Dear Friends,

This month, I had the privilege of traveling up and down the East Coast to spend time with our prominent alumni and wonderful admitted students in joyous gatherings in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. 

Special thanks to our colleagues in the Boston Office of Wilson, Sonsini, who co-hosted our event and have become terrific partners in supporting our students and graduates, particularly managing partner Chris McAndrew, who warmly welcomed us, and Allegra Aquino, who expertly oversaw all of the many details. Thanks as well to our incredible Advancement and Alumni Relations professionals, including Dean Cheryl Caligaris, Marjorie Short, Isaiah Schutz-Ramon, Alexa Zollin, Pam Nonga Ngue, Brenda Martinez Salcedo, and Lisa McMahon. They orchestrated all of our get-togethers, including a rousing rooftop bash in Manhattan and receptions and luncheons in Washington, D.C., where our alumni were thrilled to be joined by Dean Laura Norris and Professor Sean Bland.  

These gatherings were a reminder of something our Jesuit tradition at Santa Clara Law has always understood: Community does not begin at convocation and end at graduation, it deepens. Meeting with our alumni, some who graduated decades apart, I was struck by how powerfully the values instilled in our halls (a commitment to excellence, justice, service, and the whole person) continue to show up in the work they do every single day.

Our alumni are practicing with distinction and integrity in nearly every region of the globe, including Christopher Daley, J.D. ’09, an expert in international dispute resolution at Foley Hoag, who traveled from his office in Paris, France to join us in both Boston and D.C. Also joining us in D.C. was Sasha Matar, LL.M. ’26, who was just named the Most Influential LL.M. Student of her Generation upon her graduation from Santa Clara Law, building on her graduate education at Lebanese University and her global experience in journalism, politics, and emerging technologies.

So many of our alumni are mentoring young lawyers, leading firms and nonprofits, serving on benches and in legislatures, and advocating for communities. Our gatherings reminded me that we are building something special together at Santa Clara Law. 

Among the many highlights of this trip was the extraordinary opportunity 15 alumni and friends had to be sworn in before the United States Supreme Court as newly admitted members of the Supreme Court Bar. Congratulations to: Brian Bathurst, J.D. ’00 ; Christopher Daley, J.D. ’09; Matthew Gagnon, Columbia University School of Law, J.D. ’03; Albie Jachimowicz, J.D. ’82; Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz, J.D. ’10; Joshua Robinett Jachimowicz, J.D. ’11;  Sarina Jwo, J.D. ’21; Lauren Ladwig, J.D. ’06; Alexander Louie, J.D. ’20; Gemini McCasland, J.D. ’00; Daniel Myers, J.D. ’95; Carla Passero, J.D. ’95; Jason Peterson, J.D. ’18; Kendrick Reid, J.D. ’76, and Michael Reiter, J.D. ’98.
  
This was the pinnacle of their already preeminent careers, and for many of them, as Kendrick Reid said, it was a “full circle moment.” A military veteran, Major Kendrick Edward “Ed” Reid shared with us how Santa Clara Law supported him every step on his journey to becoming one of the nation’s foremost champions for democracy and racial justice, including in his leadership role as the campaign manager for former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, fellow Santa Clara Law alum, and Congressman Mike Espy, J.D. ’78 during his historic 1986 congressional campaign to become the first Black Congressman from Mississippi since Reconstruction. 

Gemini McCasland, J.D. ’00 also has become a leading advocate for civil rights, first as the Senior Attorney and Investigator with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and now as an invaluable expert consultant. 

So many others, like Daniel Myers, J.D. ’95, have become leaders in their fields and communities. Dan not only serves as Vice-Chair of Fennemore’s Real Estate practice group, bringing more than 25 years of experience representing clients in all aspects of complex commercial real estate transactions, he also teaches and publishes on cutting edge issues such as green lease provisions. 

And Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz, J.D. ’10, our Residential Professor of Law and Democratic Policy and Associate Dean of Enrollment, Strategy, and Operations, had the distinct honor of being sworn in to the Supreme Court along with her husband and classmate Joshua Robinett Jachimowicz, J.D. ’11 and her father in law, alum Albie Benjamin Jachimowicz, J.D. ’82.  

This momentous occasion carried special resonance given the times in which we find ourselves, where democracy and the rule of law are being tested in unprecedented ways. To be sworn in before the Supreme Court of the United States in this particular moment in history is both a professional achievement and a recommitment to the responsibility of being a steward of justice.

As I reflect on the ceremony and the trip, I find myself thinking about our new and continuing students. The alumni we connected with, including those sworn in before the Supreme Court, were once in the same position as those students: learning, finding their voices, discerning what kind of lawyers they want to become and how they want to pursue justice. 

They are so blessed–as we all are–to be surrounded by a strong, supportive, and life-long law school community! 

With warm regards and great gratitude,   

 

Michael J. Kaufman
Dean and Professor of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law