SANTA CLARA, Calif., Mar. 5, 2020—Santa Clara University School of Law has received gifts totaling $750,000 from three current and former University trustees, to expand upon its highly successful program in privacy law.
The donors, each of whom contributed $250,000, are:
- Larry Sonsini, founder and senior partner of the famed Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini, and vice chair of Santa Clara University Board of Trustees
- Paul Gentzkow, president and chief executive officer, staffing services of Robert Half International and former chair of Santa Clara University Board of Trustees, and his wife Barbara Gentzkow
- Kapil K. Nanda, founder, chair, and CEO of customer-engagement technology company Infogain, and SCU trustee, and his wife Margaret Nanda
As data proliferates and becomes a vital currency in the information economy, organizations and firms all over the globe are clamoring for lawyers who understand the complex legal and operational challenges associated with respecting data privacy.
The funds will be used to increase programming, curricular offerings, and interdisciplinary study of privacy law at Santa Clara University, which already is classed among the top 5 percent of programs in the nation by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
The full programmatic offerings—including possible non-JD degrees or new certificate offerings—will be decided under the leadership of a to-be-hired managing director with extensive experience in the privacy law community. The job posting for that position can be found online.
The additions will build upon the success of the rigorous, first-of-its-kind Privacy Law Certificate program launched in 2014 at Santa Clara Law.
The certificate program requires students to invest hundreds of hours of extra work to complete extensive coursework; conduct professional fieldwork on privacy issues; publish a paper on privacy topics; and obtain certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
Santa Clara Law’s program also contributes to the field of privacy law through dozens of faculty- and student-written articles and blog posts in law reviews and legal journals, as well as numerous events on emerging privacy law.
More than 100 Santa Clara Law alumni obtained the IAPP’s Certified Information Privacy Professional certification, and approximately 50 students are members of the Privacy Law Student Organization, one of the few such clubs in the nation.
“Santa Clara Law has long been a leader in the field of privacy education,” said Eric Goldman, co-director of the High Tech Law Institute and faculty supervisor of the Privacy Law Certificate. “The generous support of our trustees will allow us to remain at the forefront of privacy law education and offer even more leadership as this complex field evolves.” These contributions support the mission of Santa Clara University and inspire the next generation of ethical leaders through the University’s $1 billion Innovating with a Mission Campaign.
About Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law, one of the nation’s most diverse law schools, is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and social justice. Santa Clara Law offers students an academically rigorous program including certificates in high tech law, international law, public interest and social justice law, and privacy law, as well as numerous graduate and joint degree options. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Law is nationally distinguished for its faculty engagement, preparation for practice, and top-ranked programs in intellectual property. For more information, see law.scu.edu.
Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121