Chicago-Kent College of Law: Alumni E-Brief
Alumni E-Brief
Dean Harold J. Krent

From the Dean

Marovitz Public Interest Law Awards

I am pleased to announce this year’s Marovitz Public Interest Law Award recipients, to be honored at our third annual Public Interest Awards Night on Thursday, April 22.

These alumni have demonstrated a strong commitment to public interest law and exemplify the character and life of our esteemed alumnus, the Hon. Abraham Lincoln Marovitz ‘25, for whom this award is named. To read about their accomplishments, click on their names above.

The Public Interest Awards Night will also honor students in Chicago-Kent’s Public Interest Law Program and will spotlight the Chicago-Kent Environmental Law Society. Cameron Davis ’92, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, will be our keynote speaker.

A networking reception will follow the awards ceremony. For details and to RSVP, visit www.kentlaw.edu/alumni/publicinterest.

In other public interest law news, 31 outstanding alumni received awards through this year’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). The LRAP is a Chicago-Kent initiative that provides financial assistance to alumni in low-paying public interest jobs for purposes of managing their student loan debt. The 2010 LRAP recipients work for such organizations as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Cabrini Green Legal Aid, and the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing. Thank you to those of you who made these awards possible by your financial support of the LRAP.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our many events in April including our first ever Speed-Networking event and a lecture on justice for celebrity athletes from ESPN Legal Analyst, Lester Munson.  Enjoy the warming temperatures!

Sincerely,

Harold J. Krent
Dean and Professor of Law

In This Issue

News and Announcements

Chicago-Kent Establishes Law Program in Taiwan

Dean Ivor Y.H. Yang of the Soochow University School of Law in Taiwan and Dean Harold J. Krent.
Dean Ivor Y.H. Yang of the Soochow University School of Law and Dean Krent.
Chicago-Kent signed an agreement with Soochow University School of Law in Taiwan to establish a training program for Taiwanese lawyers that can culminate in an LL.M. degree from Chicago-Kent. The agreement was initialed recently by Chicago-Kent Dean Harold J. Krent and Soochow Dean Ivor Y.H. Yang.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chicago-Kent faculty will teach a four-course, graduate-level program in Taiwan. Upon completion of the program’s course work, Soochow University students can receive advanced standing of 10 credits toward the 24 needed to earn the master of laws (LL.M.) degree from Chicago-Kent. Students will spend their second semester in the United States at Chicago-Kent to complete the degree requirements.

The agreement also creates a unique summer training program that permits Taiwanese lawyers to immerse themselves in the law of mainland China, and for mainland Chinese lawyers, particularly Chicago-Kent alumni, to learn Taiwanese law. The program will be offered in Taiwan and on mainland China in alternating years.


Revised Evening Program Allows for More Flexibility
2010 Public Interest Awards

Chicago-Kent is proud of its history of supporting part-time evening students and we remain dedicated to finding ways to make it easier for working students to attend law school. Beginning in fall 2010, we will offer part-time, evening division students an innovative and flexible scheduling option for the first year.

Evening students will be eligible to follow a traditional schedule of classes—meeting four nights per week during the academic year—or they may opt to take advantage of summer sessions before and after their first year to ease their transition to law school and to reduce their course load to three nights per week. Our hope is that this new scheduling option will encourage those individuals who otherwise may have been prevented by family or work obligations to pursue a law degree.

Chicago-Kent’s part-time program is ranked among the top 10 evening programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2010 edition) and is the only evening program in the Midwest with a top-10 ranking.

For more information on our evening program, visit www.kentlaw.edu/adm/evening/.


Assistant Dean Francine Soliunas is a 2010 SAGE Award Recipient

Francine Soliunas
Francine Soliunas received a 2010 SAGE award.
Francine Soliunas, assistant dean for strategy and student professional development and executive director of the Institute for Law and the Workplace, has received a 2010 SAGE Award from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Women.

The award was presented by Mayor Daley on March 9, 2010 at the Chicago Cultural Center during the Mayor's annual award reception celebrating Women's History Month. The SAGE awards are presented annually to women from diverse backgrounds for leadership in mentoring, workplace and community advocacy, and local and global human rights initiatives. Dean Soliunas was recognized for her more than 30 years of legal experience, as well as a lifetime of community and civic involvement.

In her role as assistant dean for strategy and student professional development, Dean Soliunas works with students of color in terms of counseling, assisting with group-sponsored activities, and facilitating their transition through law school and into the profession. She also serves as director of the PLUS (Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars) Program, a four-week summer program designed to attract disadvantaged college students and those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to legal careers.

As executive director of Institute for Law and the Workplace, Dean Soliunas runs the day-to-day activities of the institute and is part of a management team that determines the strategic direction of this national training center for labor lawyers and professionals. In addition, she teaches the Labor and Employment Law externship course.


KJF Spring Auction: Remote Bidding Available Exclusively for Alumni
Kent Justice Foundation Logo

We hope you can join us for the 19th Annual Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) Spring Auction on Thursday, April 8 at the law school. The event raises funds to provide fellowships for Chicago-Kent students who take unpaid public interest internships over the summer. In addition to music and refreshments, a silent auction will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a live auction to follow at 7:00 p.m.

However, we do understand the limitations of a busy schedule. That’s why KJF is proud to introduce remote bidding. New for 2010, Chicago-Kent alumni will be able to place bids on silent auction items via e-mail.

Please click here for details on remote bidding and a partial list of auction items. (A final list of packages will be available on Monday.) Remote bidding begins on Monday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m. and closes at 11:59 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7. If your bid has not been exceeded at the close of the silent auction, you will win the item for $1 more than the highest amount on the bid sheet. Happy bidding!


Final Call for Alumni Board of Directors Applications
Annual Fund Image

The application deadline for the 2010-2011 Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors is TODAY, April 1 at midnight. If you’re interested in getting involved at a higher level with the law school, this is a great opportunity to serve as a voice of alumni. The Board represents the Chicago-Kent alumni community by overseeing and supporting various programs and events. They are dedicated to the goal of strengthening bonds between the law school and its students and graduates, and serves as a voice for the Chicago-Kent alumni community.

Download Board Application >>

If you are interested in applying or nominating a fellow alumnus/a, please fax the application by midnight tonight, April 1 to (312) 906-5256.  If you have questions, please contact Tara Anderson, Director of Alumni Relations at (312) 906-5245 or tanderson@kentlaw.edu.


Your Class Page

There’s a new way to connect and communicate with your classmates. Each class now has its own page on the Alumni Online Community.

Your class page allows you to read and upload class notes, view your classmates' profiles share video, photos, and links, and much more!

Interested in connecting in other ways? There are dozens of other groups on the Alumni Online Community where you can connect with practitioners in your legal expertise or alumni who live in your geographic region.

To get started, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/groups

Not yet a part of the community?
Request your login information.

Save the Date

Social Events - Chicago

19th Annual Kent Justice Foundation Spring Auction
Thursday, April 8, 2010
4:00 - 10:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Silent Auction ~ 7:00 p.m. Live Auction
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Lobby, Chicago, IL 60661

The Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) is a Chicago-Kent student organization that promotes public interest law, encourages volunteerism and supports pro-bono work. Each year, an auction is held to support KJF and their summer fellowship program for students in public interest positions.

Tickets are $10 at the door and include an open bar and appetizers. If you cannot attend the event we encourage you to make a remote bid. Please click here for remote bidding details.


Fourth Annual Diversity Networking Event
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661

The Alumni Association, along with the Asian-Pacific Islander Law Students, the Black Law Students, the Chicago-Kent Lambdas, the Hispanic-Latino Law Students, and the South Asian Law Students Associations, cordially invite you network with fellow alumni, friends and current students at a reception.

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Monday, April 12, 2010.


2010 Public Interest Awards Night
Thursday, April 22, 2010
5:00 p.m. Awards, Reception to follow
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Public Interest Awards

Please join us as we honor the 2010 Marovitz Public Interest Award recipients.

This event will also spotlight the Chicago-Kent Environmental Law Society. Cameron Davis ’92, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, will be our keynote speaker.

Click here to RSVP online or call (312) 906-5240 by Monday, April 19. For details, visit the Public Interest Awards page.


Second Annual Lash Bash: In Honor of Matt Lash ‘07
Saturday, April 24, 2010
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
La Salle Power Co., 500 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60654

Friends, classmates and family of Matt Lash ‘07 will gather to celebrate the establishment of the Matt Lash ’07 Memorial Fund and Scholarship, which has been funded through generous gifts of more than 100 people. The event will feature a silent auction to raise additional funds for the scholarship.



Decalogue Logo
Join the Chicago-Kent chapter of the Decalogue Society for an event this month.
Admission is $40 at the door and includes and open bar. Net proceeds will benefit the Matt Lash Scholarship at Chicago-Kent. No RSVP required, however click here to join the event on Facebook. If you would like to make a gift to the Matt Lash '07 Memorial Fund, visit www.kentlaw.edu/give.


Decalogue Society Scholarship & Networking Event
Monday, April 26, 2010
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Decalogue Society alumni are invited to join Chicago-Kent students to recognize this year’s Chicago-Kent Decalogue Scholarship recipients and to socialize and network. 

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu by Friday, April 23.


Chicago-Kent Connections: Speed-Networking
Chicago-Kent Connections: Speed-Networking
Thursday, April 29, 2010
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Check-In and Networking
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.: "Open Room" Speed-Networking
8:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Networking and cash bar
Rock Bottom Brewery, 1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

Join us for a night of “open-room” Speed-Networking! There are no tables or lines – just a standing reception with the opportunity to meet someone new every five minutes. Attendees will be identified by practice areas so you can easily find those whom you want to meet. Hosted by the Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Council.  Price: $10/person in advance, $20/person at the door. Includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Click here to RSVP by Monday, April 26.


Chicago-Kent Night with the White Sox
Tuesday, May 19, 2010
7:10 p.m.
U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616

Join us to watch the Sox take on the Anaheim Angels at U.S. Cellular Field. On this special night the White Sox are offering half-priced tickets to Chicago-Kent alumni and their family & friends. Tickets regularly priced at $39, $35 and $20 are available for $19.50, $17.50 and $10.

Ticket orders must be submitted to the Chicago White Sox by Friday, April 23. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/whitesox.


Florida Alumni Gatherings - March 21-22, 2010
Downstate Illinois alumni are invited to an alumni gathering in Springfield on April 30.
Social Events - Regional

Springfield Alumni Gathering - Note Updated Time!
Friday, April 30, 2010
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sebastian’s Hideout, 221 South 5th St., Springfield, IL 62701

Alumni in Springfield and southern Illinois: please join us to socialize and network. 

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Wednesday, April 28.

Lectures & Conferences

Chicago IP Colloquium Speaker: Gregory N. Mandel
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Rm. 305, Chicago, IL 60661

Gregory Mandel, Professor at Beasley School of Law, Temple University, will speak as part of the 2010 Chicago Intellectual Property Colloquium. His paper, Competing Conceptions of Creativity in Intellectual Property Law, will be discussed.

The Colloquium is jointly sponsored by Chicago-Kent and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Visit the Colloquium's Web site for more information regarding the speaker series.

Lester Munson
Lester Munson, Legal Analyst for ESPN, will speak on April 21.


ESPN Legal Analyst Lester Munson: "Justice for Celebrity Athletes: Is it Possible?"
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Lecture: 6:00 p.m., Marovitz Courtroom
Reception to follow, Lobby
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Lester Munson, Senior Writer and Legal Analyst for ESPN, will present a sports law lecture discussing whether athletes like Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger, and Gilbert Arenas can receive a fair trial when charged with a crime. A social and networking reception will follow. This event is sponsored by the Chicago-Kent Sports and Entertainment Law Society and the Alumni Association.

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Monday, April 19.


Career Relaunch Forum at Kellogg/Northwestern University
Thursday, April 22, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Norris Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208

Have you considered returning to work but don't know where to begin? Are you struggling with what you want to do, or what employment option is right for you? Are you unsure about who to talk to, and how to address the time since you left the traditional workforce? Join fellow relaunchers in discovering answers to these questions and more at a conference sponsored by Northwestern University. Chicago-Kent alumni get a $30 discount off of the $125 fee. Simply type "Kent" in the "How did you hear about us" box on the online registration form.

Click here to learn more about the Forum, the agenda, and to register. This event is not sponsored by Chicago-Kent College of Law. Please direct questions to Madison Morris at madison-morris@kellogg.northwestern.edu or 847-491-3265.

CLE Opportunities

Joan C. Williams
Piper Lecturer
Joan C. Williams
32nd Annual Kenneth M. Piper Lecture: Joan C. Williams
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661
 
The impact of lawsuits filed by mothers under the EEOC Guidelines continues to increase. These suits have a much higher success rate than other employment discrimination suits, even though three-fourths of those laid off during the Great Recession were men. Joan C. Williams, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California, Hastings College of Law, will discuss this issue in the 32nd annual Piper lecture, Family Responsibilities Discrimination in the Great Recession: The Impact of the EEOC Guidelines.

Attendees are eligible for 1.25 hours of FREE IL MCLE credit. No registration is needed, however please click here to download an event brochure.


27th Annual Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation Conference
Thursday, April 15, 2010: 8:50 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, April 16, 2010: 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Liability arising out of §1983 presents a continuing challenge for all municipal lawyers, private practitioners, and litigators who try cases in this dynamic area. Keeping up with this ever-changing environment is critical. You will learn both the fundamentals and more advanced aspects of §1983 practice and trial skills, and analyze the latest judicial decisions.

Attendees are eligible for 11.0 hours of MCLE Credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics credit. For more information and to register, visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cle.


29th Annual Federal Tax Institute
Thursday, April 29, 2010: 8:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Friday, April 30, 2010: 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Nationally recognized tax advisors provide a comprehensive update on cutting-edge legal, legislative and policy developments and their impact on tax planning, compliance and controversy techniques.  

Attendees are eligible for 9.0 hours of MCLE Credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics credit. For more information and to register, visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cle.

Past Event Highlights

View More Photos >>
Chanel Jefferson '08, Ann Marie Barry '96, and Jerry Levenstein '66 at the home of Mark Scott '97 in Miami.
Florida Alumni Gatherings

Susan and Roy C. Palmer ’62 hosted Dean Harold J. Krent and a group of twenty alumni and friends for a brunch at their home just outside of Sarasota, FL on March 21. The next day, Mark Scott ’97 opened his home in Miami for a cocktail reception attended by a dozen alumni from Florida’s east coast.

Photos of the Florida events are available on the Alumni Online Community at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/florida10.


Centennial Visitor Lecture Webcast

Last month we welcomed economist Jagdish Bhagwati as the 2010 Centennial Lecturer. A video of his talk, U.S. Trade Policy: Why the Drift Is Dangerous, is now available online.

View Video >>

Please note: To view this video, you must have Real Player.
View More Photos >>
Dean Harold J. Krent, Steve Ruben ‘73, and Yasmeen Aidinejad ’98 at the San Francisco alumni reception.


San Francisco Alumni Reception

Dean Harold J. Krent and Nik Rokop, Managing Director of the IIT Knapp Entrepreneurship Center hosted an alumni reception at the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco, CA on March 24. The event was intended to help Richard Komaiko, a Chicago-Kent 2L, prepare to pitch his business plan at the University of San Francisco’s International Business Competition. Richard was competing on behalf of his start-up, TheLawyerMarket.com, the world's first competitive marketplace for legal services.

Please click here to view photos from this event.


View More Photos >>
The Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) honored Dr. Emily Miao '97 (left) and Prof. Mickie Piatt at the IPLS Alumni and Faculty Award Reception on March 24.
Intellectual Property Law Society Alumni and Faculty Award Reception

The Chicago-Kent Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) held its annual awards and reception on March 24. More than 50 alumni, students, and faculty attended the event, which honored Dr. Emily Miao ‘97, Partner at McDonnell, Boehnen, Hulbert & Berghoff, L.L.P., with the Distinguished Alumna Award. Chicago-Kent professor and Interim Director of the Program in Intellectual Property Law, Mickie Piatt, was this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award.

Chicago-Kent’s Intellectual Property Law Program is ranked among the top five IP programs in the country by U.S. News and World Reports and remains the premier program in the Midwest. In addition, Chicago-Kent was the first American law school to offer an LL.M. in International Intellectual Property Law.

Photos from the IPLS Reception are available on the Alumni Online Community at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/ipls10.


Women in Law Celebration
View More Photos >>
1L student Kendra Garstka with her alumna mentor, The Honorable Ann Breen-Greco '85.

The Chicago-Kent Alumni Association and the Society of Women in Law co-hosted a reception at the law school on March 25, bringing together current female Chicago-Kent students and alumnae.

Earlier this year, law students were matched up with alumnae mentors in the legal community. The mentor program provides female students with support and guidance as they navigate law school and gives alumnae the opportunity to be involved in the professional development of future lawyers and business leaders.

Last month’s reception celebrated the culmination of that program while also providing an opportunity for alumnae at large to socialize with current female students.

Thank you to the over 50 alumnae who served as mentors this year! Next year’s Society of Women in Law Mentor Program will kick off in October 2010. If you are an alumna who is interested in participating, please keep your eyes open for an email next fall, or email alums@kentlaw.edu.  

Photos from the event are available on the alumni online community at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/wil10.

Chicago-Kent College of Law Alumni Relations Home Online Community Calendar E-Brief Archives Daniel Belko Mariangela Monteiro