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DEAN’S MESSAgE
In recent months, hardly a day passes without more negative news about the state of the legal profession, legal education and law schools. In newspapers, on television and the radio and, above all on the Internet and in blogs, discussing the shortcomings of law schools, the difficulties law graduates confront finding jobs and the diminished value of a law degree has become a national pastime.
As you read this issue of the Advocate, you will see that, despite all this, our law school remains vibrant and focused on its mission. We are unwavering in our plans to build a stronger, albeit smaller, law school and to further enhance the high-quality legal education we offer. In leading these efforts as dean, I am inspired by the achievements of our students, our graduates and our faculty highlighted in this publication.
“This is why we came to law school,” says James Bauman, ’12, one of the members of the
USD Appellate Clinic team that won the release of a 35-year legal resident of the United States from federal custody and likely deportation. This commitment to public service has long been exemplary of our students and remains the primary motivation for many of those who come to USD law school. It persists throughout the careers of many of our exemplary graduates, such as our commencement speaker, Congressman David Camp, ’78, the alumni who received our 2011 Distinguished Alumni and Rising Star Awards, and others recognized in this issue of the Advocate. That these students and graduates so often attribute their success to the professors who taught them at USD is no surprise given our faculty’s distinguished record of tackling the most important and complex legal issues of our times in their teaching and scholarship, as well as through their own public service and advocacy.
“This is why we came to law school.” I remain unabashed in encouraging talented and passionate students like those on our Appellate Clinic team to come to USD School of Law. What could possibly be more valuable to our society than teaching and learning the skills to win freedom for someone wrongly incarcerated? As you read through this issue, you will be reminded of all the great things that can be achieved with a law degree and the reasons why you came—and should encourage others to follow in your footsteps and come—to USD School of Law.
Stephen C. Ferruolo Dean, USD School of Law
