By Andrew Cohen
Berkeley Law’s annual Transcript magazine reveals how the law school’s diverse community is responding to an evolving legal landscape. From alumni and student activity to curricular programs and research centers, the publication demonstrates that the school “is in perpetual motion,” writes Dean Christopher Edley, Jr., “because greatness never stands still.”
The new issue has just been shipped to more than 16,000 graduates and friends who live in all 50 states and 74 countries. As Berkeley Law winds down its centennial celebration and advances into its second century, Transcript shows that staying ahead of the curve remains a priority.
The magazine’s opening In Brief section starts with a look at the surging Professional Skills Program, which gives students pragmatic experience with seasoned practitioners in a fast-growing number of courses. It also includes a first look at the law school’s emerging online education initiative.
The next section, Forefront, charts the development of Berkeley Law’s two newest policy-driven research centers: the California Constitution Center and the Center on Reproductive Rights and Justice. Both are remarkably unique among U.S. law schools for the topics they tackle.
The cover story follows four alumni who reached pivotal junctions in their varied career paths and found new opportunities—and fulfillment—by taking roads less traveled.
Inspiring and improbable stories comprise the magazine’s feature reports. Corporate law wiz and emerging jazz musician Charles Charnas ’84 continues his amazing comeback from a traumatic brain injury. The East Bay Community Law Center, founded by Berkeley Law students 25 years ago, continues its remarkable growth from three staffers sharing a typewriter into Alameda County’s largest provider of free legal services.
Transcript chronicles the remarkable achievements of talented students, faculty, and star staff members such as Sheri Showalter—human resources director by day, Pink Floyd tribute band singer by night. It also looks back at memorable centennial celebrations including the school’s magical gala, star-studded political roundtable, and uplifting donor wall dedication.
Readers will meet new faculty members Andrew Bradt, Rachel Stern, and Amanda Tyler; learn how the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment has proactively confronted the controversial issue of fracking; and realize how a generous gift from the Bernard E. and Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation will help transform Berkeley Law’s in-house clinics.
In surveying the law school’s global reach, Edley extols Berkeley Law’s alumni community as “fearless trailblazers on all kinds of terrain.”