New partnership between UAA and Seattle University School of Law creates pathway for Alaska students to attend law school without moving out of state

A partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage and Seattle University School of Law will establish the new Alaska Hybrid Hub, an innovative initiative to provide aspiring lawyers in Southcentral Alaska with access to a complement of resources of a brick-and-mortar law school. The hub enables Alaskans with work and family commitments to complete law school without moving out of state. By providing this flexibility, the goal is to draw many more people into law school and the legal profession, which in turn will address the critical need for legal professionals in underserved regions known as 'legal deserts' where there are not enough lawyers to meet community demand.

"UAA is proud to create innovative pathways for legal education here in Alaska," said UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell. "This partnership empowers students by allowing them to attend law school without moving out of state."

The Hybrid Hubs initiative builds on the success of Seattle U Law's Flex JD program, which offers an innovative, part-time, hybrid-online legal education where students can complete most coursework online, with just a few in-person weekend class sessions each year on Seattle University's campus. The Flex JD program provides vital legal education accessibility for Alaska students, since Alaska is the only U.S. state without a law school.

The hub allows Flex JD students to study and complete their coursework in an academic setting by utilizing study spaces and other campus resources at UAA, such as internet and library access. Students will also enjoy intellectual life and in-person networking events to build community among current students at UAA and Seattle U Law, alumni of both institutions who work in the legal profession, and the broader local legal community.

"As I've learned through conversations with UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell and other stakeholders, the legal desert in Alaska is a serious and urgent problem. The new Hybrid Hub at UAA will make legal education more attainable for local students who are deeply rooted in Alaska due to family, work and other obligations. As the only state in the nation without a law school, Alaska needs and deserves better. This partnership is a major step in the right direction," said Seattle University School of Law Dean Anthony E. Varona.

As part of the rollout of the Alaska Hybrid Hub, Connor Smith and Whitney Brown - both attorneys at Stoel Rives - have agreed to serve in Anchorage-based roles with Seattle U Law. Smith will serve as the hub's director, and Brown will teach as an adjunct faculty member in the Flex JD program. Smith is a fourth-generation Alaskan who worked in the commercial fishing industry before becoming an attorney. His practice is focused on resolving complex commercial and business litigation throughout the state, with a special focus on fisheries issues. Brown joined Stoel Rives after serving as a clerk to Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her practice spans a wide range of substantive areas, with an emphasis on appeals.

According to Smith, he is "excited to serve in this role to support Seattle University School of Law's investment in training the next generation of Alaska's legal community." A 2018 graduate of Seattle U Law, Smith explained that he was drawn to the school "primarily because of its connections in Alaska that allowed him to spend his entire third year in the state. I am excited that other Alaskan students will have the opportunity to stay local while attending law school."

Seattle U Law and UAA signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the hybrid hub during a ceremony Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Lewis E. Haines Meeting Room.