Faculty News: Professors Mario Barnes and Kaaryn Gustafson Honored by ABF Fellows with the 2023 Outstanding Scholar Award
This prestigious award recognizes their decades-long research, scholarship and leadership in many areas of the law, including the interdisciplinary legal and social implications of race, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic inequality.
UCI Law Monthly brings the latest news and events at UCI Law
 directly to your inbox every month. Our mission is to ensure the
UCI Law community stays informed, inspired and engaged.

Drop off your unwanted clothes in the campus donation bins from now until February 20 and the ELC students will distribute them at their thrift swap in UCI’s Student Center February 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donation bins are located on the UCI Law campus by EDU 1111 and in the California Room. 

In 2021, UCI Law became the first University of California law school — and one of just a few law schools nationally — to adopt a graduation requirement that students take a graded course with substantial content about race and indigeneity, structural inequity and the historical bases for such inequity. The learning goals, current course roster (Spring 2023) and the course criteria are outlined in the link below.


Members of the UCI Law community, including alumni, Anteaters in Law and admitted students, are invited to join Dean Austen Parrish for an evening reception in several locales across the U.S. These special events provide an opportunity to gather, network, and meet Dean Parrish while we celebrate the successes of our alumni across the country.


The comprehensive list contains access to books, films, music, research and news articles as part of an effort to help spark discussions about race and representation. Most material is open to the public and all are free to UCI students, staff and faculty.

The case was filed in April 2020 by attorneys with the ACLU SoCal, UCI Law's Immigrant Rights Clinic (IRC) and the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. IRC was one of the lead counsel on the motion for class certification and clinic students assisted with the documentation of community members’ experiences for the motion.

In the joint amicus brief, the International Justice Clinic and ARTICLE 19 call on the Supreme Court to protect free expression, uphold the settled approach by U.S. courts to Section 230, and defer to Congress in its consideration of how to address automated recommendation systems.

Scholars, researchers, practitioners, and court and dispute resolution experts from around the world are invited to discuss exciting new developments and ongoing challenges in access to civil justice. Submissions for presentations are now open as well as registration for in-person and virtual attendance.

McCorkle was appointed by Irvine Vice Mayor Tammy Kim to the city's Child Care Committee, an advisory body of the City of Irvine that reports to the Community Services Commission. The committee provides input on the needs of the community pertaining to child care related issues.
Q&A with Kanomé Jones, 2L

Kanomé Jones is a 2L, loves anime, and enjoys being involved in many different activities at UCI Law. She is the newly elected Editor-in-Chief of the UC Irvine Law Review, a Research Fellow for Professor Mikkor, a Community Fellow for 1Ls and is an oralist on the Jessup International Moot Court Team. Kanomé will spend her 2L summer at Milbank LLP and Gunderson Dettmer. 
Q: Why did you choose UCI Law?
I chose UCI Law because of its welcoming community and young status as a premier law school. In my experience, the newer institutions have the opportunity to revolutionize understanding and set new foundations within a particular field. I wanted to be a part of that. In addition, UCI has been cultivating a diverse student population and works hard to stay inclusive of and provide resources for many types of intersectional identities.
 
Q: How has your experience been navigating higher education/law school?
It has had its ups and downs, like I imagine most folks experience. As a first-generation law school student, navigating 1L was a steep learning curve, but I made it through thanks to my excellent professors, amazing friends, and an incredibly supportive partner. Now, in my second year, I have a firmer handle on what works for me regarding time management, studying, and extracurricular activities. I also can say no with much more ease. As I prepare for my third year, I feel confident that I have built habits and relationships that have set a foundation for my personal and professional success. 
 
Q: As we celebrate Black History Month, can you tell us about your experience as part of the student organization Black Law Students Association (BLSA)?
BLSA is a fantastic student organization. The current board, Isaiah, Jelani, Justin, & Lauren, have injected considerable joy into this year’s events and remain committed to providing spaces for Black law students to connect in authentic ways. In addition, BLSA is excellent at curating specific networking events for Black law students and highlighting the diversity initiatives in the OC and beyond. I have benefited from the knowledge and community of BLSA, and I always have a great time when I can attend meetings and events. 

Q: Do you have a favorite pro bono memory?
My favorite pro bono memory happened in the Civil Rights Law and Motion Clinic. During that clinic, I completed various court documents and fee waivers for clients and then, on a call, reviewed the forms with the client so they could file them with the courthouse. The client found it difficult to understand the paperwork of serving someone. The client continued apologizing as they asked me to explain the procedure again. I reassured the client and told them I wanted them to leave the conversation with a healthy understanding of the process. Eventually, we found a good metaphor that helped unlock the client’s understanding, and they expressed gratitude for my time. It was one of the first moments I grappled with the barriers of how folks engage with the legal system. It felt gratifying to talk the client through the process so they could have more ease at the courthouse. 
 
Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment so far at UCI Law and what do you hope to accomplish in the future?
My proudest accomplishment at UCI Law thus far is securing a 1L Diversity Fellowship with Gunderson Dettmer for my first summer. Securing this opportunity took a lot of work, preparation, and courage. Large law firms can be intimidating, and I feel proud that I stayed authentic throughout the networking and interview process. A related accomplishment is that I have taken everything I have learned in the 1L job search journey and mentored other 1Ls. I enjoy being of service to others and take pride in sharing knowledge and resources so that other folks can experience success. In the future, I will invest in my development as a lawyer, keep being of service no matter where I am, and cultivate joy as often as possible. 
Profs. Joshua Blank, Victor Fleischer and Omri Marian were ranked among the "50 Most Downloaded U.S. Tax Law Professors of 2022" by Paul Caron's TaxProf Blog. READ

Prof. Michele Goodwin was listed among "Dream Team Law Professors" in PreLaw's latest Winter 2023 issue. READ

Prof. Dalié Jiménez was quoted in Business Insider on President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. READ

Prof. David Kaye was quoted in Vox on the Facebook ban lifting for former President Donald Trump. READ

Prof. Jack Lerner was quoted in Yahoo News on the use of rap lyrics in RICO case for a trial underway for Young Thug. READ

Prof. Rachel Moran's article, "Public norms or private autonomy" discussing Peltier v. Charter Day School was published in the Daily Journal. READ
Prof. Emily Taylor Poppe was quoted in CNET on AI lawyers. READ

Prof. Greg Shaffer was quoted in The Weekly Dystopia on semiconductor production in the U.S. and trade policy. READ

Prof. Katie Tinto was quoted in the Los Angeles Times on Gov. Gavin Newsom's commutation recommendations and how a third of those people are still behind bars. READ

UCI Law was ranked No. 7 Most Diverse Faculty and No. 10 Best Professors by The Princeton Review. READ

UCI Law was listed among the most "Diverse Law Schools" in the latest PreLaw Magazine Winter 2023 Issue. READ

UCI Law was tied No. 10 for "Academic Experience" in the 2023 Princeton Review Best Law School Rankings (TaxProf Blog). READ
Chistina Zabat-Fran ’12 was elected as the 2023 President-Elect for the Orange County Bar Association.

Kelly Galligan ’15 was elected to the Orange County Bar Association's 2023 Board of Directors.

Jennifer Steeve ’15 became Partner at Riley Safer Holmes LLP.

Josh Ji ’16 was elected to the Orange County Bar Association's 2023 Board of Directors.

Vinhcent Le ’16 was appointed to the Board of the California Privacy Protection Agency.

Christyn Richardson ’16 was elected to the African American Workers' Compensation Professionals Board of Directors.

Honieh Udenka ’17 is the incoming president of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association.

Shirley Diaz ’18 was sworn in as President of the Hispanic Bar Association of D.C. on January 12, 2023.

Sean Lobb ’18 was elected to the Orange County Bar Association's 2023 Board of Directors.

Treymane Wilson ’18 will be installed as President-Elect of Thurgood Marshall Bar Association.

Philip Tankovich ’19 joined Larson LLP as an attorney.

February 10 » Socio-Legal Studies Workshop
  • Stephen Lee, Professor of Law at UCI Law will present, "A Slow Death Approach to Immigration Law." (Details)
February 10 » Initiative to End Family Violence
  • Join Leigh Goodmark, Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Carey, for a discussion on her book, Imperfect Victims: Criminalized Survivors and the Promise of Abolition Feminism. (Details)
February 15 » CLEANR & Newkirk Center for Science and Society Speaker Series
  • Environmental justice pioneer Charles Lee, will present key concepts associated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emerging framework to assess and address cumulative impacts and their implications for research, policy development and practice. (Details)
February 22 » Reimagining the Latinx Experience in America 
  • Join professors Francisco Valdes and Steven W. Bender to discuss their book, "LatCrit: From Critical Legal Theory to Academic Activism," with Margaret E. Montoya, Professor Emerita at UNM School of Law as commentator. (Details)
February 17 » Socio-Legal Studies Book Talk
  • Christopher Seeds, Assistant Professor of Criminology, Law, and Society at UCI's School of Social Ecology will present, "Death by Prison: The Emergence of Life without Parole and Perpetual Confinement." (Details)
February 21 » An Evening with the DOJ Antitrust Division
  • The UCI Law Competition, Antitrust Law and Innovation Forum (CALIF) welcomes Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter with panelists from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division to discuss antitrust priorities and the future of antitrust enforcement. (Details)
February 22 » Reimagining the Latinx Experience in America 
  • Join professors Francisco Valdes and Steven W. Bender to discuss their book, "LatCrit: From Critical Legal Theory to Academic Activism," with Margaret E. Montoya, Professor Emerita at UNM School of Law as commentator. (Details)
February 24 » Socio-Legal Studies Workshop
  • Hilary Berk, Assistant Professor of Teaching in Criminology, Law and Society will present, "Clash of the Titans: Escalating Conflict Between Selective Reduction Clauses in Surrogacy Contracts and the Re-Criminalization of Abortion." (Details)
February 24 » Initiative to End Family Violence
  • A presentation on Coercive Control by Courtney Cross, Professor of Clinical Legal Instruction at the University of Alabama School of Law, and Gillian Chadwick, Associate Professor of Law at Washburn University School of Law. (Details)
March 1 » Reimagining the Latinx Experience in America 
  • Lisa Magaña and César S. Silva will discuss their book, "Empowered! Latinos Transforming Arizona Politics." (Details)
March 31 » MLK/César Chávez Teach-In for Justice
  • Save the Date! Join us for a MLK/César Chávez Teach-In day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at UCI Law. Contact Anna Davis or Prof. Sameer Ashar with any questions. (Details to come)
Connect with us!