This week, the Aoki Center on Critical Race and Nation Studies kicked off the annual Critical Perspectives Series on classes in the first-year curriculum. An experienced and beloved contracts professor, Professor John Hunt discussed integrating racial and social justice in the first-year contracts class. He had a full house of eager students spending the lunch hour with him. Professor Hunt's remarks focused on the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in the formation of a contract.
The Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court held its annual meeting kicking off the school year at King Hall. A number of students, including Law Student Association President Brenda Quintanilla '24, joined the Inn, which includes many judges, lawyers, and alums. Justice Shama Mesiwala '98 is the President and offered the welcome remarks.
The topic of discussion for the night was AI. It was a great evening.
Justice Shama Mesiwala '98 once again held the wonderful Annual Diversity Law Student Reception at her home over the weekend. The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Sacramento hosted the event and UC Davis Law was a sponsor. View photos from the event.
Justice Mesiwala recognized the following impressive group of judicial officers and law school sponsors in attendance:
Over the weekend King Hall had the honor of hosting the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center conference. It was wonderful to see so many alums who have gone on to practice as public defenders. Elizabeth Braunstein '99 was honored as the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center Attorney of the Year. Among other alums, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria '11 was also in attendance.
I had the opportunity to speak at the annual conference of the Hispanic National Bar Association in Minneapolis. The topic was the lack of Latina/o law professors and law school deans. I talked about the history of efforts to increase Latina/o presence at law schools.
It was a great panel moderated by Dean Tony Varona of Seattle University Law School.
The 1790 Naturalization Act, the first U.S. citizenship law, reserved the privilege of becoming an American to "Free White Person[s]." Join us for a discussion of its lasting impact on the United States and its people on Friday, Sept. 22. The event will be held from 12-3 p.m. at UC Davis Law in room 1301 or register for a webinar link. Co-Sponsored by the Aoki Center, UC Davis School of Law, and Free People of Color - UC Davis Department of History. Lunch will be provided.
The UC Davis School of Law had the privilege of hearing Professor Chimène Keitner discuss Russian atrocities in the war in Ukraine. The lecture was sponsored by the California International Law Center, directed by Senior Associate Dean Afra Afsharipour and Associate Dean for International Programs Beth Greenwood.
I was touched to receive the note below from Priyal Thakral, a former Dean's Office student assistant now pursuing her law degree at USC. We wish her nothing but the best!
The UC Berkeley football team prepared for its away game at North Texas State by practicing in our stadium. I heard about this on the radio in Berkeley as I listened to the game. Cal beat North Texas State by 30 or so. Thanks to UC Davis Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca for sending this photo!
Join us for a Racial Justice Speaker Series event featuring Wajahat Ali '07 — author of Go Back to Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American — on Monday, Sept. 25. REGISTER for the virtual event.
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Over the weekend, thousands gathered for this anniversary to honor the call for racial and social justice.
As the sun-soaked days of summer begin to end, I’d like to highlight the special atmosphere at UC Davis School of Law that’s filled with community and a sense of accomplishment. Throughout the summer, our staff joined together every two weeks for WooHoo Wednesdays, which featured summer events!
Here are some of the memories:
Waffle Bar
Staff indulged in waffle perfection at the Waffle Bar in the Student Lounge.
