After more than four decades in the courtroom, retired Washington Court of Appeals Judge George Fearing returned to his alma mater to share lessons from the bench with WWU students.
Fearing spoke about his career in law and answered students’ questions about evidence, court cases, law school and other legal topics.
Fearing graduated from WWU with a degree in business before heading to the University of Washington’s school of law. He was a trial lawyer with a firm in the Tri-Cities for 31 years before being appointed to the Washington State Court of Appeals as a judge. He served in this position for 12 years before retiring on Dec. 31, 2025.
Speaking to the importance of students broadening their horizons, Fearing said “I recommend that one obtain a broad liberal arts college education and constantly read books on politics, history, economics, philosophy, religion, and arts. Always challenge your ideas and ideals but do not focus on arguing with others.”
Fearing’s visit aligns with the goals of WWU’s legal studies minor, which was created to prepare students for the rigor of law school and related careers. According to program advisor Linda Emmerson, the legal studies minor “is designed for students with an interest in a career in the legal professions or related fields like criminal justice.”
The minor is about teaching the necessary critical thinking skills to absorb and understand the vast amounts of information common in law school. That expertise has broad applicability beyond legal studies as well. With a degree in law, “you can go into business, upper-level management, or be a legal consultant for a corporation,” said Emmerson. It builds the foundation for a successful career in many industries.
To learn more about WWU’s legal studies minor or Department of History and Philosophy, visit wallawalla.edu/history.
Posted Feb. 25, 2026.
