Dean's Welcome Brings Unprecedented Gift to Law School
At an August 24 Welcome Reception for new law school Dean Paul Paton, Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa announced an unprecedented $15 million gift to the Fowler School of Law from Chapman Board of Trustees Chair Parker S. Kennedy–one of the largest gifts in Chapman history. The bulk of this transformative gift will be dedicated
2022 Golden Gavel Winners Summer Externship
By Jodee Storm Sullivan, Kaelyn Timmins-Reed and Deane Sutic. Law school externships are an opportunity to forge links between the theory and practical application of the law, a chance for students to hone their legal acumen while embedding themselves in supervised praxis, usually within an established practice or agency. From time to time, a student
Alumni on the Move: Daniel Kim
How does a personal injury lawyer with a strong focus on motor vehicle accident cases survive two years of shelter-in-place state mandates during COVID-19, when suddenly no cars were on the road? Alumnus Daniel Kim (JD ’12) knows that the answer to this riddle lies somewhere between having an entrepreneurial mindset and possessing an uncanny
Chapman Alumni Win Landmark $161 Million Verdict
Chapman Law School alumni T. Gabe Houston (JD ’08) and Robbie Godinez Munoz (JD’20) have recently been awarded a $161 million verdict in a civil case against a major motorcycle manufacturer. The verdict, eight years in the making, has $11 million compensatory, and $150 million punitive damages attached to it, represents the culmination of a
Fowler Continues its Upward Trajectory in 2023
The U.S. News & World Report has published its rankings of the best law schools in the country, with Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law continuing its upward trajectory and leaping 9 places to clinch 109th place. The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a variety of performance factors for each of
Golden Gavel 2023
A standing-room-only appellate courtroom on the second floor of Kennedy Hall was the venue for this year’s annual Rutan & Tucker Golden Gavel Competition, where two seemingly unflappable 1L students prepared to make their final arguments before three guest judges. If 2023’s Golden Gavel finalists Hannah Hamblin (plaintiff) and Kristin Sinks (defendant) had any pre-appearance jitters,
Alumni on the Move: Alex Mohajer Runs for State Senate
When Alex Mohajer (JD ’11) graduated from Chapman University, his graduating class voted this champion of equality and LGBTQ+ rights, “Most Likely to be Held in Contempt of Court”–they were wrong, of course. Mohajer left Chapman and entered public service where, for the past ten years, he has been investigating allegations of discrimination and sexual
Paul Paton Appointed as dean of Fowler School of Law
Chapman University has named Paul Paton dean of the Dale E. Fowler School of Law. Paton is currently professor of law and ethics at the University of Alberta, Canada, he assumes the deanship from interim Dean Marisa Cianciarulo on June 30, 2023. Paton is a first-generation student and lawyer, receiving his undergraduate degree, as well
Alumni on the Move: Diana Chao
Diana Chao (JD ’10) is the incumbent president of the Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL), a partner in her firm, Everett Dorey LLC, and the matriarch of a young family. We caught up with her to discuss life since graduation, her continuing involvement in the Fowler School of Law alumni and
Does Originalism Work?
On Monday, Feb. 6, Professors Kurt Eggert and Lee J. Strang faced off in a robust yet collegial debate on the topic: Does Originalism Work? These two legal scholars easily filled the spacious venue in Kennedy Hall with an audience of students, faculty, and visitors keen to witness a scholarly arm-wrestle and expand their understanding