Our Mission

Student Legal Services (SLS) has three complementary objectives:

1. To provide legal assistance (advice, education, and representation) to currently enrolled UW-Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
2. To provide an opportunity for UW law students to gain hands-on legal experience by counseling clients, managing a caseload, negotiating with opposing parties, and appearing in court.
3. To provide an opportunity for UW undergraduate students to gain experience in a law office and learn from mentors in the legal and UW communities.

How We Came to Do What We Do

UW Student Legal Services came into existence in 1969 as the UW Legal Aid Society. During this time of social unrest on American campuses, UW law student volunteers advised students on their legal issues. Many SLS programs around the U.S. began in the same era.