Message from Interim Dean Stephen C. Yeazell

Fall 2009

This year marks a great milestone in the law school's history. We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of our school. While much has changed during the past 60 years, and during the 34 years I have spent at UCLA Law, the core values of this school have not changed.

Since our founding, we have been a pioneer in legal education and committed to the public good. The David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy, the Emmett Center on Climate Change & the Environment, the International Human Rights Program, the UCLA-RAND Center for Law & Public Policy, and the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law &Public Policy all exemplify this commitment. As a great public institution, we need to provide the same world-class education to all future generations. To this end, we have substantially increased our financial aid budget and expanded our loan forgiveness program for alumni in public service.

Despite the current economic challenges, UCLA School of Law continues to flourish. We have expanded our programs and curriculum to include a new Empirical Legal Scholars Program, an externship program in Washington, D.C. and a unique joint effort with the Anderson School of Management to establish a start-up company incubator, among others. The volume of applications to our J.D. program continues to grow and hit a new record - more than 8,250 applicants for 300 spots - surpassing last year's record high. The entering credentials of the class of 2012 are stronger than any class in our history.

Our outstanding faculty continues to make its mark. Professor Daniel Bussel was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. Professor Ann Carlson was appointed by the National Academy of Sciences to a prestigious national panel on climate change. Professor Timothy Malloy was elected by Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control to the state's new Green Ribbon Science Panel. Ten of our distinguished faculty members have also been appointed to new law school endowed professorships.

The school also continues to buzz with activity. Recent notable events include a visit by Kenneth R. Feinberg, who was appointed special master for executive compensation by the Secretary of the Treasury earlier this year. He discussed issues in compensation during a Business Law and Policy Program presentation. Somaly Mam, one of the world's leading advocates to eradicate human trafficking, shared her experiences at a special lecture presented by the International Human Rights Program. Frederick Schauer, David and Mary Harrison distinguished professor of law at the University of Virginia, delivered the 2009 Melville B. Nimmer Memorial Lecture. Nelson Rising '67, director, president and chief executive officer of Maguire Properties, Inc., gave the Regents Lecture, and father and son David Glickman '57 and Steven Glickman '82 discussed their work as trial lawyers during the 2009 Irving H. Green Memorial Lecture. In late-October the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments in the newly dedicated A. Barry Cappello Courtroom-with a three-judge panel consisting entirely of UCLA Law alumni!

The energy of our alumni is equally impressive. This year 29% of all law school alumni gave to UCLA School of Law. This places the law school in the top five among major American law schools for generosity in giving back. The Law Firm Challenge, now in its seventh year, also continues to break records. The school's participation rate reached an astounding 77% among the 82 law firms participating. And, the Campaign for UCLA School of Law is going strong. We have reached 65% of our $100 million goal to date.

I am confident that the next 60 years will bring the same innovation and excellence that sets UCLA School of Law apart. I invite you to learn more about the school by exploring our Web site or visiting our campus.

Sincerely,
Stephen C. Yeazell
Interim Dean and David G. Price and Dallas P. Price Professor of Law