Joel Ngugi, an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Law, was appointed a judge on the High Court of Kenya. The court has unlimited original jurisdiction in criminal and civil cases and is the primary court on constitutional issues.
Professor Ngugi is taking a leave of absence to serve his native country. But he plans on continuing his involvement with the university through externships, independent study, and study abroad opportunities for University of Washington students.
Ngugi has been on the law school faculty since 2004. Previously, he was an attorney for the Foley Hoag law firm in Boston. He is a graduate of the University of Nairobi and Harvard Law School.