Dean's Blog

Give Day goes live tomorrow, April 19! I hope you will participate in this wonderful opportunity to support UC Davis School of Law. Each year, the excellence of King Hall carries us to new heights. Exceptional first-year classes, celebrated faculty and innovative programs bring national recognition for our diversity focus and record jobs success. It is because of our benefactors’ unwavering commitment that our status in the legal community crests higher each year. 

The Latinx Law Students Association (LaLSA) held its annual dinner in Old Sacramento. As always, this year's event was festive and a wonderful celebration of our Latinx law students. 

Fernando Torres '24, a native of Bakersfield and graduate of Yale University, was honored with the Lorenzo Patiño Award for community service. Fernando served on the UC Davis Law Review and was involved in many other activities. He also served as a research assistant. Fernando gave a touching acceptance speech that moved the audience.

On Thursday, April 18 from 12:15 - 1 p.m. there will be an informational session in Room 1303 on the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court. This program is geared specifically for 2Ls who can apply for membership. The Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court is an esteemed organization of lawyers, judicial officers, professors and law students. It is a wonderful chance to network with a group of local members of the legal field, including Sacramento Superior Court Judges Julie Weng-Gutierrez and Shama Mesiwala ’98.

Earlier this week, the UC Davis Law Students Association held its annual Custodial Appreciation event. On a balmy spring evening in the King Hall Courtyard, the LSA President Brenda Quintanilla Lopez '24 recognized each custodian, including Maureen Dommer.  Each custodian received a gift bag and certificate. 

Once again, I was touched by the kindness of our students and the recognition of some of the hardest-working people at King Hall. 

In our final talk in the 2023/24 Racial Justice Speaker Series, Project Director for Restoring Justice for Indigenous Peoples, Morning Star Gali, visited UC Davis School of Law. She fights for indigenous rights, treaties, traditional cultures, and sacred lands.

It is the season of banquets for UC Davis Law's amazing student organizations. Last Friday, the Filipinx Law Students Association held an amazing and elegant dinner at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity in Sacramento. 

Last week, the Moot Court Honors Board held the final round of the 55th Annual Irving J. Neumiller Moot Court Competition. A great group of justices judged the competition: Associate Justices Ronald Robie and Louis Mauro of the 3rd Appellate District Court of Appeals in California, and Senior U.S. District Court Judges for the Eastern District of California William Shubb and John Mendez, along with U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley for the Eastern District of California. 

The UC Davis Law Review held its annual Hopkins Reception celebrating the graduating members and celebrating the new leaders. It was a warm evening at the new and elegant Gorman Museum of Native American Art.  

It's always busy over the lunch hour at UC Davis School of Law. On Thursday, I stopped by to hear Sofia Parino, our Career Services' Associate Director for Public Interest and Government, provide a workshop on a public interest fellowship, which can help kick off a successful career in public interest law.

I testified before the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Assembly Bill 1811, a bill introduced by Assemblymember David Alvarez that would allow lawful permanent residents to serve on juries. UC Davis School of Law alum Manuela Boucher-De La Cadena '19 prepared an excellent analysis for the Judiciary Committee. I was impressed by Assemblymember Alvarez’s presentation and enjoyed adding my thoughts in support of the bill.

This week, two UC Davis School of Law alums, Chris Gorman '14 and Justin Stacy '21, of the Silicon Valley law firm Fenwick and West came to campus to speak about their careers. Chris does corporate work while Justin is a litigator. Their program was titled "A Day in the Life" and they shared their perspectives on working at a prestigious law firm. 

Many students attended and learned a lot!

This week, a delegation of high level Ukrainian lawyers, judges, and government officials joined Professor Chimène Keitner's  international law class. The group, led by Jim Nolan, Esq, worked with the Rotary Club to bring the delegation to law schools and courts in the greater Sacramento area. 

Among the visitors was Mykola Masur, Justice on the Supreme Court of Ukraine. 

Speaking with admitted students.

In center, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Afra Afsharipour, speaking with the potential Class of 2027.

Chancellor Gary May, in center, engaging with admitted students.

Last weekend, UC Davis School of Law welcomed the potential Class of 2027 for Admitted Students Weekend. We were excited to welcome hundreds of admitted students and their families to campus to learn about the King Hall experience. 

Last week, UC Davis School of Law hosted a conference on Immigration and Farm Labor. The conference featured experts on immigration reform and agriculture. Professor Philip Martin of the UC Davis School of Agricultural and Resource Economics has organized this event for several years.

The Moot Court Honors Board invites you to attend the final round of the 55th Annual Irving J. Neumiller Moot Court Competition.

The Competition final round will be held in the Kalmanovitz Appellate Courtroom at King Hall from 2 - 5 p.m. It will be followed by an award ceremony to celebrate this year's top appellate oral advocates and brief writers. I hope you will join us to watch King Hall's best oral advocates showcase their skills! RSVP here.