William S. Richardson School of Law

A beautiful summer day at Richardson Law 🌱🌈

Celebrating the Class of 2026! 🎓

From the pre-ceremony toast to crossing the stage and celebrating with family and friends, Commencement 2026 was a day to remember.

Mahalo to everyone who helped make this milestone so special, and congratulations to our newest Richardson alumni. We can’t wait to see the impact that you’ll make in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Click the link in our bio to view the full Commencement photo gallery!

The Transfer and Visiting Student application for Fall 2026 is open! 📚🌺

The William S. Richardson School of Law is accepting applications through July 1, 2026.

For the first time, students may also apply as Transfer or Visiting students to the Hawaiʻi Online JD program, expanding access to a Richardson legal education with the flexibility of online learning.

Whether you are looking to continue your legal education in Hawaiʻi or join our online program from afar, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Learn more and apply today!

Congratulations to Professor Miyoko Pettit-Toledo ’15 and Dina Shek ’06 on receiving two of the University of Hawaiʻi’s highest honors for excellence in teaching and service!

Professor Pettit-Toledo received the Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, and Dina Shek received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Service.

Through their teaching, advocacy, and community-centered work, they reflect Richardson Law’s deep commitment to excellence, justice, and service.

Read the full story: https://law.hawaii.edu/31567/

🎓 The William S. Richardson School of Law's 50th Commencement Ceremony will take place at Andrews Amphitheater this Sunday, May 17th and is open to the public.

Can’t attend in person? The ceremony will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel!

🔗 Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/BBxAnDJvs1Y?feature=share

The William S. Richardson School of Law is proud to introduce The Docket, a free and comprehensive platform designed to help legal scholars discover calls for papers, conferences, workshops, law review opportunities, and more, all in one place.

Created through a collaboration between Professor Guy Rubinstein and Dr. Benjamin Leider '24, The Docket uses AI-supported systems and human oversight to aggregate opportunities from more than 500 active sources across the legal academy.

“The Docket reflects the kind of work we strive to cultivate at Richardson,” said Dean Camille Nelson. “By expanding access to opportunities for legal scholars, this initiative strengthens the exchange of ideas that is essential to advancing justice.”

Read the full story: https://law.hawaii.edu/31348/

The University of Hawaiʻi Law Review recently honored Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald during its annual spring symposium at Richardson Law.

The student-led event brought together students, judges, practitioners, and faculty to reflect on Chief Justice Recktenwald’s lasting impact on Hawaiʻi’s legal landscape, including his leadership, jurisprudence, and commitment to access to justice and the rule of law.

Read the full story: https://law.hawaii.edu/31344/

Where it all began.

Before there were generations of Richardson alumni, there was the Class of 1976: the students who helped build Hawaiʻi’s Law School from the ground up. From studying in the old Quarry buildings to shaping Hawaiʻi’s legal landscape for decades to come, their legacy continues to define Richardson Law 50 years later.

As we celebrate the law school’s 50th graduating class this commencement season, we also honor the inaugural class that made it all possible.

Read the full story here: https://law.hawaii.edu/31305/