This week, Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law said goodbye to two of the law school’s most cherished staff members, Barbara Babcock and BJ Reich, who are each retiring after 25 and 17 years, respectively, of serving the law school’s administration.

Both have seen innumerable changes to the law school, including the opening of the school’s current location in Kennedy Hall and receipt of ABA accreditation, as well as the growth of Chapman’s impressive faculty, its rise in the US News rankings, and an impressive list of guest speakers that has included two Associate Supreme Court Justices and a host of renowned academics and dignitaries.

Barbara, who retired as Senior Administrative Assistant for the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration, began at the law school in 1995, years before it would be established at its current site in Orange and nearly a decade before it would be known as the Fowler School of Law. At the time, the law school was located in an Anaheim office building. Barbara began as the original receptionist and admissions assistant, but has also worked as a faculty assistant, assistant to the associate dean for faculty, and as assistant to the director of development. She has organized the student award ceremonies every year since their inception, and consistently served as the go-to for student, faculty and staff questions. As the only remaining original employee of the law school, she has provided a wealth of institutional knowledge for newcomers and curious seasoned employees.

Barbara has cherished the opportunity to work with so many people – including deans, faculty, staff and students – over the years. She recalls with fondness the work that staff and students put into founding the law school: “The atmosphere was much more intimate and cozy for the first few years at the temporary site. It was a time of organization for the whole school, including student government and student organizations. The inaugural SBA developed the student constitution and bylaws, as well as organizing student-sponsored events. They did an awesome amount of work during those first few years. The students in each succeeding year seemed to work just as hard to make Chapman School of Law the place that it is today. Their enthusiasm and drive have been consistent over all the years.”

In retirement, she looks forward to spending time with her daughters and granddaughters, and getting back to volunteering and her old hobbies. She and her husband also plan to celebrate their 50th anniversary this year in “grand style.”

BJ Reich, who retired as Tax Law Clinic Administrative Assistant, has served on the staff of the law school since 1999. When it comes to her work, BJ says she’s “done it in style” and you’d be hard-pressed to find a person in disagreement thanks to her infectious humor and laugh. Over the years, she has helped the Tax Law Clinic serve hundreds of clients and watched as many students make their way through the program.

BJ notes that each incoming first-year class has been better than the last, and that some of her favorite memories were simply working with Tax Law Clinic Director George Willis (who she says has come to seem like a son to her), joking with President Jim Doti at every opportunity, and celebrating each year’s accomplishments with her friends on the staff.

In her retirement, BJ plans to spend much of her time with her grandchildren.

BJ, President Doti and Barbara at retirement partyLast month, the law school hosted a retirement party for the pair. Members of the administration, staff and faculty gathered to reflect on their years of hard work, express their gratitude, and wish them well. President Doti also surprised them with a heartfelt goodbye speech and presented them with parting Chapman gifts.