"Just the Beginning"

The University of Washington School of Law welcomed a cohort of 65 high school students for a visit on Aug. 13 for the iLead Law & Leadership Conference. The conference is run through Just the Beginning — A Pipeline Organization (JTB-APO), which introduces high school students with an interest in law to pathways and opportunities in the legal field. The event took place over four days in Seattle, with additional visits to Seattle University School of Law, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington and Davis Wright Tremaine.

UW Law Dean Tamara F. Lawson gave opening remarks following an introduction from Missy Jeje, JTB Program Manager. Students were able to envision an educational experience in law through a mock law school class titled, “What is the Constitution?,” by Assistant Professor of Law Jeremiah Chin and a session called “Constitutional Cranium,” led by Associate Dean for Student Affairs Terry J. Price and members of the UW Law staff.

Chief Judge Lori K. Smith, J.D. ’84, of the Washington Court of Appeals Division I was the day’s keynote speaker. Judge Richard A. Jones, J.D. ’75, and Judge Tana Lin, both U.S. District Court judges for the Western District of Washington, also addressed the students. All the judges shared their paths from law school to the bench.

The day finished for students with a Q&A session hosted by Jana E. Matthews, Director of the William H. Gates Public Service Law Program, and a tour of the UW campus, where the students donned purple UW Law baseball caps.

Photos of the Event

Visit the photo gallery or watch the slideshow below.