ADDITIONAL LINKS
What excites you most about joining the UCI Law faculty?
The UCI commitment to experiential and interdisciplinary learning is inspiring. Everyone knows that legal education is at a critical stage, but few schools are willing to address the problems of an academy that is increasingly isolated from the profession. UCI is committed to eliminating that gap, while retaining the highest standards of scholarship and valuing practice. I am excited to be a part of that effort.
Why did you go into law teaching? What is your teaching style?
As a legal services attorney, I found that law students were an incredible, but under-utilized, resource in providing legal services to under-served communities. The more responsibility I gave students, the more impressed I was with their accomplishments. Clinical teaching was the next logical step to expanding that vision of representing clients. As a teacher, I try to treat students as colleagues in our client representation. I am much more likely to ask a question than to give an answer.
Describe your scholarship, or a favorite pro bono or service project.
My favorite work revolves around partnering with community-based clients, who are excited about improving their community, but need technical resources to accomplish their goals. Over the years, I have represented faith-based and neighborhood groups, farmers' markets, tenant organizations, and even governmental entities. I find it remarkably rewarding to be part of a team that strives together, sometimes for years, to reach a goal. It is particularly exciting when the group achieves what others called impossible.
What inspired you to go to law school?
I started law school in 1969. I thought the law offered an opportunity to bring about great social change. I still believe that. I consider myself lucky to be a lawyer - it is a profession in which we get to make choices every day, from the work we do to the ethical code we follow. We get to understand what it means to accomplish a client's objective, but also what it means to fail, but try again.
- George Washington University Law School, J.D. with honors, 1972
- Rutgers University, B.A., 1969
- Yale Law School
- Director of Clinical Studies, 2002-2011
- Clinical Professor, 1989-2011
- Selma A. Levine Lecturer in Clinical Studies, 1985-1986
- University of California, Berkeley Law School, Visiting Associate Clinical Professor, 2009
- University of Brescia, Italy, Visiting Professor of Law, 2008
- Community & economic development, housing, banking, education, domestic violence
- Housing Authority of the City of New Haven, Acting Executive Director, 1999-2002
- Center for Legal Rights, Doylestown, PA, Executive Director, 1977-1978
- Key cases:
- Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v. Rell: Prof. Solomon successfully challenged Connecticut's school finance system on behalf of a broad coalition. In a landmark decision the CT Supreme Court held that the state constitution guarantees a right to an adequate education.
- Streetwatch v. National Railroad Passenger Corp: On behalf of a class of homeless people, obtained injunctive relief establishing the rights of homeless people in Penn Station.
- Hardy v. Griffin: Obtained $1 million verdict on behalf of minor child suffering from lead poisoning as a result of peeling and chipping lead paint in rental housing. Since then, Prof. Solomon has represented and recovered damages for over 50 child victims of lead poisoning.
- Prof. Solomon's articles and scholarship have been published in numerous law reviews and journals, including the ABA Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, Yale Journal on Regulation, Saint Louis University Public Law Journal and Clinical Law Review.
- Prof. Solomon's "Law Students Nurture Low-Income Communities" was published in the Summer 2010 issue of Communities & Banking, a publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
- He also wrote a weekly column, "Solomon's Wisdom," in the Connecticut Law Tribune, 2003-2005
- State of Connecticut Legal Internship Committee, Member (appointed by Chief Justice of Connecticut Supreme Court), 2006-2011
- First City Fund Corporation, Board of Directors, Vice President, 2004-present
- Community Builder Award, Hill Development Corp., 2008
- Community Partner Award, 'r kids, inc, 2007
- Reverend Howard Nash Award-Interracial Dialogue, 2002
- Pittman, Sheehan, Solomon & Swaine, New Haven, CT, Partner, 1986-1991
- New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Executive Director 1982-1985, Managing Attorney 1978-1981
- Bucks County Legal Aid Society, Langhorne, PA, Staff Attorney and Managing Attorney, 1972-1977