February 2008

Message from the Director

Thank you for forwarding your ideas and feedback on the first issue of the Amicus Brief.  We heard from alumni across the country, and as far away as Guam. We are gratified to hear from many alumni that the newsletter is helping you feel closer and more connected to your law school.

This month's issue is dedicated to making you aware of some of the great programs that are happening at Seattle University School of Law. The spring semester is filled with events and programs that will culminate with the law school's 35th anniversary gala celebration on Friday, April 25. We hope that your renewed feeling of connection will not end with this newsletter, but also translate into your participation in this important milestone for the law school.

Your friends and family are encouraged to join you at our spring festivities. Celebrate your shared history as SU School of Law embraces and looks toward the future. 

Check your e-mail inbox for your next issue of NewsFlash, coming out in March, to stay updated on everything happening throughout the law school. The next issue of Amicus Brief will be in your inbox in April.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know alumni and very much look forward to seeing you at events and programs throughout the spring!

Grace A. Greenwich
Director of Alumni Relations

Public Interest and You: 
A Week about How to Make your Public Interest Plans a Reality, February 25, 2008 through March 1, 2008

Honoring and Celebrating the Legacy of our Black Alumni
Thursday, March 27 • 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Seattle University School of Law Black Law Student Association, together with Dean Kellye Y. Testy, invite alumni to the Second Annual Black Alumni Reception honoring Judge Anita Crawford-Willis '86 and Karen Murray '91.

April 25 Gala Celebration
Seattle University School of Law will celebrate 35 years of standing for excellence and reaching for justice with a gala celebration Friday, April 25, at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.

The evening will feature the Seattle Symphony performing Aaron Copland's “Lincoln Portrait,” under the direction of Music Director Gerard Schwarz with a special guest narrator. A formal dinner and dancing will follow.

Watch your mail for a formal invitation. For more information, contact 35th anniversary coordinator Eva Mitchell at mitche@seattleu.edu.

Gala Steering Committee
Honorary Co-Chairs:  The Honorable Richard and Leslie Jones
Co-Chairs:  Marlys '82 and Ralph Palumbo
Members:  Joe and Terri Gaffney, Lem and Pat Howell, Lucy '77 and Paul Isaki, Laura Newton Kimball '95 and Bob Kimball, Martha Kongsgaard '84 and Peter Goldman '84, John McKay, Sim Osborn '84 and Monica Hart, Tony '07 and Mitra Ravani, Stu '78 and Lee Rolfe, Professor Emeritus Dick and Trish Settle, The Honorable Mary Yu

What is to be Done With “Terrorists?” Public Policy Forum
Friday, February 29

U.S. policies and practices on dealing with the identification, detention and trial of persons suspected of being terrorists will be examined in a day-long Public Policy Program being presented by the Office of Continuing Legal Education on Friday, February 29. Presenters include Judges Robert S. Lasnik and John C. Coughenour of Federal District Court, Western District of Washington; Sandra Hodgkinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs; Major General (USA ret.) John D. Altenburg, Jr. former head of the military commissions, and Kyndra Rotunda, Major, of the Judge Advocate General Corps. Panelists from the law school include John McKay, Ron Slye, Gwynne Skinner, Robert Boruchowitz and Norman Printer. The third in a series of forums presented by the CLE office concerning exercise of Presidential authority, this program will focus on the implications of relevant court decisions, issues relating to the Military Commissions Act and general policy considerations, including the government’s concern to obtain information needed to protect national security.

Additional information, including registration, can be found at the CLE Web site: www.law.seattleu.edu/cle/archive/2008/terrorists.

Seattle University School of Law has always been an ardent supporter of the various bar associations in Washington State.  We look forward to featuring The Bar Scene in this publication providing you with upcoming events, programs and news.  Please help us keep your fellow alumni informed by sending us information about what's coming up in your bar associations to lawalumni@seattleu.edu.

As members of a diverse and vibrant alumni community, we hope you will become engaged in shaping the law school's present and future by contributing and getting involved in the life of your school.

We want to celebrate your accomplishments and developments with the alumni community through our Class Notes section in our upcoming communications.  If you have a Class Notes item, e-mail the information and a photo to lawalumni@seattleu.edu.