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UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW


APRIL 5, 2023

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 6

Arizona Jury Trends with Sally Digges

April 6

AJELP Symposium on Indigenous Land Stewardship

April 10

Mundheim Speaker Series Featuring John Cannon III

Greetings,


We are pleased to announce the University of Arizona Law 2023 Commencement Speaker: Judge Roopali Desai (JD ’05, MPH ’01, BA ’00) of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.


Not only is Judge Desai a federal appellate judge, she is also a Triple Wildcat. We look forward to seeing her back on campus and hearing the words she will share with our graduating class.


Other sure signs that graduation is approaching include the annual GradFest and the announcement of this year’s class gift. We also recognize other milestones in the school year, including our Scholarship and Community Celebration and even a save-the-date for Fall ’23 Homecoming.

Until the footnotes,


Marc

FEATURE

Ninth Circuit Judge Roopali Desai (’05) to Deliver Keynote Address at 2023 University of Arizona Law Convocation

The Honorable Roopali H. Desai (JD ’05, MPH ’01, BA ’00) will deliver the keynote address at the convocation ceremony for the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law on May 13.  


Judge Desai was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by President Biden in 2022. She is the first South Asian judge to sit on the country’s largest federal appeals court.  


Before joining the court, Judge Desai was in private practice as a partner at the Phoenix law firm Coppersmith Brockelman, where she specialized in complex civil litigation and political law. She was a leading election lawyer in Arizona and handled numerous trials and appellate matters prior to becoming a judge. 


Judge Desai is a professor of practice at the University of Arizona Law. She is also an elected member of the American Law Institute. 


Judge Desai is a triple Wildcat, earning her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Public Health, and Juris Doctorate all from the University of Arizona. Following law school, she clerked for Chief Judge Emeritus Mary M. Schroeder of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 


Judge Desai and her husband live in Phoenix with their three daughters. 

Learn More


For details on University of Arizona Law’s 2023 convocation ceremony, visit law.arizona.edu/graduation


University of Arizona Law Celebrates the Confirmation of Alumna Roopali Desai ('05) as 9th Circuit Judge 

AROUND THE COLLEGE

The Journal of Appellate Practice and Process Publishes Winter 2023 Issue

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and have released the Winter 2023 issue of the Journal of Appellate Practice and Process. The issue has a special focus on Indian law and discusses recent cases before, or soon to be argued before, the Supreme Court of the United States.


The issue opens with a look at the oft-sporadic development of tribal precedent, before moving onto articles that examine the challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) currently pending before the Supreme Court; federal regulation of the use of eagle feathers by Native tribes; recommendations that would protect Native sacred sites and religious freedom; and a book review highlighting some of the most influential pieces of Native law scholarship over the past 50 years. Rounding out this issue is a transcript of a panel discussion of Native law professors about Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta’s impact on Indian law and tribal sovereignty.  


Journal Editor-in-Chief and contributor Tessa L. Dysart said, “This special issue is dedicated to the work of the approximately 400 tribal court systems in our country. While many judges and practitioners are familiar with the work of state and federal courts, they may not be aware of the excellent and innovative work done by Native judiciaries. Nor are they often aware of the complicated legal issues facing Indian country and members of Native Nations—all important matters that I hope will be brought to light in this issue of The Journal.”


Read the Winter 2023 issue here.

Scholarship and Community Celebration

One of the many highlights of the year at University of Arizona Law is an annual celebration of our scholarship recipients and the donors who make those scholarships possible.


On Friday, March 24, we gathered for this year’s scholarship celebration. Dev Sethi (’97) served as master of ceremonies, and the program also included remarks from Judge Stephen McNamee (’69) of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, as well as student reflections from Carpenter Scholar Eilen Castellano Tatis and Ares Scholar Karen Jacquez.


The program closed with Director of Clinics Kristine Huskey sharing highlights from our 13 in-house clinics and 5 placement clinics. As Kristine said, “Our students are out there at every level, collaborating with key stakeholders. But the Clinics don’t do this alone. What is so wonderful is that we are part of something larger—the law college community, you all here tonight. And with you, we are all working together to provide much needed legal services to underserved populations.”


Thanks to all of our donors who make clinics, scholarships, and so many other programs possible!

Students Gear up for Graduation

Nothing makes the excitement of graduation set in quite like trying on a cap and gown.


At the annual GradFest last week, students were able to complete exit paperwork and take out loaned JD and LLM regalia. No doubt many could picture themselves on the graduation podium, diploma in hand!

Class of 2023 Announces Class Gift

And speaking of regalia, the Class of 2023 has announced that donations to its class gift will go toward purchasing regalia.


The Class of 2023 wants to make sure regalia continues to be available for graduating students to borrow free of charge even as class sizes grow and wear and tear takes its toll. “Let's help keep graduation accessible and raise money so that future classes can all borrow graduation regalia!,” the class announcement said.

Help the Class of 2023

Save the Date: Homecoming Oct. 29-Nov. 4!

Mark your calendars! Homecoming is only seven months away! Festivities will be taking place all around campus from October 29 through November 4. It will be here before you know it...stay tuned for further details.

IN THE NEWS

Historic weather eases drought in California but water woes continue

The National US, featuring Robert Glennon


Future of Navajo water rights heard in Supreme Court

Navajo Times, featuring Heather Whiteman Runs Him

Do You Have News?


Your success is the college’s success and we want to celebrate with you! If you have landed a new job, received an award or recognition, stepped into a leadership role or have good news in general, let us know.

Share Your News Here

Twitter, @uarizonalaw

I had the honor of attending Judge Roopali Desai’s investiture in Phoenix in January. There to celebrate her appointment and confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit were Sen. Sinema, Gov. Hobbs, many federal and state judges and other civic leaders – and a packed house of family and friends.  


The presence of so many people reflects the importance of service as a judge, and in particular on the largest federal appellate court in the country – but also the deep and broad respect for Judge Desai as a lawyer and person.  


We are thrilled to have Judge Desai as one of distinguished alumni, and delighted that Judge Desai will speak at our graduation!

Warmly,

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