The Gregoire Fellows Program recognizes students for their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives and experiences, and leadership potential to diversify the legal profession in Washington. The program is named in honor of former Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire.
Fellows spend the summer following their first year gaining invaluable legal experience. Fellows work ten (10) weeks split between a major corporate law firm and either a Seattle-based corporation or government agency.
The Gregoire Fellows Program began in 2015 with the goal of bringing greater diversity to the legal profession, particularly in the state of Washington, and to the law student population at the University of Washington School of Law.
In addition to summer employment, Gregoire Fellows receive:
With the graduation of the Class of 2021, four cohorts of fellows have completed the program and entered the workforce. Data shows that the Gregoire fellows graduate, are admitted to practice, and are employed at higher rates than their non-fellow peers. Importantly, the fellows have also secured employment more quickly than their non-fellow peers.
The program provides fellows with community-building, networking, and foundational industry knowledge. This includes fellow mentoring groups comprised of one fellow from each class year (i.e., 1L, 2L, 3L) matched based on practice areas of interest and background. First-year fellows receive additional training about the legal industry and interviewing best practices with a mock interview program. Speed networking events also facilitate in-depth engagement between sponsors and fellows.
The Gregoire Fellows Program is an important tool to increase diversity in the legal community at UW Law and in the state of Washington. Prospective students value the program, with 75% of surveyed fellows (83% of 2LS and 67% of 3Ls) indicating that the Gregoire Fellows Program was a major or influential factor in their decision to attend UW Law.
The University of Washington School of Law is proud to announce its 2021 Gregoire Fellows: Max Del Real, Samantha Hussey, Chisup Kim, Justine Kim, Trent M.C. McBride, Alysa Mo, Hosanna Negash, Ellie Pakzad and Sophia Sun
The new UW Law Gregoire Fellows include Simon Borumand, Neela Brocato, Katie Chang, Antonia Gales, Bailey Higgs, Ramita Kondepudi, Anna Le, Teco Proffitt and Sabrina Suen.
Nine students are recognized for their academic and professional achievements, unique perspectives and experiences, and leadership potential to diversify the Washington legal profession.
Law students receive support from leading Puget Sound area businesses, organizations, law firms to increase diversity in legal profession
Nine new fellows joined UW Law this fall