On September 14th, Santa Clara Law hosted the first Social Justice Thursday of the 2023-2024 academic year featuring Mike McLively, Senior Staff Attorney and Policy Director of the Center for Violence Prevention at the Giffords Law Center.
The event—led by Professor Caitlin Jachimowicz, Director of the Center for Social Justice and Public Service—focused on the rising issue of gun violence and efforts to curb such instances of strife. “Gun violence is a huge epidemic in our country,” McLively says. “We’re talking 45,000 lives that are lost every single year. It’s now the number one cause of death of children in the U.S. above any other cause, which I think is just shocking and astounding.”
McLively has been outspoken in the field of gun violence prevention. He has authored many reports on the topic of
community violence, including “America at a Crossroads: Reimagining Federal Funding to End Community Violence.” He has also spoken with state and national leaders on the nature of America’s gun violence epidemic, having recently supported Governor Gavin Newsom’s latest push for gun safety laws in California. One such bill, A.B. 28, was signed into law just this week by the Governor.
McLively also offered advice for the assembled students on starting a career in public service. “The key is early planning and deciding that this is what you want to do, and then taking advantage of every opportunity to do that,” McLively commented. “What makes you interested? What sparks your interest? What do you get excited about? Start talking to people in that field; people are always willing to talk to you.”
The event was hosted by the Center for Social Justice and Public Service, and co-sponsored by the Public Law Association, one of Santa Clara Law’s newest Law Student Organizations (LSOs). LSO co-hosts include our very own American Constitution Society, Santa Clara Law’s Student Bar Association, and the Santa Clara Business Law Chronicle.
We are grateful to the Center and the advice of Senior Staff Attorney McLively, and proud of the student organizations.
