WEST CHESTER, PA — AccessLex Institute® has announced a new partnership with Seattle University School of Law to create a pioneering pipeline-to-licensure program aimed at addressing the shortage of lawyers in Central Washington, one of the nation’s largest “legal deserts.” The initiative will expand access to legal education for students in underserved regions while fostering greater diversity within the profession.
Funded by a five-year Directed Grant from AccessLex, the Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative will operate out of Heritage University on the Yakama Nation Reservation. The program will offer prospective students mentorship, LSAT preparation, admissions and financial counseling, and professional development resources — all designed to help local residents pursue a legal education without leaving their communities.
“This first-of-its-kind collaboration with Seattle U Law embodies AccessLex Institute’s commitment to supporting aspiring lawyers across the full spectrum from admission to law school to admission to practice,” said Christopher P. Chapman, President and CEO of AccessLex Institute. “It highlights our shared goal of expanding access to legal education for historically underrepresented communities.”
Tackling the Legal Desert Challenge
Central Washington faces a critical shortage of legal professionals — a challenge that affects access to justice for rural residents and Indigenous communities alike. By providing educational and professional support through a local hub, the initiative aims to build a sustainable talent pipeline of future lawyers who can serve their communities directly.
The program builds upon Seattle University School of Law’s Hybrid Hub Initiative, which includes additional hubs in Alaska and the South Puget Sound region. These hubs leverage Seattle U Law’s Flex J.D. Program, allowing students to complete coursework and gain practical experience remotely while maintaining connections to local legal institutions and faculty support.
“Seattle University School of Law has always been guided by a mission of promoting access to justice and making legal education more inclusive,” said Anthony E. Varona, Dean of Seattle U Law. “Through this partnership with AccessLex Institute, we’re extending that mission to communities historically excluded from legal services and legal education. By bringing legal education directly to where these students live and serve, we are ensuring that the future of our profession reflects the full diversity and strength of the communities we represent.”
Building the Next Generation of Legal Professionals
AccessLex Institute’s Directed Grant Program — an invitation-only initiative — supports projects that advance access, affordability, and the long-term value of legal education. Since its inception, AccessLex has awarded more than $26 million through various grant programs aimed at tackling structural challenges in legal education.
By targeting regions with limited legal infrastructure, the Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative seeks to make an immediate and measurable impact on the accessibility of justice. For students who might otherwise lack the means or opportunity to attend law school, the program provides a path to licensure that could reshape the legal landscape of rural America.
As AccessLex and Seattle University School of Law expand this model, the initiative could serve as a blueprint for other institutions seeking to bridge the gap between legal education and underserved communities — ensuring that access to justice begins with access to opportunity.
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