UH Law School Students to Begin New Tradition with the "Law Student's Pledge"

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Carol Mon Lee, (808) 956-8636
Associate Dean
Kristen Cabral, (808) 956-5039
Public Information Officer
Posted: Aug 15, 2002

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa‘s William S. Richardson School of Law will begin a new tradition on Wednesday, August 21, when about 100 incoming law students take the "Law Student‘s Pledge," which will be administered by Chief Justice Ronald Moon at the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court at 9 a.m.

The pledge was written by UH law professor Chris Iijima as part of a broader program on professionalism for entering law students to encourage and foster integrity, professionalism, civility and justice. The ceremony is intended to make students aware and impress upon them the significance of their professional responsibilities.

"We hear more and more that professional values have been eroded. Accountants, business executives and politicians are questioned about their moral compass. We want our new law students to learn from Day 1 that our profession values honesty, civility and the pursuit of justice," said Law School Dean Larry Foster.

"The pledge is a new idea and one that we hope will instill early on the importance of professionalism. We asked Chief Justice Moon to administer the pledge in the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court so that the students would feel the importance of the symbolism."

After the ceremony, the students will also be welcomed by Chief Justice Moon, Retired Chief Justice William S. Richardson, for whom the law school is named, and current Hawaiʻi State Bar President Michael Gibson. As part of their orientation program, students will also tour the Judicial History Center and the federal and state courts.

Law Student‘s Pledge
I, [name], in the study of law, will conscientiously prepare myself:
To advance the interests of those I serve before my own,
To approach my responsibilities and colleagues with integrity, professionalism and
civility,
To guard zealously legal, civil and human rights which are the birthright of all people,
And, above all,
To endeavor always to seek justice.
This I do pledge.