First-Time Donors Support King Hall

There's a first time for everything, including giving. With state funding now accounting for less than 10 percent of the budget at UC Davis School of Law, King Hall is working hard to expand its community of donors, and first-time donors are especially appreciated.

As a public law school, King Hall doesn't have the long tradition of alumni giving that is usually well-established at private schools.  But that is changing, as King Hall alumni have responded to the School of Law's outreach efforts by making that first gift.

"After 29 years, I thought it was about time that I make a donation to King Hall," said Andrew Lebo '87, an administrative law judge with the State of Alaska Department of Administration.

Lebo decided to make a gift after agreeing to help organize a recent King Hall alumni reception in Anchorage, where he has lived and practiced for more than 25 years.  "I ended up being kind of a co-host for the event, and it seemed natural to make a gift as part of that," said Lebo.  "It felt good to be able to do that.  I had a great experience at King Hall.  Hosting the fundraiser and making the donation really brought all of that back to mind."

For Alana Thorbourne '12, making her first gift came as a result of realizing how special her King Hall experience had been. 

"Throughout my career thus far, whenever I run into King Hall alums UC Davis in the legal world, they are always the nicest people, the best lawyers, and there's an instant connection," said Thorbourne, who recently accepted a position as Counsel in Employment for FOX Entertainment Group after almost four years with Allen Matkins. "So a big part of this was realizing that I had a great experience at a law school that produces so many outstanding attorneys, and deciding that I wanted to give something back to the community."

"With the opportunities that I've been given, and the doors that have been opened for me, I need to recognize that the School of Law has been such a big part of that, and to show my support," Thorbourne said.

To make a gift to UC Davis School of Law and join King Hall's expanding community of supporters, contact Karen Charney (530-752-6209, [email protected] ) or give online at the School of Law's Giving Page.