Celebrating King Hall 2025

Faculty, staff, family and friends gathered in May for a newly expanded “Celebrating King Hall” event honoring individual accomplishments and UC Davis Law’s famous community spirit. 

Professor Karrigan Börk and Distinguished Teaching Award recipient Professor Menesh Patel.
Professor Karrigan Börk and Distinguished Teaching Award recipient Professor Menesh Patel

Dean and event emcee Jessica Berg thanked faculty and staff “for all your fantastic contributions, day in and day out” during a lively ceremony highlighted by the presentation of the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award to Professor Menesh Patel. Professor Karrigan Börk presented Patel with the award, made possible by the generosity of Bill and Sally Rutter. 

On the eve of her retirement from UC Davis Law, International Student Affairs Coordinator Mary Anne Baird received the Outstanding Staff Award. The inaugural Outstanding Team Award went to the Mabie Library Technical Services Team: Dennis Bandhu (who retired in July); Heather Craig; Rosemary DiClementine; Maggie Inman; Melanie Uyeda and Pao Yang. 

Senior Associate Dean Donna Shestowsky introduced three new faculty awards, honoring Professor Mary Ziegler with the Distinguished Research Award, Professor Afra Afsharipour with the Outstanding Faculty Service Award, and Lecturer John McKinsey ’99 with the Distinguished Visiting Lecturer Award.

In addition, Berg announced recent faculty advancements, congratulating Professor Eric Fish on his promotion to professor of law before announcing three new endowed chair holders: John D. Ayer Chair Afra Afsharipour; Daniel J. Dykstra Chair Vikram Amar; Fair Business Practices & Investor Advocacy Chair David Horton and Homer G. Angelo and Ann Berryhill Chair Chimène Keitner. Berg also announced that Professor Lisa R. Pruitt  has been named the inaugural Brigitte Bodenheimer Research Scholar.

Outstanding Staff Award recipient Mary Anne Baird with Dean Jessica Berg.
Outstanding Staff Award recipient Mary Anne Baird with Dean Jessica Berg
Left to right: Adjunct Professor John McKinsey ’99 Dean Jessica Berg, Professors Afra Afsharipour and Mary Ziegler, Senior Associate Dean Donna Shestowsky and Professor Menesh Patel.
Left to right: Adjunct Professor John McKinsey ’99, Dean Jessica Berg, Professors Afra Afsharipour and Mary Ziegler, Senior Associate Dean Donna Shestowsky and Professor Menesh Patel