By Andrew Cohen
The story of a pioneering group that helps budding first-generation professional students find their footing at Berkeley Law is the cover feature of the school’s annual Transcript magazine.
First Generational Professionals (FGP) has grown dramatically over the past few years—and now provides mentorship, career advising, networking events, and social activities for more than 50 students. Founded by Antonio Herrera Cuevas ’12, the group partners with faculty, alumni, and administrators to support its members. The student-run group “single-handedly transformed my experience here,” said recent graduate and FGP co-leader Jackie Aranda ’15.
Another Transcript feature spotlights a fast-growing list of alumni judges who are holding court from Hawaii to the Hague and profiles five of them. As more graduates find their way to the bench, the school’s Clerkship Committee has worked tirelessly to funnel more clerks into judicial chambers. About 20 percent of the Class of 2014 landed clerkships immediately after graduating or for future terms, and nearly one-third of that group will clerk for more than one judge.
A third feature explores how the school—ranked No. 1 nationally in intellectual property law in 16 of the past 18 years—stays ahead of the tech-law pack. Anchored by a Q&A with Jim Dempsey, the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology’s new executive director, the feature describes a dogged emphasis on versatility, practice-ready skills, and a global perspective through innovative projects that accelerate the school’s leading work in IP and privacy.
The magazine has shipped to more than 17,000 graduates and friends in all 50 states and 84 countries. As Berkeley Law wraps up its first year under Dean Sujit Choudhry, Transcript demonstrates how the pillars of his vision for the school—service, access, innovation, and globalization—are structurally sound.
The opening “In Brief” section provides Berkeley Law news highlights from the past year, including the hiring of its first chief operating officer. In Brief also describes two national championships won by mock trial student teams, a popular TED talk on the growing police use of high-tech surveillance equipment by Catherine Crump, and the expanding global reach of the school’s International and Executive Legal Education program.
The next section, “Forefront,” highlights Professor Franklin Zimring’s buzz-generating report on killings of and by police in the United States. Forefront also covers the upcoming launch of the school’s new environmental law clinic, three recent graduates who live together and work together at the Bronx Defenders, and the arrival of incoming faculty members and acclaimed scholars Joshua Cohen, Sonia Katyal, and Dylan C. Penningroth.
Transcript also presents the major achievements of recent documentary subject Penny Cooper ’64, a former pioneering criminal defense lawyer; and the colorful life of versatile student Garner Kropp ’16, an accomplished baker, musician, and long-distance runner. The magazine describes the high-impact fundraising campaign, Access for All Challenge; chronicles a sports law conference packed with all-star panelists; and tracks Dean Choudhry’s tireless travels to meet with alumni worldwide.
Choudhry said the Transcript stories of groundbreaking scholarship, meaningful achievements, and inspiring service reaffirm his decision to join Berkeley Law: “I said becoming the dean of this incredible school was the opportunity of a lifetime, and every day since arriving here has reinforced that belief.”