Hugh Spitzer

  • Professor of Law

Contact

Phone: (206) 685-1635
Email: spith@uw.edu

Education

B.A. 1970, Yale University Cum Laude, with Special Honors J.D. 1974, University of Washington LL.M. 1982, University of California, Berkeley

Areas of Expertise

Comparative Law — Constitutional Law — Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility — Legal Philosophy and Theory — Legislative Process — Local Government and Municipal Law — Washington State Constitutional Law

Recent Courses

Course Number Course Name
Problems In Professional Responsibility
Roman Law
Journal Seminar

Selected Publications

See the full list under the Publications tab below.

Peer Reviewed Journals & Law Reviews


Books or Treatises

  • Robert F. Utter & Hugh D. Spitzer, The Washington State Constitution (2d ed. Oxford University Press 2013). 309 pages.

Book Chapters

  • Hugh D. Spitzer, Intra-Union Disciplinary Proceedings, in The Labor Relations Law of Canada, Chapter 14 (Richard M. Lyon ed., 1977).

Book Reviews

  • Hugh D. Spitzer, American Federalism: Punching Holes in the Myth, 84 Wash. L. Rev. 717-21 (2009) (reviewing John D. Nugent, Safeguarding Federalism: How States Protect Their Interests in National Policymaking (2009)).
  • Hugh D. Spitzer, Book Review, 40 Publius 563-65 (2010) (reviewing Robert A. Schapiro, Polyphonic Federalism: Toward the Protection of Fundamental Rights (2009)).
  • Hugh D. Spitzer & Charles W. Johnson, Theme and Variations, 21 Seattle U. L. Rev. 997-1001 (1998) (reviewing Robert F. Williams, State Constitutional Law: Cases and Materials (2d ed. 1993)).
  • Hugh D. Spitzer, Book Review, 18 Urban Law. 284-86 (1986) (reviewing Daniel Jack Chasan, The Fall of the House of WPPSS (1985)).

Professional Publications

  • Hugh Spitzer, Trumping Home Rule and Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Constraints on Federal Action to Induce State and Local Collaboration with National Programs, Mun. Law., Nov.-Dec. 2017, at 6-11.
  • Scandal Rocks Washington's Supreme Court, NW Law., Apr.-May 2015, at 48-50 (Hugh Spitzer ed.).
  • Hugh Spitzer, Organizing Interlocal Entities: What Form Is Best . . . and Does the Interlocal Cooperation Act Need a Rewrite?, in Proceedings of the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys, Spring Conference (2013).
  • Hugh Spitzer & Doug Ende, On Law and Life in Cuba: The Cuban Legal System and Culture Offer Contrasts and Surprises, Wash. St. B. News, Jan. 2012, at 24-28.
  • Hugh Spitzer, Take the Initiative on Constitutionality, Wash. St. B. News, Oct. 2000, at 17-18.
  • Hugh Spitzer, Why Lawyers Have Often Worn Strange Clothes, Claimed to Work for Free--and Been Hated, Wash. St. B. News, Sept. 20, 2000, at 20, 22, 24, 26, 28-29.
  • Hugh Spitzer, Rules Blues: Resurrecting the Judicial Council, Wash. St. B. News, Jan. 1983, at 10-11, 13-15.
  • William S. Bailey & Hugh D. Spitzer, Is Washington Ready for Merit Selection of Judges?, Wash. St. B. News, June 1981, at 66-67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79.
  • Hugh Spitzer, Does Rome Have a Lesson for Us?, 66 A.B.A. J. 1226-29 (1980).
  • Hugh Spitzer, Law Libraries Losing to "Double Inflation," Wash. St. B. News, Nov. 1980, at 31-35.

News Media

  • Hugh Spitzer, Opinion, Want a Nonpolitical Supreme Court? Try a Foreign Model, Seattle Times, Apr. 28, 2019, at A17.
  • Hugh D. Spitzer, The Best-Kept Secret: How to Find It and Where to Find It: Washington Legal Researcher’s Deskbook, Wash. J., Dec. 19, 1996, at 12.

Other Publications


  • Speaker, "Washington State Constitution," Law School for Legislators, Washington State Legislature (January 4, 2023)
  • Speaker, Spring Conference, Proceedings of the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys (May 5, 2022)
  • Speaker, with Lisa Marshall Manheim, Universitas Indonesia (November 20, 2020)
  • Panelist, "Status of Washington State Constitution's Religious Freedom Provision in Light of Federal Law Developments," Second Annual Law and Religion Symposium, ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ (May 17, 2019)
  • Speaker, "Before A.I. – The Evolution of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for Artificial Entities," Spring Judicial Education Program, Washington State Appellate Judges (March 26, 2019)
  • Speaker, "Mandatory Malpractice Insurance Task Force: Overview of Tentative Recommendations," Law of Lawyering CLE, Washington State Bar Association (December 14, 2018)
  • Speaker, "History & Application of Washington’s 18th Amendment," Interim Transportation Briefing, Washington Highway Users Federation (December 12, 2018)
  • Speaker, "History and Role of Counties in Washington," Washington State Association of Counties (December 12, 2018)
  • Speaker, "Lawyers in Non-Lawyer Roles (When Can a Lawyer Not Be a Lawyer?)," Continuing Legal Education, Thurston County Bar Association (December 4, 2018)
  • Panelist, "Eminent Domain, Community Renewal & Kelo," with Joel Ard, ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ and Seattle University Law School Federalist Society (November 20, 2018)
  • Speaker, "Inheritance Law in Ancient Rome," Annual Estate Planning Seminar, Washington State Bar Association Estate Planning Section and ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ (November 12, 2018)
  • Speaker, "Ethics in Government Work—How the RPCs Apply to Agency or Legislative Employment (When Can a Lawyer Not be a Lawyer?)," Legislative Staff Academy, (October 10, 2018)
  • Speaker, "History of the Washington State Constitution," Mirabella Retirement Community (July 6, 2018)
  • Speaker, "Trumping Home Rule and Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Constraints on Federal Actions to Induce State and Local Collaboration in National Programs," Annual Conference, International Municipal Lawyers Association (October 16, 2017)
  • Speaker, "Washington State's Constitution: What You Might Not Have Known-And SHOULD!," 24th Annual Washington State Affordable Housing Conference, (October 3, 2017)
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