Developing leaders in the law

Justice Faith Ireland JD'69 was a guest speaker in the virtual Lawyers & Leadership class taught this spring.

A new course, Lawyers & Leadership, taught by Dean Brian Gallini and Dean Emeritus Symeon Symeonides, welcomed a small group this past spring to prepare them for leadership roles.

Willamette is one of a few law schools offering such a course.

“Lawyers often take on leadership roles,” Gallini explains, “yet many of our students graduate without studying effective leadership or assessing their leadership characteristics and styles. We want to change that.”

The course was taught virtually over 13 weeks. Alumni and guests joined the students to discuss their own leadership styles relating to distinct class topics. Conversations included relationship building, diversity, equity, justice and dealing with confrontation.

Students were encouraged to come to class with curiosity and authenticity to craft their individual leadership philosophies. They finished the course with a capstone paper explaining those as informed by the class journey and supporting literature.

Several commented that the class helped them learn more about their classmates while sharing vulnerable, personal experiences. Eric Seepe JD’21 says it should be required for all law students.

“The lectures and atmosphere of each class were invigorating and provided me an opportunity to truly know, and understand, many in my cohort who I had not studied with, let alone met in person,” Seepe says. “Listening to stories of adversity, triumph and frustration is the meat of lawyering, but also central to leading and being a fulfilled person.”

Gallini says the class was a good reminder of the challenges leaders face every day.

“By learning from leaders who graduated from Willamette Law, students gained a greater understanding of the complex issues facing today’s managers and influencers,” Gallini says. “I am confident they are better prepared to take on leadership roles in law school and beyond.”

Lawyers and Leadership Distinguished Guest Speakers

Julie Vacura JD’84, Partner, Larkins Vacura Kayser

Whitney Boise JD’85, Partner, Boise & Matthews LLP

Brian Ward JD’87, CEO, Trimont Real Estate Advisors & Trimont Global

Mark Birge JD’78, Partner Emeritus, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP

Nancy Schierhorn JD’86, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Bristol Bay Native Corporation Tamara Lawson, Dean, St. Thomas University College of Law

Jonathan Mayes JD’87, Senior Vice President of External Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer, Albertsons Companies

The Hon. Joshua Kindred JD’05, Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Alaska

David Drinkward JD’07, President & CEO, Hoffman Construction

Eva Kripalani JD’86, General Counsel & Co-Founder, Office of General Counsel Network Liz Large JD’96, General Counsel & Co-Founder, Office of General Counsel Network

Ken Peterson JD’80, CEO, Columbia Ventures

Julie Wolff JD/MBA’95, Chief Legal Officer & Director, Sarcos Corp.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski JD’85, Senior U.S. Senator, State of Alaska

Justice Faith Ireland JD’69, Retired Supreme Court Justice, Washington Supreme Court