By Andrew Cohen
Well before tipoff, seeds of a uniquely spirited event were already sprouting. The seats? Filled. The noise? Deafening. The atmosphere? Electric.
Even so, the inaugural “Order on the Court” basketball game between Berkeley Law and Stanford Law students April 14 soared past expectations — especially for the home team and its raucous fans packed into Berkeley High School’s gym. Equal parts competitive and collaborative, the game raised funds to help current and graduating students from both schools pursue public interest law careers and pro bono projects.
Balanced scoring, tenacious defensive pressure, and boisterous support fueled a 53-43 victory for Berkeley Law, which overcame a 6-foot-10 opponent who played college basketball at Texas A&M and Stanford’s whopping 32-9 edge in free throw attempts.
After a Stanford free throw opened the scoring, Berkeley Law promptly reeled off 13 straight points — sparked by a three-point shooting barrage — whipping their fans into a frenzy.
Crisper ball movement helped Stanford trim the gap to 30-23 early in the third quarter, but 2L Daniel deButts then sparked a decisive 8-0 blitz in dramatic fashion. On consecutive possessions he drilled a baseline three-pointer, put home an offensive rebound, and found 3L Leila Nasrolahi open for another trifecta.
“The game was unbelievably memorable,” says deButts, who scored a team-high 13 points. “It felt like, at least for me, our amazing Berkeley Law community was able to collectively enjoy a few hours away from thinking about finals, WOA (Written and Oral Advocacy) briefs, or job prospects to enjoy each other’s company and raise some money for an important cause.”
3L Noah Hernandez steadied Berkeley Law’s ship in the fourth quarter, when he scored all of the team’s seven points. After Stanford pulled within 48-39 with just over four minutes left, Hernandez sank a timely three-pointer to quell the visitors’ surge.
“I wanted to join Order on the Court because basketball never fails to bring me joy,” says 3L Kaleinani Nallira, who played two seasons at Occidental College and drained two three-point shots in the game. She adds, “I’ve played for more than half my life. What I enjoyed most about the overall experience was the chance to be part of a team again and to be coached again. Going to practices on Sundays and running plays reminded me of playing in college, which brought back a lot of happy memories and love for the game.
“The game itself was electric. The crowd’s energy for our team was the best part of the game — besides beating Stanford, of course! This game was also very important for raising money for public interest students. When law schools come together for fun, memorable fundraising activities like Order on the Court, we bring more awareness to supporting public interest work. It was definitely a highlight of my 3L year.”
A committed committee
The event also showcased the wide-ranging entrepreneurship and energy of Berkeley Law’s students. The organizing committee — 3Ls Hannah Naylor and Kendrick Peterson, 2Ls Addie Gilson and Dominick Williams, and 1Ls Emi-Lee Commisso and Tristan Threatt — recruited fellow students to handle logistics, concessions, donation outreach, sponsorships, and even halftime performances from Berkeley Law’s student a capella group The Pro Bonotes and others.
Naylor first presented the idea after a friend told her about a similar annual fundraising game between law students from Columbia and New York University. She pitched it to leaders of the Student Association at Berkeley Law, which approved the idea.
“I thought it would be amazing to bring a similar event to the Bay Area where two great law schools could convene annually for friendly competition and to raise money for public interest work at each school,” Naylor says. “We intentionally formed a diverse committee with two students from each law school class, in hopes that they would be able to keep the event running when we graduate.”
This semester, student organizers secured the venue and negotiated contracts, insurance, and liability with Berkeley High School; held team tryouts and enlisted lecturer Michael Bracamontes to serve as coach; solicited volunteers for ticketing, concessions, and more; and coordinated with a 14-member Berkeley Law cheerleading team that performed to booming ovations before the game and at halftime.
“As soon as I heard about Order on the Court, I knew immediately I wanted to support the event,” says 1L Danielle Dyson, a graduate assistant coach for Cal cheerleading who oversaw Berkeley Law’s cheer team. “I’ve witnessed firsthand how cheer uplifts and energizes sports teams and crowds, and I wanted to bring that dynamic to the game. Our team of law students practiced three hours weekly for five weeks leading up to the event.”
The committee also established a landing page to donate to the Berkeley Law Summer Public Interest Fellowship Fund; secured summer public interest grant qualification hours for work done by student volunteers; designed, obtained licensing approval, and provided T-shirts for donation; secured referees, medical staff and audio/visual assistance; and communicated with Stanford regarding game rules (including two or more women from each team on the court at all times), the allocation of donation funds, and transportation.
With the UC Office of the President discontinuing the Public Service Law Fellowship — which provided approximately $5 million annually to UC law schools to fund summer grants and post-graduate fellowships for students pursuing public interest work — Order on the Court leaders hope to enlist donations throughout the year. Berkeley Law has also agreed to match funds raised this year up to $25,000 (totals are being tallied and this article will be updated with the amount raised).
Those who took part in the inaugural event describe it as memorable and inspiring.
“I loved getting to know more people at Berkeley Law in a different, non-academic environment,” deButts says. “1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls alike, we all developed new relationships. I can’t tell you how many new people I’ve come to recognize and chat with in the hallways. I really cherish having such a unique connection with students across years and interest areas.”
You can peruse a photo gallery from the game to see more.