Crediting the generous donors who made their own legal education possible, two Arizona Law alumni have issued a $100,000 challenge to help raise new scholarship dollars for financially needy law students. Wayne Howard (‘72) and Michael Trauscht (‘73) announced the dollar-for-dollar matching grant at the Law College Association’s Annual Appreciation Dinner. They will match donations made to new or existing scholarships between now and July 25, 2008 up to $100,000.

Howard and Trauscht became good friends at the College of Law and worked at various jobs together during and after law school. Trauscht is now a successful personal injury lawyer. Howard is a retired attorney. Both live in metropolitan Phoenix. Both men, however, say their eventual success was anything but certain.

Trauscht describes his childhood on Chicago’s hardscrabble southside as “a place where I couldn’t even imagine the life I lead now. I worked hard to get out and make a life for myself, but along the line there were people who were generous with their time and money, and I wouldn’t have made it without them.” Howard said that his family was also of modest means, and that he “always believed that I could achieve anything if I just got the chance to try. Scholarship donors helped make those chances for me and I am grateful.”

The Trauscht/Howard challenge comes at a time when national law organizations and law schools are grappling with the impact of mounting student debt. Last fall, Arizona Law Dean Toni Massaro announced a five-year initiative to raise $1 million in new scholarship dollars. “We need a GI bill for the 21st century, to make sure that a law school is accessible and affordable to all qualified students,” Massaro said, “Many times, our students are already carrying significant undergraduate debt, and don’t believe that a professional education is within their reach. We need to create a support system that allows them to envision and attain their highest educational goals.” The scholarship campaign is a component of a three-part campaign, called "Our Promise to the Future," designed to transform Arizona Law before the enrollment of its ‘century class’ in 2012.

A scholarship donation of any amount made before July 25th can be credited toward the challenge. Donors can direct contributions  to a longstanding scholarship, one of the new endowed scholarship funds created this year to honor distinguished lawyers and Arizona Law professors, or a general scholarship pool. Donors may also create an endowed scholarship in their own business or family name, or in honor of another. Questions involving scholarship contributions should be directed to Jonelle Vold, Assistant Dean for Development, at 520-621-8430. Make an online gift here.

Responding to an increasing demand for lawyers with global business skills, the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law has established a new certificate program in international trade and business law. The J.D. certificate program will equip graduates with the legal skills they require to function effectively as legal counsel in a global economy. 

For more than fifteen years, U.S. and international students who already possess a JD degree or its equivalent have been part of Arizona Law’s LLM Program in International Trade Law.  The certificate program will recognize Juris Doctor candidates who choose many of the same courses and opportunities as they seek their first law degree, the J.D.

“Students are becoming more interested in acquiring international skills early in their law school careers. Many of them plan to start working in transnational settings right off the bat, and they need to have a solid foundation as J.D. graduates,” noted Professor David Gantz, Director of the International Trade Law Program. 

The program draws upon Arizona Law’s expert faculty and extensive list of courses in international trade, commercial, and business law fields.  Both the public and private dimensions of international trade law are taught.  There is strong emphasis on courses about U.S. law essential to effective representation of domestic and international business clients, whether the client is a “Fortune 500” public corporation or a closely-held limited liability company. 

Admissions details, as well as information on the certificate program, are available at http://www.law.arizona.edu/Depts/llmitl/jdmain.cfm or from Professor Gantz (gantz@law.arizona.edu).

For the third consecutive year, Arizona Law students had the chance to learn about the United States Supreme Court from one of its most iconic members, as former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor returned to the classroom. As in previous years, the intensive course was co-taught by Justice O’Connor and RonNell Andersen-Jones, who served as one of Justice O’Connor’s law clerks and is now the College’s Distinguished Faculty Fellow. Entitled "Conversations on the Supreme Court," the course explored dimensions of the Supreme Court of the United States. It was designed to give students an insider's look at the current practices and procedures of both the litigants who argue cases and the Justices who decide them, while contrasting those practices and procedures with historic approaches. In lectures and readings, the course also examined the role of the Court as an institution, addressing the significant changes over the last two hundred years in both substantive and procedural areas. One class was devoted to the role of law clerks at the Court. Justice O'Connor was joined by Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor, and Justices Scott Bales and Andrew Hurwitz, each of whom clerked at the Court. During her teaching stay, Justice O’Connor was honored at a lunch hosted by University of Arizona President Robert Shelton and his wife, Adrian Shelton. She also spoke at an informal luncheon with faculty.

Professor Tom Mauet, Milton O. Riepe Professor and Director of Trial Advocacy, has been named as the Art Andrews Graduate Teacher-Mentor at Arizona Law for 2007-08. Professor Mauet is consistently recognized by students and alumni for his teaching, as well as the coaching, advising, and career counseling that often extends far into their careers. His groundbreaking work in trial practice has garnered national attention for many years, and his books are considered fundamental building blocks of advocacy education and practice. The Andrews Award is an annual honor established at Arizona Law to recognize excellence in teaching and mentoring of students.

In recognition of her service to Arizona Law, The University of Arizona, the community, and the legal profession, Professor Jean Braucher has received the 2007-08 Leslie and Patti Bell Faculty Service Award. In announcing the award, Deam Toni M. Massaro noted Professor Braucher's voluntary service on College of Law committees, in faculty governance activities, in leadership of law-related community organizations, and in her many years of mentoring and teaching students. The Bell Award is an annual honor bestowed by the College.

International lawyer and scholar S. James Anaya has been appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, a position in which he will assess the condition of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples worldwide. The United Nations Human Rights Council confirmed Professor Anaya’s selection on March 27, 2008, acknowledging his long history of legal work on behalf of indigenous communities. Professor Anaya is only the second person to be named to the post.

As Special Rapporteur, Professor Anaya will conduct thematic research on issues relevant to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples; visit countries to observe and hear about the challenges faced by indigenous peoples; and communicate with governments when human rights violations are alleged.  He will continue to teach at Arizona Law while carrying out his duties as Special Rapporteur. 

Professor Anaya holds the James L. Lenoir Professorship in Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, where he has taught since 1999. He was instrumental in establishing the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program (IPLP) and continues to instruct many of the program’s courses, including constitutional law and international human rights advocacy. A Harvard Law School graduate (1983), he is considered one of the world’s top scholars in the field of international human rights, with a special emphasis on indigenous peoples. His advocacy work on behalf of indigenous communities has garnered worldwide attention as well, most recently in a successful action on behalf of the Maya communities of Belize before that country’s high court. Anaya has an extensive list of publications, many of which are considered the seminal writings in the field. A complete list of his works is available at: www.law.arizona.edu.

 “Professor Anaya has been recognized as one of the world’s leading human rights advocates and legal scholars for many years,” notes IPLP Program Director Robert A. Williams Jr., “and this new honor will create wonderful new opportunities for advancing indigenous peoples human rights and for the students who come here to learn from him.”

Further information about the IPLP program is available at www.law.arizona.edu/depts/iplp/.  Details on the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council is available at www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/ .

The Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) invites you to join us in recognizing our newly elected 2008 - 2009 officers.

• Leah Lussier, President
• Trini Contreras, Vice-President

Our treasurer and secretary will be elected in the fall.

NALSA is a non-exclusive, national organization dedicated to recruiting qualified Native Americans to the College of Law, retaining Native American students through active cultural, academic, and social support, educating the non-Native Americans about the issues facing the Native Americans in the law; and encouraging participation in the Native American community through clinical programs, summer internships, and the Federal Bar Association's Indian Law Conference. NALSA encourages participation of non-Native Americans who may have an interest in International Law, Natural Resources Law, or Family Law, as all are components of Indian Law.

Phi Delta Phi is pleased to announce its PDP Officers for 2008 - 2009:

• David R. Knudson, Magister
• Jenilee Valeros, Vice-Magister
• Dana Muller, Scribe
• Michelle Mozdzen, Treasurer
• Sabrina Fladness, Historian

Phi Delta Phi (PDP) is the oldest and largest legal fraternity in the world.  Chartered in 1929, the local chapter (Pattee Inn) sponsors several types of activities for its members. Money raised through the year helps the local Inn to focus on community service projects, such as the annual Halloween Party for the local battered women and children center and the annual MDA Walk/America. Social events for the members include the annual PDP/MLSA Volleyball Picnic and Spring Initiation Dinner. The Inn also sponsors guest speakers throughout the year. Membership is open to any law student in good standing.

Congratulations to the Five Finalists in the 2008 Richard Grand Closing Argument Competition:

• First Place:  Cerina da Graca ($2000 award)
• Second Place:  Kiel Berry  ($1000 award)
• Third Place:  Caleb Wagner  ($500 award)
• Finalist:  Erin Wasley ($250 award)
• Finalist:  Will Van Curen ($250 award)

All of the finalists' arguments were outstanding.  We are grateful to attorney Richard Grand for his generous funding of the competition. one of two annual event skills he funds. The Richard Grand Legal Writing Competition was held earlier this year.

We are also grateful to this year's panel of outstanding judges:

• The Hon. Javier Chon-Lopez, Pima County Superior Court
• Professor Zelda Harris, Rogers College of Law
• Rick A. Unklesbay,  Office of the Pima County Attorney
• Laura Udall, Cooper & Udall
• Leigh Bernstein, Fleming & Curti

The Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity (PAD) is pleased to announce its officers for 2008 - 2009:

• David R. Knudson, Magister
• Jenilee Valeros, Vice-Magister
• Dana Muller, Scribe
• Michelle Mozdzen, Treasurer
• Sabrina Fladness, Historian

PAD is a national professional organization for men and women. The goal of the local chapter is to provide service to the student community. PAD has scholarships available to aid minority students and awards a scholarship annually to a member chosen from the Knox chapter. While the national organization is initiating a placement service for PAD alumni, the Knox chapter plans to establish a service to aid its members in finding employment while attending law school. PAD has also established  a study aids program to assist its members in their academic pursuits. Membership is open to any student in the College of Law.

The Latino Law Student Association (LLSA) is proud to announce its 2008 - 2009 board members:

• President - Melanie Rainer
• Vice President - Daniela Bernal
• Treasurer - Corrinna Ortega
• Secretary - TBD; reserved for incoming 1L
• JUNTOS Liaison - Miguel Bustilloz
• SBA Representative - Shayna Fernandez
• Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association Liaison - Stephanie Spencer

The Latino Law Student Association (LLSA) was organized in 1993 in an effort to give Latino students more focused support. LLSA strives to provide a supportive educational and professional environment for Latino students at the College of Law. The organization seeks to enhance the law school experience by providing networking, mentoring, clinic, and community service opportunities to its members. LLSA is firmly committed to increasing diversity in the study of law and in the greater legal community. The student association also seeks to raise awareness about legal issues of concern to the Latino community.

Arun Rao, Class of '08, has won the 2008 Judge Thomas Tang Writing Competition. This annual competition is sponsored by the Committee on Minorities and Women in the Law of the Arizona Bar Association. The competition is named after the late 9th Circuit Judge Thomas Tang, in recognition of and to honor his special achievements and interest in diversifying the legal profession. Mr Arau won $1000 for his first place essay. Winners are announced and prizes are distributed at the annual Minority Bar Convention in April.  In the past, the winning essay has been printed in the Arizona Attorney.

Linda Imonode, Class '10, has been selected for a Peggy Browning Fellowship for a summer clerkship at Working Hands Legal Clinic (WHLC) in Chicago. As a Fellow, Ms Imonode will work under the supervision of the WHLC Director to develop workplace rights curriculum and materials for training of workers’ center leaders;
assist in conducting trainings of workers’ center leaders;participate in active litigation drafting complaints, motions and conducting research; and Work with workers’ centers in developing worker-led strategies to attack workplace abuses.

The Peggy Browning Fund is a nonprofit corporation established in memory of Margaret A. Browning, a prominent labor attorney and member of the National Labor Relations Board. The Fund's mission is to provide law students with diverse, challenging work and educational experiences in the area of workers' rights. Such unique and positive opportunities will both increase students's understanding of workers' needs as well as promote their entry into the practice of public interest labor law.

The International Law Society is pleased to announce its 2008 - 2009 Executive Board members:

• Pankaj Raval, President
• Sarah Richelson, Vice President
• Nidhi Naik, Secretary
• Anthony Cali, Treasurer

The primary goal of the International Law Society (Society) is to offer law students an opportunity to explore substantive areas of domestic law as they apply in an inter­national context.  The Society is structured to accommodate various interests including inter­national business law, international humanitarian/public interest law, international environmental law, international criminal law, etc. through its Speaker Program, Career Speaker Pro­gram, Networking Program (includes other students, Society members worldwide, legal professionals from the Pima County Bar Association International Division and other professionals dedicated to pur­suing work in the international forum), Lobbying Program (dedicated to establishing more international law classes),  Foreign Studies Pro­grams, and the Jessup International Moot Court Pro­gram.

Ron Lev, Class of '09, has received the Janet D. Steiger Fellowship from the American Bar Association to work in the Washington State Attorney General's Office. Mr. Lev was one of 24 students selected for this Fellowship out of 200 applications.

The Janet D. Steiger Fellowship Project provides law students the extraordinary opportunity to work in the in the consumer protection and antitrust departments of state and territorial Offices of Attorneys General throughout the United States, as well as the Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs.. The eight-week paid Fellowships were initiated in 2004 by the ABA Section of Antitrust Law, in cooperation with the National Association of Attorneys General (“NAAG”), as a consumer protection outreach initiative to introduce law students to the rewards of legal careers in public service.

The Project is also a tribute to the memory of the late Janet D. Steiger, one of America’s great public servants who, during her remarkable tenure as FTC Chairman, dramatically improved cooperation, communication and coordination between state and federal consumer protection and antitrust enforcement agencies.

Students at Arizona Law recently elected the following individuals as Student Bar Association (SBA) Officers for the next school year:

• President - Rigel Massaro
• Vice President - C. Stephen Tobin
• Secretary - Kat Kitlas
• Treasurer - Michelle Gregory
• Executive Program Coordinator - Jillian Aja
• 3L Delegates - Jean West, Shayna Fernandez, Tommy George, and Pete Fisher
• 2L Delegates - Jen Crutchfield, David Grubin, Robyn Greenberg, and Brenna Durkin
• At-Large Representatives - Joanna Gaughan, Ferrum Wang, Sarah Smith, and Nathaniel Sorenson
• ABA Representative - Amanda Bynum (Robinson)

The SBA provides a vehicle through which students may collectively participate in enhancing their law school experience.  The SBA is designed to introduce students to the many facets of the legal profession, to encourage a thorough legal education, to provide both social and educational extracurricular activities, and to promote professional responsibility within the student body. The SBA is a member of the American Law Student Association, the student affiliate of the American Bar Association.

Editor-in-Chief:  Megan Donovan

Senior Managing Editor:  Mike Miller

Senior Articles Editor:  Guadalupe Gutierrez

Managing Editors:  Mark Sorokin, Autumn Spritzer, Olga Zlotnik

Articles Editors:  Vanessa Chavez, Leigha Fassett, Tommy George, Danita Ng

Research and Development Editor:  Jonny Taylor

Productions Editor:  Nick Jensen

Business Editor:  Sarah Richelson

Note and Comment Editors:  Erin Ford, Samantha Garber, Bethany Graham, Daniel Humbarger, Rigel Massaro, Amy Zavidow

Perry Rogers ('94) was profiled in New York Times as one of Las Vegas' "new titans," men in their 30s and 40s who are the latest generation of entrepreneurs to re-invent Vegas. The article is available at the New York Times website here.

Wayne Howard (‘72) and Michael Trauscht (‘73) announced a dollar-for-dollar matching grant at the Law College Association’s Annual Appreciation Dinner. They will match donations made to new or existing scholarships between now and July 25, 2008 up to $100,000. Read more here.

Daisy M. Jenkins, Class of '76, received the "Phenomenal Woman Award," given annually by The University of Arizona Alumni Association's Black Alumni Club. She was honored with an event on April 18, 2008. Proceeds from the event benefited the UA Black Alumni Club scholarship endowment and its various programs. Other women who have received this honor include poet Maya Angelou, local dance instructor and educator Barbea Williams, Beverely Elliot, a nationally recognized counselor and educator, and Anna Jolivet, Tucson Unified School District's first African American female principal. Ms Jenkins, the first woman of color to be named a vice-president at Raytheon Missile Systems, was named Tucson's 2007 Woman of the Year; she also received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Diversity from the National Black Engineer of the Year Conference. Read more here.