Dean's Message

As we begin the new semester, I am pleased to share with you brief highlights from some of the many stimulating lectures and special events held at the law school this past fall. I hope you enjoy reading about them, and hope to see you on campus at some of our upcoming events. Please remember to save the date, May 15, for Reunion 2010!


Warm regards,
Stephen C. Yeazell
Interim Dean and David G. Price and Dallas P. Price Professor of Law

UCLA Law Inaugurates A. Barry Cappello Courtroom

UCLA School of Law inaugurated the A. Barry Cappello Courtroom on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 with a special sitting of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and a reception in honor of A. Barry Cappello '65 and his wife Lori for their $1.25 million gift to endow UCLA Law's Trial Practice Program. Chief Judge Alex Kozinski '75, Senior Circuit Judge Dorothy W. Nelson '53 and Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw '79 heard appeals of decisions from the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in the courtroom before joining Barry Cappello and his family for the courtroom dedication ceremony and reception. Numerous faculty and students also attended. The newly renovated A. Barry Cappello Courtroom will serve as UCLA Law's primary courtroom where students will compete in mock trials, moot courts and simulated trials, gaining experience arguing in a realistic courtroom environment. The beautiful state-of-the-art room was made possible through the generosity of Barry Cappello and his family.  Cappello is recognized as one of the nation's leading trial lawyers and an authority on complex commercial litigation.

To view photos from the inauguration event and reception, please click  Cappello Courtroom Inaugurated with Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals here.

Nelson Rising '67 Delivers Regents Lecture

Nelson Rising '67, director, president and chief executive officer of Maguire Properties, Inc. and a member of the UCLA School of Law Board of Advisors, visited the law school in October as the 2009 Regents Lecturer. While on campus he met with faculty, participated in a law school class and delivered an insightful public lecture, "California: Will the Golden Days Return?" To a packed audience, Rising addressed California's current state budget crisis and the future of the state of California. He talked about the problem with voting on initiatives and that the initiative process can only be changed by an initiative, as well as the problem with the state budgeting on an annual basis. Despite the current challenges, Rising said that the state of California is resilient and that he believes the golden days will return. 

Alumni Spotlight: Margarita Hernández '85

Margarita Paláu Hernández '85 discusses her new role as UCLA Law's National Chair for the 2010 Reunion Campaign.

To read the Alumni Spotlight profile, please click  Paláu here. 

 

 


Renowned Cambodian Human Rights Activist Discusses Her Work to End Human Trafficking

Somaly Mam, one of the world's leading advocates to eradicate human trafficking, spoke about her remarkable life story at a special lecture presented by the UCLA School of Law International Human Rights Program in September. Mam, who was born into extreme poverty in Cambodia and sold into sexual slavery by a man posing as her grandfather, has dedicated her life to saving victims and empowering survivors. She launched The Somaly Mam Foundation in 2007 to support anti-trafficking organizations, and had garnered worldwide recognition for her tireless efforts in the anti-trafficking struggle. After an introduction by Somaly Mam Foundation Board Member, actress and UCLA alumna Laurie Holden, Mam shared her experiences and passion for fighting back against human trafficking.

UCLA School of Law's David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy, the International Human Rights Student Association, UCLA Journal for International Law and Foreign Affairs, UCLA Asia Institute and LexisNexis co-sponsored the event.


Kenneth Feinberg Speaks About His Role as Special Master for Executive Compensation

Kenneth R. Feinberg, the Treasury Department's special master for executive compensation, discussed his current role during a UCLA School of Law Business Law and Policy Program presentation in October. Feinberg, who previously served as special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, was appointed to review and approve the compensation of senior executives and other highly paid employees at firms receiving federal bailout money. Speaking at UCLA just weeks before his executive compensation recommendations were due on October 30th, he gave a summary of where he was in the process and described his three tasks: to determine compensation packages for the top 25 people at the seven companies that received federal financial assistance; to design compensation systems for these companies' other top executives; and to use his discretion on whether to seek to claw back money already paid to corporate officials at the bailed out companies. He talked about the challenge of making sure the companies remain competitive in the marketplace, while also promoting systems based on long-term performance rather than short-term gain and performance-based compensation agreements.

Upcoming Events

UCLA La Raza Law Students Association Alumni Dinner 
February 5, 2010 

PULSE - Forensic Science Symposium
February 18, 2010

UCLA Law Black Alumni Reception
February 18, 2010


Williams Institute 9th Annual Update/ UCLA Law Review Symposium - Sexuality and Gender Law: Assessing the Field
February 19-20

David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy/Daily Journal Conference - Pro Bono in Hard Times 
February 26, 2010

34th UCLA Entertainment Symposium
February 26-27, 2010

4th Annual CRS Symposium and Reunion
March 11-13

REUNIONS! 
Mark the date for class reunions for the classes of '55, '60, '65, '70, '75, '80, '85, '90, '95, '00 and '05.
May 15, 2010