Get to Know the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law
- Our Full-Time JD ProgramWith a focus on hands-on learning through clinical programs, externships, and a diverse curriculum, you’ll gain practical skills and knowledge across various legal fields. Our small class sizes and dedicated faculty ensure personalized attention, preparing you for an impactful legal career.
- A Legacy of Teaching ExcellenceThanks to our 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you’ll benefit from personalized mentorship and close interactions with faculty. Our professors are renowned scholars engaged in groundbreaking research and practice. For example, our professors Kapua Sproat, John Barkai, Justin Levinson, Ken Lawson, Richard Chen, Richard Wallsgrove, and Troy Andrade are all Regents' Medalists for Excellence in Teaching.
- Recognized for Affordability and ValueBy combining exceptional quality with robust financial aid, Richardson Law provides an achievable pathway to success. Our students benefit from a range of financial support options, including Richardson Opportunity Grants and admission scholarships. These scholarships can vary from a one-time $3,000 award to full tuition coverage.
The William S. Richardson School of Law ranks among the top law schools in the nation for Environmental Law and International Law.
U.S. News & World Report (2025)
Take Your Legal Education One Step Further
Centers & Programs: Hands-on Learning
The Law School’s programs have been developed to fit the needs and interests of the state of Hawai‘i as well as our unique position in the Asia-Pacific region. Our Clinical Programs develop students’ professional skills and provide opportunities for engagement with local communities as well as active involvement with international issues.
- Business Law Clustered Curriculum
- Environmental Law
- Family Court Projects
- Hawai‘i Innocence Project
- Institute of Asian Pacific Business Law
- International and Comparative Law Program
- Jon Van Dyke Institute for International Law & Justice
- Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law
- Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawai‘i
- Pacific-Asian Legal Studies
- Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic
- University of Hawai‘i Elder Law Program
Picture Your Future in the Legal Profession
What will you do with your law degree?
When you graduate from the William S. Richardson School of Law, you join a legacy of excellence.
Here’s a snapshot of the impressive outcomes for the Class of 2024:
- 93% employment rate
- 81% of jobs are bar-passage required
- 26% are employed at firms
- 33% are employed in clerkships (6 are federal and the rest are state)
- 36% are employed in business, government, and public interest
- 87% stayed in Hawaii post-grad
Our distinguished and service-oriented alumni have made significant impacts in various fields – including three sitting justices on the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court – a testament to our legacy of producing influential and ethical leaders.
Learn MoreA Native Hawaiian Place of Learning
At the William S. Richardson School of Law, being a Native Hawaiian place of learning signifies a deep-rooted commitment to honoring Hawaiian cultural values and perspectives in legal education. This unique identity reflects a dedication to the principles of ‘āina (land) and ‘ohana (family), ensuring that the legal education provided is not only rigorous but also culturally inclusive and reflective of Hawaiʻi’s rich heritage.
- Aʻo (to learn, teach, or counsel)
- ʻAuamo (to collectively engage)
- Alu (to cooperate or work together)
- ‘Āina (land)
- ‘Ohana (family)
- Kuleana (responsibility)
- Aloha (love, respect, or greeting)
- Mahalo (thank you)
- Pono (righteousness, balance)
- Malama (to care for or protect)
- Ho’omaikaʻi (congratulations)
The Hawaiian language, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, is the indigenous language of Hawaiʻi and official language of the state of Hawaiʻi along with English. The use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in our communication highlights the importance of embracing and celebrating the local culture, promoting a sense of belonging, and respect for the backgrounds in our community.
A'o Learning from One Another ALU Connecting with Each Other ʻAuamo Working TogetherKapri Tulang-De Silva, 2L, ‘26The Richardson community is truly an ‘ohana, which undoubtedly contributed to my success and positive experience as a 1L. I often questioned my knowledge, skills, and ability to succeed, but the genuine aloha and support the Richardson faculty and staff, administration, students, and legal community showed me and Richardsonʼs nurturing learning environment reassured me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Richardson provided me with a safe, positive, supportive space to grow. I feel so blessed to be a part of CJ Richardsonʼs legacy and the schoolʼs commitment to nurturing a community of future lawyers who think about the “little guys downstream.”
Accreditation
The Law School has been a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) since 1989.
AALS members embody the core values of excellence in teaching and scholarship, academic freedom, and diversity, while seeking to improve the legal profession, to foster justice, and to serve communities.
Ranked #16 in the nation for Part-Time Law Programs.
U.S. News & World Report (2025)
Apply to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law Today!
Take an exciting step toward shaping your future as a skilled and ethical lawyer!
Apply to Richardson Law and benefit from an admission decision made within just 30 days of application completion.
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Have Questions? We Can Help
If you have any questions about Richardson Law, our JD program, or the admissions process, please reach out to us. We strive to respond within 1-2 business days.