UCLA Law

UCLA Law EBrief

February 2015

Dean’s Message


As we begin the new year at the law school, I want to take a moment to share with you some recent law school highlights. Our fall semester was filled with many stimulating lectures, conferences on timely topics, notable visitors and many other special events. We recently had the honor of welcoming Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to campus for a discussion of her new book and the official launch of the law school initiative, UCLA Law Women LEAD. California Attorney General Kamala Harris was the keynote speaker at this year’s UCLA Law Review Symposium, which focused on human trafficking. We also had the pleasure of hosting a thought-provoking book discussion with Regents Lecturer Martine Rothblatt. In November, a panel of alumni helped us mark the 20th anniversary celebration of the Irving H. Green Memorial Lecture. The spring semester will be no less eventful, and I invite you to stay involved in the life of our school. Please remember to save the date, May 29-30, 2015, for Reunions 2015!

I am pleased to share these brief stories with you, and I hope you enjoy reading them.
 

Warmly,
Rachel F. Moran
Dean and Michael J. Connell Distinguished Professor of Law

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Visits UCLA

Event Marks the Launch of UCLA Law Women LEAD


In January, UCLA Law hosted an intimate discussion with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand ’91. During an event at UCLA Chancellor Gene Block’s residence, she discussed her new book, Off the Sidelines: Raise Your Voice, Change the World, in which she recounts her personal journey in public service and galvanizes women to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. Her visit marked the official launch of a new law school initiative aimed at empowering and supporting UCLA Law’s women graduates. The UCLA Law Women LEAD initiative, which is based on the pillars of Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement and Distinction, will address the specific challenges facing UCLA Law alumnae throughout their careers, offering programming and networking opportunities to support women from first-year law students to professionals at the most senior levels.

Attorney General Kamala Harris Addresses Human Trafficking at UCLA Law Symposium


California Attorney General Kamala Harris gave the keynote address at the 2014-2015 UCLA Law Review Symposium, “Examining the Roots of Human Trafficking and Exploitation.” The two-day symposium, which was held in January, focused on the historical causes and legal dynamics of exploitation, as well as the state and federal responses to sex and labor trafficking. More than 45 speakers in the fields of law, medicine, social work, sociology and public health participated in the conference. The event also featured a number of leaders among trafficking and exploitation survivors, including UCLA Law alumna Carissa Phelps ’07, a sex trafficking victim and founder of Runaway Girl, which assists those who have endured human trafficking.

Martine Rothblatt Delivers Regents Lecture


Martine Rothblatt ’81, chairman and CEO of United Therapeutics Corporation, delivered a public Regents Lecture at UCLA School of Law in October on cyberconsciousness—simulation of the human brain via software and computer technology—and questions of artificial intelligence. She discussed her recently released book, Virtually Human: The Promise—and the Peril—of Digital Immortality, which explores what the future will look like when cyberconsciousness becomes part of our daily lives. She also examined some of the ethical issues relating to cyberconsciousness.

UCLA Law Celebrates 20th Anniversary of the Green Lecture


To help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irving H. Green Memorial Lecture, four distinguished alumni trial lawyers who previously delivered the lecture returned to campus in November to serve as this year’s Green lecturers. Participating in a panel discussion, they each shared stories from their careers, discussed changes in the profession and answered questions from students about their chosen career paths. The panelists included Brad Baker ’75, Harland Braun ’67, A. Barry Cappello ’65 and Anna Park ’92. Professor Emeritus Stephen Yeazell served as the moderator.

Golden Reunion Celebration


The law school hosted the fifth annual Golden Reunion in November, a special event for alumni celebrating 50th or higher class reunions. More than 90 people attended the reunion luncheon, including representatives from each of the classes. It was a festive event filled with shared stories and fond memories of law school. We are already looking forward to next year’s reunion!
 

Save the Date for Reunions 2015!


The law school is gearing up for Reunions 2015, which will be held May 29-30, 2015. A. Barry Cappello ’65, managing partner of Cappello & Nöel LLP, has been named the National Reunion Challenge Chair. Now entering its sixth year, the Reunion Challenge is an opportunity for alumni to honor their reunion classes with a financial commitment to the law school. As national chair, Barry will work with classes that graduated in years ending in 5 and 0 to increase challenge participation and help to make the reunions a resounding success.
 

Inaugural Dean’s Circle Donor of the Year Award


In November, the law school bestowed the first Dean’s Circle Donor of the Year Award to John Golper ’75 at the law school’s 17th Annual Dean’s Circle Dinner. He was presented with the award, which honors generosity and commitment to UCLA Law, for his longstanding dedication of time, talent and resources in support of UCLA School of Law’s mission. Please view the video in celebration of John’s loyalty and leadership.

 

UCLA Law Team Participates in Climate Ride


The Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment was a beneficiary of Climate Ride, a multi-day, multi-city charitable bike ride that benefits organizations working on sustainable solutions to global warming. In September, a UCLA Law team participated in Climate Ride NYC-DC, raising funds for the institute that were matched by Dan Emmett, founder of the Emmett Institute. Professor Ted Parson, who was a guest speaker at the event, shared his Climate Ride experience. Please stay tuned for more information on how you can help support the Emmett Institute by participating in 2015 Climate Ride events.

UCLA Law Connect Launches


UCLA Law recently launched UCLA Law Connect, an online networking platform exclusive to UCLA Law alumni. UCLA Law Connect is fully integrated with social media networks and provides a meaningful, seamless way for alumni to stay in touch with the law school and with each other. Alumni can login through LinkedIn or Facebook accounts or can register with an email address. UCLA Law Connect makes it easy to re-connect with classmates, expand professional networks and receive updates on law school news and events.  Please join us in helping to build an even stronger and more vibrant community of UCLA Law alumni around the globe.

The Blue and Gold Standard

HIRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST!


The next time you are looking to hire on a full-time, part-time or contract basis, turn to the UCLA Law Office of Career Services to connect you to talented UCLA Law students and alumni. The Office of Career Services provides employers with an opportunity to post job listings or collect resumes, free of charge, for UCLA Law students and alumni. To find your next stellar candidate, please contact: Beth Moeller, assistant dean of career services, at 310.206.1117 or careers@law.ucla.edu.

Upcoming Events


Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

February 20, 2015
Fourth Herbert Morris Lecture in Law and Philosophy

March 13-14, 2015
39th Annual UCLA Entertainment Symposium

April 17, 2015
14th Annual Update on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Policy

May 29-30, 2015
Reunions 2015

Support the Stephen Yeazell Endowed Chair in Law


We are in the final stages of a $2 million effort to create the Stephen Yeazell Endowed Chair in Law. For more than 35 years, Steve Yeazell has been a distinguished scholar and a legendary teacher who inspired generations of UCLA Law students, winning every teaching award on campus. He also served with distinction as interim dean of UCLA Law. All gifts to the Yeazell Chair Fund will count toward the Reunion Challenge and the Law Firm Challenge. For more information or to make a gift, please contact Donna Colin, executive director of major gifts and stewardship, at (310) 825-3025 or colin@law.ucla.edu.