PROFILES

• Janice Austin
• Rebecca Ávila
• Mario Barnes
• Rex Bossert
• Charles Cannon
• Erwin Chemerinsky
• Anna Davis
• Laura Fry
• Patty Furukawa
• Carrie Hempel
• Mary Kelleher-Jones
• Patti O'Dorisio
• Linda Puertas
• Lisa Rehbaum
• Elizabeth Schroeder
• Beatrice A. Tice
• Grace Tonner
• Nasreen Zia

QUICK LINKS

• Academic Calendar
• Faculty/Staff INTRANET

What inspired you to go to law school?
While I’d like to think I came up with the idea of going to law school on my own, Nina Totenberg is really responsible. Her talented reporting on the Supreme Court—not just the Court’s rulings but also the history, context and implications of those rulings—captivated me. As I continued to listen, she convinced me that if I wanted to work on issues I care deeply about, including poverty and equality, the law was the place to go. And indeed, during my years as a public interest attorney, I found a great deal of satisfaction in serving low-income clients and working to improve the policies that affected them.

What excites you most about joining the UC Irvine School of Law?
When Erwin Chemerinsky was appointed as the founding dean, I knew that a commitment to public service and community would be central to this institution. As I watched the development of the faculty and curriculum, I was impressed by both. The emphasis on experiential learning was real, and connections to the surrounding communities developed quickly. When the opportunity to join the law school staff arose, I was excited to work with the terrific people here and to contribute to the creation of a great and truly innovative school. The chance to focus on student externships here is a particular pleasure. It keeps me tied to my public service roots, even as I get to support students who are energized by their own service experiences in the "real world" of the law. I look forward to expanding the externship opportunities available to our students and making sure that every student has the best experience possible as an extern.