October 22, 2012 Students Mix It Up with Local Judges Every year Superior Court Commissioner Gary Bloch '81 gathers a group of his colleagues from the state and federal benches for a mixer with TJSL’s students and alumni. It’s a chance to meet and greet judges without their robes in a social setting – a golden opportunity for students who have never interacted with judges before. “It’s a chance to see them as human beings,” said Lindsay Volk 3L at this year’s Alumni Judicial Mixer, held October 18 on the 8th floor. “It’s also important for students to meet generations of TJSL graduates who are succeeding in the legal profession.” One of those successful graduates is Federal District Judge Roger Benitez ’78, who was honored by Dean Hasl at the mixer and presented with a framed Thomas Jefferson School of Law diploma, since Judge Benitez graduated when the law school was Western State College of Law in 1978. “We are proud of your accomplishments as a graduate,” Dean Hasl said to Judge Benitez as he presented the diploma. “It’s a tribute to your hard work and reputation.” “It’s quite an honor,” said Judge Benitez, “and it’s going to look great on my wall!” He got a lot of enjoyment meeting the current TJSL students as well. “It’s quite nice talking with the students. They are curious and inquisitive.” Jennifer McCollough 3L and Jennifer McCollough 3L is just finishing up a clerkship with Federal District Judge Roger Benitez ’78 Judge Benitez, who says he tries to hire an extern out of TJSL every semester. “It has been an awesome experience,” said McCollough of her clerkship with Judge Benitez. She has just accepted a post-graduate clerkship with a federal judge in Texas. And Judge Benitez feels that the clerks and externs they’ve had in federal court compare exceptionally well with law students they’ve had from around the country. “The people I’ve picked from this school are as good as any I’ve seen,” he said. Judicial Mixer continued… “Normally you think of judges in a formal, strict environ- ment,” said Stuart Mellman 2L. “It’s great to speak with them in a more relaxed atmosphere.” Mellman was one of a group of students who spoke with Superior Court Peter Deddeh, who told them about his experiences hearing criminal cases. ”I enjoy talking with the students who are would-be law- yers,” Judge Deddeh said. “One day they may appear in my courtroom.” Honorable Tamila Ipema Justice Patricia Benke of the Fourth District Court of Appeals also attended in the dual roles of judge and TJSL Trustee. She too says that the court has hired several interns from TJSL and that “the students are amazing. We love the students.” And the students who attended the mixer loved the event, which attracted 24 judges and quite a few students and alumni. “It’s great,” said Chase Victorson 2L. “The judges are so avail- able. That’s a real asset to the students. And it’s a chance to Justice Patricia Benke showcase TJSL.” Jessica King ‘01 in the Spotlight “TJSL was the perfect school for me,” says King. “I was able to find legal mentors and participate in extra-curricular activities, en- suring that I was ready for the road ahead. TJSL prepared me for work in the corporate sector, in the small firm set- ting, and for solo practice. I have served on the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee Panel and now serve as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. When opportunity knocked, I was ready to take the challenge thanks to TJSL.” In addition to her full-time job as a State Senator, she also maintains a solo practice doing bankruptcy work for small businesses and consumers. Jessica King ‘01 In August 2012, King was interviewed on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” about the tendencies of voters in Wisconsin, allowing her to speak to a national audience. In the inter- view, King talked about how she believes that Wisconsin is one of the nicest places in the country, with people who look out for each other. And it’s a good place to go if you “want to hear what real people think,” she says. King is running for re-election this fall and she reports she is ahead in the polls. Click here to view the Alumni “You Can Suc- ceed Video” 2 Federal Bankruptcy Judges to Host Panel for Students at TJSL on October 24 business and finance students “This is a rare and outstanding oppor- from San Diego’s undergradu- tunity for all San Diego-area law or ate schools are invited to business students. Students can attend. network with distinguished federal If you have thought about a bankruptcy judges and practitioners career in bankruptcy law or Everyone who attends will have and will learn about professional would like to know more about the opportunity to meet the opportunities in the field of creditor this area of practice, you will panelists and network with and debtor relations." want to attend the panel discus- judges and attorneys at a recep- sion at TJSL on Wednesday, tion after the event hosted by RSVP by Monday, October 22, for October 24, titled “Developing the NCBJ-National Bar Associa- the panel and reception with U.S. a Successful Bankruptcy tion Liaison Committee. Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek Career: Judges and Lawyers McEwen at Share Their Secrets.” “TJSL’s bankruptcy and finan- [email protected]. cial law professors are The National Conference of Bank- delighted that federal judges ruptcy Judges (NCBJ) is holding attending this year's annual its conference in San Diego from National Conference of Bank- October 24-27, and one of the ruptcy Judges (NCBJ) have highlights is the panel at TJSL on selected us to host part of the Oct. 24th from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. conference,” said TJSL Profes- in Room 323. Students from all sor Chris Guzelian. San Diego law schools as well as Professor Madeline Kass moderated a panel presentation at the ABA's 20th Fall Section Meeting on Environmental, Energy, and Resources Law in Austin, Texas on October 11. The panel, entitled "Wind, Water, Weather & the Endangered Species Act," brought together a cross-section of speakers presenting on topics including wildlife laws & wind development, the impacts of solar energy development on species, and climate change implications for endangered species regula- tion. 3 Page 4 The Advisor Legendary Lawyer to Appear at TJSL on October 23 Michael E. Tigar, who is considered to be one of America’s greatest lawyers, will make two presentations at Thomas Jefferson School of Law on Tuesday, October 23, one of which is a cross-examination skills training session from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Moot Courtroom. Tigar, who is Emeritus Professor at Wash- ington College of Law and at Duke Law School, will speak earlier in the day to the TJSL community about “Worker Rights Under Attack: Outsourcing and Globalization” in Room 323 from 11:30 a.m. -12:50 p.m. "Michael Tigar is one of the most prominent criminal defense attorneys in the United States,” said TJSL Professor Marjorie Cohn. “A brilliant speaker, Professor Tigar’s work encompasses both incisive legal- political analysis and practice strategies for lawyers. This is a great opportunity to learn from a legal legend." Professor Tigar has recently worked with labor and community organizations who are seeking a new set of legal protections for worker rights, nationally and globally. In this struggle many of the same themes can be seen that dominate discourse about transnational standards of accountability in other areas – environmental protection, financial fraud, and violation of human rights norms. As a new generation of lawyers prepares for practice, the “new” labor law provides them tools and opportunities. In the past twenty years, the traditional legal analysis of worker rights has been altered. Labor law, as traditionally understood, is now transnational. Militant unions have worked to organize low wage and vulnerable workers in the United States. Powerful public and private forces, including major multina- tional corporations, have resisted these campaigns in four ways: • outsourcing jobs within the United States, • globalization – sending jobs to foreign countries where worker rights are fragile • legislation to curtail or eliminate worker rights • litigation attacks on union organizational campaigns “Michael Tigar is an incredible speaker and an inspirational attorney," said TJSL Professor Meera Deo. "Faculty, students, alumni, and other local attorneys can all learn so much from his experience. We are fortunate to have him return to TJSL." The TJSL Center for Law and Social Justice, the TJSL Faculty Colloquium Committee, the National Lawyers Guild-TJSL chapter, and the National Lawyers Guild-San Diego chapter are co-sponsoring these events, which are open to TJSL students, alumni, faculty and staff. The cross examination skills training also is open to local attorneys and two hours of MCLE credit is available. TO RSVP for the training, please contact: [email protected]. See next page for more information about Michael Tigar. 4 Page 5 The Advisor Legendary Lawyer to Appear at TJSL on October 23 continued... About MICHAEL E. TIGAR: Michael E. Tigar is Emeritus Professor at Washington College of Law and at Duke Law School. He has taught at several law schools in North America, Europe and Africa. He is a 1966 graduate of Boalt Hall, University of California, Berkeley, where he was first in his class, Editor-in-Chief of the law review and Order of the Coif. He has authored or co-authored thirteen books, three plays, and scores of articles and essays.