The William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is commemorating its 50th anniversary.
Opened in 1973, Richardson is the only law school in Hawaiʻi. Its founder and namesake, William S. Richardson, spearheaded the drive to establish the school beginning in 1966. Known as “CJ” in the law school community, he served as a community leader in many roles, including as the chief justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court from 1966 to 1982. He was also a trailblazer and passionate advocate for Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities, pushing to expand Native Hawaiian rights and broadening the rights for people to challenge important environmental and land development decisions.
The first class of 53 students began their studies in wooden buildings in the Quarry. After growing and expanding programs, the school eventually moved to its current home on Dole Street in 1983. That same year, the Law Library opened, and the school was officially named after William S. Richardson. In 2019, the Clinical Building opened its doors. More recently, the law school launched a part-time online program in fall 2023.
Over the years, the law school has partnered with many of its thousands of alumni and other community members to bring the best of the best to campus. That includes hosting U.S. Supreme Court justices, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and countless expert speakers and lecturers.
Richardson has also consistently received high marks in several national rankings, including No. 23 for its part-time and environmental law programs, No. 66 for international law, No. 71 for legal writing, No. 74 for dispute resolution, No. 78 for constitutional law, and No. 91 for contracts/commercial law by U.S. News and World Report. The law school was also recognized as No. 2 in the nation for most diverse faculty, No. 4 for most chosen by older students, and No. 8 for best for state and local clerkships by the Princeton Review.
In a PBS Hawaiʻi interview from 2009, William S. Richardson reflected on the importance of opening a law school in the islands. He died the following year at the age of 90.
“I’m proud of it because it means that some people who wouldn’t have had a chance to go to law school now have that opportunity,” he told host Leslie Wilcox. He added that he enjoyed talking with students and respected their ideas and opinions.
Events to celebrate the 50th anniversary were held throughout the 2023-24 academic year, leading up to the school’s gala on May 31. Tickets for the gala are sold out, but donations are still welcomed.
Several key stakeholders and community leaders reflected on the law school’s history and golden anniversary. Please click on each section below for their reflections.
Dean Camille Nelson
It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as dean of this esteemed institution, following in the footsteps of many devoted leaders and inspired by our founder, Chief Justice William S. Richardson. I am awed by our students and alumni, who continue to profoundly impact our communities, and grateful for the support, guidance, and mentorship of our world-class faculty and dedicated staff. In our 50th year, we remain committed to empowering and nurturing future generations of leaders.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Nicholas Mirkay
When I joined the Richardson faculty seven years ago, the mission of this institution was conveyed as not just one of providing legal education, but also serving as a resource for the community. I’m reminded every day of that mission and consistently witness its embodiment in the students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I am privileged to be a part of this community.
Interim Associate Dean of Student Services Trisha Nakamura ’06
I am humbled to be a part of Richardson in this jubilee year. As a first-generation college graduate and attorney, I am a true beneficiary of CJ Richardson’s vision. So many of us are. It is because of CJ that we have the privilege of defending the powerless, championing justice, and shaping law and policy. It is because of CJ that we as Richardson lawyers have the great fortune to embrace our colleagues as friends–even as family. It is because of CJ that people who would not otherwise have access to a legal education can realize their dreams. As I walk through the courtyard, my mind’s eye sees CJ sitting in the courtyard smiling brightly. Though not here, he lives on in the contributions we make and those of our current and future students.
Professor Avi Soifer, former dean from 2003 to 2020
These days, the term community is overused, and often abused. Yet a strong sense of community remains crucial. From CJ’s battles at our founding onward, our Law School has been unique for our shared appreciation of multiple different communities. And we continue to attract the kinds of students, faculty, and staff members who do not forget where they come from. Mutual concern for others is at our core. Throughout Hawaiʻi and far beyond our shores, Richardson leaders reject the separation of head and heart. Instead we collaborate and we reinforce others, even when we acknowledge that the quest for justice for all never ends and may even require us to make or defend “good trouble,” albeit always with aloha.
Professor Emerita Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie ’76, acting dean in fall 2017 and founding director of the Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law
Fifty years ago, C.J. Richardson set the foundation for our Law School and helped many of us pursue our dreams. I was fortunate to graduate in the very first class in 1976, and that allowed me to spend the rest of my career advocating for Hawaiʻi’s native people and helping to develop the law to advance our rights and achieve a measure of justice. For the thousands of us who have graduated from WSRSL, this is a time to remember and honor C.J. Richardson who always fought for justice for all people in our homeland and beyond. Our Law School and its graduates are a crucial part of his vision for the future!
Professor Emeritus Lawrence Foster ’81, former dean from 1995 to 2003
In the early years of the WSRSL, there was a piece of Chinese calligraphy hanging in the Dean’s office that read, “Strength From Adversity.” In the first decade of the WSRSL, we faced an ongoing existential crisis because the Legislature repeatedly failed to fund the construction of the school’s permanent buildings, despite yearly assurances to the ABA to the contrary. The law school again faced an existential crisis in 2000, when the University, faced with substantial budget cuts, proposed the elimination of most graduate programs, including law and medicine. Flash forward to 2024, the WSRSL is flourishing! Likewise, many of our students, faculty, alums, and staff faced adversity before, during, and after law school and yet, through their hard work and the strong support of the legal community, are also flourishing! Truly Strength Through Adversity!
Jerry Dupont, former acting dean from 1976 to 1980
There were some worrisome bumps along the way, especially in the first ten years before we got our permanent buildings. Nevertheless, I never once doubted that the Law School would reach this milestone. It was too good of an idea to die.
The Hon. Barbara Richardson (ret.), daughter of the late Chief Justice William S. Richardson
As chief justice, the creation of a law school in Hawai‘i was at the top of my dad’s to-do-list. It was a dream based in large part on personal experiences, heritage and historical inequality. After years battling significant headwinds, he and other advocates for a Hawai‘i law school eventually witnessed the first class gathering in the Manoa quarry in 1973.
If my dad could offer his reflections about the past 50 years, he would acknowledge that his dream of providing a quality legal education in Hawai‘i evolved into a shared dream that is now enthusiastically supported by the community that once disparaged his crazy dream as unrealistic. He would proudly recognize that this vital institution has provided its diverse alumni with the tools to step into leadership roles, to nurture Hawaiian values, to be good stewards of our environment, to further the reach of its global community and relationships, and to improve opportunities for those with the desire to learn, value justice and equality. He would thank administrators, professors, librarians, staff members, and everyone else, past and present, who contributed a hand, a dollar, an hour, and a voice along the way that helped to realize his dream.
Lea Hong ’91, wife of the late Billy Richardson (CJ Richardson’s son)
The law school has had a tremendous impact over the past 50 years, diversifying the legal profession, providing opportunities for those financially unable to attend mainland law schools, growing local business and community leaders with the “aloha spirit” who understand Hawaiʿi’s unique history and cultures, and fostering civil discourse on the complex legal and political issues of our time. I’m forever grateful to the law school for providing me with a quality legal education at a fraction of the price of mainland schools and enabling me to serve our community in non-profit positions and protect Hawaiʿi’s natural and cultural resources, reconnecting people and place, for generations to come.
Attorney Allen K. Hoe ’76
I am grateful for CJ Richardson’s vision and untiring efforts to fulfill a dream, which has provided generations of Hawaiʻi’s people with the opportunity to create a better future.
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna ’82
It is hard to believe 50 years have passed since our beloved law school opened and that 45 years have passed since I started law school as a proud member of the 7th entering class, the Class of 1982. WSRSL has been true to Chief Justice William S. Richardson’s vision of the law school as one which serves the people of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific by producing graduates imbued with a sense of social justice and who practice with aloha. Dean Camille Nelson will ably lead us into the next 50; imua!
Attorney Ted N. Pettit ’86, Pettit Law Hawaiʻi
Aloha to the Richardson ʻOhana! We are connected through our deep roots in the law school and branches that spread throughout Hawaiʻi’s legal community. Richardson law school gave us the opportunity to pursue our careers, engage in intellectual challenges, provide meaningful counsel to clients and colleagues, and promote justice on all fronts. Nothing is more satisfying than giving back to WSRSL for all the benefits we have received. Happy 50th! Mahalo nui!
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Lisa M. Ginoza ’89
Attending the William S. Richardson School of Law remains a highlight in my life. For all the challenges, my most vivid memories are the wonderful professors, great classmates and Ete Bowl! In its first 50 years, WSRSL has had an immeasurable impact on the State of Hawai‘i, with alumni in numerous areas of the law greatly contributing to our communities. Best wishes for the next 50 years!
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Todd Eddins ’91
Happy 50th anniversary, William S. Richardson School of Law! Over the past 600 months, 2,609 weeks, 18,262 days, 438,288 hours, the school’s spirit has inspired the way law is practiced in our state. 50 years down, forever to go.
Retired attorney Diane Ono ’91, Galiher DeRobertis Ono
The William S. Richardson School of Law, established through CJ Richardson’s vision, advocacy and perseverance, may seem like a longstanding fixture of our community. But we must not take its presence for granted. It is our collective responsibility to support and nurture the school, ensuring its continued success for future generations. I am deeply grateful for the education and opportunities Richardson provided, shaping both my career and life.
Attorney William Keoniakelelani Shultz ’00, Cades Schutte
The William S. Richardson School of Law’s impact on Hawaiʻi cannot be understated as it is the life blood of the legal world in the islands with its alumni contributing to every aspect of Hawaiʻi’s businesses, law firms, governmental offices and services, non-profits, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Every day the law school’s alumni meet and exceed the now 50 year-old dreams of Chief Justice William S. Richardson, and the many other noteworthy creators of the school, and we look to perpetuate and protect this gift that is the law school, for all future generations.
Attorney Mark S. Davis, Davis Levin Livingston
When the dreams of our own law school were being incubated in the quarry back in 1974, few would have anticipated the enormous impact those forward thinking visionaries would have on our community. The Richardson School of Law has distinguished itself as a home of original thought, inspiration for future leaders and a vessel for the future development of our unique legal traditions.
