Entertainment & Sports Law Society Symposium -- JP Rankin, ESLS Vice President

The Entertainment and Sports Law Society Symposium on March 10, themed “Counseling the Noise: Legal and Ethical Duties in Sports and Entertainment,” was an outstanding success despite the unfortunate weather.  The diverse panel of sports and entertainment attorneys brought their knowledge, skill, and expertise to the bargaining table. Speakers included the vice president of business affairs for Lionsgate and the vice president of general counsel for the San Diego Padres.

In addition to the droves of students from California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and the University of San Diego School of Law, the event also had in attendance a number of local practicing attorneys, making for a number of intelligent exchanges once the discussion was opened up to include everyone in audience.  Topics included, but were not limited to, ethics in sports agency and player recruiting, how streaming and net neutrality could affect public performance rights in the future, and even tips and tricks on becoming a better member of the legal community.

California Western was lucky to have such prestigious and accomplished panelists, and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society is already looking forward to putting it on again next year.

Law Review & International Law Journal Symposiums -- Sara Gold, Commentary Editor-in-Chief

Speakers from across the U.S. and the world came to campus this trimester to speak at two symposiums, hosted by the California Western Law Review and International Law Journal.

The 2018 Law Review Legal Ethics Symposium on Feb. 17 discussed different ways in which new technologies create legal and ethical dilemmas. Eleven presenters, including attorneys, doctors, and researchers, addressed topics ranging from autonomous vehicles to medicine, privacy, and wellness.  Keynote speaker Michael Sung, who teaches at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, travelled all the way from China to present at the Law Review symposium.

Watch the full symposium on Panopto here. This trimester, the Law Review will release a symposium journal edition featuring articles by many of the speakers who presented.

“We started the conversation on an important issue facing our world today, and we hope to set precedent for future Law Reviews,” said Brooke Raunig, Law Review Editor-in-Chief. “I personally would like to thank all of the professors, students, and administrative personnel who supported this event and contributed to its success.”

Law Review staff writer Eric Clarkson said that the symposium provided an “eye-opening look into how our world and our lives will fundamentally change in the coming years due to advances in technology.”

I left the symposium feeling charged with an awareness of broader legal, ethical, and human considerations we are facing, and inspired by the ongoing efforts of scholars to ask what those issues will mean for us as individuals but also as an increasingly global society. – Eric Clarkson, 2L

The International Law Journal hosted a symposium on March 2, themed Indigenous Communities in the Modern Economy. The first panel analyzed how laws in the U.S. and Israel are designed to protect economic and cultural rights associated with land ownership, and the second panel discussed land rights litigation in both nations. Speakers included an Indian law attorney for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a Tel Aviv Court of Appeals district judge.

“It’s important to talk about these issues on law school campuses because indigenous communities are groups of individuals who have been historically persecuted and deprived of economic, political, social rights, all through their dispossession of land,” said Elijah Gaglio, International Law Journal Editor-in-Chief.

Improving our system and promoting transparency in our government requires the participation and support of everyone. It is our job as future advocates to defend those who cannot adequately defend themselves. – Elijah Gaglio, Editor-in-Chief

Women's Law Caucus #MeToo Panel -- Catherine Rodey, WLC Community Liaison

The Women’s Law Caucus hosted a Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence Panel on Feb. 22. Panelists included Prof. Hannah Brenner and Cal Western alumna Erika Orjales.

The implications of the #MeToo movement was a main topic of discussion, as was Anita Hill, a female attorney whose sexual harassment allegations in 1991 against Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas have recently been a topic of media attention.

Next, the panelists addressed ways to create an environment where women feel safe to speak publicly about sexual harassment.

“The ‘me too’ movement has been so beneficial to survivors because it shows them they are not alone and gives them courage to speak out,” said Prof. Brenner.

Lastly, the panelists addressed how men and women together can contribute to positive change, with Orjales mentioning that early education and awareness are crucial to preventing harmful attitudes that may promote sexual harassment.