ʻOnipaʻa.
—Apowerfulcalltostandfirminyourvalues. The motto of Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Aloha!
Message from the Dean
At the William S. Richardson School of Law, we believe that legal education is not just about learning the law; it’s about transforming lives, serving communities, and building a more just future. Rooted in Hawaiʻi, we are guided by values that reflect our place: aloha, kuleana, and hoʻomau.
As Hawaiʻi’s only law school, we are proud to provide a legal education that is rigorous, supportive, and deeply connected to the people and land we serve. Our faculty are globally recognized scholars and passionate teachers. Our students are leaders and innovators, and our alumni are changemakers across the islands and around the world.
Whether you are drawn to environmental law, international and comparative law, Native Hawaiian rights, or any number of pathways to service, innovation, and leadership, you will find a home here. We invite you to join our Richardson ʻohana and carry forward our shared commitment to justice, opportunity, and impact
Wi h l h
WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON Mission & Legacy
William S Richardson served as Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court from 1966 to 1982, following his roles as Lieutenant Governor under John A Burns, chairman of the Hawai‘i Democratic Party (1956–1962), and a key figure in the statehood movement Of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, and Caucasian ancestry, he humbly referred to himself as “just a local boy from Hawai‘i” A graduate of Roosevelt High School, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Richardson also served in World War II as a platoon leader with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment and was inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. As Chief Justice, he championed Native Hawaiian rights and public access to resources, grounding legal decisions in ancient Hawaiian values, such as the public ownership of water and beaches, and reshaping Hawaiʻi's legal landscape in ways that have become recognized as forward-thinking and culturally rooted. In recognition of his legacy, the state’s only law school was named in his honor, the William S. Richardson School of Law, which many consider his crowning achievement. He passed away peacefully on June 21, 2010.
PROGRAMS
FULL-TIMEJD
TheFull-TimeJurisDoctor(JD)programisan in-personcourseofstudyintendedfor studentswhocancommitthemajorityoftheir timetoattendingclassesduringtheday, Monday-Friday InadditiontotheJD,students maychoosetopursueaconcurrentgraduate degreeinanotherdisciplineofferedatthe UniversityofHawaiʻiatMānoa Dualdegree optionsincludecombinationssuchas JD/MBA,JD/MSW,orJD/MPH.
HAWAIʻIONLINEJDPROGRAM
TheHawaiʻiOnlineJDprogramoffersafully online,part-timepathtoearningaJuris Doctordegreeinasfewasfouryears Designedforflexibility,thisprogramisideal forindividualswithprofessional,financial,or familyresponsibilitiesthatmakeattendinginperson,daytimeclasseschallenging
ADVANCEDJD(AJD)
TheAdvancedJurisDoctorenablesgraduates fromforeignLawSchoolstoreceiveuptoone year'sworthofcredit(upto29credits) towardstheJDprogram,earningthedegree inaslittleastwoyearsasafull-timestudent.
MASTEROFLAWS(LLM)
TheMasterofLaws(LLM)programisopento bothinternationalandUS lawgraduateswho wishtodeepentheirexpertiseinaspecific areaoflaw,suchasEnvironmentalLaw, InternationalandComparativeLaw,andmore.
ULULEHUASCHOLARSPROGRAM
TheUluLehuaScholarsProgram manifeststheLawSchool'sdeep commitmenttomakinglegal educationaccessible Eachyear,it admitsasmallcohortofstudents whohaveovercomeadversity, shownleadershipandapassion forjustice,anddemonstrated strongacademicpotential
ECIALIZATIONS
IRONMENTALLAW
nvironmentalLawProgramhelpsstudentsbuildtheknowledgeandskillsneededto sscomplexlegalandpolicyissuesaffectingourenvironment Hawai‘ifacestheunique ngeofdevelopinganenvironmentallysustainableeconomywhileprotecting acularyetfragileecosystems,makingitanidealplacetostudyandearnacertificate ironmentalLaw.
ERNATIONALLAW
ternationalLawprogramprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytolearnfromleading arswhospecializeinareassuchasinternationalcriminallaw,internationalhuman &humanitarianlaw,andinternationalenvironmentallaw TheLawSchooloffersa varietyofinternationallawcourses,inbothpublicandprivatelaw,allowingstudentsto certificateintheseareas
IVEHAWAIIANLAW
KaHuliAoCenterforExcellenceinNativeHawaiianLawpromoteseducation,scholarship, communityoutreach,andcollaborationonissuesoflaw,culture,andjusticeforNative HawaiiansandotherPacificandIndigenouspeoples KaHuliAofacilitatesresearchand scholarshipontheintersectionoflocal,federal,andinternationallawsaffectingNative HawaiiansandawardscertificatesinNativeHawaiianLaw
PACIFIC-ASIANLEGALSTUDIES
ThePacific-AsianLegalStudiesprogramgivesstudentsacomparativeperspectiveonthe U.S.legalsystem.TheLawSchool’suniquelocationandproximitytoAsiaandthePacific makeitideallysituatedtoofferabroadselectionofcoursesandacertificateinPacificAsianlegalissues
BUSINESSLAWCLUSTEREDCURRICULUM
TheBusinessLawClusteredCurriculumisuniquelypositionedtoleverageHawai‘i'sroleasa hubconnectingthecontinentalUS toAsiaandthePacific Thisconcentrationequips studentswithessentialknowledgeandexpertiseforawiderangeoflegalcareersinthe followingareas,includinginCorporateLaw,Cross-borderandComparativeCommercial Law,InnovationandEntrepreneurship,andSmallFirmPractice
“TheRichardsoncommunityistrulyan‘ohana,whichundoubtedlycontributedtomy successandpositiveexperienceasa1L.Ioftenquestionedmyknowledge,skills,andability tosucceed,butthenurturinglearningenvironmentandgenuinealohaandsupportof Richardsonfacultyandstaff,administration,students,andlegalcommunityreassured methatIwasexactlywhereIwassupposedtobe.”
BUILDINGOUR COMMUNITY ONEGRADUATEATATIME
Richardson students benefit every day from a collaborative, multicultural community where peers and faculty bring a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. This rich environment equips them to practice law across different fields, locations, and circumstances. Student leaders work across student organizations to organize events, support peers, and foster a strong sense of belonging and mutual purpose, enhancing student life and inspiring continued excellence.
EXCELLENCE IN ACTION: BENJAMIN LEIDER ‘25
Named one of The National Jurist’s 2025 Law Students of the Year, BenjaminLeider ‘25 was recognized for his outstanding leadership, public service, and commitment to justice. His achievements reflect the caliber of students drawn to Richardson and the impact they make in the community.
Student Bar Association (SBA)
Advocates for Public Interest Law
STUDENTORGANIZATIONS
ʻAhahui o Hawaiʻi Advocates for Native Hawaiian Justice
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal (Student Publication)
Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
Christian Legal Society (CLS)
Environmental Law Society
Ete Bowl
Federal Bar Association - Hawaiʻi Student Chapter
Filipino Law Students Association (FLSA)
Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL)
La Alianza
Lambda Law Student Association
Law & Business Organization
Native American Moot Court (NAMC)
Pacific Asian Legal Studies Organization (PALSO)
Pacific Island Legal Association
Phi Delta Phi Int’l Legal Fraternity, Richardson Inn (PDP)
Phillip C Jessup Moot Court Team
Student Advocates for Mental Health
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
The Federalist Society
University of Hawaiʻi Law Review (Student Publication)
EXPERIENTIALLEARNINGPROGRAM
TheWilliamS RichardsonSchoolofLaw’sExperiential LearningProgramprovidesstudentswithmany opportunitiestolearnthefullrangeoflawyeringskills anddeveloptheirprofessionalidentityandvalues. Belowisapartiallistofoursimulationcoursesand clinics,wherestudentsserveclientsunderthe supervisionofafacultymember:
AppellateAdvocacy
BeyondGuiltClinic
ChildDefenseClinic
ContractDrafting
DefenseLawClinic
ElderLawClinic Entrepreneurship& SmallBusinessClinic EnvironmentalLawClinic
EstatePlanningWorkshop
FamilyLawClinic
Hawai‘iInnocenceProject LawyeringSkillsWorkshop
student-mandatorypro bonoprogramin thenation
Medical-LegalPartnershipClinic
NativeHawaiianRightsClinic
Negotiations&ADR
PretrialLitigation
ProsecutionClinic
RealPracticeofCriminalLaw
Refugee&ImmigrationLawClinic TrialPractice
PROBONOPROGRAM
TheProBonoProgramattheWilliamS RichardsonSchool ofLawamplifiestheSchool'scommitmenttotheruleof lawandjustice Studentsarerequiredtocomplete60 hoursofprobonoworkunderthesupervisionofan attorneyinanynumberoflegalsettingsthatmatchtheir interestsandgainpracticalexperiencetoaidtheir understandingandapplicationofthelaw
LIVE-CLIENT CLINICS,SIMULATION COURSES,AND EXTERNSHIPS
Throughlive-clientclinics,simulation courses,andexternships,students exploretheirdesiredcareerpaths andinterests Richardsonstudents haveexternedwithlocalandnational hostsinavarietyoflegal environments,suchas:
In-house counsel at national and international companies
State and federal agencies
Prosecutors’ and judges’ offices
Public defenders’ offices
Nonprofit legal services
Private law firms
“ExterningatFirstCircuit Courtallowedmetogain practicalexperiencebyobserving courtproceedingsandrefining myresearch,writing,and interpersonalskills.Thesupport Ireceivedatmyexternshipgave metheconfidencetoapplyfora clerkship,whereIhopeto contributetotheimportant workofourstatecourts.”
—KEELYKITAMURA Class of 2025
U.S. News & World Report 2025
BESTFOR ASIANSTUDENTS
preLawMagazine(2024) TheNationalJurist
BESTSTUDENTFACULTYRATIO
preLawMagazine(2024) TheNationalJurist
U.S. News & World Report 2025
BESTFOR HISPANICSTUDENTS
preLawMagazine(2024) TheNationalJurist
ONLINE PART-TIME
cost of attendance is designed to provide students with projected costs to attend for an academic
The totals listed above are subject to change.
ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
Takethe LSATor GRE
ApplytoRichardsonat lsac.org
Payforthe LSACCredentialAssembly Service(CAS) andhavealltranscripts senttoLSACaswellas2-3lettersof recommendation
LSATapplicants:AskLSACtosend yourCASreporttoRichardson 4867 (LSACwilladdanyandallreportable LSATscores)
GREapplicants:AskETStosendall reportableGREscorestoRichardson 2381
PriorityApplicationDate: Jan.28
ApplicationDeadline: May1
TIPS
Checkout AdmissionsFAQs on ourwebsite
Ifeligible,applyforaneed-based fee waiver orfeewaiverfromLSACor ETS(makeroftheGRE)
ApplyEarly:Wehaverollingadmissions
Visit lsac.org/lawhub forFREELSAT PrepTests,includinginstantscoring feedback
CompletetheFAFSA!Youmaybe eligibleforFederalfinancialaid (Ourfederalschoolcodeis 001610)
Take an in-person tour of our campus by emailing lawvisit@hawaii.edu or go to law.hawaii.edu to take a virtual tour
law.hawaii.edu/admissions-aid-faq accesslex.org/max-pre-law law.hawaii.edu/video-resources
William S. Richardson School of Law 2515 Dole St, Honolulu, HI 96822-2350 (808) 956-5557 | lawadm@hawaii.edu
