UC Berkeley School of Law Spring 2012

Thelton E. Henderson
Center for Social Justice
Dear Friends,
SAVE THE DATES! This issue of the Henderson Center’s spring newsletter is devoted
to the public interest accomplishments of the Class of 2012, and
Berkeley Law Class of 2012 Public Interest Recognition and Awards Ceremony the inauguration of the Eleanor Swift Award.
I graduated from Boalt Hall nearly 30 years ago. I don’t remember
much about law school. I do remember Professor Eleanor Swift,
my Evidence Professor. Professor Swift was not like any other
professor I studied under at Boalt Hall. I remember the little things
that made her distinctive. For example, she was not glued to the
Thelton E. Henderson podium. At times, she would walk the aisles of the lecture hall, engaging students, warmly,
Center for Social Justice respectfully and with high expectations.
UC Berkeley School of Law She did not confine her teaching to the four corners of a casebook. I remember one occasion, in
897 Simon Hall #7200 particular, when she discussed the critical evidentiary ruling in The Verdict, the feature length film
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200 starring Paul Newman that had been recently released.
What to my mind is most remarkable about my experience as a student in Professor Swift’s class is
that throughout the two decades that I practiced trial law, I sensed Professor Swift standing over my
shoulder, guiding me, when I made objections to keep evidence out or arguments to keep evidence in.
September 27, 2012 I am not Professor Swift’s only fan. In 1998, she won the Rutter Award for Teaching Distinction, and in
Hon. Mario G. Olmos 2000, she became one of only a handful of Boalt faculty members ever to receive UC Berkeley’s
Distinguished Teaching Award.
Law & Cultural
Diversity Memorial Professor Swift also co-founded the Henderson Center in 1999. Ten years later, I had the honor and
the privilege of being appointed its Executive Director.
Lecture
Awards allow us to say thank you publicly to those who have made a positive difference in our lives.
I am pleased to have this occasion to say thank you publicly to Professor Swift on behalf of my
September 28, 2012 classmates and current students who have benefitted both from her teaching and her devotion to
public service.
Fall 2012 With gratitude,
Symposium:
“Heeding Frickey’s
Call: Doing Justice in
Wilda L. White ‘83
Indian Country” Executive Director
 Thelton E. Henderson
Professor Eleanor Swift:
Center for Social Justice Eleanor Swift Award Inauguration
“I want to thank David Oppenheimer
The creation of the Eleanor Swift Award particularly for creating the Award, and
UC Berkeley School of Law
was announced on April 17, 2012, at the mostly as Skills Director for all the time
897 Simon Hall #7200 annual ceremony honoring the public and energy that he along with Sue
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200 interest accomplishments of the
graduating class. The award was named in Schechter have put into the SLPS
Telephone: 510.642.6969 honor of Professor Eleanor Swift in [Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects]
Fax: 510.642.3728 recognition of all she has done over the program. It was foundering when he came
E-mail: past 30 years to strengthen Boalt Hall's and he's turned it into a professional,
henderson.center@berkeley.edu support for public service. The Award will really first-rate operation and that's been
be conferred annually on someone in the
Web site: above and beyond what he was even hired
Boalt Hall community for his or her
www.law.berkeley.edu/ to do. I really want to thank Herma Hill
HendersonCenter.htm
outstanding contributions to
strengthening Boalt's commitment for Kay who was the Dean at the time at
public service. Boalt who offered me the leadership role
The Thelton E. Henderson Center
for Social Justice is a training and
This Newsletter is a publication of excerpts of remarks made at the April 17, 2012, in planning the clinical program at Boalt. L - R: Professor Eleanor Swift ; Ben Glass; and Professor Robert Cole.
research center that prepares the
next generation of lawyers to repre- “Honoring the Public Interest Accomplishments of the Class of 2012 and Awards She gave me marching orders. She said I
sent under-served communities and
produces innovative and accessible
Ceremony.” want to have a clinic that brings clients into the halls of Boalt
scholarship on issues of race, sex,
and poverty.
Hall. What a vision! I mean it's not 100 percent fulfilled but I
“... Professor
"Professor Swift has been a central figure in creating Eleanor Swift, you think the program itself is even greater and more successful
Center Staff: Boalt's most significant public interest programs. She is probably don't even than she imagined. But without Herma none of this would
Mary Louise Frampton one of the Founding Mothers of the Henderson Center for know who I am but I have materialized. My family Bob Cole, my husband is here,
Faculty Director Social Justice. As you may know the UC Regents and LOVED your courses. and Ben Glass, my son, giving me all the support and love that
Wilda L. White ’83
California voters ended affirmative action here in 1997. I mean the last day of
With Boalt Professors Angela Harris and Rachel Moran, I treasure and needed doing all this work for as many years as
Executive Director Civ Pro, I actually
Professor Swift responded to this grave threat to the law cried because I was I've been doing it.
Ariana Ceja
Program Assistant
school's public mission by launching the Henderson Center. like what am I going to do without
She has served on the Faculty Advisory Board ever since, I want to thank [the students] in the room because you've
your inspiration every day … I learned
Carol Silverman helping to build a vibrant community focused on fulfilling spent so much time and energy and commitment and love on
Senior Research Associate the most in your doctrinal classes out
the promise of equality for all people. Professor Swift is the public service work that you do while you are a student
of any other doctrinal classes hands
Johnny Garcia Vasquez also the architect of Boalt's experiential learning program.
down, hands down, not a contest.” here at Boalt. This award is not about me it's about you and
Student Assistant In 1990, Professor Swift co-taught the first clinical companion course for the East Bay
Community Law Center [EBCLC]. Two years later, Dean Herma Hill Kay appointed her - Coreen Kopper ’12, April 17, 2012, whatever dream or hope that I had when I took on the role of
Wendy Hernandez Awards Ceremony.
Student Assistant to chair a special committee charged with developing a proposal to improve the clinical trying to create some of these opportunities at Boalt you've
curriculum. In 1996, Professor Swift authored a report that became the blueprint for the made it a reality. It's really you who should be celebrated
Sheng Qi Xiao public service infrastructure that we now take for granted here. The report made four
Student Assistant today and I think this event is all about you and you’re the future. When I think about the work you've
key recommendations. First, it recommended institutionalizing the relationship with
Rekia Jibrin EBCLC. EBCLC now trains 80 to 100 law students each year who in turn serve 1,000, low- done while at law school it renews my faith in the future and that's pretty special. I couldn't be more
Graduate Student Researcher thrilled about our first two award winners, Sue and Tony.”
income clients in the community. Second, the Swift Report recommended establishing
Jolene Forman ‘12 an in-house center on clinical education. The in-house clinics now train another 80 to 100
Coblentz Fellow law students each year in death penalty, human rights, and technology law. Third, the
report recommended appointing a full-time field placement director. The field
Sonja Tonnesen ‘13 “I recently asked Professor Swift why she devoted so much of her time and talent to
Coblentz Fellow placement program now supports 150 students each year in dozens of non-profits,
these endeavors. She said that social justice and public service brought her to law
externships and in the UCDC program. Finally, the Swift Report recommended
school in the first place and drew her to law teaching in particular. Opening doors and
appointing a full-time skills director. The skills program has blossomed in recent years
creating opportunities for students to pursue public service, she said, has been her
under David Oppenheimer's leadership and under the hard work of many people in this
passion. We can all count ourselves among the lucky beneficiaries of her dedication to
room with more than 200 students enrolled in skills courses each semester. And just to
this cause. It's hard to imagine that we'd be here celebrating [the Class of 2012's]
FRONT COVER (L — R): Brendon be clear, Professor Swift was not only the architect, but also the general contractor in
broad and deep contributions and accomplishments in public service without
Ardieta ‘12, Nila Natarajan ‘12, Joseph this effort. She has chaired or participated actively on every relevant hiring committee in
[Professor Swift's] more than two decades of visionary leadership and hard work." -
Petta ‘ 12, Cole Taylor ‘12, Tony the social justice and experiential learning programs. She did the heavy institutional
Jeff Selbin, April 17, 2012, “Honoring the Public Interest Accomplishments of the Class of 2012 and Awards
LoPresti ‘12, and Hilda Chan ‘12. lifting to make all of this happen.” - Jeff Selbin, Faculty Director, East Bay Community
Ceremony.”
Law Center; and Clinical Professor of Law
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 2012 Eleanor Swift Award 2012 Kathi Pugh Award
Sue Schechter and Tony LoPresti ‘12 Kaveena Singh, Staff Attorney, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
Presented by Mary Louise Frampton, Faculty Director, Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice Presented by Holly Hoch ‘13, California Asylum Representation Clinic (CARC) Student Volunteer
“I am just thrilled to be able to bestow this magnificent honor on two really exceptional “At Berkeley Law, many students will tell you that one of the most
members of our Boalt community, Tony LoPresti ’12 and Sue Schechter. We chose Tony rewarding things that they have done in law school is take on a
and Sue not only for their extraordinary contributions and talents but in some ways even California Asylum Representation Case (CARC). Much of the
more importantly for bringing what I call the Eleanor Swift type of leadership to the public
success of this program is due to the mentorship of Kaveena
interest community here. So what's that? I think we all know what that is. We know that
there are some lawyers who become leaders because they want to be in charge. They Singh. It is no simple task Kaveena takes on when working with
want the power, the glory, they want the limelight, and then there are others, like Eleanor, CARC students. Her attention to detail and willingness to help
who have a vision for important work that needs to be done and then act as catalysts to makes her an excellent fit for working with eager 1L students
achieve that work. They view their leadership as an opportunity for other people to shine; working on their first legal project. Kaveena goes above and
as a vehicle for collaboration in a respectful way in which all voices are heard; and as a way beyond to work with Berkeley law students. She maintains her
to really challenge our institutions to be better. This really precisely describes the leadership that both Tony and own caseload at the Sanctuary and she also supervises upwards of
Sue have brought to this public interest community. It's the Eleanor Swift style of leadership.”
20 CARC students at a time. As law student hours are hectic,
Kaveena makes time outside her regular business hours, during her
own spare time, in order to meet with students and CARC clients,
Sue Schechter reviewing their documents and giving them advice. It is
Berkeley Law Field Placement L - R: Holly Hoch ‘13 and Kaveena Singh. inspirational to see a strong, educated woman in the role of helping
Program Director so many people on a daily basis. It is a gift to find an attorney-
mentor who has the time, energy and patience to give so much to the Berkeley Law community. There's no
Sue Schechter is Boalt Hall's first, full-time Field
way we can show her how much we truly appreciate and admire her. We owe her so many things.”
Placement Director. In her six-year tenure, she has
developed a field placement program that has In
significantly expanded opportunities for students to "I'm really honored to be the recipient of this award. I'd like to thank everyone in
work in judicial externships, non-profit legal CARC. It's a pleasure of mine and everyone at the East Bay Sanctuary to work with
organizations, and government agencies, both 1L law students, and the students that come back after their first [year]. So, to me
national and international, that's the best reward. I'd also like to thank everyone at the Sanctuary especially
during their law school Michael Smith because I don't think this program would look the way it looks
“I wake up every day
careers. She locates high- without his efforts. So I definitely will be sharing this award with others at the
of my life honored
quality, field Sanctuary.” - Kaveena Singh
that I get to come to
placement
this place and work
with amazing law
sites,
develops
Tony LoPresti ‘12
students.” and About the Kathi Pugh Award
- Sue Schechter maintains Tony LoPresti ‘12, is a campus
leader and co-founder of The Kathi Pugh Award recognizes exceptional
strong mentorship of students who participate in the
relationships with field placement Students for Environmental
and Economic Justice (SEEJ), Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects (SLPS) at
supervisors, mentors and counsels Berkeley Law. The Award celebrates Kathi Pugh's
students, and co-teaches a skills course which was formed in 2009 with L - R: Francesca LoPresti; Ryan Shaening
classmates. The thriving group Pokrasso ‘13; Tillie Baňales; and Tony commitment to encouraging, mentoring and
for student leaders. She also LoPresti ‘12.
engages a variety of local, supervising law students.
participated in the development and
oversees Berkeley Law’s UCDC Law national and international
"I want to thank Students for Kathi Pugh '90, is currently the Pro Bono Counsel
Program, a full-semester externship Environmental Justice issues
Economic and Environmental for Morrison & Foerster, responsible for
program where students are exposed to through an annual
Justice. I really feel like I'm administering all aspects of the firm's extensive pro
the three branches of government. symposium, and workshops.
accepting an honor that really bono program. In 1988, Pugh, along with several of
Schechter is also involved in the school’s SEEJ alumna Camille Pannu
'11, calls him a "tidal wave of
comes through their collective her classmates, co-founded the East Bay
student pro bono program. work and commitment."
social change." Community Law Center that is today the largest
- Tony LoPresti ‘12 provider of legal services in Alameda County,
Photo Top Right Corner L - R: Sam Garcia; Brian Garcia;
Sue Schechter; and Claire Garcia. California. L - R: Westy; Josh Maddox; and Kathi Pugh ‘90.
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 Class of 2012 Public Interest Recognition and Awards Ceremony
Each year the Henderson Center, the Career Development Office, and the Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects host a reception
and recognition ceremony that honors and thanks law students for completing 50 or more hours of pro bono work, completing two
summers of public service work or serving as coordinators for SLPS. The following are excerpted student remarks from the Ceremony.
Audrey Barron
“I had three
really proud
moments in
law school
and they all
came from
public inter-
est organiza-
tions. The
first was when my CARC client was
granted asylum; the second was
when the Berkeley Law Foundation
raised $40,000, at our auction and
the third was when I was in an ex-
pulsion hearing for my foster youth
through AYJ … he was for sure go-
ing to get expelled... I showed up in
a suit and they said basically he's
expelled and I said you forgot about
some procedural safeguards that
you have to go through; you have to
hold a hearing, there's some things
you have to do and I'll never forget
the look on their faces and the
shock and the turmoil. They had to
have a private meeting and he didn't
get expelled . Boalt taught me to do
that, Boalt taught me how to be
prepared and how to fight and how
to be a zealous advocate for your
client and I'm so proud to be a Boalt
alum very soon. So thanks.”
Juan Perla
“Thank you every
one for this
honor. The most
meaningful
moment for me
in law school, I
echo what other
people have said,
has been when
my CARC client
was granted asylum. His story was
just very powerful and to be able to
go and represent him was
something that I'll never forget.
That feeling that I could actually
make a difference in someone's life.
In fact, he still calls me to tell me
how he's doing once in awhile and
insists on taking me out to lunch
and to dinner all the time and I said
‘believe me, you've done more than
enough by just allowing me to
represent you’, and thank you all
for letting us do that here.”
Daniela Urban
“I think Boalt
is both the
easiest and
the hardest
place to be a
public interest
student. I
think there's a
lot of pressure
on us to do other things, to derail
us from our original visions but
then there are also the other
people who are right behind you.
Your first year when you just want
to go out there and do something
crazy like take on the Code of
Student Conduct you have people
like Professor Frampton and
Professor Swift to have behind you
the whole time and then you have
people like Mike Gaitley and
Elizabeth Kristen at The Legal Aid
Society—ELC who you say, ‘after
graduation I want to open a
worker's right clinic,’ and they say
let's figure out how to make it
happen and Sue Schechter who
lets you work wherever you want…
if you convince her it's what you
want to do ... and that's the most
important part of a public interest
support advocate ...I'm really sad to
be leaving law school, which I never
thought I would say.”
2012 Francine Marie Diaz Memorial Award
Rachel Johnson-Farias ‘12 and Yanin Senachai ‘12
At Berkeley Law, Yanin Senachai ’12 At Berkeley Law, Rachel
participated in the school’s Death Johnson-Farias ’12, clerked at
Penalty Clinic and also clerked at the the East Bay Community Law
East Bay Community Law Center’s
Neighborhood Justice Clinic.
Center’s Clean Slate Clinic.
During law school summers,
she interned at the American
She was a volunteer with the Berkeley
Civil Liberties Union of
Law Foundation where she helped
Northern California and Justice
raise $40,000, to provide tuition
Now. Before law school,
support and public interest grants to
Johnson-Farias served as
incoming Berkeley Law students who
Executive Director of Women
have shown an extraordinary
and Youth Supporting Each
commitment to social justice.
Other, a national organization
She was also a Law Student Volunteer dedicated to empowering
at Berkeley Law’s California Asylum women and girls of color in underserved areas.
Representation Clinic (CARC). Before
After graduation, Johnson-Farias will lead a new project
law school, she advocated on behalf of survivors of
at the East Bay Community Law Center called Starting
domestic violence at the Asian & Pacific Islander
Over Strong. The Project’s goal is to combat the re-
American Health Forum in San Francisco, and the
criminalization of young people with criminal records
Asians for Community Involvement in San Jose,
and change post-detention, probation and prosecutorial
California.
practices that deny young people with records, access
Senachai is also the recipient of a 2012 Skadden to, among other things, employment, housing, and
Fellowship. military service.
About the Francine Marie Diaz Memorial Award
The Francine Marie Diaz Memorial Award memorializes Francine Diaz’s commitment to social justice
Individual
throughDonations: Spring
legal services and advocacy. 2010
Diaz, a member of Boalt Hall class of 1987, was killed in a car acci-
dent after her first year in law school on her first day at work at the Boalt Hall Employment Discrimination
Clinic. Established by Diaz’s family, friends and her professor, David Oppenheimer, the Award is given to
a graduating woman who has shown commitment to social justice through her work experience, her in-
volvement with social justice organizations, her course selection at Boalt Hall and her career plans.
2012 Skadden and Soros Fellowships
Two Berkeley Law Henderson Center students have been named 2012 Skadden Fellows, and a third, a 2012
Soros Fellow. The Skadden Fellowships are two of just 28, fellowships awarded from a nationwide
applicant pool of 200. The two-year fellowship provides funding for graduating law students to pursue a
project that will provide legal services to the poor, elderly, disabled and/or victims of human rights abuses.

Yanin Senachai ’12, will work at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles. She will
represent Thai immigrant, low-wage workers to combat wage theft, trafficking, and other workplace
Yanin Senachai ‘12 exploitation.
2012 STUDENT-INITIATED LEGAL SERVICES PROJECTS (SLPS) Alesdair Ittelson ‘12, will work at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama. He will
ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH JUSTICE (AYJ) COMMUNITY LEGAL OUTREACH (CLO) provide direct representation and advocacy on behalf of youth in schools in rural and low-income areas
Berkeley High Student Court Homeless Outreach of Mississippi and Alabama who experience harassment or discrimination because of real or perceived
Education Advocacy Clinic Public Benefits Outreach LGBTQ status.
Expulsion Representation Clinic Tenants’ Rights Workshop
Juvenile Hall Outreach Hilda Chan ’12, will use her Open Society Institute Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowship Alesdair Ittelson ‘12
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP (EJC)
at Supportive Parents Information Network (SPIN), an organization she worked with
BERKELEY IMMIGRATION LAW CLINIC (BILC)
IRAQI REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROJECT (IRAP) before enrolling at Berkeley Law. SPIN is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization of very, low-income
BERKELEY TAX LAW CLINIC (BTLC) families on public assistance. SPIN fights to create pathways to self-sufficiency by combining direct legal
LA RAZA WORKERS’ RIGHTS CLINIC
services, policy advocacy, and organizing to bring community voices to the public dialogue. Her work has
CALIFORNIA ASYLUM REPRESENTATION CLINIC (CARC) at Centro Legal de la Raza
focused on cases where domestic violence has impeded families’ efforts to escape poverty. The Soros
CIVIL RIGHTS OUTREACH PROJECT (CROP) WORKERS’ RIGHTS CLINIC (WRC) Fellowship is intended to fund outstanding individuals to initiate innovative policy advocacy projects at the
Disability Workers’ Rights Clinic Hilda Chan ‘12 local, state, and national levels that will have a measurable impact on criminal justice reform.
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