Message from the Dean
Pepperdine Law
Features
- Message from the Dean
- Introducing the Wm. Matthew Byrne, Jr., Judicial Clerkship Institute
- A Supreme Honor
- A Memoir: A Moment. An Experience. An Oath.
- Resolved to be Excellent
- The Highest Lawyer of the Land
- Nothing Short of Incredible
- Creating a Legacy
- Welcome, Edward J. Larson!
- Trial Teams Earn Acclaim Nationwide
- A Look Back at Year One
- Institute on Law, Religion, and Ethics
- Graduating with Honors
- Remembering the Good Ol' Days
- Fore!
- Forward with Purpose
In Every Issue
We are immensely proud of the 216 women and men who comprise the Class
of 2009. These students are already preparing themselves, in the ever-deepening
Pepperdine tradition, for lives of genuine purpose, service, and leadership across
the country and around the globe.
Our new students come from 101 undergraduate institutions and hail from 30 states. Th ey are joined by the talented professors who faithfully, tirelessly, and selflessly go the extra mile to be of service to them. These faculty members provide the foundation upon which we can build, and build we have. Exciting ventures have begun: distinguished professors have joined us, and special visitors have supported us in our pursuit of academic excellence.
Joining our full-time faculty this fall are two preeminent scholars in their respective fi elds: Pulitzer Prize-winning Ed Larson, the fi rst occupant of the Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair, and professor Tom Stipanowich, academic director of the world-renowned Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution.
They are great colleagues devoted to both Pepperdine's distinctive mission and to its wonderful students. Ed and Tom will help signifi cantly in enhancing the law school's national and international reputation.
We also extended a warm welcome to visiting Professor Grant Nelson of UCLA, Yale University's Akhil Amar, and Tom Rowe from Duke, all of whom enjoy enviable reputations in their fields.
In addition to these new professors, we had the privilege of being with two Supreme Court Justices. In March, our students had the great honor of spending time with Chief Justice John G. Roberts as he spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Just a few months later, Justice Samuel Alito joined us to teach classes, rededicate the commemorative Heroes Garden on that memorable day of September 11, and speak with our students in an open forum.
Our newly-named Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and Law and our Institute for Law, Religion, and Ethics are carrying on the legacy of George Pepperdine - a great entrepreneur and a man of deep faith. We give thanks for the vital work of these two institutions in carrying out our mission of preparing our students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
In the spirit of Pepperdine's finest traditions, we renew the call to our alumni and friends to join us in building upon the solid foundation of those who have gone before us. No one has done more for the School of Law over its history than our beloved Dean Emeritus and vice chancellor of the University Ronald F. Phillips. We take delight in honoring the man who, it might well be said, "built this house" in which we are privileged to study, learn, and prepare for lives of service.
We hope you will be inspired by the stories in this issue and become ever more committed to our law school and its vitally important mission. We encourage all to do their very best in a special place that cares deeply for each and every member of the community.
May God continue abundantly to bless you and yours.
Dean Ken Starr