Ruben Garcia Named Inaugural Leonard Hoshijo Endowed Chair in Labor Law

HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi (April 30, 2026) — The William S. Richardson School of Law is proud to announce that Professor Ruben Garcia will soon join the faculty as the inaugural Leonard Hoshijo Endowed Chair in Labor Law, marking a significant milestone for the law school’s efforts to build a strong and enduring labor law program.

A nationally recognized scholar and teacher, Garcia currently serves as a Professor of Law and Director of the Workplace Law Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law. His scholarship and teaching focus on labor law, employment law, wage justice, workplace safety, workers’ rights, and the intersections of race, immigration, and labor protections.

“We are delighted to welcome Professor Ruben Garcia to the William S. Richardson School of Law as the inaugural Leonard Hoshijo Endowed Chair in Labor Law,” Dean Camille Nelson said. “His impressive scholarship and extraordinary record of service make him an exceptional choice for this historic role. We are grateful to the Leonard Hoshijo Memorial Foundation for making this opportunity possible for our students, our school, and the broader community.”

Garcia’s appointment fulfills the vision of the historic Leonard Hoshijo Memorial Foundation gift that established the law school’s first endowed chair in labor law, an investment created to strengthen teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and community engagement in this critical field.

The position was designed to support the development of a robust program in workplace law at Richardson, while expanding opportunities for students interested in advocating for Hawaiʻi’s workers and unions.

Click here to read more about the historic gift that established the Leonard Hoshijo Endowed Chair in Labor Law.

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About William S. Richardson School of Law

The William S. Richardson School of Law is a collaborative, multicultural community preparing students for excellence in the practice of law and related careers that advance justice and the rule of law. We develop highly qualified, ethical professionals through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and public service. We embrace Hawai‘i’s diversity and values and recognize a special responsibility to our state and the Pacific region.

MEDIA CONTACT

Collin Cedotal, Public Information Specialist
(808) 956-9391 | ccedotal@hawaii.edu