Dear Friends, 

The legal profession expects a high level of dedication, and the rigors of law school reflect that. While the rewards are substantial, students often face a demanding and sometimes isolating experience as they pursue their professional aspirations.

Our primary focus has always been the student experience, and I cherish this aspect of our collective work. How we support our students along their professional path is one of the most direct and impactful ways we can live out our Jesuit ideals. We are blessed to have access to the richness of Ignatian principles to guide us, allowing us to draw strength and inspiration from their timeless wisdom and values.  

A Jesuit law school education transcends traditional legal training by fostering a deep integration of ethical discernment and intellectual rigor. We aim to develop values-driven leaders through a holistic, human-centered approach to learning. This is the essence of cura personalis, of caring for the whole person. By encouraging our students to fully explore the law's fruitful intersections with the sciences and humanities, we form legal professionals who recognize and protect the dignity of all persons, affirming our responsibility to each other and the common good.  

Inspired by our Ignatian values, we find joy in "encountering” others. To “encounter” another is to see God within them. We are called to open our minds and hearts to each other, to discover genuine connection, to celebrate our shared humanity, and to act from a place of radical empathy and loving kindness. 

Together, we are shaping lawyers who are competent practitioners, conscientious advocates, and innovative designers for the greater good. Our Ignatian emphasis on the whole person translates into a curriculum that challenges students to reflect on their values, engage in public service work, understand the law's impact on the most vulnerable, and strive to build a more hopeful and just future for all. 

In the classroom, in the Atrium and hallways, and in the work that our students do for the community, we accompany them throughout the process of their formation. The learning environment here is not only conducive to acquiring legal knowledge but also to fostering a supportive, inclusive community where students are empowered to grow intellectually, personally, collaboratively, and professionally. Every step of the way, they are shaped by the Jesuit values of inclusive excellence, empathy, compassion, justice, and service to others.

As we navigate an increasingly difficult period in our national life, I hope you can find both solace and inspiration in these enduring core values. I know that we can always draw comfort and strength from each other. I see how you lift one another up, in times of success and setback. I see how you “encounter” each other with little and large acts of kindness, whether by expanding understanding in the classroom, offering some hard-won wisdom, or just sharing a word of encouragement. Together, we are, and always will be, law students and legal professionals who lead with love.

With warm regards and tremendous gratitude,

Michael J. Kaufman (He/Him/His)
Dean and Professor of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
mjkaufman@scu.edu