Rodney Atchison

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 12th, 2025—This fall, we had the honor of speaking with Rodney Atchison ’52 — Santa Clara Law’s oldest living alumnus — about his journey from military service to a remarkable 45-year legal career. With warmth, wit, and humility, he shared stories from his time at Santa Clara, lessons learned from nearly a century of life, and advice for today’s generation of legal professionals.

Finding a Path to Law

While his service in the U.S. Navy during World War 2 was nearing an end, Rod began to consider his future. “I had time to think about my future,” he recalls, “and though I had no particular goal in mind, I had the impression that the practice of law was an interesting profession.” When it came time to fill out his discharge papers, the question about post-service plans was easy to answer: “Go to law school.”

Choosing Santa Clara

In 1949, after attending San José State College, Rod decided to continue his education at Santa Clara University School of Law. “I had heard good things about Santa Clara and its Jesuit principles,” he says. “As the source was my wife, it was not to be ignored.” Santa Clara Law, conveniently located near his San José home, also allowed him to begin his legal education 

without completing his final year at San José State, which he eagerly accepted.

Life at Santa Clara Law in the 1950s

Back then, the law school was a small but mighty presence. “It was housed in a rather small building fronting El Camino Real,” he remembers, and noted that there were maybe 5 staff, 3-4 other professors, and Dean Owens. “The staff members, however, were first class and did a great job educating us and preparing us for the business world.”

Of the many students who began in his class, only thirteen graduated. All but one were veterans, many of whom were married and raising families while pursuing their degrees. Santa Clara University provided military-style housing across El Camino Real for returning veterans, fostering a close-knit community and lifelong friendships.

That camaraderie extended beyond the classroom. He recalls one unforgettable moment when his class, in a united act of conscience, walked out of a local restaurant after they refused to seat their Black classmate. "One of our class members was a black war veteran, an officer, with the reputation of having served heroically. Intending a celebratory experience, reservations had been made at a local respected restaurant. When we had all arrived and were entering the restaurant, they refused to seat our black classmate. We were outraged, and without a word of discussion, we all turned and marched out of the restaurant. Those of us who had served in some of the southern states and had been appalled at the discrimination we observed toward the black people agreed that we would do our best during our future careers to eliminate that conduct in our own world."

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Graduating in 1952, Rodney, his wife, and their newborn baby traveled up and down the California coast looking for the city they'd like to live in to start a life. From San Diego to Santa Cruz and places in between, Rod found that there was a difficult job market for new lawyers in many of these coastal towns. But through Santa Clara’s alumni network, he was introduced to a fellow graduate, Bill Mullen, and joined his San Francisco firm, Mullen and Philippi. He noted he was very fortunate, as he was given a large office with a window overlooking Montgomery Street from the second floor. "On the job, I received an accelerated introduction into the practice of law and had a successful career there for about two years". 

With an increasing travel schedule leaving him away from home on one or more nights a week, Rod began seeking more balance for his young family. "Fortuitously, I received a phone call from a classmate who worked for the Santa Clara County Counsel’s office, suggesting that I apply for a job opening in his office. I applied, was hired, and began a whole new career as a deputy county counsel, and became the qualified Eminent Domain specialist in that office." Rod was identified by another fellow Santa Clara Law alumnus, a fellow tenant at university housing, with whom the two became close friends.

His expertise soon led to new opportunities. When the City of Mountain View sought its first full-time City Attorney amid a period of rapid growth. "The city had begun experiencing the effects of significant growth in population and businesses. In anticipation of further rapid growth and the need to expand its ability to acquire land for development and expansion, it was anxious to find an experienced attorney skilled in governmental law, and with experience in Eminent Domain law.” Rod was the natural choice. For five years, he guided the city through its transformation into a hub of Silicon Valley’s emerging business world.

Later, fate — and friendship — called him home. Seeking a different, slower environment for his growing family of four children, Rodney received a timely phone call from the Mayor of Santa Cruz, his hometown, who offered him the chance to serve as the city’s first full-time City Attorney. “It was a lucky coincidence,” he said. "I had always wanted to return to Santa Cruz, so I applied for the job, was hired, and successfully served the city for two years as its full-time employee.  

After two years, it became apparent that the city’s expanding legal issues required greater depth within its legal department. At the same time, I was interested in expanding my own opportunities beyond the field of governmental law. By mutual agreement with the City Council, I left city employment and formed my own law firm. From that date until the present, the city has contracted with me, then with my law firm, to provide all legal services, all while saving the city money. What began as a two-year appointment evolved into a six-decade relationship: his firm continued to provide legal services to the City of Santa Cruz for more than 60 years, spanning four city attorneys and countless civic milestones.

Legacy and Reflections

Over a 45-year career, Rod became known not only for his legal acumen but also for his integrity and humanity. “Honesty is by far the most important quality in a good lawyer,” he says. “Other important qualities are an open mind and the ability to listen carefully, particularly with clients.  It is also helpful to develop a personality that induces engagement with clients and the public at large so as to form, if not friendships, at least good relationships.  In all those endeavors, the attorney must have at the forefront of his or her mind, the obligation of confidentiality."

He counts among his proudest professional achievements his work on Gion v. City of Santa Cruz (1970) 2 Cal. 3d — a landmark California Supreme Court case that defined the law on implied dedication of shoreline property for public use. “I’ve been advised that the case was a landmark,” he notes humbly.

Yet when asked what he is most proud of, his answer is immediate: his family. “I am proud of the wonderful relationships I have been fortunate to maintain with my large family of 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren; as well as with many of my legal clients.”

Advice for the Next Generation

To today’s legal professionals, his advice is simple but profound: “Don’t let your attention to the law absorb all of your energy and time. Save some for those most important in your life. While I have not always followed my own advice in that regard, the older I get, the more I realize the value of that concept.”

As he approaches his 99th birthday on November 14, 2025, Rod continues to embody the values that have long defined Santa Clara Law: service, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to justice and community.