| law.arizona.edu | Link May 1, 2013 |
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Greetings!
This week's three featured members of the Arizona Law community are student Chris Gast, Professor Mike Chiorazzi, and alumnus James Shea. Enjoy!
Until the footnotes,
Marc
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Chris Gast (Class of 2013)
3L Chris Gast earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science, Communication, and Leadership and Ethics from Arizona State. Born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, Chris considers himself a true Arizonan, but he plans to begin his career on the East Coast.
 His Arizona Law journey began shortly after his acceptance. "I visited the College, sat in on classes, and explored several faculty members' teaching styles. It soon became apparent that this was the place for me. I never thought I would go to the University of Arizona, but then I came to campus. I still feel like I didn't choose Arizona Law, it chose me." In the summer and fall of 2012, Chris lived, worked, and experienced life in the District of Columbia. He looks back on that time as one his most meaningful experiences. "First, I was a law clerk for the United States Navy, and then I served as a Legal Fellow for the United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform." "As students in our nation's capital, we work in carefully controlled environments - they don't give us the controls to the ship. Even still, I was able to directly engage real world problems that affect the future of our country's national security, economic stability, and national health." Chris also credits alumna Deborah Sliz ('79) as an essential support system for him while he was in DC. "There aren't many U of A alums in the region who are engaged in my areas of interest. When Deb, who is so active helping current students achieve their goals, was so gracious with her support, I saw the power of the Arizona Law alumni network firsthand." After graduation, Chris plans to work in policy or government affairs. Until then, and in between studying for his last finals, Chris has many hobbies outside the law. "I enjoy crafting new culinary creations, challenging my friends in Xbox, watching a good movie, exploring the natural wonders of Tucson, and seeking out a truly exceptional glass of beer."
You can connect with Chris online through his LinkedIn profile.
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Well known to almost two decades of Arizona Law alumni, Mike Chiorazzi joined the Arizona Law Library as Director in 1996 after holding positions at Boston College and Duke.
 Mike, an alumnus of Gonzaga Law School, worked in the Zags' law library as a student. During that time, Mike made what turned out to be the two most important decisions of his life. "The first decision was to ask out a fellow classmate for a beer. She is now my wife. The second was to go to the University of Washington for the Master's in Law Librarianship. I've never for a moment regretted either decision." While Mike says that he enjoys almost everything about his current job, he admits that two highlights have been acting as chair of the building committee and developing the law library fellowship program. "The three years of planning and living through the renovation of the Law College was both the most frustrating and most enjoyable time of my professional life. It was truly a rollercoaster, but with Toni Massaro, Kay Kavanagh, Mary Birmingham, and the rest of the committee along for the ride, it was a blast. Kay's ever-present good humor, Toni's maniacal sweating of the details, and Mary's impeccable fashion sense made the whole process worthwhile." "My favorite memory is one during the move of the furniture from the College to the Corleone apartments. Toni noticed that Art Andrew's desk was dirty, and she grabbed a bottle of Windex and some cloth towels and exclaimed, 'Art cannot have a dirty desk!' She made the movers put down the desk while she furiously cleaned it. Only after I promised to ensure that someone would clean Art's desk, did she stop. This was late May, and she was literally sweating the details!" Mike is also proud of the Cracchiolo Library's fellowship program, which he directs. "At any one time, six or seven lawyers work as fellows while attending library school. In return for 20 hours of work, they receive free library school tuition and a very modest salary." Graduates of the program are working at law school and court libraries all over the country. And that is a point of pride for Mike who teaches two classes jointly listed by the law college and the School of Information Resources and Library Science: law library practice and administration and teaching legal research. When he's not busy planning building remodels and running the law library, Mike can be found pursuing his three life's passions: women's softball - he coached little league for 16 years, and his youngest daughter is currently on the Catalina Foothills High School softball team; running - 18 marathons and over 20 ultra-marathons, eight of those runs were 100K (that would be 62 miles) or longer; and music - he will travel to Tennessee again this summer for his fifth Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
You can find more information on Mike in his faculty profile.
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James Shea ('82)
This week's alumnus wears his Wildcat pride for the world to see. Or, to be more precise, his car does.
 Alumnus Jim Shea is a two-time Wildcat, earning his BA in 1979 and his JD in 1982. These days, he serves as the managing partner of the Las Vegas, Nevada law firm of Shea and Carlyon. Recently, Jim was selected as Chairman of the American Bankruptcy Institute Civility Task Force. Being selected to chair a national task force is recognition of Jim's ability, and being selected to participate in a task force on civility is testament to Jim's reputation. When I had the opportunity to catch up with Jim, I asked him what originally brought him to Arizona Law. "Arizona Law was the only logical choice for me. The proximity of the school to friends and family; the cost of tuition; the national ranking and reputation of the program; and having just earned my undergraduate degree from the U of A all combined to make the decision an easy one."  Jim has fond memories of his time at Arizona Law, and he is committed to giving back. He knows other alumni are as well.
"Giving back to your school, community or profession can be a tremendously rewarding experience. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to be a speaker at dozens of educational programs; been a guest lecturer at Arizona Law; helped organize the inaugural Western Regional Duberstein Moot Court Competition; served in several capacities on a variety of organizations on the local, state, and national level. My return has always exceeded my investment because I've enjoyed participating in all of them. If you give back by participating in the things that matter to you, everyone benefits."
You can read more about Jim on his attorney profile.
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Online Recurring Giving: Green, Great, Grateful
Are you wondering how you can make a difference? 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 guide one of the world's great public law schools through changing and challenging times.
LCA Dinner - A Celebration of Arizona Alumni and Arizona Law
Last Saturday, we celebrated five exceptional Arizona Law alumni and legendary professor Tom Mauet at the 39th Annual Law College Association Dinner. The night was filled with moments that created new memories as almost 200 people gathered to honor the award winners and celebrate the Arizona Law community.
The theme of the evening was public service, reaching back to help those who follow in your footsteps, and gratitude to those who have come before. The honorees were introduced via video, and for those of you who were not able to attend, here is a link to all of the introductions, including the crowd favorite, Mary Ruiz, a Tucson Girl Scout introducing "Eagle One" - Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chavez ('94).
 | | Professor Barbara Atwood with Anna Maria Chavez at the LCA dinner |
UPCOMING EVENTS
Golf Tournament - May 4
The Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association is holding its Annual Golf Tournament this Saturday, May 4 in Litchfield Park, AZ. For more information on the event, including how to register, click here.
Graduation - May 10
At 7:30pm on Friday, May 10th, commencement ceremonies for the class of 2013 will take place at Centennial Hall on main campus. Please join me in congratulating Arizona Law's latest graduating class, marking more than 95 years of Arizona Law graduates.
A ceremony for graduating students being honored with awards will be held for the class of 2013 on Friday in the Lewis and Roca Lobby at the College from 10am - 12pm. We honor all of our graduates for their passion, intelligence, and engagement, and we look forward to having them become members of our alumni community.
Until then, we continue to brace for the first 100-degree days in Tucson with the welcome distractions of Arizona Baseball at Hi Corbett Field and local events like the Tucson Folk Festival and 30th Anniversary Celebration of Catalina State Park.
Warmly,
 
Interim Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law
James E. Rogers College of Law
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Online Giving | law.arizona.edu/give | Link
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