Interclub Council Meeting Today

As the year comes toward a close, leadership of student-led organizations changes hands.  Today, at lunch, there will be an Interclub Council meeting of all outgoing and incoming leaders.

We have such a rich offering of student leadership organizations (and opportunities).  Consider this impressive list:

Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL)
American Bar Association (Law Student Division)
American Constitution Society
Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Armenian Law Students
Alexander Hamilton Society
Black Law Student Association
Christian Legal Society
Criminal Law Society
Dispute Resolution Law Journal
Dispute Resolution Society
DRPC Networking Society
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Honor Board
Interfaith Student Council
International Justice Mission
International Law Society
J. Reuben Clark Society
Jewish Law Student’s Association
Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship & the Law
Law Students – Catalyst for Youth
LGBT Legal Society
Moot Court Board
National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary
Pepperdine Law Review
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Delta Phi
Sports and Entertainment Law Society
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
Student Bar Association
Student Mentor Program
Veterans Legal Society
Video Game Law Society
Women’s Legal Association

SBA Elections Week!

It is the time of year when elections for student leadership positions take place at the Pepperdine University School of Law, including the very important Student Bar Association (SBA) elections that will take place this week.

The SBA is the governing body of the students. The SBA endeavors to represent the entirety of the Law School community in furthering legal education, promoting fellowship and goodwill among students, faculty, and the administration, and advocating the concerns of Pepperdine Law students.

The mission of the SBA is to foster a cooperative, professional, and diverse educational environment at our law school. In pursuit of this mission, the SBA will:

• Represent student interests to administration and faculty
• Apprise students of issues and developments concerning our school,
• Provide financial support to student organizations, and
• Create opportunities for students to come together in both social and academic settings.

Academic Advising Week: Clinics, Externships, and Practicums

Today, our 1L students have the opportunity to learn about our great clinics, externships, and practicums during a lunchtime fair.  Examples include:

• Community Justice Clinic
• Investor Advocacy Clinic
• Legal Aid Clinic
• Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic
• Special Education Advocacy Clinic
• J.D. Externship Program
• Washington D.C. Externship Semester
• Criminal Justice Dispute Resolution Practicum
• Federal Criminal Practice Practicum

ABTL Scholarship Winner

On Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of attending a scholarship dinner with one of our outstanding third-year students, Joe Spano (pictured above, second from right).  The dinner was hosted by the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (“ABTL”) of Los Angeles.   At the dinner, one student from five Los Angeles law schools (Pepperdine, Loyola, Southwestern, UCLA, and USC) was recognized.

Among the factors considered for this scholarship award, an emphasis was placed on a demonstrated commitment to public service.  This made Joe Spano a perfect choice!  Joe has been a leader in APIL (Advocates for Public Interest Law) and IJM (International Justice Mission) and has been the fearless leader of our Sack Lunch Saturday program for the Malibu Community Labor Exchange this year.

Congratulations to Joe!!!

Spring Break, Part 2

Several of our students are in India for spring break through our Global Justice Program to work with an organization started by Pepperdine Law alum, Jon Derby, called Counsel to Secure Justice.

As you can see from the picture above, this trip also provided the unique cultural opportunity to take part in Holi Festival 2015 (the Festival of Colours)!!!

Gary Haugen

The growth and good work of the International Justice Mission is fascinating.  “IJM” (as it is popularly known) now enjoys immense popularity on college campuses as students interested in social justice dream of working for justice around the world.

IJM founder, President & CEO, Gary Haugen, is an inspiration to many, and Pepperdine is honored to be one of two law schools that Gary takes the time out of his busy schedule to teach at each year–Pepperdine, and his alma mater, the University of Chicago.

Gary has been here this week to teach his course, “International Criminal Law, Human Rights, and the Development of the Rule of Law.”  In addition, he graciously attended a Bible study hosted by the Christian Legal Society student organization on Wednesday night to speak to the students.  His message came via a conversation with his co-teacher and the host of the Wednesday night Bible study, Professor Jim Gash.

Gary’s contribution to Pepperdine Law is a great blessing to many of our students.

Professor Otey

Professor Brittany Stringfellow Otey and her good work on Skid Row at the Union Rescue Mission was recently featured on the website # she is noble.  Check out her inspiring work HERE.

The Mission Continues

Scott Sasser, 3L and president of our Veterans Legal Society, sent the following update from a great service project the VLS was involved in on Skid Row at the Union Rescue Mission last Saturday:

This weekend’s VLS event with The Mission Continues at the Union Rescue Mission was a success. It was the first service project since starting “Second Platoon, Los Angeles” so I was a little worried about attendance. Nevertheless, we had about 30 people come out to support throughout the morning, including several Pepperdine students and veterans, as well as Professor Nelson. We were able to paint both the Women’s & Children’s Day Room and a large wall in the basement. I attached a few pictures from the event. It was exciting to see so many people fired up to serve and we look forward to the next event.

Professor Paul Liu Lecture Today

Modest Means Incubator

Access to the justice system is difficult for far too many people.  With that in mind, we are proud to announce that Pepperdine University School of Law, UCLA School of Law, and Southwestern Law School have been awarded a one-year grant from the State Bar of California’s Commission on Access to Justice to establish a modest means incubator, a pilot program to help new attorneys launch and develop viable law practices serving modest means clients.

Please read our exciting press release on this great news!