Law Scholars Connect at Third Annual Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute

  • by Viktoria Kachagina
A group of individuals at the Third Annual Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute.
Third Annual Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute attendees.

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. 

The late Professor Michael A. Olivas dedicated his career to diversifying the legal academy by supporting and mentoring faculty of color. Honoring his legacy, the Michael A. Olivas Writing Institute, founded by Florida International University College of Law Professor Ediberto Román, creates space in legal education for those who were traditionally given none. During the two-day program, junior scholars connected and received constructive feedback on drafts of scholarship. 

Kevin R. Johnson - Dean, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law, Professor of Chicana/o Studies, and Co-Director of UC Davis Law's Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies - provided welcome remarks to kick off the event on June 20, followed by a reception and dinner at King Hall. In 2023, Dean Johnson received the Association of American Law Schools’ inaugural Michael A. Olivas Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity and Mentoring in the Legal Academy.

On Friday, June 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies, Raquel E. Aldana, and University of Hawai’i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law Assistant Professor, Emile Loza de Siles, co-delivered the keynote address titled “The State of Latinidad in U.S. Legal Education.” Later that day, participating scholars presented draft papers during hybrid in-person and virtual format concurrent sessions.

Professor Raquel Aldana wearing a blue blazer and speaking at the podium at King Hall.
Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law and Co-director of the UC Davis Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies, Raquel E. Aldana.
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law Assistant Professor, Emile Loza de Siles, speaking at the podium.
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law Assistant Professor, Emile Loza de Siles.

Funding for the Third Annual Olivas Writing Institute comes from the Mabie/Apallas Public Interest Chair. The institute is co-sponsored by the UC Davis Law Aoki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies.

The organizing committee included:

Raquel E. Aldana (UC Davis Law)

Stella Emery Santana (Florida International University College of Law)

Jonathan Harris (Loyola Law School)

Kevin R. Johnson (UC Davis Law)

Ediberto Román (Florida International University College of Law)