Law Review Annual Symposium

SINGULARITY: AI AND THE LAW  

Date: Saturday, February 17th, 2018 

Time: 9:00 - 5:00 pm

Location: Casey Commons, Reception in Casey Atrium

The Seattle University Law Review is pleased to invite you to our annual symposium. This year, the symposium features a series of panels that will explore artificial intelligence and the new challenges it presents for our legal system. 

Welcome Remarks from Dean Annette Clark

Panel #1:  Robotic Speech and the First Amendment

Keynote Speaker:  Ryan Calo, Professor of Law, University of Washington

Panel #2:  Accountability for the Actions of Robots 

Panel #3:  Ethical Consideration in Artificial Intelligence

Lunch will be provided for attendees, and a reception with light refreshments will follow the conclusion of the third panel. 

If you are able, we are asking attendees for a $5 donation at the door. However, a donation is not required for attendance. 

For more information about the Symposium and to register for the event, please visit our Eventbrite page.

Evening Student Networking Dinners

Evening Student Networking Dinners

The Office of Alumni Relations and Office of Student Life are pleased to announce upcoming dates and honored guests for the Evening Law Student Networking Dinner Series

Wednesday, February 7^th

Barbara Serrano ’13

Prosecutor in Seattle City Attorney’s Office

Wednesday, February 21st

Kris Zucconi ’14

Contract Attorney at Law Offices of Stephen M. Hansen

Monday, February 26th

Judge David Keenan ’08

King County Superior Court Judge

Dinners will be held from 5:00 – 5:50 pm in the Dean’s Conference Room

Sign Up Online

Veterans' Law Panel

The Seattle U and UW chapters of Phi Alpha Delta are working together to help organize this event.

All Seattle U Law students are invited to attend. Please contact Emily Yoshiwara if you have questions.

Save the Date: Clerkship Kickoff

Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

If you plan to apply for post-graduate judicial clerkships this coming season, be sure to attend one of the two kickoff meetings:

• Tuesday, February 27, 2018: 12:00 - 1:00 pm in 328 or
• Tuesday, February 27, 2018: 5:00 - 6:00 pm in C1 

Attending a kickoff meeting is mandatory for clerkship applicants, so please contact Erin Fullner if you have a class or work conflict and need to explore makeup options.

Students who attend one of the kickoffs will have access to the clerkship program handbook and listserv the following week.

FAQs:

• What is a judicial clerkship? A judicial clerkship is a post-graduate position with a judge or justice, typically lasting one or two years. Not to be confused with judicial internships or externships, these positions are for lawyers, though applications are generally submitted while still in school. Clerkships are high-value opportunities that offer excellent preparation for practice. They are available at the state trial and appellate levels, in federal district and appellate courts, and often in other courts as well.
• When should I apply? Most applicants apply as 2Ls. Depending on the court, judges and justices will hire a year or more in advance. The "clerkship season" we are currently at the start of primarily focuses on clerkships with late summer/early fall 2019 start dates, though some federal courts are already advertising for 2020.
• Would I be a strong candidate? There are lots of different types of clerkships, so candidates should not count themselves out on grades alone. That said, some courts will require top grades and will strongly prefer candidates with law review/journal experience. Erin Fullner can help you evaluate which court(s) might be the best fit.
• If I've already begun applying for clerkships, is it too late to join the clerkship program? No! It's never to late to start taking advantage of the law school's clerkship application resources. Reach out today to help put together the strongest application strategy possible.
• Can alumni participate in the clerkship program? Yes. Please reach out to CPD.
• Who should I talk to if I want to decide if a clerkship is right for me? Erin Fullner is happy to talk through important considerations with you, and a number of Seattle U Law faculty have clerked and are excellent resources as well. 

Women's Law Caucus Scholarship

Seattle University’s Women’s Law Caucus is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a SU Law student who exemplifies the leadership qualities of the WLC’s core values. The WLC is dedicated to the support and development of women as active and successful members of the legal community. Through our support network of legal professionals and students, the WLC encourages students to interact with their current and future professional peers for both personal and professional development. The WLC originally created this scholarship to recognize the outstanding professional and personal accomplishments of Kellye Y. Testy, the first woman appointed as dean by the Seattle University School of Law. Dean Testy served as dean from 2004 to 2009.
Eligibility	Applicants must be full or part-time Seattle University School of Law students in good standing. “Good standing” refers to an applicant’s academic and disciplinary (if applicable) record. Applicants must also be a member of the Women’s Law Caucus.
Application Guidelines	The application deadline is Sunday, February 25, 2018 (5:00PM). All application materials must be submitted via email to Dean Deming at dcdeming@seattleu.edu. All committee members will keep application materials and applicant information confidential. A complete application must include: 1. Personal Statement The WLC’s core values are leadership and excellence in the advancement of women in the law. The personal statement should describe how you have demonstrated or plan to demonstrate one or both of these values in your academic career and/or through your work experience, as well as why you believe these values are important. 2. Résumé Your resume should include your contact information: email, mailing address, and phone number. 3. Letter of Recommendation (optional) You may, but are not required to, submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, employer, or advisor.
Selection Process	The scholarship committee shall be composed of five or six members including the Dean of Student Affairs, a law school faculty member, law school alumni, and WLC co-presidents. Committee members will evaluate the application materials to select a scholarship recipient.
Timeline	·         February 25th, 2018: Application deadline (5 p.m.) ·         Week of March 5th, 2018: Scholarship committee meets to select recipient. ·         Week of March 12th, 2018: All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision via email. ·         March 27th, 2018: The WLC will publicly announce the scholarship recipient at the Woman of the Year celebration.
Fine Print	Per IRS guidelines regarding prizes and awards, the law school will furnish recipients with a 1099-MISC, the IRS form used to report such miscellaneous income.
Contact	Please feel free to contact the WLC Co-Presidents for more information: ·         Taliah Ahdut: ahdutt@seattleu.edu ·         Taylor Severns: severnst@seattleu.edu

Student Bar Association Elections

SBA Spring Elections Information The Student Bar Association invites students to submit a candidacy application for the following elected positions for the 2018 – 2019 academic year: President Evening Student Representative Vice President Faculty Standards Representative Treasurer Public Interest Representative Academic Standards Representative Student Activities Representative Alumni Representative Student Services Representative Diversity Representative Please refer to the SBA Constitution and SBA Bylaws for the specific duties of each position. If you would like to be considered for the elections taking place February 19-23, please submit a candidacy statement (300 words or less on why you would like to take on an SBA position, what makes you a good candidate) and a high-resolution photo of yourself to the Elections Supervisor, Riley Moss by 12 pm on Friday, February 9 If you are interested in running for a SBA Council position, be sure to come to one of the following candidate information sessions. Wednesday,  Feb 7th at 12:00pm in room 109 Thursday, Feb 8th at 5:30pm in room C5 Information sessions will provide details regarding election and campaign rules, and a chance to ask questions about position responsibilities. If you are unable to attend an information session please contact Riley to arrange a separate meeting time.

Justice Charles Z. Smith Award

The Justice Charles Z. Smith Award will be awarded to a Seattle University School of Law student on the basis of demonstrated leadership for justice, equality, and public service.

The three laws schools of Washington State, together with the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, established an annual award in honor of Justice Charles Z. Smith after his passing.  The purpose of the award is to honor the legacy of Justice Smith, the first person of color to serve as a Justice on the Washington State Supreme Court.  Justice Smith served on the Court from 1988 to 2002.  He was the founding chairperson of the Washington Supreme Court’s Minority and Justice Commission.  Through these roles and many other professional activities, Justice Smith advanced justice, equality, and public service and is widely recognized as one of Washington’s greatest lawyers and jurists.

Please email nominations to Dean Deming with a brief statement about why you think the student should be considered for the award, by no later than Monday, February 5, 2018.  Self-nominations are encouraged.  

Nominated students will be contacted and asked to submit a resume and brief statement.  A Committee composed of a representative from ATJI, Student Life, and the Associate Dean for Students Affairs will review the application and make a recommendation to the Dean.

The award will be presented to the selected student at the law school's Annual Black Law Student Association (BLSA) Alumni Awards Reception, which will take place on February 22, 2018, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  A law student from Gonzaga and one from the UW will also receive the Justice Charles Z. Smith Award at this reception.

WSBA Intellectual Property Scholarship

The Washington State Bar Association Intellectual Property section offers an annual $2500 scholarship to a student who has a demonstrable interest in the practice of  intellectual property law (whether litigation or transactional work) in the areas of patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret protection, arts and entertainment, advertising law, and/or the intellectual property aspects of business.

The successful student will be selected based on their overall academic record, performance in coursework related to intellectual property, and extracurricular activities, particularly those that relate to IP.  Preference will be given to upper level students.

Application Deadline and Announcement of the Scholarship

• Applications for the scholarship are due February 12, 2018
• All applications must include:
• A cover letter explaining their qualifications and merit
• Resume
• Law school transcript

Completed applications should be submitted to Dean Donna Claxton Deming. If you are submitting your materials in hard copy, please bring them to the Dean’s Office on the second floor of Sullivan Hall. If you are submitting your materials in a digital format, please email them to dcdeming@seattleu.edu. 

The scholarship recipient(s) will be presented with the award at the annual WSBA IP section meet and greet event, scheduled to be held on Friday, April 20th at 5:00 pm at the Washington Convention Center.

SEED IP Law Group Founder Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Seed IP Law Group Founders Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each year to a Seattle University law student with a strong interest in the field of intellectual property law. Seed IP Law Group is one of the top-rated intellectual property law firms in the United States. The scholarship honors the firm’s founders, Dick Seed and Ben Berry, for their contribution to the law of intellectual property. As expressed by Bill Ferron of the Seed IP Law Group, “We think it’s very important to train the next generation of intellectual property attorneys so that we can continue to build on the legacy started by Ben Berry and Dick Seed. Only through strong support of higher education will our country continue to be a leader in the world.” The scholarship recipient receives $6,000.00.

Eligibility and Criteria of Selection for Scholarship

• Currently enrolled as a law student at Seattle University School of Law
• Have an undergraduate degree that qualifies you to sit for the USPTO Patent Agent Exam
• Well-developed interest in intellectual property and active participation in IP activities such as the Intellectual Property Law Society
• Preference will be given to 2 and 3Ls and students with strong technical and/or scientific backgrounds 

Application Deadline and Announcement of the Scholarship

• Applications for the scholarship are due February 12, 2018
• All applications must include: 
• A cover letter explaining the applicant’s qualifications and merit
• Resume
• Law school transcript that includes the grades through the Fall 2017 semester

Completed applications should be submitted to Dean Donna Claxton Deming. If you are submitting your materials in hard copy, please bring them to the Dean’s Office on the second floor of Sullivan Hall. If you are submitting your materials in a digital format, please email them to dcdeming@seattleu.edu. 

The scholarship recipient will be announced in late February and the recipient will be expected to attend a reception hosted by the firm in March.  

2017-2018 WSBA Construction Law Section Legal Writing Competition

The Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association is pleased to announce its 2017-2018 legal writing competition for Washington law students.

AWARD DETAILS

1. First prize is $2,500
2. Second prize is $1,000
3. Awards will be paid to the law students directly
4. Submissions will be judged anonymously
5. Up to a maximum of five finalist submissions may be published in the section e-newsletter

ELIGIBILITY

1. 2L or 3L (in good standing as of October 15, 2017) at Seattle University School of Law, Gonzaga University School of Law, or University of Washington School of Law

Written submissions must address one of the two prompts below:

In 2015, the Appellate Court of Illinois in The Chicago Housing Authority v. Destefano and Partners, Ltd., 45 N.E. 3d 767, determined that indemnity, breach of contract and negligence claims against a design professional for damages arising out of violations of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA) were pre-empted and thus barred by federal law. Take a position on whether this decision is a correct statement of federal pre-emption against design professionals (or others involved in the construction industry) and how a court in Washington might respond to the questions raised in this case.

Or

Take a position on whether City of Seattle Ordinances No. 124690 and No. 125368, Chapter 20.37 Seattle Municipal Code, mandating hiring from historically disadvantaged zip codes, are a legal means of spending public money.

And must be:

• No more than 2,200 words
• Double-spaced
• Times New Roman, 12-point font
• Clear, concise, cogent, and interesting in substance and style
• The original work of the submitter, and shall not have been previously published
• The submitter may consult with law school faculty and librarians to aid in the preparation of the submission, but the legal assessment and writing must be that of the submitter
• Cover letters will not be accepted; identifying information shall only include the student’s name, prospective graduation date, mailing address, email address, and phone number

Submissions must be received by March 16, 2018 at noon via email, mail, or hand delivery:

Email: tom.wolfendale@klgates.com
Mail: Thomas H. Wolfendale, 925 Fourth Ave., Ste. 2900, Seattle, WA 98104

Volunteer Opportunity for Attorneys

Alumni, you can help foster the development of the next generation of legal professionals, civic leaders, and community members. YMCA Youth & Government's Mock Trial State Competition will take place Friday and Saturday, March 23-24, at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia.  Register online to volunteer.

Networking HOT TIP: When You're Right, You're Right

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

When it comes to name tags, the right side is the right side.

Etiquette dictates that name tags be worn on the ride side of your shirt, dress, or jacket, above the pocket. The primary reason for this placement is that it allows others to see your name tag easily while shaking your hand.

A simple way to remember this rule is that you shake with your right hand, so your tag should go on the right side as well.

Happy networking! Please reach out to CPD any time with your networking and professionalism related questions. Plus, keep an eye on the law school's event calendar for networking opportunities, and search this blog using the "networking" tag for opportunities to connect with lawyers in the community.

State Department Info Session

University Career Services will host Diplomat in Residence Dorothy Ngutter for an information session. Students will learn about internships and careers with the State Department, as well as the Consular Fellows Program.  All students, particularly those with foreign language skills, are welcome to attend.  

Date: February 1, 2018

Time:12:30 - 1:30 pm

Location: PIGT 102

Join Seattle U Law Connect

Seattle University School of Law students are invited to join our law school’s alumni directory and networking platform.

On Seattle U Law Connect, you can search for law alumni by practice area, region, or company; direct message other members; and strengthen your networks and connections in the legal community.

Sign up is quick and easy—you can use your LinkedIn or Facebook account, or a personal email address, to create your Seattle U Law Connect profile. A how-to guide is posted online at law.seattleu.edu/alumni.

More than 750 Seattle U law alumni, faculty, and staff are actively using the directory! Join them on seattleulawconnect.org.

If you have questions or would like assistance creating your Seattle U Law Connect account, please contact lawalumni@seattleu.edu.

VABAW Judicial Panel