The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ School of Law has received a $7.1 million commitment from Honolulu-based real estate investor Jay H. Shidler to augment the technology and intellectual property programs at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ School of Law. Ìý
The gift, which will be realized over the next 10 years, cements the School of Law’s global reputation in the fields of technology and intellectual property (IP) law.Ìý
“OurÌýstudents and faculty are enriched by the generosity of Jay Shidler and his commitment toÌýsupporting innovations in the area ofÌýtechnologyÌýandÌýintellectual propertyÌýlaw,â€�Ìýsaid TamaraÌýF.ÌýLawson,Ìýthe ToniÌýRembeÌýDeanÌýof theÌýSchool of Law.Ìý“̹½ÊÓÆµ Law is uniquely situatedÌýin a region known throughout the world forÌýtechnology and innovation.ÌýThese resources will support our communityÌýand keep usÌýcompetitiveÌýin thisÌýenvironment.â€�ÌýÌý
With this gift,ÌýShidlerÌý— a philanthropist andÌýinvestor in educational infrastructureÌýwho hasÌýownedÌýinterests inÌýmore than 2,000 properties worldwideÌý—Ìýcontinues a traditionÌýhe’s establishedÌýofÌýhonoringÌýhis uncle,ÌýRoger Shidler, a 1924 graduate of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ School of LawÌýwhoÌýwasÌýan earlyÌýtrailblazerÌýin technology lawÌýalongsideÌýWilliam Gates, Sr.Ìý
The gift will allow the School of Law to:Ìý
- Establish a Shidler Endowed Chair who will lead theÌýTechnology and IntellectualÌýPropertyÌýLaw programs, while also covering adjacent needs including torts and contracts.ÌýÌý
- Recruit a full-time scholar-in-residence to manage andÌýgrowÌýthe existing Shidler Lecture Series.Ìý
- Support scholarships and fellowships awarded to students focused on Technology and Intellectual Property Law. The first year will support three students in the J.D. program with a $50,000 award for each. Ìý
“We are honored to steward Jay Shidler’s transformative investment in the critical intersection of technology and law,â€� said Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President Robert J. Jones. “His generous gift will help the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ School of Law attract the most talented faculty and students at a moment when expertise in IP and Technology law is urgently needed. We are thrilled to be able to expand our global reach in this important field.â€� Ìý
“I am very fortunate to be able to financially support universities and colleges on the West Coast and in Hawaii. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Law has had a special place in my family’s lore for almost 100 years,â€� Shidler said.Ìý
TheÌýgift buildsÌýuponÌýpreviousÌýgifts from Jay ShidlerÌýto the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ, includingÌýanÌýownership interest inÌýa 2.6-acre property in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood,Ìýwhich was celebratedÌýin 2018.ÌýHalfÌýof the ownership of the land and buildings will be transferred to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµÌýin 2115Ìýto be divided equally between Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Medicine and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ School of Law. The other half goes to Shidler’s alma mater, now called the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.ÌýÌý
Shidler also contributedÌý$600,000Ìýto the School of Law inÌý2016Ìýfor the creation of theÌýlecture series honoring Roger Shidler.ÌýÌý
The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ recognized Jay Shidler and his wife, Wallette, as Presidential Laureates upon having generously contributed more than $10 million to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ in 2017.
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