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Greetings,
Last week we rocked.
We rocked when IPLP alumni gathered at the Federal Bar last week to celebrate the lifetime contributions of Professor Rob Williams.
We rocked when The Slants discussed their trademark case before the Supreme Court of the United States, and then played a wonderful evening acoustic set in the law school
courtyard (how appropriate...!)
Throughout the spring, we rock as Arizona Law students compete in numerous advocacy and trial skills competitions, assisted by faculty and coached by alumni and friends.
Last week we shared news from the Barry Davis National Trial Team at nationals (
read more).
This week we announce the results of this year's Richard Grand Closing Arguments Competition.
Spring is also time for myriad Arizona Law community events, among them the recent SBA Student Gala, and the College of Law's own version of Tucson Meet Yourself.
Next Tuesday, April 18, we hope to see many of you at the
Steve Hirsch Gutter Bowl in Phoenix. We will bowl in honor of Steve and in celebration of 10 years of lousy bowling and friendly competition among our alumni and friends on the lanes.
Until the footnotes,
Marc
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Richard Grand Closing Arguments Competition Winners
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Sara Levine, Jean Paul Barnard, Mario Gonzalez,
Matt Ashton, and Kristian Brittany Garibay (l-r) |
The final round of the 2017 Richard Grand Closing Arguments Competition was held on Monday.
Five student finalists presented their arguments in front of an audience of fellow students, faculty, and a panel of judges composed of past winners of the competition.
Join us in congratulating the five finalists:
1st place ($2,500 prize): Matt Ashton
2nd place ($1,500 prize): Jean Paul Barnard
3rd place ($500 prize):
Sara Levine
4th place ($250 prize each):
Kristian Brittany Garibay and
Mario Gonzalez
The volunteer judges (below, l-r) were Heather Goodwin ('15), Jim Carlson ('16), and Joe Ezzo ('12).
Professor
Barbara Bergman, director of the Advocacy Program, conveys her c
ongratulations to this year's finalists on a job well done.
The competition is funded by the late Richard Grand, a 1958 Arizona Law graduate and a 2002 recipient of the UA Alumni Association's Professional Achievement Award. Richard passed away in April 2013. His generosity to the law school continues through the support of his wife, Marcia Grand, and the Richard Grand Foundation.
Advocacy Skills -- The Bigger Picture
In great measure, the number and success of competitions is due to you -- alumni who provide coaching and financial support through your contributions to the LCA. Building on the success of our core Advocacy Program, students and faculty engage in efforts throughout the year, comprising a strong co-curriculum that gives our students skills they (and you) value.
Our students participate in competitions including:
And here at home, the Fegtly Moot Court Competition is underway this week, with the final round on Thursday.
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SBA Student Gala Raises Funds for Clinics
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The Student Bar Association held its gala April 8 at the Westward Look Resort in Tucson. Held annually, the gala proceeds are donated by the SBA to Arizona Law's clinics.
It's a great way for students to celebrate the approaching end of the school year with one another -- in style no less -- and to give back to the college, supporting the vital services to the Tucson community that the clinics provide.
SBA President Jillian Andrews says that this year's event was a success, drawing 120 students and generating funds that will go to the LCA in support of clinics. Jillian explained that the goal of the gala is always to support programs that give students the opportunity to practice real-world skills and provide representation for clients in need.
Oh what a night!
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The community enjoyed the visit to the College of Law by the Asian American dance-rock band from Portland named The Slants, whose eight-year quest to secure trademark rights to that name led them to the nation's high court (see
Lee. V. Tam).
Bassist and bandleader Simon Tam gave a lunchtime talk about the trademark battle, and then joined an intellectual property class for further discussions.
Between talks and music, the band members hung out in the Fender Room -- our casita where students can kick back and jam on guitars, base, drums, and keyboards. This was especially appropriate as The Slants have been a Fender Music featured artist.
Thank you Fender. Thank you Mark Van Vleet ('91).
And thank you Simon Tam, Ken Shima, and Joe Jiang.
Reflecting the life of a band on the road, the drummer, roadie, van, and equipment were trapped in LA after a fan belt broke. Three band members flew to Tucson from LA, and performed a wonderful acoustic set at 8 p.m. A day later the bus and their band colleagues arrived, and then headed east to Texas...
We invited The Slants to return in the fall, after the Court decides their case, to continue the conversation and the music.
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Celebrate Retiring Prof. Suzanne Rabe ('79)
Professor Suzanne Rabe ('79), director of the Legal Writing Program, will be retiring from teaching at the end of this semester. We have two occasions to celebrate Suzanne and the impact she has had on the Arizona legal community over her 30-year career at Arizona Law. You are invited to both.
First, the Southern Arizona Chapter of the Arizona Women Lawyers Association will honor Suzanne at its annual wine & cheese reception on the evening of Friday, April 21, from 5-7 p.m. at the Steinfeld Mansion downtown.
Register here by April 18.
On May 9 we will gather with Suzanne here at the College of Law. Watch this space for details, or contact Bernadette Wilkinson if you'd like to participate.
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Prof. Rob Williams Presented with
Lifetime Achievement Award
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Lawrence R. Baca introducing award to Professor Robert A. Williams, Jr.
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The Federal Bar Association Indian Law Section has named University of Arizona Law Professor Robert A. Williams, Jr. the 2017 recipient of the Lawrence R. Baca Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Federal Indian Law.
The award was presented at the April 7 luncheon for the 42nd Annual Federal Bar Association's Indian Law Conference in Scottsdale. (
Read more.) The event included live and video testimonials. When asked, a significant portion of the large audience identified themselves as former students or Robs, and most in attendance acknowledge the influence of his work.
"My former students really are important members of the federal Indian bar. They sit on positions of influence. They're leaders in the field. So it made the honor all that more humbling and wonderful that my students had a big role in nominating me."
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Leader in the Law, Jeff Willis
Last Wednesday our students were treated to a conversation with Snell & Wilmer partner
Jeff Willis as part of our Leaders in the Law series. Thank you, Jeff!
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Conversations with Bob Mundheim Continue
This series features Professor of Corporate Law and Finance
Bob Mundheim speaking with national leaders in business and law, as they relate their experiences in and perspectives about corporate governance, markets, ethics, and career development.
The sessions are free and open to the public, taking place noon-1:15 p.m. at the College of Law, Room 237 (Faculty Lounge). Lunch is provided, and seating is limited.
The series recently featured Peter Tague (below, center), Vice Chairman and Global Co-Head of Citi's Mergers & Acquisitions Department, on April 3.
On April 10, the speaker was John J. Cannon III, Partner, Shearman & Sterling.
The conversation included a timely discussion of governance issues arising out of the Wells Fargo Investigation Independent Disclosures Report on Sales Practices. Shearman & Sterling acted as counsel to the independent directors. John Cannon and Bob Mundheim talked about the report and engaged in a lively discussion with students and faculty of some of the general corporate governance issues raised by it.
Finishing off the series on April 17 will be Simon M. Lorne, Vice Chairman and Chief Legal Officer at Millennium Management, LLC.
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"Never bowl without first
hitting up the snack bar."
 Arizona Law has renamed our Gutter Bowl event, now celebrating its 10th year, as the Steve Hirsch Gutter Bowl, in honor of the late Steven A. Hirsch ('80), a devoted alumnus and one of Gutter Bowl's biggest fans.
All proceeds from the Hirsch Bowl will go to the Steven A. Hirsch Scholarship Fund.
When: Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Bowlmor Lanes Scottsdale, 7300 E Thomas Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Join us for a night of fun, high scores, and hilarity on the lanes as Arizona Law takes over Bowlmor Lanes. Sign up as a team, or come as an individual bowler and we will connect you with a team.
Each team will get its own lane and Steve Hirsch Gutter Bowl t-shirts!
Sponsors
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As all of the recent events in the classroom and the courtroom and the courtyard attest, our college is a great place to think, to learn, to compete.
And to attend a concert now and again.
Shaping the next century of legal education
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