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law.arizona.edu | Link                                                                                  August 13, 2014

 

Greetings,

 

Students are the lifeblood of the law school, and we are about to welcome a superb new class into the Arizona Law community. 

 

Most of our new students will begin their JD studies, though a good number of students come to us with prior legal training and often legal experience in other countries. Some come for our world-renowned legal masters (LLM) programs in indigenous peoples law and policy (IPLP), and international trade and business law (ITBL), or our legal doctorate (the SJD), or the new masters degrees for non-lawyers, the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), and the Master of Professional Studies (MPS).

 

Each year, a small group of JD students -- typically 5 to 12 people -- become Wildcats after spending their first year of study at another law school (yes, there are other law schools). This week we highlight several transfer students who made this successful transition.

 

It is not easy to transfer from one law school to another, but we have found that our transfer students are embraced and quickly integrated, sharing all of the passions and commitments of the entire community. Learn about their path to Arizona Law from the success stories of Michael Rice, Daniel Segovia, and Anne Kemp.

 

Until the footnotes,

 

Marc

 

Michael Rice

 

Michael Rice has a spirit of adventure and a passion for service. He came to the Grand Canyon State from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, but was no stranger to the Sonoran Desert: His wife, Leah, was born and raised in Tucson.

 

Michael's path to law school is unique. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2007, where he was a Reservist in the United States Marine Corps specializing in demolitions and explosives. After graduation, he was first deployed to Al Anbar, Iraq, and later sent to Mozambique to train African forces. He led a platoon tasked with finding improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Helmand, Afghanistan, and commanded a counter-landmine mission to Senegal.

 

In 2012, he enrolled in law school and in the summer of 2013 he transferred to Arizona Law.

 

"I chose to transfer to Arizona because I wanted to expand my opportunities for success after graduation. Arizona Law has helped me move closer to my goals because professionals associate our school with success -- and not just in the Southwest, but nationally."

 

Michael is a dual-degree student in the 4-year JD/MBA program. He believes that our wealth of business law opportunities support his long-term goals, and are one of Arizona Law's distinguishing features. He hopes to become a transactional attorney focusing on M&A, corporate governance, and securities law.

 

Both of his summer internships have been with Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, DC. He consults with the team responsible for providing solutions to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. He was also a law clerk for the Tucson firm of Kinerk Schmidt & Sethi this past school year.

 

Michael is still a Captain in the Marine Reserves, and serves in a position that allows him to assist transitioning Marines who are moving back to Arizona. He is also involved on campus in the Business Law Society and Intellectual Property Student Association.

 

And on a very special note, Michael and Leah are expecting a baby girl -- their first child -- around August 24th. Now, that is a spectacular way to celebrate the start of the new school year!


Connect with Michael on LinkedIn 

 

Daniel Segovia

 

Dan Segovia knows what he wants in life, and he is going to fight for it. He is determined to be one of the great trial lawyers in Arizona.

 

Dan transferred to Arizona Law from the University of Oregon.

 

"As a Tucson native who wants to be a trial lawyer, the decision to transfer was an easy one. A few of the reasons include: Professor Tom Mauet, the trial advocacy program, excellent clinics, enormous value, weather (after a year in the rain, I now appreciate sunshine), close proximity to family and friends, and joining an impressive community of Wildcats."

 

After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a degree in criminal justice, Dan originally had his sights set on becoming a National Park Ranger. However, after losing a job offer due to unforeseen circumstances, he moved back home to Tucson and decided to work as an emergency medical technician (EMT). During that time, he responded to what he calls "many memorable and life-changing moments."

 

The experience of seeing the fragility of life first-hand inspired him to volunteer with the Pima County Attorney's Office, and together those experiences convinced Dan that he wanted to become a trial lawyer.

 

Dan has worked in clinical and internship-based settings in the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the City of Tucson Prosecutor's Office.

 

"Arizona Law has helped me obtain trial experience that some lawyers do not receive until practicing for several years. Through the clinic offerings I have been first and second chair in multiple misdemeanor and felony jury trials, bench trials, and evidentiary hearings."

 

When he is not in classes, Dan serves as an Arizona Law Delegate giving tours and speaking to prospective students, volunteering with the Wills for Heroes program, and spends as much time as possible working in the clinics.

 

You can also find him on the city golf courses, participating in endurance events such as Tough Mudders, marathons, and bike tours, and binge-watching Netflix shows.

 

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn 

 

Anne Kemp

 

For Anne Kemp, it is all about the little things. When thinking about whether to transfer, she decided to hop in the car and drive from Phoenix down to Tucson.

 

Without scheduling any kind of appointment, she came to the law college and by happenstance met Assistant Dean for External Relations Nancy Stanley. "It was the community atmosphere and the warmth exuded by individuals like Nancy that settled my decision to come to Arizona Law" says Anne about her decision to transfer from Arizona Summit.

 

Before starting law school, Anne was a Certified Pharmacy Technician who intended to go to pharmacy school.  But she decided she wanted a different and more varied kind of daily challenge, and that led her to law school.

 

One of the "little things" Anne is passionate about is kids. She was a foster child, and has long had a desire to understand the intricacies of juvenile law. She feels empowered by the opportunity to be an advocate and defender of children, and she found Arizona Law to be the perfect fit:

 

"Arizona Law has a great curriculum, and I am confident in my educational decisions. I am able to pursue the Family and Juvenile Law Certificate and engage with top experts in the field. Furthermore, I have had a lot of opportunities to get actual experience in juvenile law."

 

During the school year, Anne clerked at the Pima County Office of Children's Counsel. This summer, she is an extern for the Honorable Frank R. Zapata ('73) at the district court in Tucson. In the upcoming fall semester, she will be a student attorney in the Family Law Clinic under Professor Paul Bennett.  And during her time at Arizona Law, she has maintained an active executive role in the Family and Juvenile Law Association.

 

When she is not studying for class or working on a project, Anne loves to read and write. She leans toward fantasy and science fiction as a way to unwind, but will read just about anything good.

 

Connect with Anne on LinkedIn

 

Footnotes

Arizona Law congratulates its former LCA President, Jeff Simmons ('86), on receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the national Transportation Lawyers Association

 

Jeff (right) with TLA Past President Pat McMonigle during the award ceremony

   

Arizona Law thanks Paul Fisher ('09) and the Fisher firm for sponsoring Monday's alumni reception in Denver.  

 

Thank you Justin Hurwitz ('01) for helping to organize our Albuquerque alumni reception. 

 

Networking Noshes are Back: Join Us!

 

Help Arizona Law students and network! Our talented students are eager to engage with alumni and practice their networking skills. Alumni are encouraged to join us on the second Thursday of every month for a networking reception. 

 

Networking Noshes are held on campus and provide our students an opportunity to meet legal and business professionals, practice their networking skills, and learn about different practice areas. We are looking for interested alums who can join us at the law college for these events. Our first Networking Nosh will be September 11th. It is an informal reception and runs from 4:30 to 6pm. If you are interested in participating, please email us at alumni@law.arizona.edu

 

Coming soon!

 

SAVE THE DATE - Arizona Law in Las Vegas

September 5, 2014

 

* * *

SAVE THE DATE - Rehnquist Center's Annual Constitution Day Program at the College of Law

September 15, 2014

 

* * *

SAVE THE DATE - Centennial Homecoming Weekend

November 7-9, 2014 

For more information, visit our Homecoming 2014 website.

For assistance with hotels or game tickets, please contact the alumni office.


 

* * *

 

The students are coming! The students are coming! 

 

Now you know what is on our minds -- as always, we want to hear what is on your mind. I hope you are enjoying the end of summer, and that we will see you often in the new school year. 

 

Warmly, 

 

 

 

 

Marc Signature      






Marc L. Miller 
Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law 
James E. Rogers College of Law    



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