From the Dean 3
Dean M. Elizabeth Magill

THE IDEA THAT “GREAT GIFTS MEAN GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES” HAS DEEP ROOTS, ONE OF THEM IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE’S STORY OF THE FAITHFUL SERVANT.  There it is said “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” President John F. Kennedy invoked the idea in an address to the Massachusetts legislature, and countless speeches and sermons have explored this powerful idea. Even Peter Parker, Spider Man’s alter ego, is cautioned that “with great power comes great responsibility,” a phrase quoted in 2015 by the Supreme Court as it explained why it should depart from stare decisis only sparingly.

Our students and graduates are the definition of those who possess great gifts and in this issue you can read how many of them have taken these responsibilities to heart. Many pursue public service through elective office. Our feature story profiles some of our graduates running for office (like Christy Holstege, JD ’12), other alumni who help them to get elected (like Matt Platkin, JD ’14, BA ’09), and still others who work with them on important policy issues once they are in office (like Josh Bolten, JD ’80). In our Q&A, Professor Pamela Karlan interviews former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, JD ’68, about his 30-plus year career in the Senate, pondering the many challenges and rewards of serving then and now. And in our profile of former Congressman Pete McCloskey, JD ’53 (BA ’50), we see that holding public office can mean speaking truth to power, as this decorated veteran and eight-term Republican did when he was in the House of Representatives.

These stories feature graduates who make public service a priority. In the last decade, we have formalized the school’s commitment to fostering an ethic of service for all students through the creation of the John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law, and one of our stories in this issue marks that 10th anniversary. John Levin, JD ’73 (MA ’70), who along with his wife, Terry (BA ’74, MA ’81), championed the creation of the center and has nurtured it since its inception, received our National Public Service Award this fall. In his inspiring speech to our students, he said, “More than ever, we need lawyers who are engaged citizens. We need lawyers who are leaders. We need lawyers who are prepared to devote themselves to the causes they find most compelling. We need lawyers who embrace the bedrock idea that service is at the core of the profession.” I’ve certainly seen that sentiment in action on campus, where more students than ever are participating in the Levin Center’s work.

There’s much more in this issue—including profiles of three inspiring alumni. Miriam Rivera, JD/MBA ’95 (BA ’86, MA ’89), former Google deputy general counsel now running a successful venture capital company, shows how it is possible to improve the playing field for minority and women entrepreneurs. David White, JD ’00, the national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, shares with us some of the excitement and challenges of his work at the top of the largest entertainment union in the world. And Malissia Clinton, JD ’93, discusses her rise to general counsel of The Aerospace Corporation—as well as her very personal brush with racism in her hometown of Manhattan Beach.

In this issue, we also look at important scholarship done by faculty, including Professor Jane Schacter’s influence on and leadership in the field of sexual orientation law and Professor David Freeman Engstrom’s, JD ’02, new research into collective bargaining and equal pay (part of a book project on the lost history of antidiscrimination efforts). We also profile the work of students in one of our practicums, this one on the vexing topic of fake news.

And we say a sad goodbye to Miguel Méndez in a moving “Remembrance” by Robert Garcia, JD ’78 (BA ’74). Miguel started his career as a lawyer devoted to serving the public good, with a litigation career in public interest, including time spent in the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office, the California Rural Legal Assistance, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. He taught here for more than three decades, sharing his insights and enthusiasm with generations of alumni. I know he will be missed.

I hope you’ll read on—and explore some of what I see here every day.