Community Members on the UW Tacoma - Seattle U Law Collaboration

Vernon W. Harkins, Partner, Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC

“This collaboration will provide a meaningful opportunity for students in the South Sound to obtain a quality legal education and the opportunity to pursue a career in law without having to incur the expense of moving to a larger city. Students will have access to in-person networking, mentoring and employment in the community they call home.”

Bruce Kendall, CEO, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County

“The partnership between UW Tacoma and Seattle U Law has been years in the making and is a game changer for aspiring students as well as the businesses, cultural institutions and governments that are the backbone of the South Sound economy. Access to a first-class legal education is a fundamental element of any thriving community and together we have made that dream a reality!”

Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-6)

“People shouldn’t have to leave their community to pursue a quality education. It’s the door to economic opportunity. This collaboration between UW Tacoma and Seattle U Law will ensure more Washingtonians – including first-generation and underrepresented students – can pursue legal education and careers without leaving the South Sound.”

Judge Lisa Mansfield, Lakewood Municipal Court

“The South Sound Hybrid Hub, a remarkable initiative between UW Tacoma and Seattle U Law, promises to provide a unique opportunity to support, attract and retain South Sound students interested in law careers. This powerful partnership will create greater capacity for equity in the legal profession by providing education pathways for first-generation and traditionally-underrepresented students. UW Tacoma students and the whole South Sound community stand to benefit greatly from this historic collaboration!”

Herb Simon, Simon Johnson LLC, former UW Regent

“The South Sound Hybrid Hub creates an incredible pathway to meet the needs of individuals seeking a law degree who are time bound, place bound, first-generation or underrepresented in the field. This will have a very positive impact!”

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

“UW Tacoma trains and educates future leaders who have deep connections with our community. Partnering with Seattle U Law gives students the access and resources they need to excel in their legal education.”

State Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma

“I’m thrilled that UW Tacoma and Seattle U Law are putting forward an innovative program designed to attract and support talent from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal profession. By making law school more accessible, especially for first-generation students like me, we’re not only fostering a more equitable legal profession but also empowering individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our community.”

Jim Waldo, Senior Advisor, Gordon Thomas Honeywell – Government Relations

“This collaboration between UW Tacoma and Seattle U Law is exciting news for the South Sound and our legal community. It will make law school more attainable for first-generation students in our area.”

John Weaver, Seattle U Law professor emeritus, University of Puget Sound School of Law founding faculty member

“The creation of the South Sound Hybrid Hub reaffirms Seattle U Law’s commitment to Tacoma and the South Sound. As a former dean put it, ‘Tacoma is in the Law School’s DNA.’ I am so happy that we will be able to connect to our current Flex JD students, prospective students and the Tacoma legal community in even more effective ways.”

Victoria Woodards, Mayor, City of Tacoma

“The South Sound Hybrid Hub will give students access to the benefits of a brick-and-mortar law school experience in the community they’ve chosen as their home. Seeing these opportunities back in Tacoma is a dream come true, and I am thrilled to see the focus on a more equitable legal profession because law school is now an attainable goal for first-generation and underrepresented students in Tacoma.”

Valarie Zeeck, attorney, Gordon Thomas Honeywell
Dave Zeeck, chair, UW Board of Regents

“This partnership between Seattle U Law and UW Tacoma means a long and dearly held dream of providing a full legal education to South Sound students is a giant step closer to reality. We and many others have worked more than a dozen years to increase legal education options (including law school) to place-bound students here in the South Sound. The Legal Pathways Program at UW Tacoma was a very big first step. This new partnership means greater opportunities for those who want a law degree. And it means a steady stream of trained lawyers to serve the growing legal needs of the South Sound community, to spur economic development, and to serve our community as volunteers, as not-for-profit board members, and, eventually, as judges with deep local experience.”