Bill > HCR14

This Concurrent Resolution supports the creation of a law school within the University of Alaska, recognizing that Alaska is the only state without one and faces unique legal challenges related to resource extraction, fishing, tribal sovereignty, and subsistence rights. The resolution highlights a growing need for attorneys knowledgeable about Alaska's specific legal landscape, particularly in rural areas and among underserved populations, and addresses the significant underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the state's legal profession, as noted by the Alaska Supreme Court and various bar association initiatives. It points to the lack of a law school as a systemic barrier to diversification, increasing costs for Alaskans seeking legal education, and contributing to recruitment challenges for legal professionals. Therefore, the resolution urges the University of Alaska Anchorage to conduct a feasibility study for a new law school and to explore partnerships with existing American Bar Association-accredited law schools that would allow for remote learning with periodic campus visits, ultimately aiming to establish a financially sustainable law school within the state.