Chapman University School of Law receives $15,000 gift from Rutan & Tucker, LLP

ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University has received the $15,000 gift from Rutan & Tucker, LLP, which funds the School of Law’s Legal Research and Writing Program.

Rutan & Tucker has a strong history of investment in the mission of Chapman University through a partnership that extends beyond the School of Law. The firm’s annual sponsorship of Chapman’s Economic Forecast provides a valuable service to the Orange County business community.

“This generous donation has enabled faculty to equip students with skills and training that are cornerstones to success, both in law school and in practice,” said dean Tom Campbell.
The firm’s continued support for the Rutan & Tucker Golden Quill and Golden Gavel awards has enabled law faculty to help students become more practice ready by equipping them with the skills and training that are fundamental to success. These awards are given to the best performing students in the first year class competition in moot court. All first year students compete. The Golden Quill award is given to the best brief writer; the Golden Gavel to the best oral advocate.

“We are pleased to support a program that will assist in the development of skills for the next generation of lawyers,” said Kim Thompson, managing partner at Rutan & Tucker.

Chapman’s most recent Rutan & Tucker Golden Gavel competition in spring 2012 began with over 170 first year Legal Research and Writing students arguing a brief they drafted, answering whether transgendered individuals are protected under Title VII against discrimination “because of sex,” and if the defendant employer in an imaginary fact pattern had legitimate reasons to terminate the transgender plaintiff.

Dallis Pflueger-Cavallaro, Jonathan Cayton, Stephanie Lincoln, and Sara Zimmerman all made it to the final round and received invitations to join the Moot Court Honor Board. The finalists argued one more time before Jeffrey Wertheimer, General Counsel for the Orange County Superior Court; Judge Jamoa Moberly, Superior Court Judge; and Judge David Carter, Federal District Court Judge. The two winners were Dallis Pflueger-Cavallaro and Jonathan Cayton, who will be presented with awards and $500 scholarships, thanks to the generosity of Rutan & Tucker.

Having earned a Top Schools ranking in U.S. News and World Report, ABA accredited Chapman University School of Law is a forum where diverse and highly accomplished faculty members provide students with a combination of personalized traditional legal instruction and real-world skills training as well as multiple opportunities with clinics, externships, internships, competitions, and pro bono work. Chapman is an ABA-accredited law school located in Orange County, CA, known for its excellent faculty, friendly atmosphere and personalized education.

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world. Visit www.chapman.edu

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