JIM BLOCK (2X)
PRIVACY PRISM: 2Ls Schuyler Standley (left) and Carmen Sobczak lead the new Digital Rights Project.
recommended developing professional networks, cultivating mentorship, and honing skills that are useful outside one’s current position. A program of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business, the Initiative launched in 2016 to provide career development and networking programs for professionals and students. It pairs Berkeley Law students with mentors—all successful in law, business, and government. On October 5 at Alumni Reunion Weekend, the Initiative sponsored a panel that addressed gender bias in legal private practice as well as potential avenues of reform. Napolitano also was scheduled to moderate a “Disruption in the Boardroom” panel on October 25 during Berkeley Law’s annual symposium on corporate law. “The Women in Business Law Initiative strives to expand diversity and inclusion in the legal profession,” says Director Delia Violante. “We aim to cater to all genders, and our quarterly roundtable series helps serve that goal.” The second roundtable event in June addressed recruiting, integration, and wellness in the legal industry. Netflix legal recruiter Kim Natividad ’09 cited the importance of networks—estimating that one-third of her company’s legal hires come from referrals—and growing signs of inclusivity. “Our content is only as good as the diverse voices we have making that content,” she said. Recruiters urged prospective applicants to contact attorneys at firms of interest during the first week of law school and to ask wellresearched questions. Professional development and wellness counselors suggested maintaining non-law relationships and interests to preserve their identities outside the law, and they advised young associates to communicate clearly their responsibilities to senior attorneys to avoid misunderstandings and work overload. September’s roundtable focused on development and retention. The SPEAKING OUT: final roundtable of the UC President Janet year, December 6 in San Napolitano (left) answers an interview Francisco, will center on question from Professor advancement and promoAbbye Atkinson. tion. —Andrew Cohen
Providing Some Digital Direction NEW INITIATIVE ALLOWS STUDENTS TO GAIN EARLY EXPERIENCE ON TIMELY PRIVACY ISSUES In the digital age, the conversation about privacy rights is prompting new and sticky questions. For example, should law enforcement surveillance technology be equipped with facial-recognition capabilities? Should people on probation be subject to 24-hour location tracking? Two Berkeley Law 2Ls—Carmen Sobczak and Schuyler Standley—are helping to drive the dialogue. The women created the Digital Rights Project, launched in the fall, through which up to a dozen firstyear students collaborate with the ACLU of Northern California’s Technology and Civil Liberties Project, directed by Berkeley Law grad Nicole Ozer ’03. TRANSCRIPT FALL 2019 9
