T. William Pew III (Class of 2014)

Will Pew considers himself to be a "non-traditional" student-and at Arizona Law, that makes him typical.

 

Will came to law school after running a small business for ten years building arts-and-crafts style furniture. "I also worked in Manhattan leasing commercial office space prior to that, so I bring diverse experience that I believe has helped me here."

Arizona Law was a natural fit for Will. 

 

"I love Tucson and being able to spend time outdoors, hiking and gardening. The congenial nature of the students and professors at Arizona Law seemed very different than at other schools I considered, and I felt the quality of education and smaller class sizes would dovetail well with my personality and outlook. I also spoke with a lot of attorneys prior to making my decision and the view was unanimous that U of A graduates transition smoothly into the profession."

 

Professor Jamie Ratner's small section confirmed his choice. "I think most everyone here feels that they had a great beginning to law school for a variety of reasons. For me it was being a part of that great bunch of students with a professor who knew how to inspire curiosity and an appreciation for the law while keeping it fun. We have remained a pretty close-knit group, and I am really thankful for that."

 

After law school, Will hopes to focus on business law. "I have been lucky to be employed since last summer by two Arizona Law alumni, Jeff Hursh ('03) and Jeff Saffer ('02) of Hursh & Saffer, where I've been exposed to transactional law. My experience there has been great, and I wouldn't be surprised if I continue on that path."

 

"I'm also interested in getting some litigation experience," Will says, "and I plan on doing so this summer and through my third year. I am looking forward to spending this summer at Mesch, Clark & Rothschild exposed to a wider variety of legal work. Also, to that end, I have focused on taking classes like Advanced Appellate Advocacy and Advanced Legal Writing that allow some experience drafting briefs and participating in oral arguments, both of which I really enjoy."

 

Outside of law school, Will still loves to get in his shop and build furniture. "I believe that there is a similar mindset in both the law and furniture making; creative problem solving and disciplined execution are at the root of both. Thinking through problems to try and anticipate potential pitfalls is inherent to both activities, and I feel that my time spent woodworking has benefited me here." Although he admits, "there is a LOT less reading involved in making a chair or desk than in helping clients solve complex legal issues!"

 

Will says that participating in the National Transactional LawMeet was one of the most interesting experiences he's had at Arizona Law. The team consisted of 3L students Andrew Baranowski and Mathew Palfreyman, 2L student Greg Laver, and Will. Their faculty advisor was Billy Sjostrom, who is profiled below.

 

"It was great to have an opportunity to work on developing skills that translate to life after law school." Will and Greg are planning to compete in the LawMeet again next year, and they will recruit two members from next year's 2L class. "In addition, we'll be competing in a similar IP LawMeet, and Professor Larry Hecker has agreed to be the faculty advisor for that competition. We hope to build on the experience at the first LawMeet, but whether we win or not, these are great ways to develop our knowledge and critical lawyering skills such as the ability to work in groups, drafting, and negotiation."

 

You can connect with Will through his LinkedIn profile. 

 

Billy Sjostrom has been a professor at Arizona Law since 2009. He focuses on securities law, business organizations, and mergers and acquisitions.

Ashley Gilpin came to Tucson from New Mexico for her undergraduate studies at the U of A. When it came time to choose a law school, no further moves crossed her mind.

 

 

Ashley said her favorite law school memory is split between graduation and her Conflicts of Law class taught by Melissa Tatum. "I think I'll always remember sitting in the back of the room with some of my classmates and answering all the easy questions so I didn't get called on for the hard questions!"

 

Ashley is a practicing attorney specializing in criminal defense and civil rights in Tucson. "I'm excited to be out in practice learning how to be a lawyer, and I'm thankful that being a lawyer teaches me skills that help in other avenues of my life. I know that sounds really cheesy, but it's cheese I really believe!"

 

When she's not in court, you can almost always find Ashley...well, on the court. Even before she came to the U of A, basketball was always a passion. And when she got to campus, she began refereeing intramural games before, as a senior, eventually becoming a walk-on to the women's basketball team.

 

"For the past eight years, I have refereed Division I, Division II, NAIA, and junior college women's basketball. I was also part of the NBA training program. I work primarily in Arizona, but I travel to some parts of the west coast for games and training." Ashley also referees high school volleyball and basketball here in Tucson, and she's thankful that even with a hectic work schedule, she's allowed the flexibility to pursue the things she loves outside of the law.

 

You can connect with Ashley through her LinkedIn profile. 

 

Movers and Shakers

Have you recently moved or changed jobs? Do you have updated contact information or generally want to be more in touch with the college? You can always email us your latest news at alumni@law.arizona.edu.

 

Speaking of moving, our featured alumnus last week, Andrew Barbour, just moved from Seoul, Korea...back to Tucson! While we didn't get the information prior to publishing the news, we are happy to report that Andrew was very excited to take the position of Contracts Manager at Universal Avionics. And although he's still getting a feel for the job, he says he is very happy so far. 

 

We have several alumni who have received recent judicial appointments. On Friday, March 29, Dan Collins ('83) celebrated his investiture as a judge on the US Federal Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. He joins his friend and contemporary Brenda Moody Whinery ('85) on the District of Arizona bankruptcy bench as of her February 1 appointment. The oath of office was administered to Judge Collins by his longtime friend and mentor Judge Stephen McNamee ('69) of the US District Court for the District of Arizona. 

 

In terms of recent judicial appointments, they join Judge Michael Miller ('84), who was elevated from the Pima County Superior Court to Division 2 of the Arizona Court of Appeals. Judge Miller's investiture ceremony took place at the College of Law on February 1.

 

We honor the distinguished service of these alumni and all of those alumni who serve in the judiciary, in public office, and in their communities.

 

Online Recurring Giving: Green, Great, Grateful

Are you wondering how you can make a difference at Arizona Law? A gift to the Arizona Law Fund allows us to support student scholarships, provide critical funding for key priorities, and develop important student enrichment events.

 

Our new online option to make monthly gifts using a credit card is an easier, greener way to support Arizona Law: www.law.arizona.edu/give.

 

Every gift matters - recurring giving is a way to show your steady support for the College of Law as we continue to navigate one of the world's great public law schools through changing and challenging times.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Admissions Preview Weekend - April 5-6

Our upcoming Admissions Preview Weekend will be Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. Admitted students will participate in a reception that my wife Chris and I will host on Friday night, and a full preview day including lunch with the faculty on Saturday.

 

Admitted students can join the conference on Current Issues in International Trade Law, described below. Admitted students with an interest in "law and data" have been invited to join a roundtable discussion on the use of quantitative methods in legal practice and research with Professors Christopher Robertson, Jane Bambauer, Kathie Barnes, and Derek Bambauer. 

 

Other experiences will highlight the many distinctive aspects of legal education at the College of Law, including the deep and supportive legal community, our world-class programs, our individualized approach, the benefits of being at a leading science-based research university, the joys of living in Tucson and Arizona, and of course, the advantages of a supportive alumni network.

 

Conference: Current Issues in International Trade Law - Friday April 5

Professors David Gantz and Boris Kozolchyk will lead a day-long conference, sponsored by the College of Law, The Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law, The National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade, and Squire Sanders. Participants include Associate Dean Brent White; leading Tucson practitioners Richard Katz and Michael Mandig; and adjunct professors Marek Dubovec, Bob Hornick, and Francisco Reyes.

 

The conference includes three sessions-on topics in private international law, international trade, and international investment and development. Gary Horlick, one of the leading international trade lawyers in the world, will deliver the keynote over a buffet lunch on "Major Trade Law and Policy Initiatives in 2013: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, US-EU FTA, and an International Services Agreement."

 

For more information, click here, or send an email to RSVP.

 

Conversations with Bob Mundheim

Professor Bob Mundheim continued his lunchtime conversations this week with Brandon Becker, General Counsel for TIAA-CREF and formerly Director of Trading and Markets at the SEC.

 

The two remaining dates follow. If you would like to join the conversations, please let us know as seating is limited.

• Monday, April 8 - John Cannon, Shearman & Sterling
• Wednesday, April 10 - Gene Sykes, head of Goldman Sachs' mergers and acquisition practice

 

LCA Dinner - Get Your Tickets Now!

We expect a great crowd at the 39th Annual Law College Association (LCA) Dinner Saturday, April 27 at the Westward Look Resort. We cannot imagine the reason why any alum would not yet have reserved a ticket. But if you have not, fear not - you can still do so. Help the LCA and the Arizona Law community celebrate Anna Maria Chavez ('94), Catherine Douglass ('76), Prof. Steven Duke ('59), Larry Hecker ('69, '72), Prof. Thomas Mauet, and The Honorable Frank Zapata ('73).

 

To register for the dinner, click here.

 

Warmly,