A Class Tribute: David Hyman '80 and the Richard Archibald Memorial Fund

For David Hyman '80, working with his friend Mark Perry '80 to establish the Richard Archibald Memorial Fund was not only a fitting way to pay tribute to a recently deceased classmate on the occasion of their 30-year reunion, but also a means of honoring an obligation to help today's King Hall students.  

"It came together out of our affection for Rich and our desire and commitment to give back for what was given to us," Hyman said.  "We were fortunate enough to attend UC Davis School of Law at a time when Californians were providing us with an almost free legal education, and students now are being hit with fees that are exponentially larger.  I felt like we had an obligation to give back, given how much was given to us at so little cost."

Hyman, a managing partner at Kleinbard, Bell & Brecker in Philadelphia, where he leads the firm's government relations practice, formed close ties with both Perry and Archibald during law school.  The three friends played together on the Tortfeasors, a highly successful intramural sports team, and Hyman lived with Perry and his wife. 

"Mark is one of my closest friends in the world," Hyman said of Perry, who is president and chief executive officer of Aerovance Corporation and a generous supporter of the School of Law.  "We had talked many times over the years about the importance of giving back to the Law School, and we wanted to do something special on the occasion of our class's 30th reunion.  The idea for our class gift grew out of our friendship, our affection for Rich, and our desire to give back for what was given to us."

Archibald died of cancer in 2009, having served 22 years in the Sacramento City Attorney's Office.  As a tribute, Hyman and Perry worked to establish the Richard Archibald Memorial Fund, which will support the King Hall Loan Repayment and Assistance Program (LRAP), the Law School's loan-repayment assistance program for graduates who pursue careers in government or nonprofit service.  Hyman and Perry contacted classmates, solicited support, and began raising money toward establishing a sustainable fund that would benefit the LRAP program and the recent graduates it serves.

"It seemed a fitting tribute to Rich and the important work he did for our class to come together to offer assistance to students who wish to follow the same career path Rich did, but who are saddled with a much greater financial burden than our class was," said Hyman.

Like many King Hall graduates, Hyman has fond memories of his time at the Law School and a profound appreciation for the opportunities afforded to him.  As a student, he helped to found the King Hall Legal Foundation and was able to do an externship with the Israeli Environmental Protection Service.  Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Peter B. Scuderi of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His education and experience led to a position as chief of staff for a Philadelphia city councilman, which launched his government relations practice as well as his civic activity.  (In addition to his work at Kleinbard, Bell & Brecker, where he has been for the past 16 years, Hyman has helped to lead a wide range of civic organizations including the Philadelphia Gas Works, the American Jewish Committee's Philadelphia Chapter, Operation Understanding, The Association for Independent Growth, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Board, and more.  He also recently accepted an offer to become president of the board of his synagogue.)

"I was extremely fortunate to be able to attend Law School at an institution that provided a quality education in a supportive environment at a relatively nominal fee, and I think all of us who were afforded these opportunities have an obligation to give back," said Hyman.  "I think that each of us has to reflect on what was given to us, and that will surely motivate us to give to the Law School and support the current students."

Hyman and Perry are still seeking funding for the Richard Archibald Memorial Fund.  Alumni and friends of the Law School interested in contributing may contact Hyman directly (dhyman@kleinbard.com) or contact King Hall's Associate Director of Development Jen Aldridge at jaldridge@ucdavis.edu.