UCI Law is pleased to announce the naming of its accomplished Pro Bono Program in recognition of a generous gift from Michael G. Ermer, Partner Emeritus at Irell & Manella LLP. The program will now be known as the Michael G. Ermer Pro Bono Program, in tribute to Ermer's dedication to public service and his significant contributions and long support of UCI Law's public service law programs.

Coffee with the Dean: Irene Lee, 2L and President of the Student Bar Association at UCI Law, Reflects on Law School

Alumni News: UCI Law Graduate Tax Program’s Andres Berdugo '23 Named 2023 Tax Notes Student Writing Competition Winner

Andres Berdugo (’23), a recent LL.M. graduate of the UCI Law Graduate Tax Program, was named the winner of the 2023 Tax Notes Student Writing Competition for his article titled, “Form Follows Function: A Critical Analysis and Reassessment of the Continuity of Business Enterprise Doctrine.” The annual student writing competition recognizes superior student writing on unsettled questions in federal, state, or international tax law or policy. Berdugo’s article will be published in Tax Notes Federal, Tax Notes International, and Tax Notes State in September.

UCI Law Talks Podcast: Monica Eav Glicken on Public Law Center, UCI Law Collaboration and the Unique Legal Community of Orange County

We are pleased to present the newly relaunched UCI Law Talks podcast series with Dean Austen Parrish. In this episode, Dean Parrish interviews Monica Eav Glicken, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Public Law Center (PLC), on how the PLC is fighting for justice in Orange County, her career in immigration law and public interest work, the unique Orange County legal community, the work UCI Law students do with the PLC, and her advice for law students.

Program News: UCI Law and Samueli School of Engineering Collaborate on New Scholarship Program 

UCI Law and UCI's Henry Samueli School of Engineering established the Engineering-Law Scholarship Program, a collaboration to offer Samueli School of Engineering graduates access to scholarship funds at UCI Law. The collaboration seeks to provide talented engineering students interested in the study of law — including intellectual property, law and technology, and other areas — the ability to obtain an affordable legal education at one of the nation’s top public law schools.

Clinic News: Students in Workers, Law and Organizing Clinic Secure Settlement for Central Valley Packing Plant Workers 

Alumnus Edgar Aguilasocho (’12) collaborated with WLO clinic students to attain a measure of justice for essential workers who led walkouts during the pandemic. Under Prof. Sameer Ashar’s supervision and in collaboration with United Farm Workers, Aguilasocho and his firm’s paralegal staff, the clinic team — which included UCI Law ’23 graduates Erin Black, Mason Doidge, and Ethan Smith— researched potential claims, interviewed workers on-site, visited the plant, began informal discovery and drafted a state court complaint.

Faculty News: Integrated and Equitable Climate Action Awarded $1.2 Million to Advance IECA Across the State

A consortium of community leaders, local and state policymakers, and UC scholars was awarded a $1.2 million climate action grant as part of the historic $80 million partnership announced on August 23, 2023 by the University of California and the state of California to address state climate priorities.

The brainchild of Gregg Macey, Center Associate Director for Environmental Justice at the Center for Land, Environment, and Natural Resources (CLEANR), this innovative “Integrated and Equitable Climate Action” (IECA) project will align local land use plans with urgent state climate objectives and mandates and developing best practices for localities to engage in effective and equitable adaptation planning. Prof. Alejandro Camacho, who serves as faculty director of CLEANR, is the principal investigator on the project. Co-investigators include Profs. Mario Barnes, Joseph F. C. DiMento and Carrie Menkel-Meadow.

UCI Law Press Release | UCI Press Release | UC Press Release

Clinic News: IJC Submits Letter to Japanese Court on the Vital Role of Journalism in Conflict Zones

The International Justice Clinic (David Kaye with supporting work from students Eric Nguyen and Robia Amjad) submitted a letter to a Japanese Court on the vital role of journalists in conflict zones in a case concerning the Japanese government’s rejection of a passport application by a Japanese journalist who had been reporting from conflict zones. The letter was quoted in a major Japanese newspaper.

Faculty Roundup: The Latest Highlights From UCI Law's Faculty

Alumni News: UCI Law's DEI Committee Election Now Open

The Law Alumni Association (LAA) is seeking two alumni members to join UCI Law's DEI Committee, composed of alumni, students, administrators, and faculty, dedicated to fostering diversity and equity within the school. Interested alumni are encouraged to submit candidacy statements by September 12. The LAA Board and Council will review submissions, with new DEI Committee members announced on September 21, serving a one-year term starting in Fall 2023. For inquiries, please email alumni@law.uci.edu.

UCI Law prepared me for legal practice and my career with its emphasis on getting hands-on and practical training. The professors and administration encouraged and allowed us to participate in pro bono service from the get-go and pushed us to focus more on getting experience through pro bono service, externships, and clinics rather than worrying about taking every single bar exam course.

I enjoy the opportunity to interact with inspiring, grassroots organizations that serve their communities through dignified, culturally relevant, and community-led food security programs. We get to work with partners who feature program models such as free grocery markets, kitchens where community members cook meals with and for each other, and urban farms that train BIPOC youth apprentices.

The best part about being a student at UCI Law was that the school attracted warm and kind people; some of my former classmates were my closest friends. Additionally, we had supportive professors who were very generous with their time and energy outside of the classroom, in my case, especially Professor Mario Barnes and Professor Carrie Menkel-Meadow. And, with UCI Law being a new school at the time, I really appreciated the adventurous spirit of the Class of 2012 and the example they set for the subsequent classes, particularly the founding members of the Underrepresented Students Alliance (UrSA).

I'm always excited to reconnect with other alums, so I've volunteered to organize summer socials and get togethers in San Diego and the Bay Area. And when I lived in southern California, I enjoyed volunteering during summers at UCI Law for the Pre-Law Outreach Program and the Saturday Academy of Law.

Now, having lived in the Bay Area for five years, I feel quite far away from the community of UCI Law. So, I can't wait to catch up with classmates and professors I haven't seen in a while!

Samrah Mahmoud '12 was nominated for the Orange County Business Journal's Women in Business Awards.

Christina Zabat-Fran '12 was nominated for the Orange County Business Journal's Women in Business Awards.

Caitlin Emmons '15 was featured in the Orange County Business Journal.

Sai Upadhyayula '20 was chosen for the second time as a recipient of the John Wilson Award by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, in recognition of outstanding legal service to the firm's pro bono clients.

Jordin Wilcher '21 was chosen by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati to be a recipient of the John Wilson Award, which recognizes outstanding legal service to the firm's pro bono clients.