UW School of Law

Nowell Bamberger
Class of 2008

The Student Bar Association is both the student government and a student organization at the University of Washington Law School. As President of the SBA, I am responsible for responding to student concerns, working with members of the faculty and administration to make sure that students have the best possible academic and professional experience, connecting with alumni and members of the local legal community, promoting funding of student programs, overseeing funding and administration of student organizations, and generally working to maintain UWLS as the top legal education institution in the Northwest.

As members of the Student Bar Association, we all strive to provide students with opportunities to get involved in law school administration, programming, and policy. Each week I write a column in the Crier explaining what SBA is working on and highlighting opportunities for student involvement. A legal education is more than Torts, Contracts, and Civil Procedure-and through the programming supported by the SBA students have an opportunity to learn, serve, and connect with the local community.

This year is a year of transition for the Law School and our students. We are in the process of selecting a new dean and perhaps a new direction for our law school. As SBA President my role is to make sure that student voices are heard in that process. As a member of the Dean Search Committee I am pressing the decision makers to involve students in the recruitment and selection process. As a member of the Alumni Board, I am encouraging the local legal community and our student organizations to come together to promote the public service mission of UWLS. And, as liaison to the Law School Foundation Board, I am coordinating opportunities for students to get involved in development-building long-term, lasting connections to support the next generation of law students.

Students at the University of Washington Law School are fortunate to attend the Northwest's premier law school and one of the best public law schools in the country. With that opportunity comes a special obligation to serve the people of the State of Washington who support our education. This year, I am working with the Gates Public Interest Program, student organizations, the SBA board, representative of other regional law schools, and others to promote opportunities for and a recognition of the obligation to use our legal skills in the service of Washington.

Student Bar Association weekly meetings are held every Wednesday at 12:30 in room 119. They are always public and students are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions. Meeting agendas are sent out via e-mail before each meeting. I also encourage students to get involved: SBA is always seeking students to serve on event planning committees, ad hoc committees, and faculty standing committees. If you have an issue that you are particularly interested in or a project you would like to get involved in, please let me know.

Please let me know how SBA can be more responsive. Share your concerns or comments via e-mail at nowellb@ or stop by our office in room 130.