One of the features that makes the Law School truly exceptional is our tradition of distinctive programs. Students are able to learn from and interact with United States Supreme Court Justices, for example, as well as with jurists and lawyers in the Hawai'i legal community, the nation, and numerous other countries. Students may choose to take a concentration of courses in specific areas such as Elder Law, Environmental Law, or Pacific and Asian Legal Studies.
JURISTS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
This program brings distinguished national jurists to the School of Law to meet with students, faculty, the judiciary, and the bar. The Honorable Myron H. Bright, Senior Circuit Judge with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit, established the program in 1987. Past participants have included United States Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony M. Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, and John Paul Stevens-all of whom were accompanied by Judge Bright. The jurists present seminars, teach classes, and discuss timely judicial matters. The next program is scheduled for Spring 2008. The program is currently supported by the law firm of Case Lombardi and Pettit.
"The Jurists-In-Residence program was a fantastic experience for me personally and a huge success for the Law School community. As a first year law student, I never thought I'd have such access to a United States Supreme Court Justice. Justice Ginsburg was not only fascinating to listen to, she was also genuinely interested in engaging with law students. The Jurists-In-Residence program is one of the many fantastic reasons to study law at WSRSL." MATTHEW STONE, CLASS OF 2006
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROGRAM
The School of Law's Environmental Law Program (ELP) was established in 1988 in recognition of the special challenges the State of Hawai'i faces in developing an environmentally sustainable economy. Directed by Professor Denise Antolini, the ELP trains students to become future attorneys, policy makers, and scholars in the field of environmental law locally, nationally, and internationally.
Accordingly, the ELP offers a significant number of courses to second and third year students that expose them to the opportunities and challenges in this emerging field of law.
Students also may opt to earn the Certificate in Environmental Law. Students wishing to complete the ELP certificate undertake a core series of classes and must complete a directed study, externship, produce a scholarly article or paper, or participate as a member of the Environmental Law Moot Court Team. Thanks to its dedicated faculty, the ELP has gained national recognition, and is currently among the finest environmental programs in the United States.
For more information about the Environmental Law Program, go to
For more information about the Environmental Law Society, go to
PACIFIC-ASIAN LEGAL STUDIES
The School of Law recognizes the importance of the Pacific Rim culturally, economically, and geopolitically. Accordingly, we have faculty members who specialize in Hawaiian, International, Chinese, Japanese, and Pacific law, and the curriculum directly reflects these interests. Students may take general courses in Asian, comparative and international law, or they may choose from among many specialized classes. We also offer short-term courses taught by visiting experts from across the Asia-Pacific region. Recent courses have included seminars on Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Taiwanese law, for example.
The School of Law awards certificates of achievement in Pacific-Asian Legal Studies (PALS) to those students who undertake a specialized program of international coursework. The certificate requires successful completion of 14 credits, the foundation for which is International Law and Pacific Island Legal Systems or Asian Comparative Law. The certificate also requires students to write an article or seminar paper on an approved PALS topic. Students are free to focus on Pacific Islands and Hawaiian legal issues as well as Asian and international business-related topics.
For more information about the Pacific-Asia Legal Studies Organization, go to
ELDER LAW PROGRAM
The goal of the University of Hawai'i Elder Law Program (UHELP) is twofold: to give students the legal foundation needed to practice elder law and to provide direct legal services to those elderly in our community who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
The Elder Law and Health Law courses prepare second and third year law students to handle the complex legal issues that affect the elderly. The Elder Law Unit is responsible for delivering legal services to the community, and is staffed by a full-time attorney and a paralegal and functions throughout the year as a law office. Funding for UHELP is provided by the School of Law, Title III of the Older Americans Act, the Elderly Affairs Division of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Hawai'i Justice Foundation.
For more information about the Elder Law Program, go to
CLINICAL PROGRAMS
The school's clinical programs give students opportunities to apply their rigorous academic training to hands-on experience in the practice of law. The externship program allows students to work in judges' chambers, the legislature, public agencies, and private practice. These classes are taught by some of Hawai'i's finest judges and lawyers-who also critique student performances in delivering oral arguments, handling depositions, and negotiating for their clients in simulated sessions.
CURRENT CLINICAL COURSES
- Defense Clinic
- Elder Law Clinic
- Environmental Law Clinic
- Estate Planning Workshop
- Family Law Clinic
- Immigration Law Clinic
- Lawyering Skills Workshop
- Legal Aid Clinic
- Mediation Workshop
- Native Hawaiian Rights Clinic
- Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Pretrial Litigation Clinic
- Prosecution Clinic
- Real Estate Development Workshop
- Trial Practice Clinic
SUMMER STUDY
In recent years, the University of Mississippi School of Law has conducted its summer program at the William S. Richardson School of Law. Many of our students attend other summer programs in China, Germany, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, The Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
PRO BONO PROGRAM
In 1992, at the request of students, the Law School initiated a pro bono (public service) graduation requirement. The Pro Bono Program introduces students to pro bono service and allows them to respond directly to unmet needs in the community. Students must volunteer for at least sixty hours of law-related work in one or more agencies or projects approved by the Law School pro bono advisor.
In the past, students have worked for such public service groups as the Hawai'i Office of Disciplinary Counsel; Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i; Volunteer Legal Services; Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation; Na Loio; and many others.
Ulu Lehua Program
The Ulu Lehua Program celebrated its sixteenth anniversary in 2007. The program was established to address the issues of disadvantaged applicants and to provide service to historically underserved communities. Alumni of the Ulu Lehua Program have been highly successful in the legal community and their ranks include prominent attorneys, judges, and government officials.
Students in the Ulu Lehua program enroll for up to one year as unclassified students in selected first year law courses, and in a special seminar and tutorials. Upon successful completion of the Ulu Lehua Program, students matriculate directly into the three-year JD program. A successful Pre-Admission/JD student will earn a JD in three to four years. There is no separate application process for this program.
