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Greetings,
Last
week, we hosted the annual gathering of our National
Board of Visitors (BOV).
The
meeting spanned two days, beginning on Thursday with the
ribbon cutting of our new "Fender and '14 Room" and a
dramatic lecture by BOV member and outstanding
litigator Patrick McGroder on the art of oral
advocacy. Friday we discussed the state of the College,
with sessions on the implementation of new degree
programs including the MLS and the new BA in Law, the
February bar initiative, our global partnerships, and a
special emphasis on employment and alumni engagement.
Today,
in the e-pages of Wildcat Wednesday-Letter of the
Law, we focus on our MLS program and introduce you
to two of our impressive MLS students.
Until
the Footnotes,
Marc
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2015 Board of Visitors
Meeting |
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Master of
Legal Studies (MLS) |
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Our
MLS program is a one-year full-time or
longer part-time degree program for non-lawyers. This
innovative new degree program began in 2013 in response
to longstanding requests from people with a range of
interesting backgrounds who were seeking to take a
focused series of law classes but not interested in
practicing law.
In
today's complex regulatory environment, law impacts many
professions and dimensions of business and life,
including health care, human resources, real estate,
business management, international commerce, education,
and the broad areas of government administration
and compliance.
Some
students choose the MLS program as a way to define or
redirect their careers. Just like a traditional JD
program, the MLS helps students develop the
ability to think critically about legal issues and
possible solutions and hone communication, negotiating,
and reasoning skills -- all skills in high demand in the
job market.
In
order to earn an MLS degree, students must complete a
total of 30 units, including foundational courses in
substantive areas of the law encompassing contracts,
torts, property, constitutional law, procedure, and
legal research and writing.
For
the remaining 16 units, students may choose from a wide
range of electives, including
related courses offered by other schools or departments
at the University of Arizona.
The
foundational courses are taught by law faculty
(presently Professors Rob Williams, Brent White, Andy Coan and library fellow Megan Austin), and offered solely to
MLS and BA in Law students.
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Pila
Martinez is a part-time student in our MLS program. Like
many of our MLS students, Pila is also a full-time
professional. In fact, Pila is an experienced journalist
and currently serves as the Senior Director of
University Communications here at the U of A. Pila is
pursuing the MLS degree in order to facilitate a
potential career change.
"My
undergraduate degree was in journalism and I spent
several years as a reporter before coming to work at the
University of Arizona, where I began a career in public
relations. I trace my
interest in mediation to my father, who spent most of
his career as an elementary school principal. He had
completed mediation training while an administrator and,
after he retired, put those skills to work as ombudsman
for Tucson Unified School District. About 10 years ago,
I went through the same training program and immediately
was captivated by the idea of helping people in
conflict. Within the past few years, that interest has
developed into a full-blown desire to pursue a career in
mediation/alternative dispute resolution. Because
getting a JD isn't a feasible option for me, I enrolled
in the Master of Legal Studies program, which will give
me the academic background and credentials I need if I
decide to switch careers once again."
Like
many of our JD students, Pila is also a passionate
community advocate. Her hope is to use her years of
experience in journalism and her MLS degree to carve out
a career in mediation/alternative dispute resolution,
especially as it's used to boost collaboration or
address issues in community projects.
When
I asked Pila about her experience in the MLS program,
she had high praise for the people and perspectives she
has been exposed to in the program.
"There's
a lot of wisdom in the idea that volunteering is more
than just good for the soul. It's also a really valuable
way to develop career skills and create networks in new
areas. Since I became trained in mediation, I have
volunteered as a community mediator, as a coach for
mediation trainees and as a facilitator. Through those
activities, and the MLS program, I have met people with
amazing experiences and unique perspectives -- people I
probably would not have met otherwise."
Pila,
I agree. One of the powerful benefits of our expanded
degree offerings is the opportunity to bring together
remarkable people with diverse and rich backgrounds to
learn and share from one another.
To
connect with Pila, https://www.linkedin.com/in/pilamartinez
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 Like Pila, Abe
Lai had an extensive career before returning to school
to pursue an MLS. In
Abe's case, his return to school culminates a journey
down a path that was unavailable to him in his younger
years. Although Abe has always had an
interest in law and a desire to pursue his education,
life and the obligations that often go along with it
have kept Abe quite busy.
Abe
started college in 1974. For the past forty-five
years he has worked in automotive and insurance
sales. In 2013, he
completed a lifelong dream when he returned to the
University of Arizona to finish his BA degree in
political science. Upon
graduation, Abe immediately enrolled in the MLS
program. Like Pila, Abe
views the MLS as an avenue to acquire professional
skills to benefit the community.
Supplementing his foundational coursework, he is
intensively studying immigration and refugee
law.
"I
was attracted to the MLS program because it fit
perfectly with what I wanted to accomplish. For the past
few years, I have been participating in advocacy work,
particularly around issues relevant to Asian Americans
-- like immigration reform, voting registration, and Get
Out the Vote. I am not looking for a new career or
better earning opportunity but to be better at
articulating and communicating for the issues I am
passionate about. My goal is to be a better advocate for
underserved communities."
Abe
is an active member of the College of Law community. He
has joined the Asian Pacific Law Student Association
and is also investigating the running club and the
ACLU.
To
connect with Abe
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Centennial
Snapshot - Three Decades in the Douglass
Building |
Until
1929, the law program had no building of its own. During
the summer of that year, the former University library
building -- known as the Douglass Building -- was
remodeled for the College of Law. Except for the
addition of a stackroom wing in 1948, the building
served the College well without major change for thirty
years.
Do you have
photos or memories of your time in the Douglass
Building? We would love to hear from
you. Please contact Emily McGovern, Centennial Coordinator
to share your stories.
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We
are only one week away from the triumphant return of
Gutter Bowl! Back by popular demand, the return of
Gutter Bowl will happen on Wednesday, March 4. It is not
too late to sign up to bowl or register a new team.
March
4, 2015
6
pm - 9 pm
Bowlmor
Scottsdale
7300
East Thomas Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Alumni,
faculty, staff, and students are invited to
attend.
Register
now! |
Western Regional Law
Meet
This
Friday, we host for the first time the Western Regional
Transactional Law Meet. For our students who plan to
pursue a career in transactional law, this competition
serves as an important way to build their skills.
I
appreciate the leadership of Professor Billy Sjostrom and Senior Director of Development Jonelle
Vold in bringing the first Transactional Law Meet to
Arizona Law, and in engaging many alumni and friends to
return to campus to help the College by serving as
judges. |
National
NALSA Moot Court Competition
March 6
and 7
Next
week, led by the efforts of our Native American Law
Students Association (NALSA) chapter, we are hosting
nearly 100 teams from across the country in the
National NALSA moot court
competition. We are still looking for
additional volunteers to serve as judges and bailiffs
during the competition. To volunteer contact Chase Velasquez.
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"Conversations
with Bob Mundheim"
Beginning
March 9, Professor Bob Mundheim will host his
popular annual Conversations with Bob Mundheim series
of informal conversations with national leaders in
business and law, relating their experiences in -- and
perspectives about -- corporate governance, markets,
ethics, and career development. This year's speakers
include
- Dr.
Wesley von Schack, Monday, March 9
- Timothy
Flynn, Monday, March 23
- Simon
Lorne, Monday, March 30
- Brandon
Becker, Monday, April 6
- John
J. Cannon III, Monday, April 13
This
series is always a treat for the College of Law and
Eller College of Management communities, and it is free
and open to members of the wider University of Arizona
community who want to join one or all of the sessions.
Please let us know if you are coming (we serve lunch!)
by contacting Nancy
Stanley. |
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Mark
Van Vleet '91,
Chief
Legal Officer and
Senior
Vice-President of Business Development,
Fender
Musical Instruments, Corp.
cuts
the ribbon opening the "Fender and '14
Room" |
For
our friends and alumni reading this in a location
outside of Arizona, please allow me to remind you what a
beautiful and warm place Tucson is in the Spring. Come
back to campus, meet our students, reconnect with
faculty, and experience for yourself the vibrant and
exceptional community that is Arizona Law.
Warmly,
Marc

Marc L. Miller
Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law
Shaping
the next century of legal
education
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