By Andrew Cohen
Berkeley Law’s annual Transcript magazine introduces the law school community to Sujit Choudhry, who takes over as dean on July 1. The cover story Q&A reveals his thoughts on enhancing opportunity and diversity, academic excellence and innovation, globalization, and alumni engagement. Choudhry calls his new job “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
“What’s distinctive about Berkeley Law is its culture,” he said. “It’s got hustle and drive and innovative people willing to experiment and try new things, which seems very much rooted in Berkeley’s identity as a public university.”
The magazine has shipped to more than 16,000 graduates and friends in all 50 states and 77 countries. As Berkeley Law celebrates the completion of its record-smashing $125 million Campaign for Boalt Hall, Transcript reveals how that financial support—and volunteer efforts—have enriched the school in myriad ways.
The opening “In Brief” section recounts Berkeley Law news from the past year, including students’ intimate conversations with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruther Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Kennedy. In Brief also reveals the law school’s remarkable success in national writing competitions, seven new courses that were unveiled during spring semester, and fruitful collaborations with the Goldman School of Public Policy and the Haas School of Business.
The next section, “Forefront,” highlights two new student programs—both the first of their kind in California—that are helping military veterans navigate tough legal issues. Forefront also examines clinic and research center work on surveillance privacy abuses and policy reforms, and introduces readers to the new Korea Law Center.
Transcript explores the meteoric rise, highly public fall, and remarkable resurgence of sports super-agent Leigh Steinberg ’73—the inspiration for the hit film Jerry Maguire. Another alumni feature chronicles the “Boomerang Gang”—six graduates who circled back to Berkeley Law as staff members to find fulfillment helping students.
Transcript also presents the amazing achievements of mystery author Sheldon Siegel ’83, former foster child Lily Dorman Colby ’14, and national mock trial champion Collin Tierney ’14. It welcomes new Boalt Hall Alumni Association President Nancy Fineman ’86, provides a two-page photo spread from recent alumni events, and celebrates our Citation Award winners, generous donors, and talented performers from the newly-revived variety show.
The Transcript stories of achievement and talent reflect the aspirations of the entire law school community, Choudhry said.
“There’s a sense of mission—that Berkeley Law and the university are here for a purpose,” he says. “The state created us for a reason and we have to deliver on that. That’s a huge part of what attracted me to the school.”