Celebrating 100 Years
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Golden Gate University School of Law GGU Law Digital Commons Articles About GGU Law About GGU School of Law 2001 Celebrating 100 Years Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/aboutggulaw Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation "Celebrating 100 Years" (2001). Articles About GGU Law. Paper 2. http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/aboutggulaw/2 This Newsletter or Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by the About GGU School of Law at GGU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles About GGU Law by an authorized administrator of GGU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW CELEBRATING More than a century of preparing students to meet the challenges [ill ITO 0 of the constantly .[]ji E[J B changing legal field []] OJ] D See pages 20-21 for special centennial events. It is a birthday to be proud of-the Francisco YMCA on Golden Gate Avenue, 100'h anniversary of Golden Gate we developed into a fully-equipped, inde University School of Law. Back in pendent law school in the heart of down town San Francisco. This year, we will 1901, we began as a YMCA night undertake an $18 million renovation project •••• law school with a noble mission: to transform the school's quarters at 536 to provide to working people, for Mission Street into a state-of-the-art legal whom the path into the legal center. It will be a model facility that profession through full-time study equals-or surpasses-any law school in the was closed, a way to become country. The curriculum has also blossomed to lawyers at night. Beginning with a include a number of highly regarded LL.M. "Back in 1901, we first class of five students a century programs, including International Legal began as a YMCA ago, GGU Law School began to turn Studies and Tax, which attract lawyers from night law school with out great lawyers and judges who allover the world. Beginning in 2002, a new a noble mission: to otherwise would never have had LL.M. in Intellectual Property will join the provide to working the chance to become attorneys. existing programs to meet the increasing people, for whom the need for legal professionals in that legal area. path into the legal After World War II, with the great During the last 100 years, GGU Law School alumni have made their mark upon profession through democratization of learning through the GI Bill, the school expanded and eventually the legal profession in the Bay Area, full-time study was became full-time and accredited as one of throughout California, and in every major closed, a way to the 180 ABA-approved law schools in the city in the country. We have turned out become lawyers United States. From the 1970s through highly regarded, successful lawyers, judges, at night." today, Golden Gate has led the way in government officials, and corporate counsel, attracting and encouraging women and as well as significant leaders in the world of people of color from all backgrounds to business, industry, public interest, and enter the legal profession. At the same time, commerce. Over the next 100 years, our it has never abandoned its original mission: goal is to win the national and global the evening school and part-time program renown the school deserves. are still a big part of who we are. Many Join with us in celebrating this wonderful working, professional, second career, single anniversary. Be justifiably proud of 100 years parent, and other non-traditional categories of great accomplishments by our unique and of law students still come to Golden Gate to outstanding law school and its alumni. become attorneys. From the school's early facilities under neath the gymnasium in the old San Peter G. Keane, Dean Published by Golden Gate University School of Law 536 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105-2968 (415) 442-6600 New Alumni Benefit! In addition to our Alumni Weekend (see details on page 21), you have another fantastic reason to return ©2001 by Golden Gate University School of Law to campus: reduced tuition. As part of our Centennial Celebration, we are increasing the discount to Design: Massey Design Associates 50% off regular tuition for all law alumni who audit law classes in the 2001-02 school year. So, whether Editorial: Lorri Ungaretti you'd like to brush up on tax law or learn animal law, explore sports law or international environmental Visit our website at www.ggu.edu/law law, we have the class for you. For a full fall schedule check out our website at www.ggu.edu/law. 1900s Fall 1901. The San Francisco YMCA estab lished the YMCA Evening Law School, the first evening law school in northern California. The first dean was Professor James Ballentine, a former professor at Hastings College of the Law. Classes began on Tuesday, Ocrober 2, in the YMCA building at Mason and Ellis Streets. The YMCA building opened at the 1905. The first Law School class graduated. corner of Mason and Ellis Streets in Graduates included Charles Baer, who in 1894. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco YMCA.) 1901 convinced the YMCA to open a law school, and Jacob Gorfinkel, father of John Continuing Law School Gorfinkel who later served as dean. After the 1906 Quake April 18, 1906. A major earthquake devas " ... the law school men on their tated San Francisco. The earthquake own initiative held a meeting in damaged and then the fire destroyed the May at the tent and subscribed YMCA building. Undaunted, the school funds for the purpose of finishing held classes in tents until it could rent out their school year. You would not ask for better evidence of the men's space at 1220 Geary Street. interest and enthusiasm in their November 1906. $500,000 was raised to work. Practically all of the men build a new YMCA building. Donors joined in this reorganization and included John D. Rockefeller ($250,000), have attended with regularity." J. P. Morgan ($25,000), and Mrs. W E. - From a letter by Dean Dodge ($27,000). James A. Ballentine, July 23, 1906 The ruins of YMCA building, destroyed by the earthquake and fire in 1906. October 5, 1909. President William Taft (Photo courtesy of San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.} traveled from Washington, D.C., to lay the cornerstone of the new YMCA building at 220 Golden Gate Avenue. Classes in Tents After the 1906 Quake THEN AND NOW 'The wind blows so hard that our old tent flips and flops like Number of Law Students a ship in the storm." Day Night - From a letter to 1901 (no program) 5 H. J McCoy (YMCA 1971 358 193 General Secretary). July 13, 1906 2001 437 313 After the 1906 earthquake, classes were held in tents. 1853: William K. 1901: The YMCA establishes the 1905: The first YMCA Osborn founds the YMCA Evening Law School. Law School class San Francisco YMCA. James A. Ballentine is the first dean. graduates. 1853 1894 1901 1903 1905 1906 •••••• 1 ......................... .. 1894: The YMCA Night 1903: The oldest known 1906: April 18: The great earthquake School for Men holds night photograph of students at the and fire devastates San Francisco. classes in the new building YMCA Evening Law School. YMCA classes are held in tents. at Mason and Ellis Streets. Golden Gate University School of Law • Celebrating 100 Years The new YMCA building opened at 19108 220 Golden Gate Avenue in 1910. 1910. The YMCA Evening Law School was incorporated with the right to confer degrees. '. November 10. 1910. The new YMCA build ing opened. 1913. Jesse Carter graduated. In 1927, he became a member of the first Board of Governors of the integrated State Bar of California. He was appointed to the Superior Court bench in 1937 and to the California Supreme court in 1939. A banquet honoring the 13 men of the YMCA Law School Class of/911 was held at the Palace Hotel an April12, 1911. 1907: The Honorable A. P. Black, Assistant 1928: The first two U.S. District Attorney, 1914: J. E. White is women graduate becomes dean. appointed dean. from the Law School. 1907 1910 1914 1923 1928 1910: The new YMCA building on Golden 1923: The YMCA Gate Avenue opens. Evening College Thomas Hayden is appointed dean. changes its name to Golden Gate College. 2 Golden Gate University School of Law· Celebrating 100 Years 1920s Memories of School at the Y Today, the doors of the YMCA at 220 Golden Gate Avenue lead into a dull gymnas April 9, 1923. The name changed from tic office where a young lady issues towels and admits those who qualify by YMCA Evening School for Men to Golden membership. The same athletic activities went on there in 1927 ... The swimming Gate College. The name, suggested by law pool in the basement could be used by the students. This helped them with their student Charles Pool, was chosen as study of water law and liquid assets. Sometimes one could hear a boom-boom in "symbolic of romantic California." Golden the distance. The heartbeat of the college? Perhaps-but more likely, basketball Gate College was incorporated as an inde practice. Some of the law graduates went on to become prominent attorneys in the Bay pendent educational institution but still Area. One of them, Wallace S. Myers, was the honor man in the class. He was maintained close ties to the YMCA. also the winner of a hard-fought contest for a set of Corpus Juris, a legal encyclopedia.