King Hall IT staff member, Andrea Arguello, was accepted into the Energy Systems MS program at UC Davis. While working at the law school, Andrea attended the California Environmental Law and Policy Center(CELPC) program talks. Professor Richard Frank and CELPC co-director wrote her a letter of recommendation and now she is on her way to begin a new journey.
Final exams are coming to an end this week. Class of 2026, please join your rising 2L colleagues for delicious tamales in the courtyard on Thursday, May 9, after your torts exams! We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. See you soon!
This past weekend, I received an email from Eric Toscano '09, who traveled to his hometown of Los Banos for the Merced County Spring Fair. During the parade, he ran into 27th District Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria '11. What a small world!
One of the great things about UC Davis is the many wonderful cultural events. Last Saturday night, I attended the 45th Annual Danzantes Del Alma ballet folklórico at the Mondavi Center. It was a wonderful night celebrating the cultures of Mexico's different regions.
Topping off the year, the reinvigorated Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) held its first annual banquet at the beautiful Gorman Museum of Native American Art. We had a bang-up keynote speaker, Michelle Lee '98. She spoke of her practice in Native American law and gave a shout-out to her classmate, Darcie Houck '98, who was in attendance. Darcie serves on our Alumni Association Board of Directors.
This week the following students in the Class of 2024 were honored in a ceremony and presented with certificates for membership in the Order of Barristers:
Congratulations to all! I am looking forward to celebrating the Class of 2024 at commencement.
On May 14-15, the California Coalition Worker Power, CA Labor Federation, UC Merced Community Labor Center, and UC Davis Labor and Community Center will host worker organizations, advocates, and worker leaders from across California. Register for this event here.
On April 22, I had the pleasure of attending Professor Bill Dodge's International Litigation and Arbitration class. He is retiring after this semester and his students honored him with a special gift - a notebook with messages of appreciation from each student in the class.
It was wonderful to witness the gratitude the students expressed for all they learned. Professor Dodge's contributions to our community will be greatly missed, and I wish him all the best.
To the King Hall Community As 2023/24 concludes, we celebrate the achievements and enduring community spirit of our law school. Congratulations to the J.D. and LL.M. classes of 2024! In challenging times, our students let their voices be heard. We started the year by welcoming the remarkable J.D. Class of 2026. 61% are students of color, 63% are women, and 22% identify as LGBTQ+.
Give Day goes live tomorrow, April 19! I hope you will participate in this wonderful opportunity to support UC Davis School of Law. Each year, the excellence of King Hall carries us to new heights. Exceptional first-year classes, celebrated faculty and innovative programs bring national recognition for our diversity focus and record jobs success. It is because of our benefactors’ unwavering commitment that our status in the legal community crests higher each year.
The Latinx Law Students Association (LaLSA) held its annual dinner in Old Sacramento. As always, this year's event was festive and a wonderful celebration of our Latinx law students.
Fernando Torres '24, a native of Bakersfield and graduate of Yale University, was honored with the Lorenzo Patiño Award for community service. Fernando served on the UC Davis Law Review and was involved in many other activities. He also served as a research assistant. Fernando gave a touching acceptance speech that moved the audience.
On Thursday, April 18 from 12:15 - 1 p.m. there will be an informational session in Room 1303 on the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court. This program is geared specifically for 2Ls who can apply for membership. The Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court is an esteemed organization of lawyers, judicial officers, professors and law students.
