Message from the Dean Dear alumni and friends,
Gates Hall bustled all summer with conferences and symposiums, but we missed the energy that only our talented and diverse student body can provide. Recently, I spoke to our new students during their orientation program, which now spans two weeks and includes a thorough introduction to the study of law and the skills and values of our profession. Thankfully, gone are the days of “look to your left, look to your right, only one of you will be here at the end of this year”! The excitement (and nervousness) in the room was palpable. I encouraged our students to immerse themselves in all that our university and law school offers them, and to use their time with us to explore their passions; to hone their skills of judgment, analysis, and leadership; and to develop a fierce commitment to ethics and excellence. I also urged them to remember why they came to law school, especially during the rigors of the first year, and to have the courage to add their own voices to law as well as to listen to the voices of others.
As I launch my third year as your dean, please know that I continue to be honored by the trust you have placed in me and excited by the opportunity before us. Our history is one of distinction, for which we should all be rightly proud. Even so, as UW celebrates 150 years, I am confident that our future will exceed even our own high expectations. We are the law school our world needs us to be. Thank you for every way that you are part of making that so. Onward and upward!
Kellye Y. Testy Dean, UW School of Law James W. Mifflin University Professor
President Young & Dean Testy
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This year, the University of Washington celebrates its 150th anniversary, as one of the top 20 universities in the world. The law school opened its doors 112 years ago — in 1899 — and continues to proudly contribute to UW’s tradition of excellence. We encourage you to view the UW 150th anniversary website (www.washington. edu/150) and to join in the celebration.
Each day I am grateful that you, our alumni and friends, use your passions, skills, and voices to advance law and justice. You are society’s ethical leaders in all areas of law, business, and public policy. Now more than ever, our world needs the skills and values that law-educated leaders bring to the table. We admire and appreciate all that you do across the diverse areas in which you work. In this issue, we feature a sampling of our alumni who have emerged from their time in our Seattle classrooms to make a difference around the state, the nation, and the world. We also include our 2010-2011 Report to Donors and continue to be grateful for your generous support of our mission and programs.
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As we begin the 2011-2012 school year, we welcome Michael K. Young as the new president of the University of Washington and as a new member of our law faculty. President Young is already an active member of our law school community. In July, he addressed our 2011 Intellectual Property Summer Institute; in September he met many of you at a welcome reception we hosted in his honor. His experience in our profession is both wide and deep, and his expertise in Japanese Law is a particular asset to our mission as Leaders for the Global Common Good.
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