UW Alumni Association video hits YouTube

Law School Foundation Leadership Changes Hands

New officers were elected at the June meeting of the Washington Law School Foundation (WLSF). Joe Brotherton ('82) was elected President and Polly McNeill ('87) is the new Vice-President. Brotherton succeeds Norm Maleng ('66) who passed away May 24 just prior to completing his two year term as the WLSF president. Adam Brotman ('95) was re-elected Treasurer and Jon Bridge ('76), who preceded Maleng as president of the board, will continue to serve as the immediate past president.

Mark Maleng attended the meeting at which WLSF trustees honored his father and thanked the family for the work Norm performed so well. Foundation trustees have established a fund as a memorial to Norm Maleng.

The WLSF is dedicated to supporting the mission of the UW School of Law.

UW School of Law Awards Alumni at Annual Banquet

SEATTLE - The University of Washington School of Law recognized four distinguished alumni last night at the 2007 Alumni Recognition Banquet. This year's award recipients are:

Ms. Polly McNeill '87
Service Recognition Award

Mr. Jerry McNaul '68
Mr. Chang Rok Woo '83
Distinguished Alumni Award

Mr. Todd Larson '88
Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Public Service Award

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Law Professor Appointed to National Committee Investigating Genetic Testing

SEATTLE - UW Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law Paul Steven Miller has been appointed to serve on a national advisory committee investigating genetic testing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt has charged the Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society Provides to provide policy advice on the medical, ethical, legal, and social issues raised by the development and use of genetic technologies.

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Symposium will Discuss Ethics, Laws Surrounding "Ashley X" Case

The University of Washington School of Law and Seattle's Children's Hospital will host a symposium Wednesday, May 16, 2007 to discuss the ethical and policy implications of growth attenuation, the surgical "stunting" of growth, in disabled children. The conference, which will begin with a discussion of the Seattle Children’s Hospital case (also known as the "Ashley X" or "Pillow Angel" case), will be held in Room 133 of William H. Gates Hall on the UW campus. More...

UW School of Law Launches Law Firm Annual Challenge

SEATTLE - In a move to strengthen the relationship between the law school and alumni in Washington state law firms, the UW School of Law launched the first annual Law Firm Annual Challenge (LFAC). This new inititative is designed to increase opportunities for alumni to connect with their alma mater and strengthen the Husky network within the legal community. More...

Champion of the environment: Law school's Bill Rodgers to be celebrated Earth Day weekend

The UW School of Law celebrates Professor Bill Rodgers' 40 years of teaching, scholarship, and contributions to the environment. More...

Professor Robinson-Dorn comments on climate change

Climate Change - Science Friday

Law professor Michael Robinson-Dorn was a guest on the April 6, 2007 show discussing the UN's Intergovernmental Panel report on Climate Change.

UW Law School Announces 2007 Recipients of Gates Public Service Law Scholarship

Seattle – The University of Washington School of Law announces the selection of the 2007 William H. Gates Public Service Law (PSL) Scholarship recipients: Michael Geoghegan, Meena Jagannath, Salmun Kazerounian, Jeni Krencicki, and Netsanet Tesfay.

Ninth Circuit to Hold Court at UW Law School

SEATTLE - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will hold a special sitting at the UW School of Law Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Room 133.  A three-judge panel consisting of Circuit Judges Alex Kozinski, Raymond C. Fisher of Pasadena and Richard C. Tallman of Seattle will hear an appeal in a California death penalty case, Pinholster v. Woodford, Case 03-99003.

Oral arguments begin at 10 a.m. Visitors who wish to attend are asked to arrive early (as seating is first come, first served) and to follow court etiquette and guidelines.

UW Law Librarianship Program Ranked #1

US News and World Report has ranked the UW Information School Law Librarianship Program number one in their annual look at America's best graduate schools.

The Law Librarianship Program is designed to prepare lawyers with an existing JD degree to serve as law librarians in courts, federal and state government, law schools, corporations, and law firms.  The program was created in 1940 and has over 220 graduates.

Fulbright Fellowship Awarded to Law Professor Winn

UW School of Law Professor Jane Winn has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to spend the summer in 2008 in China researching the impact of information technology (IT) and globalization on commercial law with Song Yuping, a lecturer in law at Henan University of Technology (China). Song, who was a visiting scholar for the UW Asian Law Program in 2005-06, and Winn will compare developments in commercial law in China to those in the United States and European Union.

Fulbright Fellowship Awarded to Law Professor Ramasastry

UW School of Law Professor Anita Ramasastry has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to teach at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland (NUI) - Galway during the 2007-08 academic year. Her research will focus on defining legal standards related to "corporate complicity," an emerging area of law that looks at holding businesses accountable for their role in aiding human rights violations in war zones and through economic partnerships with repressive regimes.

Ramasastry has previously been recognized as an expert in this arena. Last June, she was appointed by the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, Switzerland, as a special advisor to an expert panel addressing corporate complicity in international human rights violations.

Federal bench nominee Richard Jones wins praise from both parties

Seattle Times - Although it comes at a time of intense partisan bickering, President Bush's nomination of UW law school alumnus King County Superior Court Judge Richard Jones ('75) to the federal bench is winning widespread praise from local Democrats and Republicans involved in the selection process.

Jones' nomination last week for U.S. District Court judge was overshadowed by the national controversy over the Bush administration's firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

Law professor Craig Allen was on the selection panel.

Diamonds Give to Students First

Born on March 6, 1907, Attorney Josef Diamond, was no stranger to "firsts." He was the first in his family born in the United States. He was in the first graduating class at Garfield High School in Seattle. He was the first in his family to go to college (UW class of 1928) and then law school (class of 1931).

Diamond went on to a distinguished career in law, served in the Army in World War II, and thrived in business. The first one at the office in the morning and the last one to leave, Diamond focused on business and real estate. Diamond, who passed away in early March just three days before his 100th birthday, recalled his many years as a practicing attorney: "Practicing law was fun for me. Law is a fascinating field, and you get the opportunity to get things done."

In honor of Josef Diamond's support of his lifelong passion for the law, Joe and Muriel Diamond recently made a $100,000 gift to the School of Law to create the Josef and Muriel Diamond Law Student Scholarship. It was the first gift to the law school as part of the Students First campaign. Because the donation qualifies for matching funds, (equal to 50% of the contribution), the gift is considerably enhanced. The fund will support financially needy students seeking a J.D. degree at the law school.

"Joe loved everything about the law," said Muriel Diamond. "Now we hope to make it a little easier for a deserving student."

RSVP for the 2007 Alumni Recognition Banquet

The Law School Alumni Association cordially invites law school alumni and their guests to join us for the 2007 Alumni Recognition Banquet, Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel (Seattle). The reception will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the dinner and program at 7:15 pm. Cost is $125.00 per person. RSVP by Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

12th Annual PILA Auction Raises $97,000

Seattle - Exceeding last year's proceeds by $30,000 the UW School of Law Public Interest Law Association (PILA) raised $97,000 at its twelfth annual fundraising auction February 2, 2007. At the auction, UW law school alumni Hank Balson ('99) and Lissa Kaufman ('96) were inducted into the PILA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame celebrates select members of the public interest legal community who are renowned for their commitment to public service and for their seemingly tireless advocacy.

A majority of the proceeds from the auction will provide grants to UW law students who devote their summer to pro bono legal work on behalf of underrepresented people and causes. Another portion of the proceeds will be contributed to a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). In February, the Washington State Senate and House Committees on Higher Education passed bills supporting the creation of a LRAP. The bills (SB 6039, HB 2024) currently sit before the Senate Ways and Means Committee and House Appropriations Committee.

Hoops with Brandon Roy Helps Future Law Students

UW alumni are invited to an afternoon of basketball with Portland Trail Blazer and UW Husky Brandon Roy at the Trail Blazer's practice facility in Portland March 17 from 1:15 - 5 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to meet and greet Roy, as well as bid on one of four chances to play D-A-W-G (a Husky twist to the game of H-O-R-S-E) with him. Admission includes one complimentary ticket to the Trail Blazers v. Supersonics game (at Portland) March 18.

Event to Honor Professor Bill Rodgers

UW School of Law will celebrate the first 40 years of Professor Bill Rodgers' teaching and scholarship at the UW April 20-21, 2007 with a conference, titled "Of Salmon, the Sound, and the Shifting Sands of Environmental Law — A National Perspective." The event will feature leading scholars, experts, colleagues, and friends of Rodgers from across the country to celebrate and discuss the direction and future of environmental law.

Professor Gregory Hicks selected as interim dean of UW School of Law

SEATTLE - Provost Phyllis Wise has announced that Gregory A. Hicks, professor and associate dean for faculty and academic administration in the University of Washington School of Law, has been appointed as interim dean, effective June 16.

"Professor Hicks will provide a welcome continuity as we launch the search for the next dean of the UW School of Law," said Wise. "President Emmert and I would like to express our appreciation to Greg for his willingness to assume the responsibility of the deanship at this critical time."

Hicks has been a member of the School of Law's faculty since 1984. He teaches courses in property, water law, and public land and natural resources law.