The Lawyer Is Packed with News About Your Law School and Contains the Annual Report of Giving for the 2005-06 fiscal Year (July to June)
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SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW WINTER 2006–07 A proper salute Law school honors graduate Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift for his commitment to justice for all INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS SCHOLARS FOR JUSTICE REPORT OF GIVING 2005–06 D e a n ’ s perspective he fall semester has been a vibrant and active one in the School of Law. After wel- coming the Class of 2009 – an exceptionally talented and diverse class – to Sullivan Hall in August, we enjoyed a fast-paced semester full of academic challenge and co-curricular enrichment. For instance, one day last month in addition to our Tbusy class schedule, we had Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift ’94 talking law and government with a group of students; Starbucks’ general counsel, Ms. Paula Boggs, giving career and life advice to another roomful of students, and a debate over the controversial property tax Initiative 933 filling the second floor gallery. That was just one day in the life of Seattle University School of Law – one that exemplifies our efforts to provide an outstanding legal education that exposes students to powerful ideas both inside and outside the classroom. It was an honor to welcome Lt. Cmdr. Swift back to the law school. We were inspired to hear the story of how he staunchly defended his client – and the Constitution – and I was privileged to present a rare Distinguished Alumnus Award to him at a gala dinner. He is a “ It was an honor to welcome fine example of the kind of graduate the School of Law generates: an independent thinker Lt. Cmdr. Swift back to the who puts his principles first and who is committed to justice for all. I also had the opportunity to present Ms. Sharon Sakamoto ’84, a Seattle lawyer commit- law school. We were inspired ted to the highest standards of the legal profession, with the annual Reah Whitehead Public Leadership Award from the School of Law and the Women’s Law Caucus in October. to hear the story of how he In addition, we hosted a grand reception honoring the 25th anniversary of our law clinic staunchly defended his client and sponsored several important conferences, including the Forum on Presidential Powers, which featured Swift and other nationally renowned speakers. The Center on Corporations, – and the Constitution – and Law & Society presented two top-notch seminars: Corporations & the First Amendent: Exam- ining the Health of Democracy and Law and Economics: Toward Social Justice. I was privileged to present a We continue to make great strides on the academic front. I’m so pleased to welcome bank- rare Distinguished Alumnus ruptcy expert Rafael Pardo to the faculty. He joins us after three years at Tulane. Also this year, we welcomed Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Helen Howell, whose extensive public Award to him at a gala dinner.” policy and advocacy experience includes work at the Clinton White House. Next spring, we will be fortunate to have Bob Boruchowitz join us as a visitor in our clinic after an extraor- dinary career of national repute as executive director of The Defender Association. They join Ms. Ada Shen-Jaffe, a recognized leader in the civil equal justice movement. This fall, I had the opportunity take a special trip to Colombia along with University President Father Stephen V. Sunborg. We visited Javeriana University in Bogota and Cali to establish cooperative agreements between our two Jesuit universities. The future is full of promise for enriching both universities and deepening our mission of educating leaders for a just and humane world. This issue of the Lawyer is packed with news about your law school and contains the Annual Report of Giving for the 2005-06 fiscal year (July to June). Thank you for all you have done to ensure a bright future for the School of Law. As always, I hope you will keep in touch with your law school. I am always happy to recon- nect with alumni and hear where your careers and lives have taken you. —Kellye Testy Dean, Seattle University School of Law Lawyer | Fall 2006 2 C o n t e n t s Winter 2006–07 SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Writer/Editor Katherine Hedland Hansen [email protected] Photography Steve Shelton Inside this issue Design Dave Peters Administration Kellye Testy 4 The Briefcase 22 Alumni News Dean Law school news Susan Ahearn Assistant Dean for Development 24 Alumni profile Richard Bird Associate Dean for 8 A proper salute Law degree helps Sang Finance & Administration Law school honors Chae ’91 in business Eric Chiappinelli Associate Dean for Alumni & distinguished alumnus Professional Relations Annette Clark 27 Class Notes Associate Dean for 12 Scholars for Justice Academic Affairs First recipients work Carol Cochran 31 Alumni profile Assistant Dean of Admissions for public good Maria Sullivan ’80 finds Donna Deming Associate Dean for Student Affairs a purpose in Hawaii Kathleen Koch Without borders Assistant Dean for Student Financial Services 14 Law school extends Eva Mitchell 33 Report of Giving Director of Alumni Programs its global reach On the cover: Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift speaks at the forum on presidential powers sponsored by the law school. Photo by Steve Shelton. 19 Above the Bar Faculty achievements Legal Writing Professor Mimi Samuel captured this sunrise on the road to Kibale National Park in the western part of Uganda. ©2006 Seattle University School of Law The briefcase: law school news related group that has made a significant contribution to diversity in the legal pro- fession’s employment of ethnic minorities, women and persons with disabilities. It was presented at the WSBA Annual Awards Din- ner Sept. 14. The only law school program of its kind in the state, the Alternative Admission Program allows a number of promising students who David Boerner don’t meet traditional admission require- ments to be admitted to the law school. They attend an intensive seven-week summer pro- gram before their first year in law school that integrates a traditional Criminal Law course with legal writing and study skills. Maya Pirtle 3L, who is visiting this year from William Mitchell College of Law Students admitted through the alterna- in St. Paul, Minn., talks with Justice Alan Page. tive program are supported throughout law Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and NFL school by the Academic Resource Center. ARC’s primary purpose is to help diverse Paula Lustbader Hall of Famer Alan Page visits campus and non-traditional students adjust, suc- Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Hall of Fame football player ceed and excel in law school. In the fall, ARC students have access Alan Page spoke at informal sessions with students and faculty this to resources to keep them on track. The center also helps non-ARC fall. law students referred by professors for support. Page talked to students about his career in law – he attended law “This program is helping create a more diverse legal field, and I school and began practicing part time in the off season while still couldn’t be prouder of the work done by Professors Boerner and Lust- playing football – and how he made a goal of serving on the Supreme bader to ensure that these bright and talented students become ethical Court. He talked to faculty about the pros and cons of electing and lawyers working in the service of justice,” Dean Kellye Testy said. appointing justices and how to ensure fair elections in states where “Professor Boerner and I have always felt privileged to work with judges are elected. our students,” Lustbader said. “This award speaks highly of the value Page is Minnesota’s first African-American Supreme Court Justice and contribution our ARC alums are making in our profession. We and played for the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings. He is just provided them the opportunity; they did the hard work, so we the first defensive player in National Football League history to receive share this honor with them all.” the Most Valuable Player Award and was inducted into the Pro Foot- ball Hall of Fame. A compelling speaker on creating equal education Center for Professional Development has opportunities, he gave the keynote address at the university’s seventh new leader, high aspirations for students annual Costco Scholarship Fund Breakfast. To better prepare students for careers in the Law school’s Academic Resource Center legal field and meet the needs of the legal community, Seattle University School of Law receives state bar award for diversity has revamped its career services division and The Washington State Bar Association awarded the 2006 Excellence in named a new director. Diversity to Seattle University School of Law’s programs and profes- Now the Center for Professional Devel- sors who work toward creating a more diverse legal community. opment, the office will provide all stu- The award went to Professors David Boerner, Paula Lustbader and dents with the tools and coaching they the School of Law’s Alternative Admission Program and Academic need for success after graduation; increase Resource Center. This award is given to a lawyer, law firm or law- Shawn Lipton opportunities for work-related experience Lawyer | Fall 2006 4 as students; strengthen and expand relationships with alumni to at the University of the Republic School of Law in Montevideo, Uru- increase networking opportunities; and enhance and create connec- guay, addressed the conflict between Argentina and Uruguay over the tions with employers in the local area, the state, and major domes- construction of a paper processing plant on the Uruguay River. tic and international cities. Further, the center will feature expanded Professor Jessica Litman of the University of Michigan Law School programming in such areas as leadership and business development to talked with faculty about a draft of an article she is writing on copy- assist students in their growth as ethical leaders devoted to justice right interpretation, and Professor Christine Littleton, chair of the and the common good.