30323_C1_C3_C4:30323_C1_C3_C4 4/15/2009 3:17 AM Page 1 The DICKINSON LAWYER LEWIS KATZ BUILDING N OW I N S ESSION PENN STATE UNIVERSITY’S DICKINSON SCHOOL OF LAW ALUMNI MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 30323_C2_43Rev2:75777_cover1_21.qxd 4/20/2009 7:05 PM Page c2 A LETTER FROM THE DEAN The good fortune of The Dickinson School of Law continues as we com- memorate the onset of the Law School’s 175th Anniversary with the April 24, 2009, dedication of our magnificent new Lewis Katz Building in University Park. We’ll conclude this historic anniversary next spring with the dedication of our new and renovated facility in Carlisle. In December, the ABA took the unprecedented step of granting the Law School’s new University Park campus immediate full approval and recognizing The Dickinson School of Law, in Carlisle and University Park, as the nation’s only unified two-location law school. We continue to serve as the ABA’s national pilot project for reassessing the “distance education” rules applicable to all U.S. law schools, and students in both of our locations continue to enjoy the rich curriculum enabled by our advanced audiovisual telecommunications capabilities. This year, over 4,100 extremely talented, diverse students applied for admis- sion to our law school — the highest number in the history of the Law School; by way of comparison, 1,471 students applied for admission in 2003. The aca- demic credentials and diversity of our students are stronger than at any time in the last thirty years. Outstanding scholars and advocates of renown continue to join our faculty. Our 2009 faculty appointments include David Hasen, a noted scholar of tax law and assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Law, who is serving this year as Professor-in-Residence at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service; David H. Kaye, the world’s preeminent scholar of mitochondrial DNA evi- dence and other forms of scientific and statistical evidence, who currently is the Regents Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Law, Science and Technology at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law; and Marco Ventoruzzo, a leading scholar of comparative corporate law who holds a joint appointment with Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. We also are pleased that Carla Pratt, a leading expert on the role of race and racism in the legal profession, is rejoining our faculty after spending last year at Texas Wes- leyan University. Our clinical programs are stronger than ever. Students in our Appellate Civil Rights Clinic, under the direction of Professor Michael Foreman and a team of experienced appellate advocates, recently filed an amicus curiae brief in an important employment discrimination case argued on March 31 before the U.S. Supreme Court. Students in our Center for Immigrants’ Rights recently joined the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee to prepare a white paper on the U.S. National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. Students in our Children’s Advocacy Clinic recently participated in a sympo- sium exploring the value of doctor-lawyer partnerships in the provision of health care and legal services. And so on…. The support of our alumni and friends is vital to the Law School’s ability to sustain and improve our educational program. We welcome and look forward to your participation and help. Please consider the occasion of the Law School’s 175th anniversary to renew your commitment to The Dickinson School of Law. 30323_C2_43Rev2:75777_cover1_21.qxd 4/20/2009 7:05 PM Page 1 MANAGING EDITOR TheDICKINSON Kelly R. Rimmer EDITOR LAWYER Pam Knowlton CONTRIBUTORS R. Michelle Boldon ’10 George Joseph ‘82 Hon. Jan Jurden ‘88 I N T HIS I SSUE Alison Kilmartin ‘09 Amber Krieg Crystal L. Stryker ’04 2 IN BRIEF Dyanna Stupar Symposium Examines Immigration in the New Obama Administration • Dean Kenneth W. Starr Visits Law School to Address Role of U.S. Supreme PHOTOS Court in Daily Life • Pifer Appointed to PA Food Safety Council • Penn Ian Bradshaw Photography State’s Dickinson School of Law and College of Education to Offer Law and Matt Gardner Education Institute in University Park • Students Win Award at Labor and Pam Knowlton Employment Law Moot Court • Students Collaborate Across Four Dyanna Stupar Academic Years to Win Disability Clinic Case • Paul Ruth Receives Citizen’s Comstock Images (p. 14) Diploma Jupiter Images 6 PENN STATE LAW CLINIC FILES The Dickinson Lawyer is published for alumni, BRIEF WITH SUPREME COURT students, staff, and friends of The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State Uni- versity. Correspondence may be addressed to 8 ALUMNI NEWS the editor. Portions of this magazine may be reprinted if credit is given to The Dickinson Notes From the Alumni Director and GAA President • Welcome to Mental School of Law, The Dickinson Lawyer, and the Health Court... And Everything That Comes With It • Law School Honors author. the Honorable Jan R. Jurden as the Fifteenth Sylvia H. Rambo Award Recipient This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed 12 REMEMBERING WILLIAM H. DODD to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal charac- 14 STUDENTS EXPERIENCE LAW ABROAD teristics not related to ability, performance, or A Voice For Freedom • Beyond Expectations qualifications as determined by University poli- cy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic FACULTY FOCUS and work environment free of discrimination, 16 including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harass- OVERVIEW AND HISTORY OF U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW ment against any person because of age, 25 ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national Excerpt from Everyday Law for Immigrants by Victor C. Romero origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orien- tation, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students 32 FEATURE will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries regarding the Lewis Katz Building Now In Session nondiscrimination policy to Human Resources Officer, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Lewis Katz Building, University Park, PA 16802- 38 CARLISLE BUILDING UPDATE 1017; tel 814-865-4232 U.Ed. DSL 09-37 44 LISTENING POST SPRING 2009 • 1 30323_C2_43Rev.qxp 4/17/2009 2:10 PM Page 2 F E I that legally recognizes and affords due process to immigrants R SYMPOSIUM EXAMINES entering and living in the United States to work, study, B reunite with family, or acquire refuge from danger in their IMMIGRATION IN THE NEW home countries.” N The symposium featured panel discussions on topics such I OBAMA ADMINISTRATION as “The Immigration Debate,” “Due Process and Deten- tion,” “Immigration Enforcement and Security,” and “Asy- We need immigration reform that will secure our lum and Refugee Issues.” Speakers included Stephen H. borders, and punish employers who exploit immigrant Legomsky, John S. Lehmann University Professor, Washing- ton University School of Law; Jeanne Butterfield, executive labor; reform that finally brings the 12 million people director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association; who are here illegally out of the shadows by requiring Carl P. Thorsen, former general counsel to U.S. House them to take steps to become legal citizens. Majority Leader Tom DeLay; Kareem Shora, national execu- We must assert our values and reconcile our principles tive director, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Commit- as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. tee; and Rebekah Tosado, senior advisor to the Officer for That is a priority I will pursue from my very first day. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security. —Barack Obama, “The symposium was very instructive for people interest- June 28, 2008 ed in contemporary and cutting-edge issues arising in immi- gration law,” said David Rodriguez ’10. “From medical care Throughout his presidential campaign, Barack Obama, issues in detention facilities to the plight of Iraqi refugees the son of an African immigrant, emphasized that compre- displaced by the Iraq War, the forum provided a glimpse hensive immigration reform would be a priority during his into the immigration issues that will become increasingly first year in office if elected president. pressing in the months and years to come.” On January 30, ten days after the historic inauguration of The symposium was followed by a reception to celebrate Barack Obama, Penn State’s Center for Immigrants’ Rights the inaugural year of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights and held its own inaugural ceremony by hosting a conference on to recognize its clients and the many faculty, staff, students, immigration law in the auditorium of the new Lewis Katz advocates, and lawyers who support the center. To view a Building. The day-long symposium “Immigration in a new recording of the symposium, visit http://www.dsl.psu.edu/ Administration,” drew thinkers and leaders in the field from centers/immigrants/recent.cfm. across the country. How will the Obama administration tackle the complexi- ties of immigration? What will the administration do to improve the country’s immigration system? How will the DEAN KENNETH W. S TARR administration address border security and the undocument- ed population? What will the administration do to preserve VISITS LAW SCHOOL TO basic freedoms and protect refugees? These and other issues were examined during the sympo- ADDRESS ROLE OF U.S. SUPREME sium. Panelists included some of the nation’s leading immi- gration scholars, policymakers, and lawyers who provided COURT IN DAILY LIFE thought-provoking discussion on what role the new admin- istration and Congress will play with respect to immigration By Alison M. Kilmartin ’09 reform. Optimistic discussion that the new administration Member, Federalist Society holds great promise for comprehensive immigration reform was a recurring theme throughout the day.