Sam Smith | William S. Richardson School of Law

Sam Smith

Class of 2022

Sam Smith is a first-year law student and is planning on graduating in May 2022. Born and raised in the Salacoa Valley of Georgia, a rural farming community outside of Atlanta, he is a graduate of Cherokee High School. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Psychology, his research focusing on autism, creativity, and the Dark Triad personality disorders. After graduation, he moved to Hawai‘i after receiving a position working with Hale Kipa through the AmeriCorps. He applied to Richardson after he decided his next step was to become a Marine Corps Judge Advocate. Currently, he is a Vice President of the Pacific Asian Legal Studies Organization (PALSO), a member of Delta Theta Phi, and on the party-planning committee for Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL).

  • Has a guard donkey at home in Georgia named Ms. Peaches
  • Worked as a high ropes course facilitator throughout his undergraduate
  • Spent a summer working at a school for autistic children in Agadir, Morocco
  • Loves Crossfit, running, soccer, and karaoke 
  • Career ambition is to become a war journalist

Students Speak

  •
    All of my classmates are so encouraging and willing to help. We really are one big ‘ohana!”
    Turner Wong
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    There’s something special about being able to say, ‘I’m learning how to be a Richardson lawyer,’ that carries a sense of pride, community, and legacy.”
    Caroline Kikkawa
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    I chose UH Law because I wanted to experience studying in Hawaiʻi, and I learned that the School has an excellent Environmental Law program. My graduate degree fellowship with the East-West Center is also tied with enrollment at UH.”
    Aya DeLeon
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    I chose UH because they offer a specialization in Criminal law. The other reason is the fact that I wanted to live in Hawai'i.”
    Katharina
  •
    You get what you put in and UH delivers on those that are willing to put in the work.”
    Jonah Hoshino
  •
    UH Richardson is the best law school if you intend to practice law in Hawaii and want to give back to your community, family, and mentors.”
    Kendrick Chang
  •
    I feel privileged to be surrounded by amazing people who encourage me to be better and do better for my community. Richardson is a place that encourages selflessness and requires its students to look outside of themselves for opportunities to serve.”
    Arianne Cameros
  •
    I have been overwhelmed by the encouragement from other students and the faculty and the commitment to see every student thrive and succeed.”
    Devon Haia
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    It is not often that you can find a law school in which your classmates actively seek ways to support you and root for your success.”
    Ian Falefuafua Tapu
  •
    The atmosphere at Richardson is filled with support, respect, and kindness that creates a truly unique law school experience. I am grateful that I am constantly surrounded by a community that has a desire to create change.”
    Kym Kanenaka

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