Where is the University of Washington School of Law located?
The UW School of Law is located in Seattle, Washington. It is housed in William
H. Gates Hall on the University of Washington Seattle campus. For directions to
the law school and parking information,
click here
What is the UW School of Law's mission and vision?
Our mission is to serve and educate our students to be
leaders for the global common good. Our vision is to shape and define just and sustainable
laws and policies through scholarly discovery, ethical advocacy, inspired teaching
and generous public service.
Is the UW School of Law committed to diversity?
The UW School of Law’s longstanding commitment to diversity is an extension of our
commitment to excellence. On the day the law school broke ground over a century
ago, the 34 students in the incoming class included three women, an African-American
man, and a Japanese man – individually and collectively a rarity in 1899. From this
foundation, the UW School of Law never lost sight of its roots. At the UW School
of Law, we believe the best legal education must include an integration of legal
theory, doctrine and practice that must be delivered by a diverse faculty to a diverse
student body. This is evident in the number of alumni who are prominent in the legal
profession, many breaking through the barriers of gender, race, and ethnicity along
the way. With the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, and mentor programs of
peer, faculty, and alumni mentors, the law school promotes and encourages diversity
by creating an open, inclusive academic climate that is welcoming to and supportive
of all students of color, LGBTQI students, and students with disabilities.
In a nutshell, why should I study at the UW School of Law?
We offer:
Are you on the semester system or the quarter
system?
We are on the quarter system. Students on the quarter system register
for classes in three, ten-week sessions each year- Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters.
Classes begin later in the fall (usually in late September) and classes end later
in the year (usually mid June).
What is the size of the 1L class?
The 1L class is typically between 180-190 students.
Do you have a part-time/evening program?
No. The J.D. program is a full-time, day program only
Do you offer special tracks or specializations?
Yes, the J.D. program currently offers 7 concentration tracks in:
Is there a clinical program?
Yes, over a dozen clinics are offered through the Clinical Law Program. See the
current clinics list.
Are there concurrent or joint degree programs?
Yes. As the UW School of Law is part of a leading research institution,
students can take full advantage of the opportunity to develop an academic
program leading to a J.D. and a master's degree in any of 100 disciplines of the
UW Graduate School. Among the most popular concurrent degrees are law and
public affairs at the Evans School of Public Affiars, law and business at the
Foster School of Business, and law and international studies at the Jackson
School of International Studies. For more information, visit the
Concurrent Degree page on our website.
What LL.M. Degree/Ph.D. programs are offered?
For information on LL.M. or Ph.D. degrees offered at the University of
Washington School of Law, please see the following program websites:
What are the latest employment statistics?
The UW School of Law"s
Center for
Professional and Leadership Development not only prepares our students for a
career in the law, but also trains our students to be professionals and leaders
in their communities. The Center for Professional and Leadership Development
accomplishes its goals by providing students advising and counseling,
professional development coaching, recruiting opportunities, electronic
job-search tools, mentoring, On-Campus Interview programs, participation in
national and regional career fairs, resume, cover letter and interview skills
training, judicial clerkship placement, and last but not least, networking
resources and opportunities to create and promote new relationships among
attorneys, alumni, and UW School of Law students.
Employment statistics are available in the fall for the previous year’s
graduating class. See
Center for
Professional and Leadership Development's Employment Profile.
What is the Gates Public Service Law Program?
The William H. Gates
Public Service Law Program (Gates PSL) at the UW School of Law was created
in honor of William H. Gates Sr., a prominent Washington state attorney and
public servant. This program awards five scholarships on an annual basis to
first year students entering the UW School of Law J.D. program. Each Gates PSL
scholarship award will cover tuition, books, other normal fees imposed for
University and UW School of Law enrollment, costs of room and board and
incidental expenses. Acceptance of a Gates PSL scholarship represents a
commitment on the part of each recipient to work in public service for five
years following graduation. The presence of this program at the UW School of Law
cements our institution’s commitment to public service and enhances the
experience of the entire law school and university community. For more
information, visit the Gates Public Service Law Program’s
website.
Do I have to apply for the Gates Public Service Law Scholarship separately from
the J.D. application?
Yes. The Gates PSL Scholarship has a separate application from the J.D.
application. Applicants interested in applying for the Gates PSL Scholarship
must apply separately for both by submitting the J.D. application and the Gates
PSL Scholarship application. Please NOTE: to be considered for the Gates PSL
Scholarship, both the above-mentioned applications must be submitted by January
15. Accordingly, all J.D. applicants intending to apply for the Gates PSL
Scholarship must have their J.D. application completed and submitted by January
15 rather than the February 15 deadline. For more information, visit the Gates
Public Service Law Program’s
website.
Can I visit the law school, tour the building, and/or observe a class?
Yes, we welcome your visit. The law school building is open to the public during
regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm).
Directions to Gates
Hall are available. Guided tours of Gates Hall are available by appointment
only and self-guided tour booklets are available at the Office of Admissions &
Financial Aid. There are also pre-approved first year classes designated for
visitors if you are interested in
observing
a class. Though walk-ins are available, please arrange your visit in advance
by filling out a
Visit Request Form. There, you can indicate whether you wish to take a tour
of the law school, observe a class, and/or meet with an admissions
representative.
Where do law students live?
Most of our students live off-campus in the surrounding neighborhoods. The
University of Washington offers graduate and professional students on-campus
housing in single student, apartment, and family housing options. To learn more
about on-campus housing, visit
Housing
and Food Services. For those who wish to live off-campus, there are plenty
of options around Seattle. To learn more about off-campus housing, visit
the
Off-Campus Housing Affairs Office.
How much is the Student Health Insurance and where can I get information about
the coverage?
The University of Washington offers two student health insurance plans, which
differ in cost and coverage. For more information on student health insurance at
the University of Washington, visit the
Business
Services and Student Health Insurance Office.
How do students get around the city?
Seattle has a great public transit system that UW students use to get to school
and around the city. Students receive a bus pass (U-PASS) with their enrollment,
though they have the option to opt out of receiving a U-PASS. The U-PASS gets
you rides on most of the transit systems in the Puget Sound area, including
Metro, Sound, Community, Pierce, Kitsap, and Everett Transit. More importantly
for students, many bus routes come to the U-District, and drop off right near
William H. Gates Hall, making public transit the convenient, green, and
cost-effective option in commuting to campus.For additional information about
transit options, please visit
Commuter Services.