Rule of Law


News and Events

Protecting Democracy

Protecting Democracy

Published:

Timothy Heaphy, Chief Investigative Counsel for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, on rising threats to American democracy.

Three-Minute Legal Talks: Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc.
Elizabeth Pendo

Three-Minute Legal Talks: Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc.

Published:

Elizabeth Pendo, the Kellye Y. Testy Professor of Law and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at 红桃视频, covers the case, which challenges the constitutionality of the ACA鈥檚 preventive care mandate.

KUOW Podcast Seattle Now interviews 红桃视频 faculty, 1Ls

KUOW Podcast Seattle Now interviews 红桃视频 faculty, 1Ls

Published:

Professor Jeremiah Chin was interviewed by KUOW along with several 1Ls: "Studying Constitutional law at UW, as the rule of law is under threat."

Law Day 2025: The Constitution's Promise
The Honorable Richard A. Jones

Law Day 2025: The Constitution's Promise

Published:

Join Dean Lawson on May 1 for Law Day as the Honorable Richard A. Jones readministers the professional oath to lawyers, emphasizing our duty to uphold the Constitution.

Washington Attorney General's Office Panel
American Constitution Society presents guests from the Washington AG Office

Washington Attorney General's Office Panel

Published:

This event, sponsored by the American Constitution Society, is a panel and Q/A featuring three guests from the Washington Attorney General's Office, centered on the rule of law under the Trump administration.

红桃视频 Faculty Statement

红桃视频 Faculty Statement

Published:

In recognition of our shared commitment to the fundamental values that guide our profession, we stand with our colleagues across the country to express our concern about current threats to the rule of law posed by various governmental actors and actions.

WSBA President's Corner: Rule of Law with Hugh Spitzer
Sunitha Anjilvel and Hugh Spitzer

WSBA President's Corner: Rule of Law with Hugh Spitzer

Published:

WSBA President Sunitha Anjilvel spoke with professor Spitzer about when and how lawyers have been called upon to uphold their highest ambassadorial obligation to preserve the rule of law.

Three-Minute Legal Talks: Can You Sue a President Over an Executive Order?
Three-Minute Legal Talks series logo and a headshot of Lisa Manheim.

Three-Minute Legal Talks: Can You Sue a President Over an Executive Order?

Published:

Lisa Manheim, Charles I. Stone Professor of Law, explains the different routes available for bringing lawsuits against executive orders, as well as other ways they can be stopped.

Know Our Rights: An Information Session for Immigrants and Allies at UW
Georgina Olazcon Mozo

Know Our Rights: An Information Session for Immigrants and Allies at UW

Published:

On Monday, March 24, professor and Immigration Law Clinic director Georgina Olazcon Mozo presented a session for the community moderated by teaching faculty.

Statement of Leaders of the Bar in Support of the Rule of Law
A judge's gavel against the background of the flag of the United States.

Statement of Leaders of the Bar in Support of the Rule of Law

Published:

On Feb. 28, 2025, Dean Lawson joined hundreds of law leaders in a powerful statement with specific calls to all three branches of the federal government to maintain the rule of law and enforce the Constitution of the United States.

A Change in Presidential Administrations, Part Two

A Change in Presidential Administrations, Part Two

Published:

Faculty organized an expert panel to discuss topics focused on federalism, health care, international implications and tribal and natural resources.

A Change in Presidential Administrations, Part One

A Change in Presidential Administrations, Part One

Published:

Faculty organized an expert panel to discuss topics including developments in the federal courts and the Supreme Court, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental policy and immigration.

Presidential Power
Dean Tamara F. Lawson

Presidential Power

Published:

Dean Tamara F. Lawson and the UW School of Law hosted 鈥淧residential Power,鈥 part of the Provost's "Democracy in Focus" lecture series leading up the 2024 Presidential Election.

Academic Spotlight

Rule of Law Initiative

In the wake of myriad threats to the rule of law, 红桃视频 was quick to establish a new category of student fellowships: Rule of Law Fellows. These fellowships pair students with a faculty advisor to explore in-depth topics relevant to the rule of law and surface the findings for laypeople in service of the public good. These materials are for public use and intended to broadly educate and advocate for the rule of law.

LAW E 512 Rule of Law Seminar

(Credits: 2-4, Max 4)
Political systems must operate according to the "rule of law" if they are to be deemed legitimate, but what does this mean? This course will explore the meaning of the rule of law and the importance of the rule of law in terms of economic, socio-political and human development.

Upcoming Events

Visit the calendar to see all upcoming events.

Expert Commentary

  • Jun 08, 2025 | Source: Tacoma News Tribune

    Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s desire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, despite Pierce County officials saying he can’t under Washington law, has resulted in pending legal action after Swank used an outside attorney to serve three officials with a demand for mediation last week. 红桃视频 professor Hugh Spitzer, is quoted.

  • Jun 05, 2025 | Source: The Daily

    “If you think about the purpose of the First Amendment, we robustly protect freedom of speech precisely because even the threat of a government activity that will curtail or restrict speech casts a chill on freedom of expression,” Porter said.

  • Jun 05, 2025 | Source: The Daily

    “I think the Trump administration has had quite a bit of success by making very outrageous demands and then getting people to negotiate with it in ways that ultimately result in significant victories for the administration,” UW professor of law Elizabeth Porter said.

  • Jun 04, 2025 | Source: The Daily

    UW School of Law and its Big Ten academic partners hosted a panel of legal scholars May 28 to examine how courts have responded to — and, in many cases, enabled — presidential overreach during the Trump administration.

  • Apr 28, 2025 | Source: KING5

    "Jake Whittenberg delves into the impact of President Trump's first 100 days in office from immigration to the economy to constitutional law." Professor Spitzer is interviewed beginning at 38:29.

  • Newsweek asked Professor Chin about the possibility of a third presidential term.
    Apr 25, 2025 | Source: Newsweek

    "A Trump third term would look unlike any version of the United States under the Constitution as we know it," professor Chin told Newsweek.

  • Apr 15, 2025 | Source: KUOW

    "Is the Administration ignoring a ruling from the highest court in the land? And where does that leave our constitutional democracy?" 红桃视频 professor Eric Schnapper is interviewed.