William S. Richardson School of Law

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William S. Richardson School of Law
Motto Ma luna aʻe o na lahui a pau ke ola ke kanaka (Hawaiian)
Above all nations is humanity
Parent school University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Established 1973
School type Public
Dean Camille A. Nelson
Location Honolulu, HI, US
Enrollment 257
Faculty 52 (See List)
USNWR ranking 135
Annual tuition
Website
ABA profile William S. Richardson School of Law Profile link
Outlines 0 (See List)
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William S. Richardson School of Law is located in Honolulu, HI

The William S. Richardson School of Law is the professional graduate law school of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, the school is named after its patriarch, former Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice William S. Richardson, a zealous advocate of Hawaiian culture,[1] and is Hawaii's only law school.[2]

Richardson's regime of legal studies places special emphasis on fields of law of particular importance to Hawaii and the surrounding Pacific and Asian region, including Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, Environmental Law, and maritime law.[3]

A member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), the school is accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA).[4] It offers a Juris Doctor, with certificates available in Native Hawaiian Law, Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, and Environmental Law, with students able to matriculate either full-time or part-time. It also offers an Advanced Juris Doctor, for foreign students who have earned a law degree abroad, and a LLM.

For 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Richardson 96th among American law schools.[5] Richardson's part-time program was ranked 30th.[6]

William S. Richardson[edit | edit source]

The establishment of the Law School in 1973, was considered the achievement of former Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice, William S. Richardson.[2] For many years he had pressed the Hawaii State Legislature for its creation, arguing that the state would benefit by providing a legal education for its residents that enveloped its cultural customs—because they had the greatest stake in constructing the state's legal traditions going forward as such. At his retirement, the Law School was named in his honor.

Ethos[edit | edit source]

Kānāwai Māmalahoe, on a plaque under the Kamehameha Statues.

The spirit of Richardson's culture as a community devoted to the study of law is manifested in Kānāwai Māmalahoe, the fundamental precept of Hawaiian law.

Originating in a royal edict by King Kamehameha I in 1797, galvanizing the Kingdom of Hawai'i's legal system, Kānāwai Māmalahoe, or Law of the Splintered Paddle, was enshrined later in the Hawaii State Constitution, Article 9, Section 10.[7]

According to Hawaiian legend, Kānāwai Māmalahoe was declared by King Kamehameha after an incident where he chased two fishermen who were fishing illegally, when he caught his leg in the reef, and one of the fisherman, Kaleleiki, hit him mightily on the head with a paddle in defense, which broke into pieces. Luckily, Kamehameha was able to escape. Years later, when the same fisherman was brought before him to account for the incident, Kamehameha held that in the interest of justice he should be released, as he had only been searching for food for his family.[7]

Reflecting Kānāwai Māmalahoe, the school maintains a "commitment... to a collaborative community that is deeply committed to the... pursuit of social and economic justice" for all.[8] Reflecting this commitment, its unofficial logo is Kaleleiki, the fisherman.

Historical timeline[edit | edit source]

1970s[edit | edit source]

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Campus With The William S. Richardson School of Law Library In Background
  • 1968 – The Hawaii State Legislature established the William S. Richardson School of Law.[9]
  • 1973 – Richardson welcomed its first class of 53 students.
  • 1972 – David Hood appointed Dean.
  • 1974 – The American Bar Association granted William S. Richardson School of Law provisional accreditation.
  • 1976 – Jerome Dupont appointed Acting Dean.
  • 1977 – Cliff Thompson appointed Dean.
  • 1978 – Richardson holds first Ete Bowl.
  • 1979 – University of Hawaii Law Review created.

1980s[edit | edit source]

  • 1981 – Richard Miller appointed Dean.
  • 1982 – The American Bar Association granted William S. Richardson School of Law full accreditation.
  • 1982 – Richardson sends first Moot Court Team to competition.
  • 1983 – William S. Richardson School of Law moved into new facilities on the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
  • 1983 – Richardson Law Library opens.
  • 1983 – Pacific-Asian Legal Studies program begins.
  • 1985 – Jeremy Harrison appointed Dean.
  • 1985 – Student Bar Association Formed.
  • 1987 – Theschool joins United States Supreme Court Jurists-In-Residence Program

1990s[edit | edit source]

  • 1991 – Elder Law Program formed.
  • 1992 – Environmental Law Certificate established.
  • 1995 – Lawrence Foster appointed Dean.
  • 1995 – Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Certificate established.

2000s[edit | edit source]

2010s[edit | edit source]

  • 2010 – Chief Justice William S. Richardson died on June 21.[1]
  • 2011 – Professor Jon Van Dyke died.
  • 2016 – Dean Jeremy Thomas Harrison died.[15]

Rankings[edit | edit source]

2016[edit | edit source]

Employment[edit | edit source]

According to Richardson's official 2013 ABA-required disclosures, 50.9% of the Class of 2013 obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment nine months after graduation.[17] Richardson's Law School Transparency under-employment score is 10.2%, indicating the percentage of the class of 2017 unemployed, pursuing an additional degree, or working in a short-term, part-time, or non-professional job nine months after graduation.[18] It is unclear whether the Law School's above-average clerkship placement rate for new graduates is reflected in these numbers.[19]

Costs[edit | edit source]

The total cost of attendance (indicating the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses) at the Richardson School of Law for the 2014–2015 academic year is $37,934 for Hawaii residents and $57,662 for non-residents.[20] Law School Transparency has estimated debt-financed cost of attendance for three years is $166,060 for residents and $261,639 for non-residents in 2017.[21] In July 2016, Richardson was ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report among American law schools whose alumni have the least debt, at an average of $54,988 for the Class of 2015.[22]

The William S. Richardson School of Law Library

Institutes, programs & centers[edit | edit source]

Institutes[edit | edit source]

  • Institute of Asian-Pacific Business Law. The Institute of Asian-Pacific Business Law was established in June 2006. Its goal is to become an academic center for research and training in the field of business law in Asia and the Pacific.[23] The Institute focuses on commercial law, insolvency and secured transactions, corporate law and business transactions, securities, intellectual property, real estate financing, and labor law issues. The Institute's activities facilitate direct exchanges between the academic, legal, and business communities in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Hammurabi Legal Forum: The Hammurabi Legal Forum for the Rule of Law (HLF) was established in 2008 at the school to aid law schools in Iraq re-invigorate the country's tradition of scholarship.[24] By providing an online database of free legal resources, HLF originally sought to provide information on issues that are important to Iraq and the Iraqi legal community. In 2009, the HLF expanded its efforts to assist Rule of Law activities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In 2010, it further expanded its research to incorporate additional regions of the globe, including Afghanistan and the Pacific Region, with a special focus on Timor-Leste.[25]

Programs[edit | edit source]

  • Hawaii Innocence Project: The Hawaii Innocence Project's mission is to provide pro bono representation to incarcerated persons who have a credible claim of actual innocence.[26][27]
University of Hawaii Elder Law Program (UHELP): Operating throughout the year, UHELP provides Hawaii's elder community basic legal assistance, advice and information.[28][29]

Centers[edit | edit source]

  • Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. Established in 2005 through a Native Hawaiian Education Act grant, the Center is an academic center that promotes education, scholarship, community outreach and collaboration on issues of law, culture and justice for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific and Indigenous peoples.[30] The center focuses on education, research and scholarship, community outreach, and the preservation of historical, legal, and traditional and customary materials. It also offers new courses and supports Native Hawaiian and other law students as they pursue legal careers and leadership roles.[31][32]
  • Hawaii Health Law Policy Center aims to 1) to conduct and disseminate research on health law policy aimed at improving health care access in Hawaii; 2) to serve as a focus for multidisciplinary research, teaching, on health law and policy in the context of Hawaii; and 3) to bring community leaders, health care policymakers, faculty members, and students together to find solutions to health care shortages and other barriers to access in Hawaii's rural, impoverished, or otherwise underserved communities.[33]

Scholarly publications[edit | edit source]

University of Hawaii Law Review[edit | edit source]

The University of Hawaii Law Review is a scholarly legal journal run by students that publishes works by jurists, scholars and practitioners. It publishes two issues annually, and hosts a biennial symposium.

Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal[edit | edit source]

The Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journalis a biannual peer-reviewed open-access law journal published by the school. It covers issues facing Asia and the Pacific Rim. The journal was established in February 2000, with Jim Hitchingham as editor-in-chief and with assistance and support from Lawrence Foster, Dean of the law school, and professors Ronald Brown and Mark Levin. In addition to its web format, the journal is available through the legal databases LexisNexis and Westlaw.[34]

Visiting tribunals & jurist-in-residence programs[edit | edit source]

Visiting tribunals[edit | edit source]

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit & Hawaii Supreme Court[edit | edit source]

Each year, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sits specially at the school to hear some appeals from the United States District Court for the Districts of Hawaii and Guam.[35][36] The Hawaii Supreme Court also sits regularly.[37][38]

Jurist-in-residence programs[edit | edit source]

Bright International Jurist-in-Residence Program[edit | edit source]

Started in 2007 under the tutelage of Senior Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit, Myron H Bright, the Bright International Jurist-in-Residence program hosts international jurists to facilitate dialogue with the wider community and the school's faculty and staff.

In 2007, Israel Supreme Court judge Aharon Barak was the visiting scholar. In 2010, the president of the International Court of Justice Hisashi Owada served as visiting scholar.[39]

U.S. Supreme Court Jurist-in-Residence Program[edit | edit source]

Instituted in 1987, with the support of Myron H. Bright, a Senior Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit, Richardson has a U.S. Supreme Court Jurist-In-Residence Program. Biannually, a visiting U.S. Supreme Court Justice presents seminars on current judicial issues as well as teaches classes.[40]

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Teaching Richardson Civil Procedure Class, 2011

Faculty[edit | edit source]

Endowed professorship & faculty chairs[edit | edit source]

Through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Foundation, Richardson has been endowed with several professorships and faculty chairs.

  • Benjamin A. Kudo Professor of Law[41]
  • Dan & Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair In Democratic Ideas
  • Fred T. Korematsu Professorship In Law and Social Justice[42]
  • George J Johnson Visiting Professor Endowment
  • Michael J. Marks Distinguished Professor of Business Law[43][44]
  • Wallace S. Fujiyama Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law[45]
  • Carlsmith Ball Faculty Scholar Fund[46]
  • SBS Holdings Co. Korean Faculty Fund[14]

Notable faculty[edit | edit source]

In 2013,The Princeton Review ranked the Richardson faculty as the third "Most Diverse Faculty."[47] And, in 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 3rd of 190 Law Schools for "Smallest Faculty-Student Ratio".[48] The faculty is specialized in an array of legal areas.

Current notable faculty:

Former faculty

  • Chris Iijima, Legal scholar, Asian-American civil rights activist, folk singer (Deceased)
  • Jon Van Dyke, Constitutional law scholar, lawyer, activist (Deceased)[51]

Students[edit | edit source]

Student body[edit | edit source]

In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 25th of 190 Law Schools for "Most Selective". In addition, Richardson is recognized for its highly diverse student body. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked it 1st of 190 Law Schools for "Diversity Index,"[52] while Princeton Review ranked it "Best Environment for Minority Students."[53]

Law student pledge[edit | edit source]

Adopted in 2002 as an aspirational reflection of Kānāwai Māmalahoe, all Richardson students recite the William S. Richardson School of Law Law Student Pledge, written by late Professor Chris Iijima, before a Hawaii Supreme Court Justice during a special ceremony before they begin their legal education.

Richardson Students Reciting Law Student Pledge At Hawaii Supreme Court

The Pledge is:

In the study of law, I will conscientiously prepare myself;

To advance the interests of those I serve before my own,

To approach my responsibilities and colleagues with integrity, professionalism, and civility,

To guard zealously legal, civil and human rights which are the birthright of all people,

And, above all,

To endeavor always to seek justice.

This I do pledge.

Student organizations[edit | edit source]

Richardson sponsors numerous student organizations, including:[54]

  • 'Ahahui O Hawai'i
  • Advocates For Public Interest Law (APIL)
  • American Inns of Court (The Hon. James S. Burns Aloha Chapter of the Inns of Court[55])
  • American Bar Association-Student Chapter
  • Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
  • Christian Legal Society (CLS)
  • Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity (DTP)
  • Environmental Law Society (ELS)
The Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Organization's (PALSO) Annual Lunar New Year Party. PALSO is one of the school's biggest student organizations
  • Federalist Society
  • Federal Bar Association Hawaii Law Student Division
  • Filipino Law School Association (FLSA)
  • Hammurabi Legal Forum
  • Hawaii Women's Lawyers
  • La Alianza
  • Lambda Law Student Association
  • Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Organization (PALSO)
  • Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity
  • Richardson Golf Association
  • Running Group
  • Self Defense Club
  • Soccer Club
  • Street Law
  • Student Animal League Defense Fund (SALDF)
  • Student Bar Association (SBA)
  • Students With Keiki
  • Sustainable Richardson
  • TED Richardson

Moot Court teams[edit | edit source]

Richardson Students Competing At The 2012 Native American Law Student Association Competition Finals At Hawaii Supreme Court in Honolulu

Richardson fields Moot Court teams, composed of students, in competitions across many legal areas.[56] In addition, Richardson fields a competitive Client Counseling Team.

Moot court teams[edit | edit source]

  • Environmental Moot Court Team
  • Hispanic Moot Court Team
  • Saul Lefkowtiz Intellectual Property Moot Court Team
  • International Environmental Moot Court Team
  • International Negotiations Team
  • Mock Trial Team
  • Native American Moot Court Team
  • Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition Team
  • Robert F. Wagner Labor & Employment Law Moot Court Team
  • Space Law Moot Court Team

Law school traditions[edit | edit source]

Ete Bowl Football Teams

A list of some of Richardson's traditions:

  • Student Pledge
Adopted in 2002 as an aspirational reflection of Kānāwai Māmalahoe, all Richardson students recite the Law Student Pledge, written by late Professor Chris Iijima, before a Hawaii Supreme Court Justice during a special ceremony before they begin their legal education.
  • Ete Bowl
Stew Day
Starting in 1978, Richardson—in a tradition that promotes school spirit and camaraderie amongst students—holds a yearly alumnae v. female law students flag football game.[57][58] The Alumnae ("Bruzers") and UH Law Student ("Etes") teams are composed entirely of female students, while cheerleaders are composed of male students dressed in drag.[59]
  • Stew Day
Begun by Professor Calvin Pang, every year on Stew Day, the Richardson Faculty dress up in goofy hats and aprons and serve a stew lunch to the students.[60] Recently added to Stew Day, Professor Pang orchestrated the "Red Socks Award" – in honor of Dean Aviam Soifer, a Boston Red Sox Fan. H

Notable alumni[edit | edit source]

Politics

Judiciary

Academia

Crime

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Hevesi, Dennis William S. Richardson, Ex-Chief Justice in Hawaii, Dies at 90New York Times  (2010-06-28)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (William S. Richardson School of Law), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (William S. Richardson School of Law)
  3. Mariani-Belding, Jeanne Concern For Others Key To Law School's MissionHonolulu Advertiser  (August 4, 2008)
  4.  University of Hawaii Law School Retains ABA AccreditationPacific Business News  (November 10, 2011)
  5. 5.0 5.1 The 2016 U.S. News Law School Rankings Are Here!, (March 10, 2015)
  6.  University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa -Richardson,
  7. 7.0 7.1 Kānāwai Māmalahoe holds that government should strive for justice and to protect the rights of all of humanity through the rule of law. The Law of the Splintered Paddle: Kānāwai Māmalahoe. (PDF). hawaii.edu
  8. About William S. Richardson School of Law Mission Statement, About William S. Richardson School of Law Mission Statement
  9. William S. Richardson Timeline, Timeline
  10. Espanol, Zenaida Serrano Nominee for UH law dean approvedHonolulu Advertiser  (2003-03-15)
  11.  UH To Begin Law For Foreign-Trained LawyersHonolulu Star-Bulletin  (February 10, 2003)
  12. Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law | William S. Richardson School of Law,
  13.  UH Law School to launch part-time programsHonolulu Advertiser  (December 10, 2007)
  14. 14.0 14.1  University of Hawaii Creates Korean Law FundPacific Business News  (2009-02-17)
  15. Former MSU Law dean dies, 80 > Detroit Legal News, (May 13, 2016)
  16. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – Richardson,
  17. American Bar Association,  Employment Statistics, (April 9, 2014)
  18. University of Hawaii Law School Transparency Report,
  19. New Study Ranks Richardson Law School High in Top 20 Law Schools That Help Graduates Find State and Local Clerkships, (April 12, 2012)
  20. Cost of Attendance,
  21. University of Hawaii Total Debt,
  22. Smith-Barrow, Delece 10 Law Schools Where Alumni Have the Least Debt, (July 19, 2016)
  23. Institute of Asian-Pacific Business Law, Institute of Asian-Pacific Business Law
  24. Chiem, Linda UH Students Help Struggling Iraqi Law SchoolPacific Business News  (November 9, 2008)
  25. Char, Kymber-Lee University of Hawaii professor promotes rule of law in Iraq | Malamalama, The Magazine of the University of Hawai'i System, (March 30, 2011)
  26.  UH Mānoa Law School Programs Awarded $18,500Honolulu Advertiser  (January 31, 2007)
  27.  UH Law School's 'Innocence Project' Gets 10K GrantHonolulu Advertiser  (June 29, 2007)
  28. Creamer, Beverly $3.2 Million Settlement Benefits Elders, UHHonolulu Advertiser  (June 3, 2006)
  29. UHELP Community Services, UHELP Community Services
  30.  Hawaii Law School Program Receives $630,000 GrantHonolulu Advertiser  (November 7, 2007)
  31. Creamer, Beverly UH Plans Native Hawaiian Law CenterHonolulu Advertiser  (June 26, 2005)
  32. UHM Native Hawaiian Law Center Unveils New Publication, (May 2, 2013)
  33. Health Law Policy Center, Health Law Policy Center
  34. ASIAN-PACIFIC LAW & POLICY JOURNAL (APLPJ),
  35. Ninth Circuit Sitting In Honolulu Includes Visit To University of Hawaii, Press Release
  36. 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals Will Hear Arguments in Honolulu,
  37.  Hawaii Supreme Court to hear case at UH law schoolHonolulu Star Advertiser  (February 3, 2011)
  38. Hawaii Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument at Law School,
  39. Jurist-In-residence program | Case Lombardi & Pettit,
  40. US Supreme Court Jurist-in-Residence Program | William S. Richardson School of Law,
  41. Chairs and Professorships, Chairs and Professorships
  42.  The Fred T. Korematsu Chair In Law And Social Justice At The William S. Richardson School Of LawUniversity of Hawaii Foundation  (April 13, 2012)
  43. Michael J. Marks Distinguished Professorship in Business Law Established, Michael J. Marks Distinguished Professorship in Business Law Established
  44.  Michael J Marks Distinguished Professorship In Business Law Established At UH ManoaThe Hawaii Reporter  (December 20, 2010)
  45. Law School January Term Brings Outstanding Scholars To Hawaii,
  46.  Law Firm Endows Faculty Scholar Fund At UHPacific Business News  (2008-07-30)
  47.  William S. Richardson School of LawPrinceton Review  (March 12, 2013)
  48. UH Law School Named 'Best' For Minority Students, (October 10, 2013)
  49. South Korea: Prisoner of Conscience Baik Tae-Ung, South Korea: Prisoner of Conscience Baik Tae-Ung
  50. Law School Professor Eric Yamamoto Awarded Korematsu Professorship, (April 17, 2012)
  51. Dayton, Kevin UH Constitutional Law Professor Jon Van Dyke DiesHawaii Star Advertiser  (2012-02-19)
  52.  Law School Diversity ProgramsU.S. News & World Report  (March 11, 2013)
  53. The 2014 Edition of the Best 169 Law Schools,
  54. Student Organizations, Students
  55. Boylan, Dan Honoring The Honorable Judge BurnsMidweek  (April 18, 2012)
  56. Moot Court Teams, Moot Court Teams
  57. Ete Bowl, Ete Bowls
  58.  The Annual Ete Bowl Goes Mano a ManoThe Hawaii Reporter  (November 13, 2012)
  59.  The Annual Ete Bowl Goes Mano A ManoHawaii Reporter  (November 13, 2012)
  60.  Newsletter of the Association of American Law SchoolEquipoise  (December 2009)
  61. Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation,

External links[edit | edit source]