I had the pleasure of having lunch today in Sacramento with California Governor Gavin Newsom's Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes. He has led the governor's efforts to diversify the state's bench. With Céspedes' assistance, Gov. Newsom has appointed many King Hall alums, including Kelli Evans ’94 to the California Supreme Court and Justices Shama Mesiwala ’98 and Stacy Boulware Eurie ’95 to the Third District Court of Appeal. Many alums have been appointed to the Superior Court. Thank you Luis Céspedes for your service to the people of California!
I had the honor of welcoming the 15th annual National Business Law Scholars Conference (NBLSC) at UC Davis School of Law. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Afra Afsharipour led the organizing committee.
I am happy to announce I joined more than 100 deans from America's law schools in signing a joint letter in defense of democracy. In this letter, all educators affirmed their commitment to preparing future legal advocates to uphold democracy and the rule of law.
UC Davis School of Law hosted the Third Annual Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute at King Hall on June 20-21, 2024. Twenty legal scholars, ranging from recent law graduates and junior faculty, convened to receive input on their recent scholarship from a supportive intellectual community. The workshop engaged many scholars in mutual support and mentorship, helping advance the scholarly endeavors of young law faculty who bring diverse experiences and perspectives into the classroom and to their research.
At the June meeting, the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court honored me with a Lifetime Service Award. There were generous remarks from the retired Sacramento Superior Court Judge Emily E. Vasquez and California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District Justice Shama H. Mesiwala ’98. They spoke of the great work that faculty, students, staff, alums, and community members have done at UC Davis School of Law.
Today, I received a great photo from Professor Emeritus at Pace University Haub School of Law Jay Carlisle ’69 in the snow. Meanwhile, the highest temperature expected in Davis today is 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
On a visit to Sacramento last week, I had coffee with the new executive director of California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) Jessica Jewell. She presented the Ambassador de Justicia award to Gov. Gavin Newsom's Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Céspedes. Retired Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Emily Vasquez accepted the award on Cespedes' behalf as he was called away.
I recently heard from UC Davis School of Law alumna Stephanie Padilla '16, a staff attorney at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. She shared that in the case Kidd v. Mayorkas, a class action lawsuit challenging ICE’s deceptive home arrest practices in Los Angeles and the surrounding region, Judge Otis D. Wright II granted summary judgment in their clients' favor.
A couple of weeks ago, the American Law Institute (ALI) held its annual meeting in San Francisco. UC Davis School of Law's Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Afra Afsharipour ran into the former Chief Justice of California, Tani G. Cantil- Sakauye ’84. Go, King Hall!
This week UC Davis School of Law alum Dana Cruz '16 was promoted to captain in the California State Guard. I was honored to be invited by Dana to his promotion ceremony at the California Supreme Court courtroom in Sacramento. It was a joyous occasion in the magnificent Supreme Court courtroom, which Justice Shama Mesiwala '98 (who was in attendance) graciously arranged.
This week, UC Davis School of Law hosted the California Coalition for Worker Power Assembly at King Hall. The two-day event allowed for discussion of challenges facing labor in California.
Last week, I attended an event at the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court that examined law and racism. The pupilage group presented a discussion of the Citing Slavery Project, which looks at the role of law in enforcing slavery and focuses on incidents in the South.
