King Hall Welcomes Class of 2019

UC Davis School of Law welcomed its 51st entering class at the 2016 Welcome BBQ held on the Moss Patio at the UC Davis Buehler Alumni Center on August 14.  The event included remarks from Dean Kevin R. Johnson, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Kristen Mercado, Alumni Association President Alberto Roldan '92, and Law Students Association President Alistair Shaw '17.

The Welcome BBQ is an annual tradition at King Hall, providing new students with an opportunity to meet and mingle with members of the King Hall community in an informal setting prior to the beginning of Intro Week, five days of academic and social activities that take place prior to the beginning of regular fall courses.

Facebook Photo Album: Welcome BBQ 2016

"The Class of 2019 has chosen the perfect place to study law," Dean Johnson said in welcoming the new students.  "There is no better community of faculty, students, staff, and alumni than UC Davis School of Law to be part of as a law student."

"You are beginning what will be a transformative journey into the legal profession," Dean Johnson continued. "Before you know it, you will be a lawyer with all the duties, responsibilities, authority, and power that comes with the license to practice law. Sooner than you think, you will become leaders of the profession. Consider that the Chief Justice of California, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, of the Class of 1984, not that long ago attended this barbeque as an incoming student."

Assistant Dean Mercado introduced the Admissions and Financial Aid staff in attendance and shared memories of her experiences as a law student at another school where she often felt alone and alienated. "Unlike me, you will never have to feel alone, because you attend King Hall," Mercado said. "King Hall is a place where people support you, not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because they want you to succeed in every way, as student, as a budding lawyer, and as a person."

Roldan, who is the Chief Administrative Law Judge and Executive Director for the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and teaches Trial Practice at King Hall, welcomed the new class on behalf of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and talked about how the practice of law is something like a relay race in which one generation hands the baton to the next.

"The practice of law is a social science," said Roldan. "We work together.  You can achieve little as an individual.  You can achieve a lot more working with colleagues, looking to mentors, and ultimately mentoring those coming behind you. I look forward to seeing how outstanding you will be as students.  I look forward even more to seeing the things that you will do as professionals."

Shaw provided a student perspective. "The essence of King Hall's community is that we motivate and support each other," he said. "You don't get that at other law schools. When you're having a bad day, your classmates will help motivate you and push you through it.  When things are going great, you'll feel motivated by all of the great things you see your classmates doing.  That motivation and support will last throughout your time at King Hall."

Pictured above: Dean Kevin R. Johnson and LSA President Alistair Shaw '17