More than 200 Stanford Law School alumni and guests gathered at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., for the school’s annual public service dinner, the largest alumni event to date on Dean George Triantis’ national introduction tour.

The February 27 event recognized alumni working in public service and fostered connections within the Washington legal community. The evening opened with remarks from Judge Florence Pan, JD ’93, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. A longtime public servant and the first Asian American woman to serve on that court, Pan was honored for her distinguished career.

Attendees—who reflected the diversity of Stanford Law alumni in Washington from federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to the judiciary, private practice, and beyond—were then treated to a conversation between Dean Triantis, JSD ’89, and Josh Bolten, JD ’80, CEO of Business Roundtable and former White House chief of staff under President George W. Bush. Their wide-ranging discussion touched on the future of legal education, the evolving role of higher education, and the value of public interest careers.

Bolten reflected on his time in government and the private sector and asked Triantis how legal training should adapt to meet changing societal needs. Triantis shared insights on how Stanford is preparing students for careers in traditional legal roles, as well as policy, business, and public service.

“Meeting alumni across the country has been a highlight of my first year as dean,” Triantis says. “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the D.C.-area alumni who have contributed in varying and meaningful ways to our nation’s government and public policy.”

Over the course of a yearlong tour, Triantis has been engaging alumni across the country to share his vision for the school and to hear from graduates working on the front lines of law and policy. SL