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Supporting the law school’s vision of making public service a reality for students, the Gates Public Service Law (PSL) Program enables scholars to pursue a career path in public service law through the Gates Public Service Law Scholarship.

The Gates PSL Scholarship was created in November 2005 to honor William H. Gates Sr., a prominent Washington state attorney, public servant and Â鶹ÉçÇø Law alumnus. Each year, the program awards a comprehensive award to five first-year students entering the J.D. Program at Â鶹ÉçÇø Law, that covers the full cost of Tuition and Fees and the Estimated Cost of Attendance determined annually by Â鶹ÉçÇø Law.

Gates Scholars have gone on to impact change on a local, national and international level at a variety of organizations, including the ACLU of Washington, Inner City Law in L.A. and the Immigrant Advocacy Project in Virginia.

Download the Scholar Employment Information Map.

Program Overview

Each year, five scholarships are awarded to first-year students entering the J.D. program which are designed to cover tuition, books, other enrollment fees, costs of room and board and incidental expenses.

Acceptance of a Gates PSL Scholarship represents a commitment on the part of each recipient to work in public service as defined by the program for five years following graduation.

Learn more in the program FAQ

Eligibility and Obligations

Scholars are selected from students admitted to Â鶹ÉçÇø Law through a competitive review process.

Scholars are required to meet the participation and administrative requirements as outlined in the program guidelines to qualify for continued funding. Scholarships must be repaid to the University in the event a scholar fails to graduate from Â鶹ÉçÇø Law or complete the required period of employment in public service work. 

Required activities associated with the program include:

• Annual retreat
• Seminars and speaker series
• Scholar meetings
• Two public service internships
• Career coaching

Learn more about Scholar responsibilities

Selection Process

Gates Scholars are selected from among the group of students admitted each year to Â鶹ÉçÇø Law who apply for the scholarship. They are selected based on their sincere interest and stated intent to work in public service.

Apply to the Gates PSL Scholarship

Advisory Board

Members of the current Gates PSL Program Advisory Board:

• Tamara Lawson
  Toni Rembe Dean & Professor of Law
  University of Â鶹ÉçÇø of Law
  Ex Officio
• Aline Flower
  Associate General Counsel
  Gates Foundation
• Jeffrey Grant
  Assistant Attorney General
  Washington State Attorney General
• Vanessa Hernandez
  Integrated Advocacy Director
  The ACLU of Washington
• The Honorable David Keenan
  Judge
  King County Superior Court
• Monte Mills
  Charles I. Stone Professor or Law
  Director, Native American Law Center
  University of Â鶹ÉçÇø of Law
• Blanca Rodriguez
  Attorney
  Columbia Legal Services, Yakima
• Matthew Sanders
  Managing Attorney
  King County Department of Public Defense, ACA Division