By Erin LeClair

The Career and Professional Development Office held the annual Pro Bono and Public Service Honor Society induction ceremony on April 5. The Pro Bono Honor Society recognized 60 students who each volunteered more than 50 hours to help nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or private interests groups dedicated to the needs of persons of limited means. These 60 students collectively worked 6,118 hours, averaging double the required number of hours. The Public Service Honor Society recognized 38 students who each volunteered with city, county, state, and federal government organizations, including the judiciary. These 38 students collectively volunteered over 5,972 hours, completing well beyond the required 50 hours per student.

It is clear that students at California Western go above and beyond the call to service.  They are students who serve their community—volunteering more than 12,000 hours—in addition to going to classes and taking part in CWSL community events. Continue reading “Pro Bono & Public Service Honor Societies Recognize 90+ Students for 12,000+ Collective Volunteer Hours”

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. Continue reading “Symposiums recap: artificial intelligence, Indian land rights, net neutrality, and more”

"Defamation Experience" Highlights Role of Personal Identity in Litigation

Rather than reading holdings out of casebooks, students got to determine the final verdict of a mock trial on Feb. 8. Hosted by Diversity Services, “The Defamation Experience” was an interactive play based on a defamation suit between Ms. Regina Wade, a self-made black business woman and Mr. Golden, a white wealthy Jewish business man. Ms. Wade was represented by white attorney Mr. Lawton, and Mr. Golden was represented by black attorney Ms. Allen. Ms. Wade claims that Mr. Golden defamed her with a false statement to a third party: that she stole Mr. Golden’s watch during a meeting at his home. The social consequences caused Ms. Wade to lose a major business client.

With no concrete evidence, the courtroom became full of drama as the attorneys appealed to the jury’s notions of race, gender, religion and class to advocate for their respective clients. Continue reading “Events recap: Defamation play, CIP dodgeball, beach clean-up”

By Chris Lawson, Editor-in-Chief

On Dec. 5, hundreds gathered at the San Diego Convention Center to watch the California July 2017 bar exam swearing-in ceremony. Family and friends cheered as their loved ones took oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution. The ceremony buzzed with feelings of achievement and triumph, and rightfully so.

To celebrate the hard work and excitement of California Western’s bar passers, the school held a pre-reception at the convention center just before the large swearing-in ceremony.

As most of the legal profession is aware, the California bar exam is considered to be one of the toughest bar exams in the country. The July 2017 bar exam proved no different. This cycle, only 49.6%, less than half, of all applicants passed. From Cal Western, however, the pass rate was 65% of first-time test takers! Thus, there was much to celebrate amongst the large percentage of last year’s graduates who passed this notoriously difficult exam. Continue reading “Former SBA president inspires bar passers at swearing-in reception”

By Chris Lawson and Sara Gold, Editors-in-Chief

Twenty-four California Western students represented the school this trimester at trial, appellate, and negotiation competitions throughout Southern California, aided by more than 10 Cal Western alumni as coaches.

Colby Ryan, Layla Toma, Ashley Sanchez, and Carl Boudro

D. Korchnoy, T. Castro, M. Mesure, and S. Saravia

Continue reading “Moot Court fall trimester round-up”

THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON UNITES CAMPUS COMMUNITY -- NOVEMBER 16

By Madeline Baker

Every year the Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by Student & Diversity Services brings a huge turnout of both students and staff. This year was no different. On Thursday, Nov. 16, about 200 students and more than 50 faculty and staff members gathered in the Roy Bell Reading Room and surrounding foyer to share a meal, relax before the holiday, and give gratitude.

Cal Western’s Thanksgiving luncheon has been a long-standing tradition that originated as an evening dinner. Over the past few years, it has become a lunch-time event, giving students a break from studying for finals and the opportunity to mingle with each other. Donna Blain Catering provided the coffee and food, which included mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, chicken sausages, and pumpkin bread pudding. Continue reading “Events recap: Thanksgiving lunch, Women in Politics, donation drives”