Professor Tanaka Named as Legal Writing Program Director

Professor Clayton Tanaka will take over as director of the UC Davis School of Law Legal Writing Program, the Law School announced this week.  Professor Anthony Chavez, current director of the program, will leave UC Davis at the end of the spring semester to accept a full-time, tenure-track teaching position at the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law.  The Law School has begun a national search for a new Legal Writing professor.

Professor Tanaka received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis and his J.D. from Hastings College of the Law. He practiced criminal law at the Office of the California Attorney General for 27 years, representing the State of California, primarily on direct appeals, capital litigation, and writs in California state and federal courts. He was also responsible for criminal investigations, trials, evidentiary hearings, review, and assignment of cases and special projects.

"We wish Professor Chavez much success and look forward to the continued development of King Hall's legal writing program under Professor Tanaka's leadership," said Hollis Kulwin, senior assistant dean for student affairs.