'Celebrating King Hall' Event Honors School of Law's 50th Anniversary

Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye '84 was honored with the inaugural Distinguished Alumna Award, Professor Peter Lee received the Distinguished Teaching Award, and UC Davis School of Law was presented with a special resolution from the California Legislature at "Celebrating King Hall," a special 50th anniversary event held March 10 at the UC Davis ARC ballroom. 

The informal banquet brought together about 250 King Hall faculty, alumni, students, staff, friends, and family to commemorate the golden anniversary of the founding of the School of Law, to recognize excellence in teaching, to honor scholarship donors and recipients, and to hear remarks from Dean Kevin R. Johnson, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye, Professor Lee, Professor Joel Dobris, King Hall Alumni Board President Alberto Roldan '92, California Senator Lois Wolk, and student Roza Essaw '18.

Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye's remarks were a highlight of the event, as she spoke glowingly of her law school experience and her gratitude at receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award. "I stand here incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have gone to this tremendous school," Cantil-Sakauye said.  "I feel grateful to have watched it grow in stature, to have watched it grow in nobility, and to be a brethren and colleague of the alums of this school who carry the name so proudly."

"If it were not for the opportunity that King Hall gave me, I really don't know where I would have been in life," the Chief Justice said. "Davis is more than just a noble and reputed law school. It's a community, and it's a family. All around the state, I run into people from different classes of this law school who have the same warm feelings about what it means to have been here."

Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye thanked Professors Rex Perschbacher and Floyd Feeney, whose teachings had proven especially helpful in her legal career, and praised Dean Johnson for his "exemplary ambassadorship" on behalf of the School of Law. "I couldn't be prouder to be of this school and for this school," she said. "Thank you for your tremendous work, Dean Johnson.  Thank you to my professors and all of you who taught me."

Also speaking was Professor Lee, who delivered remarks expressing his gratitude for being honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award.  "I am particularly grateful to receive this award during our 50th anniversary," said Lee. "Half a century ago, visionaries created UC Davis School of Law, a different type of law school with an uncommon commitment to teaching and social justice. I'm so proud to be part of this great legacy, and so inspired by the richness and promise of this community as we enter our next 50 years."

Student speaker Roza Essaw, a recipient of both a Dean's Merit Scholarship and the Helen Bates Scholarship, talked about her background as an immigrant from Ethiopia, her passion for international law and human rights, and the critical role scholarships have played in enabling her to reach her educational goals.

"I would not be here at King Hall without the scholarships I've received," said Essaw. "In essence, the scholarships have helped to pave the path that I'm on now, and my story is by no means unique.  Sitting and standing throughout this room are students who also would not be here without the generosity of their donors and who also share the same sense of gratitude and appreciation."

The event also included remarks by California Senator Lois Wolk, wife of Professor Emeritus and former Dean Bruce Wolk.  Senator Wolk presented a special resolution from the California Legislature congratulating UC Davis School of Law on its 50th anniversary and commending the school for its excellence and service to the legal community in California and beyond.

"This is an extraordinary public law school," said Wolk.  "Its graduates have given so much to this state and this nation.  For that, my colleagues and I thank you very much, and we look forward to the next 50 years."