Kūpale — To defend and protect; to strongly advocate
Koʻolau Range & Mokoliʻi Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi
Message from the Dean Aloha! 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: kuleana (to accept responsibility and the privilege of having responsibility), huli ao (to strive for enlightenment; to seek out knowledge), mālama kekahi i kekahi (to care for one another), and kūpale (to defend and protect; to strongly advocate). 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, Pacific-Asian law, business law, 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. With warmest aloha, Camille A. Nelson Dean and Professor of Law
A LEGACY OF DEVELOPING ETHICAL LEADERS The William S. Richardson School of Law is a collaborative, multicultural community preparing students for excellence in the practice of law and related careers that advance justice and the rule of law. We develop highly qualified, ethical professionals through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and public service. We embrace Hawai‘i’s diversity and values and recognize a special responsibility to our state and the Pacific region.
Mission & Legacy WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON 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-TIME JD The Full-Time Juris Doctor (JD) program is an in-person course of study intended for students who can commit the majority of their time to attending classes during the day, Monday-Friday. In addition to the JD, students may choose to pursue a concurrent graduate degree in another discipline offered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dual degree options include combinations such as JD/MBA and JD/MSW.
HAWAIʻI ONLINE JD PROGRAM The Hawaiʻi Online JD program offers a fully online, part-time path to earning a Juris Doctor degree in as few as four years. This program is ideal for individuals with professional, financial, or family responsibilities that make attending inperson, daytime classes challenging.
ADVANCED JD (AJD) The Advanced Juris Doctor enables graduates from foreign Law Schools to receive up to one year's worth of credit (up to 29 credits) towards the JD program, earning the degree in as little as two years as a full-time student or three years as a part-time online student.
MASTER OF LAWS (LLM) The Master of Laws (LLM) program is open to both international and U.S. law graduates who wish to deepen their expertise in a specific area of law, such as Environmental Law, International and Comparative Law, and more.
ULU LEHUA SCHOLARS PROGRAM The Ulu Lehua Scholars Program manifests the Law School's deep commitment to making legal education accessible. Each year, it admits a small cohort of students who have overcome adversity, shown leadership and a passion for justice, and demonstrated strong academic potential.
SPECIALIZATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW The Environmental Law Program helps students build the knowledge and skills needed to address complex legal and policy issues affecting our environment. Hawai‘i faces the unique challenge of developing an environmentally sustainable economy while protecting spectacular yet fragile ecosystems, making it an ideal place to study and earn a certificate in Environmental Law.
INTERNATIONAL LAW The International Law Program provides students with the opportunity to learn from leading scholars who specialize in areas such as international criminal law, international human rights & humanitarian law, and international environmental law. The Law School offers a wide variety of international law courses, in both public and private law, allowing students to earn a certificate in these areas.
NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law promotes education, scholarship, community outreach, and collaboration on issues of law, culture, and justice for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific and Indigenous peoples. Ka Huli Ao facilitates research and scholarship on the intersection of local, federal, and international laws affecting Native Hawaiians and awards certificates in Native Hawaiian Law.
PACIFIC-ASIAN LEGAL STUDIES The Pacific-Asian Legal Studies Program gives students a comparative perspective on the U.S. legal system. The Law School’s unique location and proximity to Asia and the Pacific make it ideally situated to offer a broad selection of courses and a certificate in PacificAsian legal issues.
BUSINESS LAW CLUSTERED CURRICULUM The Business Law Clustered Curriculum is uniquely positioned to leverage Hawai‘i's role as a hub connecting the continental U.S. to Asia and the Pacific. This concentration equips students with essential knowledge and expertise for a wide range of legal careers in the following areas, including in Corporate Law, Cross-border and Comparative Commercial Law, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Small Firm Practice.
“What stands out most to me is that the ferocity of law school is softened by the genuine sense of community and pili aloha among students, professors, and staff, making Richardson a place where people truly want to see each other succeed.” — LIANA BURKE, 2L
THE GLOBAL IMPACT OF
RICHARDSON LAW
Our faculty has particular expertise in the Asia Pacific region, with our alumni shaping and leading the region's future. Just last year, Richardson alumni, faculty, and students played pivotal roles in two historic cases: the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings on climate change. Julian Aguon ‘09 represented Vanuatu in these ICJ hearings through his firm, Blue Ocean Law, presenting critical arguments on behalf of the nation.
UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek. Courtesy of the ICJ. All rights reserved.
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
ONE GRADUATE AT A TIME 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, Benjamin Leider ‘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.
GETTING INVOLVED STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Student Bar Association (SBA) Advocates for Public Interest Law ʻAhahui o Hawaiʻi Advocates for Native Hawaiian Justice Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Christian Legal Society (CLS) Environmental Law Society Ete Bowl Federal Bar Association - Hawaiʻi Student Chapter The Federalist Society Filipino Law Students Association (FLSA) Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL) La Alianza Lambda Law Student Association Law & Business Organization Pacific Asian Legal Studies Organization (PALSO) Pacific Island Legal Association Phi Delta Phi Int’l Legal Fraternity, Richardson Inn Richardson Table Top Guild Student Advocates for Mental Health Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal University of Hawaiʻi Law Review
COMPETITION TEAMS Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Environmental Law Hispanic Bar Association International Environmental Law Native American Moot Court (NAMC) National Mock Trial Team Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Team
Law School Clinical Building
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM The William S. Richardson School of Law’s Experiential Learning Program provides students with many opportunities to learn the full range of lawyering skills and develop their professional identity and values. Below is a partial list of our simulation courses and liveclient clinics.
Appellate Advocacy Beyond Guilt Clinic Child Welfare Clinic Contract Drafting Defense Law Clinic Elder Law Clinic Entrepreneurship & Small Business Clinic Environmental Law Clinic Estate Planning Workshop Family Law Clinic Hawai‘i Innocence Project Lawyering Skills Workshop
Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic Native Hawaiian Rights Clinic Negotiations & ADR Pretrial Litigation Prosecution Clinic Real Practice of Criminal Law Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic Trial Practice
F I R S Tiated
nt-init stude pro atory mand am in progr o n o b tion the na
LIVE-CLIENT CLINICS, SIMULATION COURSES, AND EXTERNSHIPS Through live-client clinics, simulation courses, and externships, students explore their desired career paths and interests. Richardson students have externed with local and national hosts in a variety of legal environments, such as:
In-house counsel at national and international companies State and federal agencies Prosecutors’ and judges’ offices Public defenders’ offices Nonprofit legal services offices Private law firms
PRO BONO PROGRAM The Pro Bono Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law amplifies the School's commitment to the rule of law and justice. Students are required to complete 60 hours of pro bono work under the supervision of an attorney in any number of legal settings that match their interests and gain practical experience to aid their understanding and application of the law.
“Externing at First Circuit Court allowed me to gain practical experience by observing court proceedings and refining my research, writing, and interpersonal skills. The support I received at my externship gave me the confidence to apply for a clerkship, where I hope to contribute to the important work of our state courts.” — KEELY KITAMURA Class of 2025
#
18 #
1
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROGRAM U.S. News & World Report 2026
MOST DIVERSE FACULTY
#
Best Law Schools for 2025 The Princeton Review
Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
5
#
18
MOST CHOSEN BY OLDER STUDENTS Best Law Schools for 2025 The Princeton Review
MOST GRADUATES WITH FEDERAL CLERKSHIPS U.S. News & World Report 2026
#
5
BEST STATE AND LOCAL CLERKSHIPS Best Law Schools for 2025 The Princeton Review
# #
24
47
PART-TIME LAW PROGRAM U.S. News & World Report 2026
DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM U.S. News & World Report 2026
48
#
#
41
LEGAL WRITING PROGRAM U.S. News & World Report 2026
#
INTERNATIONAL LAW PROGRAM U.S. News & World Report 2026
91
BEST LAW SCHOOL OVERALL U.S. News & World Report 2026
BY THE
HAWAIʻI’S LAW SCHOOL
411 411
244
NUMBERS TOTAL JD ENROLLMENT
167
110 110
244 / 59% 167 / 41% FULL-TIME STUDENTS
PART-TIME STUDENTS
FACULTY (Full-time & part-time)
2026 FIRST-YEAR ENROLLMENT
149
LSAT MEDIAN*
157
159
149 162
93
GPA MEDIAN*
3.40
3.61
93
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
3.81
STUDENTS ENROLLED
56 56
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Updated August 1, 2026: LSAT, GPA, and demographic data are collected by LSAC and reported to the ABA. These figures are not yet certified. For more, visit law.hawaii.edu/about-us/policies-disclosures
CLASS OF 2025 EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES
93% 90% 93% 90% Employment Rate
Employed in Haw…
EMPLOYED
EMPLOYED IN HAWAIʻI
82%
81% 82%
REQUIRE BAR Bar Passage Req… PASSAGE REQUIRED BAR PASSAGE
Outcomes were collected 10 months after graduation.
31% 27% 27% 5% 5% 37% 31% 37%
Law Firms
Business, Government, & Public Interest
Clerkships
Other
2026-27 COST OF ATTENDANCE FULL-TIME
(12 or more credits per semester for 2 semesters) BUDGETARY CATEGORY EXPENSE
HI RESIDENT
WRGP/WICHE
NON-RESIDENT
Tuition
$23,760
$35,640
$47,184
Fees
$794
$794
$794
Meals/Housing
$20,240
$20,240
$20,240
Books/Supplies
$1,330
$1,330
$1,330
Personal Expenses
$2,698
$2,698
$2,698
Transportation
$2,670
$2,670
$2,670
Loan Fees
$350
$350
$350
TOTAL
$51,842
$63,722
$75,266
ONLINE PART-TIME (9-11 credits per semester)
BUDGETARY CATEGORY EXPENSE
PER CREDIT
Tuition
$990
Part-Time cost of attendance fees will be reduced to reflect an online program. WRGP: Western Regional Graduate Program *The cost of attendance is designed to provide students with projected costs to attend for an academic year. The totals listed above are subject to change.
ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST Take the LSAT or GRE Apply to Richardson at lsac.org
William S. Richardson School of Law 2515 Dole St, Honolulu, HI 96822-2350 (808) 956-5557 | lawadm@hawaii.edu
Pay for the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and have all transcripts sent to LSAC as well as 2-3 letters of recommendation LSAT applicants: Ask LSAC to send your CAS report to Richardson 4867 (LSAC will add any and all reportable LSAT scores) GRE applicants: Ask ETS to send all reportable GRE scores to Richardson 2381 Priority Application Date: Feb. 3 Application Deadline: May 1
TIPS Check out Admissions FAQs on our website If eligible, apply for a need-based fee waiver or fee waiver from LSAC or ETS (maker of the GRE) Apply Early: We have rolling admissions Visit lsac.org/lawhub for FREE LSAT PrepTests, including instant scoring feedback Complete the FAFSA! You may be eligible for Federal financial aid (Our federal school code is 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
FIND MORE TIPS law.hawaii.edu/admissions-aid-faq law.hawaii.edu/video-resources accesslex.org/max-pre-law
law.hawaii.edu