activity areas.

Law Library

The Seattle University School of Law Library was founded in 1972. Located in Sullivan Hall, the library occupies four floors with ample spaces for either individual or group study.

Academic Programs

Seattle University School of Law offers "pathways" as one way for students to decide which courses to take, though choosing a pathway is not required. These pathways demonstrate sequences within and connections across the curriculum.

Programs/courses offered in:

clinical training
dispute resolution
environmental law
health care law
intellectual property law
international law
business/corporate law
constitutional law
contracts/commercial law
criminal law
JD/MACJ (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Criminal Justice)
JD/MBA (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration)
JD/MPA (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration)
JD/MSF (Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Finance)

Centers and Institutes

The Adolf A. Berle Jr. Center on Corporations, Law & Society
The Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality: The center is the civil rights arm of the law school and it aims to advance justice and equality through research, advocacy, and education. The center is named after dissident Fred T. Korematsu.
Law School's Access to Justice Institute

Admissions

Admission to the law school is competitive with an acceptance rate of 52%.

Admission criteria

In admission decisions, the law school places equal emphasis on three factors: (1) LSAT performance; (2) the undergraduate academic record; and (3) personal achievements. Seattle U Law seeks candidates who demonstrate strong academic credentials and a desire to use their legal education for the betterment of their communities and the world. We also admit a cohort of candidates through our Access Admission Program, which recognizes applicants for whom entrance exam scores and GPAs may not be adequate predictors of success in law school and in the practice of law.

Application Process

The School of Law at Seattle University has an application deadline of July 10. The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at Seattle University is $65. The part-time program application fee at the School of Law at Seattle University is $65. Admission is made to either the full-time day or part-time evening program. Students admitted to the full-time program can choose to begin classes in June to reduce their first semester course-load in August.

Tuition and Fees

Its tuition is full-time: $59,594 and part-time: $37,973.

Student Life and Resources

Seattle U Law has over three dozen active student organizations to help students deepen their understanding of specific practice areas, promote collegiality, and network with legal professionals.
The Academic Excellence & Bar Success program offers tools for academic success for all students.
The dedicated professionals in Seattle U Law's Student Financial Services office help students access various financial aid opportunities, including federal and private loans, work study, and alternative funding. All applicants are automatically considered for at-entry merit scholarships, which help defray tuition costs.

Experiential Learning

Seattle U Law’s acclaimed clinical program provides students with the opportunity to work on real cases with real clients who might not otherwise have legal representation.
Seattle U Law's robust Externship Program provides law students with the opportunity to gain valuable legal work experience while earning academic credit at their choice of nearly 700 externship sites.

Notable People

Frank E. Janet K.G. Tom Galligan, former college president and Dean of the Paul M. John J. Charles W. Mark D. Brian T. Charles Swift, national security law and civil rights expert, defense counsel in Hamdan v. Richard N.W. Lisa L. G. Charles W.

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