Law Briefs: News from Santa Clara Law Summer 2021

Greetings from Chicago:
A Message from Incoming Dean, Michael Kaufman

On July 1, Michael Kaufman will begin his tenure as the next Dean of Santa Clara University School of Law. He will succeed Interim Dean Anna Han, who successfully served in the role for the past two years.

Looking forward to joining the Santa Clara Law community, Dean Kaufman took a short break from packing and wrapping-up loose ends at his current law school in order to send a brief message (opens in new window).

Thank you Dean Kaufman. We too are looking forward to welcoming you and Sherry, and your dog, Charlie, to Santa Clara Law.

Professor Colleen Chien Joins U.S. Commerce Department as Part-Time Senior Counselor

The Department oversees the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies. In this role, Chien will leverage her research and expertise—which span intellectual property, evidence-based policymaking, and criminal justice reform —to foster inclusive job growth, opportunity, and access to innovation through policy and policy delivery. Read more.

Faculty Scholarship Blog

News and information about the scholarly activities of the faculty at the Santa Clara University School of Law, including research spotlights and a roundup of recent faculty news. Read more.

Professors Brad Joondeph, Michelle Oberman, and David Ball.

Santa Clara Law Celebrates Classes of 2020 and 2021 in Hybrid Commencement Events

In a virtual ceremony and an in-person procession over the weekend of May 22-23, Santa Clara University School of Law celebrated the members of its Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 for successfully completing law school amid a historic global pandemic. Read more.

Santa Clara Law Honors 2021 Outstanding Students

Each spring, Santa Clara Law selects members of the graduating class for special recognition in honor of their academic achievements, service, and leadership. Ernie Fok JD ’21 received the Mabie Award for outstanding Graduate; Jess Miers JD ’21 received the Dean’s Outstanding Student Leadership Award; and Alex Sepolen JD ’21 received the ALI-CLE Scholarship and Leadership Award. Read more.

Class of 2021 student award winners Alex Sepolen, Ernie Fok, and Jess Miers.

Silicon Valley Business Journal Names Professor Laura Lee Norris a 2021 Woman of Influence

The Women of Influence award recognizes established, accomplished business leaders in this world-class region. In addition to her role as associate clinical professor at Santa Clara Law, Norris is also co-director of the High Tech Law Institute, founding director of the Entrepreneurs’ Law Clinic, and founding director of the Tech Edge J.D. Program. Read more.

More Stories

What happens when homelessness is illegal?

Santa Clara Law students’ research shows things get worse for people without homes. An unusual law class, Criminalizing Homelessness, tasks the students with charting the way Santa Clara County or other localities currently invest homelessness-related resources.

Northern California Innocence Project Secures Release of Wrongly Convicted Father in Infant Son’s Death

Judge Bowman of the Sacramento County Superior Court ordered that Clifton Jones be released after more than 15 years of wrongful incarceration for the tragic death of his infant son. The conviction was based on medical evidence that has since been proven false.

Fighting for Civil Rights: A Q&A with Akilah Lane JD ’09, staff attorney with ACLU Montana in Helena, MT1

Akilah Lane chose to go to law school to “seek meaningful change for communities who have been historically marginalized,” and she chose Santa Clara Law because of its diversity as well as the strength of its social justice and human rights programs.