May 2022
Mnookin Named UW-Madison Chancellor
UCLA Law Dean Jennifer L. Mnookin has been selected to serve as the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her term will begin on August 4. Mnookin has served as UCLA Law’s ninth dean since August 2015, and her tenure has been marked by significant increases in opportunities available to law students and the law school's continued excellence. “Dean Mnookin has elevated the school in so many ways,” says UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. “As dean, she has always focused on access and excellence. Her leadership, innovation, and dedication to her faculty, students, and staff were everywhere apparent. While I am sad to see her go, I know she will be an exceptional leader in Madison.”
UCLA Law Celebrates the Class of '22
More than 2,000 people gathered on May 13 for UCLA Law's first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019. Janai Nelson '96, who serves as the president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, delivered the commencement address to 342 J.D. graduates, 237 LL.M. recipients, 28 people who earned an M.L.S. degere, and one S.J.D. recipient. Nelson reminded the new degree holders of the challenges and opportunities that await them as lawyers and leaders. “When I look out at you, the Class of 2022, and the promise that you hold, you give me renewed energy," she said. "Find a way to do justice from your perch in the world.”
Center on Reproductive Health,
Law, and Policy Launches
UCLA Law has launched an innovative center that engages with community organizations, scholars, lawmakers, practitioners, and advocates on reproductive health, law, and policy. With the Supreme Court poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the center will be an important national voice by building on UCLA’s current work on reproductive health, law, and policy and attracting new leaders, scholars, and students in this area. The center, founded through a budget allocation from the State of California, is already working to protect and expand access to reproductive health care, including abortion. Professor Cary Franklin, the McDonald/Wright Chair of Law and a prominent constitutional law expert, serves as the center's inaugural faculty director.
Explore the new Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy.
UCLA Research Informs New Global Commission on Governing Climate Risks
The Global Commission on Governing Risks from Climate Overshoot has been formed, with a strong assist from UCLA Law research, to consider responses that would minimize the impact of climate change. “The effects of climate change are already upon us, and more severe impacts are coming,” says Professor Ted Parson (pictured), the faculty director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, whose 2017 policy paper first proposed a commission on the related issue of governance of solar geoengineering. "It is essential to begin planning for the stronger policy and technology responses."
Moot Court: A Student Triumph
After two years of remote events, UCLA Law's almost entirely student-run moot court team finished its year with an in-person Roscoe Pound Moot Court Competition. Samantha Lonergan ’23 (pictured, far left) was named the winner after a highly competitive final round. It was the 71st annual Roscoe Pound Competition, a UCLA Law tradition as old as commencement itself.
New Scholarship Recognizes the Many
Contributions of Barbara Varat
UCLA Law has established the Barbara A. Varat Scholarship to support former law school staff members who wish to earn a degree at UCLA Law. In a nearly 50-year tenure, Varat was known as an innovative administrator and someone who embodied a generosity of spirit in her many roles. She often returns and continues to be a valued member of the law school community today. “When the school had seemingly insoluble challenges, Barb could solve them,” says Sean Pine Treacy, UCLA Law's assistant dean for academic affairs and operations.
U. Serve L.A. Bestows Honors
The annual U. Serve L.A. event recently celebrated UCLA Law's commitment to public service and public interest lawyering by honoring members of the community and raising money to support pubic interest programs. “UCLA Law attracts students with tremendous passion and commitment,” says Brad Sears, the associate dean for public interest programs. "Because of its longstanding commitment to public interest, the school nurtures that passion to build a community of students, faculty, and alumni dedicated to justice.”
- Joanne Moore ’85 is named dean of the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University.
- Sandy Pooler ’88 is appointed as interim town manager of Arlington, Massachusetts.
- Scott Burton ’94 joins Norton Rose Fulbright as partner.
- Josh Meyer ’95 is promoted to executive vice president and head of business affairs at DreamWorks Animation.
- Willie Hernández ’96 joins the Coca-Cola Company as international general counsel.
- Mark Lamb ’98 joins Carney Badley Spellman as principal.
- Betsy Tucci ’01 joins the Minerva Project as general counsel and chief administrative officer.
- Michael Kurzer ’04 joins Vinson & Elkins as partner.
- Steven E. Hurdle Jr. ’06 joins Willkie Farr & Gallagher as partner.
- Rebecca Cohen ’07 is appointed general counsel at Centre.
Rachel Bloomekatz '08 is nominated to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
- Timothy Reed ’08 rejoins Ogletree Deakins as shareholder.
- Matthew DellaBetta ’11 joins Kelley | Uustal as a trial attorney.
- Austin Pegues ’21 joins Structure Law Group as an attorney.
Visit our alumni website to read the latest news and submit your update.
June 8, 15 & 22: 46th Annual UCLA Entertainment Symposium
The Ziffren Institute is pleased to announce this year's symposium, featuring a who's who of industry experts discussing the most important topics for 2022 and beyond, including NFTs and the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
September 30: UCLA Law Women LEAD Summit
Save the date for the 2022 LEAD Summit! The summit is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni of UCLA Law. Event details and registration information will be announced soon, so follow UCLA Law Women LEAD for updates.
October 14-16: Reunion 2022
Join us as we come together to celebrate UCLA Law's honored classes. Catch up with old friends and favorite professors. Stay tuned for details or contact Harli Hamm at hamm@law.ucla.edu for more information.
Blake Emerson publishes an op-ed in Slate on judicial power. Cary Franklin appears on KCRW to discuss the impact on California of the Supreme Court’s abortion decision. Lauren van Schilfgaarde is quoted in Axios on the impact of abortion law on Indigenous women. Gary Blasi is quoted in the Los Angeles Times on L.A.’s homelessness crisis. James Park appears on the Bloomberg Law Podcast to discuss the collapse of Archegos Capital Management. Jonathan Zasloff is quoted in the Daily Beast on a Supreme Court death row case. Lynn LoPucki is cited by Reuters regarding a bankruptcy lawyer's hourly rate. Jon Michaels is featured in Reuters on citizen enforcement laws. Steve Bank is quoted in the Los Angeles Times on U.S. Soccer's equal pay agreement. Eugene Volokh is quoted by CNN on abortion protests outside justices' homes. Cary Franklin is quoted in the Boston Globe on the Supreme Court’s conservative majority. Adam Winkler is cited in GQ on the leak of the Supreme Court’s abortion opinion. Joseph Fishkin is quoted by Talking Points Memo on the politicization of the Supreme Court. Sean Hecht is cited in the Los Angeles Times on a case involving Exxon Mobil and plastic recycling.
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