Laurie Powers

Gonzaga University School of Law

Nestled in the beautiful Inland Northwest, Gonzaga Law is a hidden gem. With a mid-size city quickly growing in the areas of medicine, law, tech, and sustainability, there's a lot of excitement and progress. And yet, in keeping with its roots as a city with green spaces, including Manito Park, designed by the Olmstead brothers of the Central Park in NYC Olmstead Firm and family legacy. Within minutes of traveling outside the city, there are plentiful outdoors activities, including snowskiing, watersports, hiking, biking, camping, running, boating, fishing, and simply being outside! The size of the city brings the law school together; students aren't lost in the shuffle and many form close-knit professional relationships that last for years. Gonzaga Law puts its passion for humanistic living into practice. Within a few short years of taking on the deanship, Dean Jacob Rooksby and the law school community ended the use of conditional scholarships, increased diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism efforts, and refreshed the 20-year old law school building to better serve our community's needs. From tech-enhanced teaching spaces to a student lounge, the dean has added art from local artists on display for a month at a time to increasing inclusion by mindfully improving access for people with disabilities, creating gender neutral restrooms and intermixing chairs without arms - no detail is too small! The introduction of the academic success team, The C.E.A.L. Division, the Center for Law, Ethics, & Commerce (to partner with the Center for Civil and Human Rights), the Executive 2 year J.D. Program, and the Business Innovation Clinic are just a few of the innovative and exciting developments that demonstrate the commitment Gonzaga Law delivers for students and the good of the community. Come for a visit and stay a while. Gonzaga Law offers regular tours so you can see for yourself an experience-based academic program in action. Hope to see you soon!