Ulu Lehua Scholars Program

ULU LEHUA SCHOLARS PROGRAM

law.hawaii.edu Lehua blossom in law school’s courtyard

Aloha!

Located in Honolulu, the William S. Richardson School of Law is a vibrant, multicultural community of students and legal professionals dedicated to the law.

ADMISSIONS Admission to the Law School is competitive. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, a valid LSAT or GRE score, register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS), and submit an online application at www.lsac.org.

LEHUA ADMISSIONS There is no separate application process for the Ulu Lehua Scholars Program.

However, applicants interested in being considered for the Program must include an additional statement in their application packet discussing how they meet the Law School’s criteria for admission as a Lehua Scholar. These criteria include: Activities and/or employment showing a strong commitment to social justice, community service, and working with disadvantaged communities.

A record of overcoming social, educational, economic, or other forms of adversity.

The ability to serve as a role model and mentor for disadvantaged individuals striving to overcome challenges.

The ability to bring distinctive viewpoints and life experiences that enrich the law school community.

Educational and other achievements that indicate potential for success in law school beyond what is reflected by numerical admissions indicators, such as LSAT/GRE scores and GPA.

The Ulu Lehua Scholars Program The Ulu Lehua Scholars Program, established by the William S. Richardson School of Law in 1974, aims to make legal education accessible to Hawai`i’s diverse communities. Each year, it selects a cohort of about a dozen students who have shown exceptional academic potential, leadership, and dedication to social justice. Recipients are chosen for their commitment to community service, resilience, strong academic records, and the qualities needed to excel in law school and become dedicated legal professionals.

Leslee Dawn Matthews Ulu Lehua Scholar Attorney and Founder Speak Out & Up Law, LLLC

Andres Y. Gonzalez Ulu Lehua Scholar Access to Justice Fellow Corporate Attorney, Comity Inc. “I consider the program as a pioneer on the frontier of legal education. One gets to experience the best of legal education while maintaining a critical eye on the process as a whole. . . .There is much to learn from this program.”

Randy Compton, Ulu Lehua Scholar Former Fellow and Staff Attorney Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawai‘i

THE LEHUA 1L YEAR Lehua Scholars enter the Law School as J.D. students and, like all first-year students, take Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Lawyering Fundamentals.

They also have a fourth class, Torts, taught by the Program Director, along with American Legal Systems I, which covers legal reasoning, writing, and study techniques. This seminar also explores critical legal theory and law’s role in social change. In their second semester, scholars may have additional course flexibility based on their first-semester performance.

THE LEHUA TUTORIAL PROGRAM Lehua 1Ls and first-semester 2Ls receive structured tutoring in civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, real property, and constitutional law from upper division Lehua Scholars who excelled in these subjects. Tutoring helps these upper division students give back to the program and prepare for the Bar Exam.

TRADITION OF LEHUA LEADERSHIP Lehua Scholars actively engage in Law School life, often leading organizations like the University of Hawai‘i Law Review and moot court teams. They also help launch initiatives such as LSAT prep courses for under-represented communities. Graduates join a notable alumni network of judges, political leaders, social justice advocates, and prominent attorneys.

Jeremy Butterfield Ulu Lehua Scholar Attorney Law Office of Jeremy J.K. Butterfield

Seen here speaking to students at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo during their celebration of Constitution Day.

“Entering law school as an Ulu Lehua Scholar was the greatest gift. Our program is a symbol of Richardson’s commitment to social change in Hawai‘i. We, Lehua, have a very strong, special kinship among our students and alumni. We have a deep understanding of our responsibility to serve our communities and protect those most vulnerable to injustice. ” Amanda Jenssen Ulu Lehua Scholar State of Hawai‘i Office of the Attorney General “I grew up in the village of Fagasa, American Samoa, and am the first in my family to attend college, let alone law school. When I graduated from high school, my English was very limited. But now, I can look forward to being a successful lawyer – an inspiration to my village and to the Samoan community.”

Uilisone Tua, Ulu Lehua Scholar Judge Advocate United States Army

CONTACT US tandrade@hawaii.edu (808)-956-6543 law.hawaii.edu/ululehua

2515 Dole Street Honolulu, HI 96822 USA