Legal Pathways Initiative

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uniting the campus and the community in law-related
education, research, events, networking and other programming

UW Tacoma students visiting a federal district courtroom at the Tacoma Courthouse across the street from campus

Legal Pathways at UW Tacoma is a new initiative, funded by the Washington State Legislature, to build and support law-related opportunities and curriculum on campus and to promote the success of students interested in pursuing law school, other graduate and professional studies related to law, and law-related careers.  Learn more about our mission and history.

Student opportunities:

  • Prepare for law school
  • Make connections with the local legal community
  • Identify and pursue law-related career opportunities
  • Explore how law is present every day, all around you

Faculty and alumni:

  • Connect with UW Tacoma alumni and law school students
  • Mentor future lawyers and career professionals in current students
  • Participate in current research and conversations about law and public policy

Popular links

Browse courses and curriculum
Law-related courses across all UWT departments
Get pre-law academic advising
UW Tacoma has academic advisors who can help you plan your path
Prepare for law school
The LSAT exam is required before applying to most law schools
Join a student organization
Meet faculty and peers at a law-related student org
Find faculty law experts
UW Tacoma faculty researchers are available for public speaking and community events
Connect with your community
Explore networking, volunteer, mentoring and civic opportunities

News articles

WA Attorney General Comes to UW Law

Bob Ferguson Flyer
November 20, 2018
"Holding the Trump Administration Accountable to the Rule of Law" Wed, Nov 28th 12:30-1:30pm in William H. Gates Hall Room 138

Looking for Answers

UW Tacoma Associate Professor Eric Madfis
September 5, 2018
UW Tacoma Associate Professor Eric Madfis is a leading researcher in the study of school shootings and mass shootings.
Full Article »
More news >

Calendar of upcoming Legal Pathways events

Leadership

Legal Pathways is currently directed by interim Co-Directors, Dr. Sarah Hampson and Dr. Elizabeth Bruch, under the leadership of Dr. Jill Purdy and Dr. Ali Modarres.

Dr. Jill Purdy[4]

Executive Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs

Photographic portrait of Jill Purdy

Dr. Purdy is a founding faculty member of the Milgard School of Business. Her expertise is in management and organizational sociology. She served as director of the MBA... read more about leadership

Elizabeth M. Bruch, J.D., Ph.D.[5]

Co-director
of Legal Pathways

Photographic portrait of Elizabeth Bruch

Elizabeth Bruch will serve as co-Director of Legal Pathways for 2018-19. Dr. Bruch is an Assistant Professor in SIAS at UWT.  She began her career as a lawyer, working on complex litigation in New York and ... read more about leadership

Sarah Cote Hampson, Ph.D.[6]

Co-director
of Legal Pathways

Photographic portrait of Sarah Cote Hampson

Sarah Hampson will serve as co-Director of Legal Pathways for 2018-19. Dr. Hampson is an Assistant Professor in SIAS at UWT. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science in 2014 from the University of ... read more about leadership

Ali Modarres, Ph.D.[6]

Assistant Chancellor
for Community Engagement

Photographic portrait of Ali Modarres

Ali Modarres is the Director of Urban Studies at University of Washington Tacoma. He is the editor of Cities: The International Journal of Urban Policy and Planning and ... read more about leadership

Legal Pathways is also supported by a Community Advisory Board and a Faculty Advisory Board.