The Law, Societies, and Justice (LSJ) Department at the University of Washington is committed to providing students with an interdisciplinary education focused on the complex roles that law and legal institutions play in structuring social life. As one of the fastest growing departments by students at the University of Washington, the generosity of the Friends of LSJ plays a pivotal role in enriching the student experience.
LSJ prides itself on hands-on learning experiences that contribute to the world outside of the classroom, and contributions from Friends of LSJ have enabled students to engage in these unique learning opportunities. These donations have facilitated programs such as the Juvenile Patrol Project and the LSJ Book Club where LSJ majors' study alongside inmates at the Washington State Reformatory! The Juvenile Parole Project, or JPP, pairs students with volunteer attorneys to represent individuals preparing for hearings before the Clemency and Pardons Board or the Juvenile Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. The LSJ Book Club provides a space where participants, both students and inmates, engage in critical discussions, sharing perspectives that are able to transcend prison barriers.
LSJ also provides the Storytelling For Migrant Justice course series which aims to involve both a hands-on practicum component in which students work directly with local immigrant rights organization La Resistencia, as well as readings and assignments in which students create and curate their own stories of resilience and growth in the face of structural injustices.
Donor support has also been instrumental in organizing events such as career fairs featuring local alumni. These gatherings provide students with invaluable networking opportunities, connecting them with professionals who share their passion for justice and offering guidance as they navigate their future careers. LSJ is a department that uniquely equips students to be change-makers in whatever field they choose, and your generosity can directly help shape these opportunities.
And lastly, your donations help fund student social events where peers connect over shared academic interests, form study groups, build lasting friendships, and collaborate on projects. When students feel seen, supported, and inspired by their community, they are empowered to learn deeply and work together. Every gift, large or small, contributes to creating a richer, more impactful educational environment for LSJ students. By joining the Friends of LSJ, you become an integral part of a community dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders committed to justice and societal transformation.