From the Dean Announcing our First Endowed Chair I am extremely pleased to announce that Chicago-Kent has reached its goal to establish the Ralph Brill Chair in raising $1.5 million in gifts and pledges. Thank you to the more than 450 alumni and friends who responded so generously by honoring Professor Ralph Brill and his 40+ year teaching career here at Chicago-Kent.  We especially thank Tom Demetrio ‘73 and his Campaign Committee for their outstanding support during the Campaign.  Simply put, this campaign would not have been a success without Tom. I also have exciting news to report about several of our faculty members: Professor Steven Harris was recently appointed Reporter for the Joint Review Committee on UCC Article 9. Professor Richard Kling recently received several honors for his pro bono work on behalf of an individual wrongly incarcerated for twenty years on a double murder conviction (view accompanying article). Professor Dan Tarlock, Director of the Program in Environmental and Energy Law, has authored a new book entitled Water War in the Klamath Basin: Macho Law, Combat Biology, and Dirty Politics about the intersection of politics, law, and environmental interests in Oregon. And, finally, Professor Lori Andrews has published her third novel, Immunity, which explores the genetics world through the adventures of a forensic pathologist.  Indeed, Professor Andrews’ seminar on Human Research and Law provided the animating idea for the thriller. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming alumni event this fall. Sincerely, Harold J. Krent Dean and Professor of Law

Susana Ortiz '01 and Professor Richard Kling have been honored for their pro bono work.

In This Issue

News and Announcements

Strategic Planning Process to Include Alumni

As Dean Krent announced in the June/July 2008 Alumni E-Brief, Chicago-Kent has recently kicked off a strategic planning process.  Interviews have been conducted with nearly two hundred admitted students, and faculty have held brainstorming sessions about the future of the law school on all levels—academic, administrative, professional, and social. 

As part of the planning process, we invite you, our alumni, to participate in the process by completing this questionnaire: 

Alumni outreach related to the strategic planning process is being coordinated by David Thompson, J.D., Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives.  He can be reached at 312.906.5236 or dthompson@kentlaw.edu. The discussion will continue through the 2008-09 academic year, so stay tuned!

Professor Honored by Bar Association

Professor Richard Kling of the Chicago-Kent Law Offices was recently presented with the President’s Award for Distinguished Public Service from the Northwest Suburban Bar Association (NSBA). Richard P. Miller ’72, President of the NSBA, presented the award to Professor Kling at a recent event.

Professor Kling was honored for his pro bono appeal on behalf of Herb Whitlock, a man who was convicted of murder in 1987 and whose conviction was overturned by an Illinois Appeals Court earlier this year. Susana Ortiz ’01, a staff attorney at the Chicago-Kent Law Offices, worked with Professor Kling on Mr. Whitlock’s defense. The pair spent more than seven years trying to free Mr. Whitlock, who was incarcerated for more than two decades for his alleged role in a double murder.

In addition to Professor Kling’s award, he and Ms. Ortiz jointly received the Defenders of the Innocent Award from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project as well as the Excellence in Public Service Award from the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Honoring our Alumni

Each year, Chicago-Kent honors distinguished alumni and individuals who serve Chicago-Kent and the legal community at our Alumni Awards & Recognition Luncheon. This year’s event will be held on December 11, 2008 at the Standard Club in Chicago.

We encourage you to nominate deserving alumni colleagues and friends. It’s a wonderful way to recognize the accomplishments of your peers.  Nominations should be submitted no later than September 15, 2008.

Sponsorship Information: We invite individuals and firms to sponsor this year’s event. Sponsorships and donations to the Luncheon benefit the Chicago-Kent Alumni Board Scholarship, which is awarded annually to students who display financial need and academic merit. The deadline for sponsorship recognition in the invitation is September 26, 2008. Click here for sponsorship information and benefits.

For general information on this year's Alumni Awards & Recognition Luncheon, visit: www.kentlaw.edu/allalumlunch.

Dolores K. Hanna ’52 and Brian Emfinger (3L), recipient of the 2008 Dolores Hanna Trademark prize

Student Wins Intellectual Property Law Prize

Brian Emfinger, a rising 3L student at Chicago-Kent, is the recipient of the 2008 Dolores K. Hanna ’52 Trademark prize. The prize was established in 2006 at Chicago-Kent by the law firm of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLC to honor Hanna, who served as the firm’s special trademarks counsel. It is awarded at the end of each school year to a Chicago-Kent student based on outstanding performance in an intellectual property course.

Emfinger is a 2009 J.D. candidate in Chicago-Kent’s Certificate Program in Intellectual Property Law. He serves as associate editor and webmaster of the Journal of Intellectual Property and is a member of the student editorial board of the Center for Access to Justice and Technology.

During her career spanning more than five decades, Dolores K. Hanna '52 practiced at the law firm of Hill & Simpson and also served as trademark counsel for Kraft, Inc. From 1985 to 1987, she chaired the federal Trademark Review Commission and recommended changes that were enacted into the Trademark Law Revision Act of 1988. Hanna has served as president of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Women’s Bar Foundation, and the Cook County Court Watchers.  She is also a past president of the International Trademark Association. In 1996, Hanna was awarded the Professional Achievement Award from Chicago-Kent. She retired from active practice in June 2006.

Your New Alumni Association Home on Facebook and LinkedIn

The Chicago-Kent Alumni Association now has a home on Facebook: Click here to access our new page to view upcoming events, law school news, and more! Become a Fan to add your own photos and videos and post to the discussion board and wall.

Users of the Professional networking site, LinkedIn, are also welcome to join the Chicago-Kent Linked-In group. Please click here to request membership.

The Career Advisor Network One of the Chicago-Kent’s most valuable resources is the Career Advisor Network. As a Career Advisor you are searchable in the Online Community by students and recent graduates who are looking for assistance on such on issues such as practice trends, legal markets in specific geographic areas, and other related topics. To become a Career Advisor, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu. Click on “My Account,” choose the “Career Advising” tab, and check the indicated box. Not yet a part of the community? Request your login information.

Save the Date

Social Events - Chicago

U.S. Supreme Court Rules on the Second Amendment: What Happens Next?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Program: 3:00 p.m. ~ Reception: 4:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

The U.S. Supreme Court recently handed down its first ruling in nearly 70 years on the Second Amendment. Please join us for a policy forum as Independent Institute Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook, who filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of more than 300 members of Congress, and Sheldon H. Nahmod, distinguished professor of law and co-director of the Institute for Law and the Humanities, discuss the legal implications of this decision and what it means for gun owners.

Dr. Halbrook will also be available to autograph copies of his new book, The Founders’ Second Amendment.

RSVP by September 5th to the Heartland Institute at (312) 377-4000.

Alumni Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, September 11, 2008
12:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

For more information on the Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors, contact Tara Anderson at tanderson@kentlaw.edu.

Professor Lori Andrews will discuss how teaching a seminar in Science and Law at Chicago-Kent led to her latest mystery novel, Immunity. In the novel, set during a provocative presidential race, a geneticist and a rogue DEA agent track the killer behind a lethal new biotoxin. The ABA Journal calls Andrews a “2008 Newsmaker of the Year… a lawyer with a literary bent who has the scientific chops to rival any CSI investigator.

Professor Andrews will be touring the country throughout the fall. For a full list of her upcoming signings, visit www.loriandrews.com/events.html.

Board of Overseers Meeting
Monday, September 22, 2008
3:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

For more information on the Chicago-Kent Board of Overseers, contact Lisa Turley at eturley@kentlaw.edu.

Lewis Collens Atrium Unveiling
Monday, September 22, 2008
5:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Please join us for the unveiling of the newly named atrium honoring Dean Emeritus of Chicago-Kent and President Emeritus of the Illinois Institute of Technology, Lewis Collens.

Please join the Chicago-Kent Hispanic-Latino Law Students Association (HLLSA) in recognizing Hon. Maria Valdez for her dedication to public service and her contributions to the Hispanic-Latino community.

RSVP to Anna Lusero, HLLSA President at alusero@kentlaw.edu by September 19, 2008.

Social Events - Regional

Join Dean Harold J. Krent at different alumni gatherings around the globe. Upcoming events include:

Beijing Alumni Dinner
Sunday, September 7, 2008
6:00 p.m. (18:00)
NewKaiYuan Restaurant, 67 Bei Si Huan West Road, Hai Dian District, 100080 Beijing 67, China

This event is open to Chicago-Kent alumni only. RSVP to Carol Li at chinaoffice@iit.edu.

Dean Harold J. Krent will visit alumni in Shanghai and Beijing, China during the month of September.

Dean Harold J. Krent Presents at the Beijing Lawyers Association
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Beijing Lawyers Association, Beijing, China

Chicago-Kent Dean Harold J. Krent will present a talk entitled Strategies for International Consumer Protection. Afterwards, Dean Krent will answer questions about the Chicago-Kent LLM program. 

For address and time details, please check with Ms. Liu Jun (010 5857-5578). This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend – please feel free to invite your friends and colleagues!

Dean Harold J. Krent Presents at the Shanghai Bar Association
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
2:00 p.m. (14:00)
Shanghai Bar Association, Shanghai, China

Chicago-Kent Dean Harold J. Krent will present a talk entitled Strategies for International Consumer Protection. Afterwards, Dean Krent will answer questions about the Chicago-Kent LLM program. 

For address and time details, please check with Mr. Pan Yu (021 6403-0000 x140). This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend – please feel free to invite your friends and colleagues!

Shanghai Alumni Dinner
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
6:00 p.m. (18:00)
Jin Hai Ming Zhu Restaurant (in the Shanghai Bar Association Building), Shanghai, China

Join us for an alumni event at the New York Yacht Club

This event is open to Chicago-Kent alumni only. RSVP to Arthur Wah at Artwah@aol.com or Awah@stuart.iit.edu.

New York City-Area Alumni Gathering
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

Hosted by Ed Tillinghast ’83.

Reunions

Class of 1983 25-Year Reunion

Catch up with your classmates at your 25-Year Reunion and enjoy watching the Chicago Cubs take on the Milwaukee Brewers.

To RSVP and see who in your class plans to attend visit your reunion page at www.kentlaw.edu/reunion/1983.html. RSVP by September 9, 2008.

Class of 1953 50-Year and Golden Alumni Reunion
Thursday - Saturday, September 18 - 20, 2008
Illinois Institute of Technology campus and Chicago-Kent College of Law campus

Reception for Chicago-Kent Alumni Only: Friday, September 19 at Chicago-Kent.
6:00 p.m.: Reception ~ 6:30 p.m. Program and Tour

To see who in your class plans to attend, visit your Reunion Page at www.kentlaw.edu/reunion/golden.html.

To RSVP and view a detailed event schedule, visit www.iit.edu/alumni/goldenalumni/. RSVP by September 12, 2008.

CLE Opportunities

Federal Sector Labor Relations & Labor Law Conference
September 18, 2008
8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Chicago-Kent College of Law presents the 26th annual gathering of the longest running conference on federal sector and postal labor relations and labor law held outside of Washington, D.C. The keynote panel topic will be “ Speaking Truth to Power: Messages for the Next Administration.” Session topics will include MSPB, EEO, FLRA, USERRA, The Hatch Act in the Computer Age, and Labor Relations and Generational Differences.

Attendees are eligible for 6.0 Hours of IL MCLE credit. For more information and to register, visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cle.

Past Event Highlights

Milwaukee Alumni Gathering

Thomas "Toby" Reynolds II '97 hosted a Milwaukee alumni gathering with Dean Harold J. Krent at his Toby's firm, Michael Best and Friedrich LLC, on August 28, 2008.

For additional event photos, please visit the Alumni Online Community. You must be logged in to view photo albums. Not yet a member of the Online Community? Request your login information here.