Published: 08/25/25
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Richardson Law welcomes largest class in school’s history
The William S. Richardson School of Law proudly welcomes the entering class of 2025, a dynamic cohort of 155 students from across Hawaiʻi, the continental United States, and around the world. This year’s group includes 87 full-time JD students, 53 part-time online JD students, 4 Advanced JD students, 6 LLM candidates, 2 transfer students, 2 visiting students, and 1 international visitor.
This year’s incoming class was selected from a competitive pool of 1,695 applicants. They bring a median LSAT of 158 and a median GPA of 3.61. Students represent 32 states/U.S. territories and 8 countries, bringing a wealth of education, work experiences, travels, languages, accomplishments, and perspectives.
“Our Fall 2025 incoming class is the largest in the Law School’s history and the strongest academically in at least a decade,” said Tyler Cegler, Director of Enrollment Management. “In a hypercompetitive application cycle, we’re excited to welcome a group of students who will learn from one another, lean on one another, and go on to champion justice in our communities.”
We spoke with five members of the incoming class as they began their journeys at Richardson Law.
Victoria Borneman
Victoria was born in Gainesville, Florida (former Patano territory), and graduated from Georgetown University, where she dedicated much of her time to criminal justice reform, working in prisons and with formerly incarcerated citizens. She later collaborated at Harvard on global initiatives to support Indigenous communities and continues to focus her energy on women’s empowerment and health.
“I chose to be here at Richardson because I want to study law in a community that honors the interconnectedness of all things,” she explained. “I stand by the principles of kuleana and ho‘owaiwai, which are central to uplifting those in need.”
A Jamaican saying inspires her work: “If yuh wah good, yuh nose haffi run.” In other words, lasting change requires focus, discipline, and the unified efforts of a community.
Kalāmanamana Harman
Kalāmanamana Harman, from Puna on Hawaiʻi Island, is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where she double-majored in Anthropology and Native American & Indigenous Studies. She has served as a Project Assistant for the National Native American Language Resource Center, focusing on the Next Generation Leadership Program, and as a Fellow at Tamalpais Trust. In her community, Kalāmanamana participates in restoration and clean-up efforts at Waikapuna in Kaʻū and dances hula with Hālau I ka Leo Ola o Nā Mamo.
“I chose Richardson because it is in Hawaiʻi, my home. The school also has the best resources and a very supportive community to help students thrive in the field of law,” she said.
A guiding proverb from Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, where she attended school, continues to shape her path: “No ʻAneʻi Ko Kākou Ola!” (“Our identity is from this place.”)
Jenna Lau
Jenna grew up in East Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School before completing a triple major in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Finance at the Shidler College of Business at UH Mānoa. She has worked on a top performing residential real estate team for the past six years, notably receiving her Broker’s license in 2024.
“Receiving a legal education infused with Native Hawaiian Law will equip me to cultivate positive change in the community that gave me everything,” she said.
Outside of her studies, Jenna enjoys spending time in the ocean with her daughter, Luna, who, at just two years old, already surfs better than she does.
Sonny Dryden Kuehuikapono Seto Myers
Raised between Kaʻōhao, Oʻahu, and Miwok land (San Rafael, California), Sonny brings a deep commitment to community and culture to Richardson Law. A graduate of Stanford University with honors and distinction in Anthropology and Native American Studies, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and later completed a master’s degree in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi at UH Mānoa, where his research focused on kapa terminology. An East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellow and active member of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, Sonny is passionate about advancing Native Hawaiian health sovereignty and building lasting systems of equity for Hawaiʻi’s land and people.
“I chose Richardson because it provides the best platform to engage the legal challenges and opportunities facing Hawaiʻi and Native Hawaiians, giving me the foundation to serve my people and Indigenous communities at home and abroad,” he shared.
A favorite saying guides his path: “I paʻa i nā kūpuna, ʻaʻole kākou e puka.”
Alexandra Platt
Alexandra is from Coupeville, WA, on beautiful Whidbey Island. After graduating from the University of San Francisco in 2010, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the television industry; ultimately working her way up to union television editor. Not long after relocating back to her hometown with husband Chris in 2023, they welcomed a son, Avery, now 17 months.
Wanting to make a bigger impact in her community, Alexandra set her sights on law school. Focusing on hybrid JD programs that would allow her to raise her new family, while staying connected at home, Richardson became the ultimate goal. She is so thrilled to have been accepted into such a wonderful program and ohana, and can’t wait to see everyone succeed in this new chapter!
Alex Smolak
Alex, from the Hilo side of Hawai‘i Island, brings a wealth of experience to Richardson after a career spanning two decades as both a therapist and an infectious disease epidemiologist. He began undergraduate studies at UH Mānoa before completing a doctorate at Columbia University, and today serves as Executive Director of Mālama Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable agriculture and animal welfare.
“I chose Richardson, in part, because Hawai‘i defended the Muslim community at one of our most vulnerable moments by challenging the “Muslim travel ban,” and I carry a deep debt of izzah—honor—to give back,” Alex explained. “Through legal training at Richardson, I hope to contribute meaningfully to Hawai‘i’s enduring legacy of defending human rights.”
Outside of the classroom and clinic, Alex can often be found working on his family’s durian farm.
As the Class of 2028 begins their journey, they join a proud tradition of Richardson lawyers who serve their communities with integrity, leadership, and a commitment to justice. We look forward to the next few years of learning, growth, and impact from this exceptional class.