UW Law School to receive $4 million for new institute

University of Washington Regent Stanley Barer and his wife, Alta, have pledged $4 million to the UW School of Law to create the Barer Institute for Law and Global Human Services.

The institute will "study and promote the effectiveness of legal frameworks as essential elements in achieving goals for human health, education, and social and economic well-being in developing countries," according to a statement Friday from the UW.

The university is wrapping up a $2.5 billion capital campaign. This donation brings the total raised for the law school to more than $70 million, according to the statement.

"This extraordinary gift from the Barers is a wonderful capstone to the law school's successful $70 million campaign," said UW President Mark Emmert. In addition to serving as chair of the Board of Regents, Stan is also a great friend and champion of the law school."

Barer is a co-owner of Saltchuk Resources. In addition to his position on the UW Board of Regents, he chairs the law school's capital campaign. Alta Barer is active in a number of local organizations and serves on the Seattle Repertory Theatre's board of directors.