Dean Michael J. Kaufman

Dean Michael J. Kaufman

Dear Members of the Santa Clara Law Community,

I hope that these summer months have afforded you and your loved ones an opportunity to travel, relax, and recharge. For many of us within the Law School, the sense of renewal we experience during the summer inspires creativity and drives a spirit of anticipation to begin our next academic year.

Last week, approximately 200 of our recent graduates just finished sitting for the CA Bar Exam. With the assistance of Professor Devin Kinyon, Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Office of Academic & Bar Success, and our other professional bar preparation services, their preparation was thorough and rigorous. Although the results of the exam will not be known for several months, I encourage you to join me in applauding our graduates who sat for the exam, an important step in the process of their professional formation.

As a Law School, we are excited to welcome our new President, Dr. Julie Sullivan, to campus. She is a talented and proven leader, and our entire campus community is fortunate to have her at the helm. A formal Inauguration Ceremony is planned for Friday, October 7th.

In just a few short weeks, we will be welcoming a new class of 1Ls to campus, as they begin the process of joining the legal profession. This year’s Convocation Ceremony will be followed by Breaking Bread, a professionalism dinner, that seeks to connect incoming law students with Santa Clara Law graduates who have distinguished themselves in the profession. To learn more about Convocation or the opportunity to meet with our incoming 1Ls that evening, please contact tqtran@scu.edu.

Our goals for the coming year include developing a new strategic plan aligned with the Law School’s and University’s mission, vision, and enduring values. Our plan will identify our distinctive strengths and devote resources to building upon them. Among our strategic priorities will be expanding access to the legal profession and to a Santa Clara Law education by procuring philanthropic support for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Our alumni, parents, and friends will continue to play an instrumental role in realizing this transformative objective.

Be safe and enjoy what remains of this wonderful summer season. Thank you for your passionate support of Santa Clara Law.

With warm regards and tremendous gratitude,

Michael J. Kaufman