Annual Meeting 2026 and Wine Reception
Featuring Retired Judge John Erlick, AB '75
Please join us for our Annual Meeting, a presentation plus Q&A with Retired Judge John Erlick AB'75, and socializing with fellow alumni.
With Harvard’s central role in national debates and high-profile lawsuits involving academic freedom and free speech back in the news, this year’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 7, will focus on these topics through a legal lens. We are honored to have Judge John Erlick, AB ’75, speak about anti-democratic trends, drawing from Supreme Court cases, Harvard’s legal battles, and his own work in the Ukraine.
In addition to the timely topic, our Annual Meeting and Wine Reception will be held in a beautiful spot (with amazing views of Elliot Bay and the snow covered Olympic Mountains) in downtown Seattle, have great food, and is sponsored by Knudsen Vineyards and Page Knudsen, MBA ‘82. We hope you will join us to vote on Club business, hear from Judge Erlick, and reconnect with fellow alumni.
Judge Erlick will examine how democracies depend on the rule of law, and how America’s democratic institutions have become increasingly strained. His presentation will explore structural features of U.S. democracy, including gerrymandering, the Electoral College, the filibuster, and the influence of Super PACs, asking how these forces have shaped the current moment.
As Harvard is once again in the news with the latest lawsuit brought by the Trump administration, Judge Erlick will incorporate those developments, along with a broader discussion of Project Esther and his own experience in Ukraine, to provide timely context on the state of the rule of law.
The discussion will also consider the roles of several consequential public figures, including Chief Justice John Roberts C'76, HLS'79, Senator Mitch McConnell, and Attorney General Merrick Garland C'74, HLS '77, and how their decisions have influenced the legal and political landscape. Key cases and events, including Citizens United, Shelby County v. Holder, Trump v. United States, the Supreme Court nomination battles of 2016 and 2020, and recent federal investigations, will serve as focal points.
Judge Erlick will present a careful and objective examination of these developments and their implications for the stability of democratic institutions, civil society, and the rule of law.
Annual Meeting 2026 and Wine Reception
Featuring Retired Judge and Past HCS President John Erlick, AB '75
Thursday, May 7, 2026
6:00pm - 9:30pm PT
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm - Arrival and Networking
• 7:00pm - 7:20pm - HCS Annual Meeting
• 7:20pm - 8:10pm - Featured Speaker Judge John Erlick, AB '75
• 8:10pm - 8:25pm - Q&A
• 8:25pm - 9:30pm - Networking and Socializing
Registration ends Sunday, May 3, 2026, 23:59pm PT
Downtown Seattle
• Overlooking the beautiful PNW Sunset, Downtown Seattle, Elliot Bay, and the snow covered Olympic Mountains
• Exact location will be sent 2 days before
Cost:
• $1,000 - Includes 2 tickets VIP Table and Generous Support for our community programs SCSF and CAP
• $0 - Crimson and Benefactor Membership includes 2 tickets and Generous Support for our community programs SCSF and CAP
• $90 - Members and their Guests
• $200 - Non-Members (Please consider an Individual Membership at only $70)
• $70 - Most Recent Grad and Recent Grad Members (0 to 5 years since graduation)
• $50 - Current Full Time Harvard University Student Members (Current Student Membership cost is $0)
• The fee for this event helps to cover our cost and support our community service programs
Hors d'oeuvres, Knudsen Wines, and dessert will be served
We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Meeting and Wine Reception!
Registration ends Sunday, May 3, 2026, 23:59pm PT
About Judge John Erlick, AB '75:
A dedicated public servant, Judge John Erlick '75 has tirelessly contributed to the legal profession and local Harvard community for decades. Born and raised in Boston, he attended the Boston Latin School before earning degrees with honors from Harvard College and the Georgetown University Law Center.
He was elected to the King County Superior Court in 2000 and has taught professional responsibility as an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University School of Law since 2008, in addition to teaching law as a visiting professor at universities in Hungary, Poland, and Russia. Initially nominated by USAID and appointed by the Ukrainian High Council of Justice to a seven-year term on the international Commission on Selection of Disciplinary Inspectors, Ukraine's judicial conduct commission, he is continuing to fulfill his commission work under the auspices of the International Development of Law Organization (IDLO).
Judge Erlick was chair of the Superior Court Judges' Association (SCJA) Ethics Committee from 2005-2014, Dean of the Washington State Judicial College in 2014-2015, and, most recently, Chief Civil Judge of the King County Superior Court. In 2018, he received the King County Bar Association's Outstanding Judge Award.
Judge John Erlick '75 was the longest-serving president in the history of the Harvard Club of Seattle, leading our alumni community from 1993 to 1999. He has since served continuously on the Club's board of directors for many years and in various other leadership capacities, including co-chair of the Schools & Scholarship Committee (2017-2020).
We thank Judge Erlick for his superb record of service and leadership on behalf of Harvard and the King County community!
Thank you to our Sponsors! Perkins Coie & Knudsen Vineyards
Your membership supports our Mission!
HCS Membership costs less than 1 latte per month.
Current Full-time Student Membership price is $0.00.
Most Recent Graduate Membership price is $0.00.
Recent Graduate Membership price is $35.00.
Individual Membership price is $70.00.
https://hcseattle.clubs.harvard.edu/memsub.html
We look forward to seeing you at future events!