About W. Andrew
W. Andrew Harrell trained first as a social scientist. He earned a B.A. in anthropology and sociology from Pomona College in 1963, then moved to the University of Washington for graduate work in experimental social psychology and statistics, completing an M.A. in 1967 and a Ph.D. in 1969. More than two decades later he added a J.D. from Northwestern California University School of Law in 1990.
His academic career began quickly after graduate school. He joined the University of Alberta as a faculty member and was promoted to full professor in 1971. Over a long teaching career he taught, supervised research and published in areas tied to experimental methods and statistics. In 2009 he took emeritus status at the University of Alberta, a designation that marked retirement from full-time teaching while preserving ties to the university community.
Harrell’s professional memberships reflect the dual nature of his work. He has been active in psychological associations since the early 1970s and holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science and the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society. He also belongs to groups tied to academic governance, such as the Canadian Association of University Teachers and the American Association of University Professors. In 1998 he became a diplomate of the American College of Forensic Examiners.
His turn toward legal work began in the 1990s. After earning his law degree in 1990 he served as president of Harrell & Associates, Ltd. in 1991 and later established W. A. Harrell, Lawyer at Law in 1995. That year he joined the State Bar of California. He later gained membership in the Washington State Bar in 2006 and has held memberships in the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1997. These steps formalized a practice that draws on both his psychological training and legal credentials.
Harrell’s career bridges research, teaching and practice. He has applied experimental methods and statistical analysis to questions that arise in legal settings, and has worked on matters requiring forensic expertise and expert testimony. His background in human factors and psychology informs how he approaches cases that involve assessment, credibility and technical evaluation.
He is licensed in both California and Washington and continues to operate W. A. Harrell, Lawyer at Law. He currently focuses his practice on forensic evaluations, expert testimony and immigration-related matters.
