UC Irvine Community Celebrates Approval of Law School

Chancellor Michael Drake joined more than 300 campus and community guests Dec. 7 at the Bren Events Center to celebrate the UC Regents approval of the UC Irvine School of Law.

He acknowledged long-standing community support for the law school and emphasized its positive impact on Orange County.

“The level of community support we received was essential,” Drake said. “Our thanks will come through the contributions we’ll be able to make in return.”

The law school is part of the original vision for UCI, discussed at its founding more than 40 years ago. Only the second public law school in Southern California, it will be instrumental in increasing accessibility for underrepresented groups in a region with one of the fastest growing and most diverse populations in the country. The law school will provide legal advice to those unable to afford counsel and encourage graduates to pursue careers in public service.

A national search for a founding dean is under way, and the first students are expected to enroll in fall 2009.

Chancellor Michael Drake addresses law school supporters Dec. 7 at Bren Events Center.

Chancellor Michael Drake; UCI Alumni Association President-Elect Jenny Doh ’91; UCIAA President Steven Capps ’69, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Michael Gottfredson; and Gary Singer ’74, managing partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP. Singer is a longtime law school advocate.

Photos by Paul R. Kennedy

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UC Irvine Community Celebrates Approval of Law School