Seeds of Excellence
1926
Property law expert William Burby joins the law school faculty. The University of Michigan-trained lawyer set the tone for legal education for the next 35 years. Employing the Socratic and case methods, Professor Burby’s courses prepared three generations of USC law students for real-world practice. His scholarly publications were mandatory reading for students and practitioners alike.
1927
Criminal law expert Justin Miller is appointed dean. During his three years in the position, the Stanford-educated dean recruited several important faculty members andadvanced the school’s scholarly reputation.
In the same year, Southern California Law Review is first published. Edited and managed by law students, this flagship law school journal is known for publishing high quality, cutting-edge scholarship by nationally known academics. Today, the Review’s circulation is among the largest in the nation, and its articles among the most frequently cited. Also founded in 1927 was USC’s chapter of the Order of the Coif chapter. Inclusion in this national legal honorary society testified to the Law School’s maturation in academic stature. The following year, students pioneered the practice of providing pro bono legal advice to the poor through the USC Legal Clinic.
1930
Washington University law school dean and criminal law expert William G. Hale is appointed dean. Despite the upheavals of the Depression and World War II, Hale’s deanship was one of remarkable stability. The core of his faculty – William Burby, Paul Jones, Robert Kingsley, Stanley Howell and Shelden Elliott – were in place throughout Hale’s 18-year tenure.
In the same year, Manuel Ruiz Jr. ’27, JD ’30, the law school’s first known Latino alumnus, graduates. Ruiz was considered the “California dean of Mexican American lawyers.” He was appointed by President Nixon to the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights, and he authored numerous works, including the seminal Mexican American Legal Heritage in the Southwest.
1931
Edwin Jefferson JD ’31 graduates. Jeffer-son is representative of a group of black graduates who rose to leadership positions in Los Angeles during the first half of the 20th century. He was appointed to the bench in 1940. Other outstanding African-American alumni include David Williams JD ’37, who became a federal judge; Bert McDonald JD ’23, the first black lawyer in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office; and Crispus Attucks Wright ’36, JD ’38, who together with McDonald, Williams and others founded the John M. Langston Bar Association in 1943 (other bar associations had racial restrictions).
1948
USC Law School graduate Shelden Elliott JD ’31, LLM ’32 is appointed dean. On the faculty since his graduation, Elliott was former director of the Legal Clinic and an expert in legislation, administrative law and procedure.
In the same year, the USC Institute on Federal Taxation is first held. The flagship of the law school’s fleet of continuing legal education programs, the Institute on Federal Taxation is one of only three such law school-sponsored institutes in the country today.
1949
First William Green Hale Moot Court competition. Named after the retired dean, this inaugural forensic competition pitted student-advocates on either side of a custody decree dispute and a full faith and credit matter. Arguing before five California justices, Philip Jones JD ’49 took the first prize. Jones himself later advanced to the bench. The competition was founded by Bill Hogoboom MPA ’41, JD ’49, another future judge, and Jerome L. Doff JD ’49.
1952
USC law professor Robert Kingsley is named dean. Educated at Harvard and the University of Minnesota, the criminal law and domestic relations expert had been on the law school’s faculty since 1928. His 11-year tenure in the dean’s office witnessed the first stirrings of active philanthropy.
1955
Legion Lex is founded. This active and successful volunteer fund-raising support group for the law school has, over the past 45 years, generated millions of dollars in annual contributions. Legion Lex has helped erect buildings, supported faculty research and teaching, and provided student scholarships.
1963
USC law professor Orrin B. Evans is appointed dean. The former University of Missouri professor and university counsel joined USC’s faculty in 1947 as an expert on real estate and insurance law. During his five years as dean, Evans helped usher in the USC Law School’s signature emphasis on interdisciplinary study.
1965
“Law, Language, and Ethics” first offered. This signature course, required of all first-year law students, transformed the way law is taught at USC. Drawing on fields such as sociology, psychology and economics, the course encourages students to examine legal issues in a comprehensive context. Its introduction in 1965 anticipated the school’s current faculty, many of whom have interdisciplinary interests and expertise.
Rise to National Prominence
1968
Judicial administration expert Dorothy W. Nelson LLM ’56 becomes the first woman dean of a leading American law school. In 1957, a year after completing her advanced legal degree at USC, Nelson joined the faculty. A decade later, she succeeded Orrin Evans as dean, leading the school until 1980, when she was appointed to the bench. Nelson remains a judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
1968
Board of Councilors is first convened. Culled from a distinguished list of lawyers specializing in a wide variety of legal areas, this board provides crucial insight and advice to both the USC Law School dean and the university president.
1969
The Black Law Students Association is founded.
1970
Chicano Law Students Association is founded. In the same year, the law school moves into its current headquarters, the $3.4 million Elvon and Mabel Musick Building. Named in honor of Elvon Musick, the five-level, 88,000-square-foot facility provided state-of-the-art resources, including a computerized library.
1971
Asian Law Students Association is founded.
1973
Program in Law and Rational Choice founded. Run jointly with Caltech, this program brings together professors, speakers and researchers doing work in law, economics and political science.
1980
USC-educated constitutional law expert Scott H. Bice ’65, JD ’68 is named dean. The second-longest serving dean in the school’s history, Bice will return to teaching when his 20-year tenure ends next month. Under his watch, the law school became international in its scope, nearly doubled in physical size and completed three major capital campaigns.
1981
Post-Conviction Justice Project is founded. The program gives students real-world training as advocates for prison inmates.
1987
The Public Interest Law Foundation is founded. Concerned about insufficient funds for public interest legal services, a group of law students levied a self-imposed $20 annual tax. With nearly 100 percent student participation and broad support from staff, faculty and graduates, the foundation subsidizes hundreds of student-advocates serving the elderly, abused and neglected children, homeless families and other vulnerable populations.
1989
Children’s Legal Issues Clinic founded. For a decade, students have represented minors in legal proceedings dealing with dependency and neglect, abuse, guardianships and school administrative matters.
1990
The Musick Building’s new wing opens. Adding 62,000 square feet to the 1970 facility, this expansion yielded the Ackerman Moot Courtroom, new seminar classrooms, offices for student organizations and clinical programs, lounges and a cafeteria, computer and video labs and a greatly enlarged law library.
1991
Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics is founded. Sponsored jointly with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the Pacific Center brings together international scholars and public dignitaries in teaching and research concerning social, ethical and legal issues in health care.
1992
Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal is founded. This student-managed publication focuses on the scholarly work of legal academics, economists, physicians, anthropologist and experts in other fields who analyze law from their particular perspectives. The Southern California Review of Law and Women’s Studies, inaugurated in 1991, explores legal issues relating to gender and society.
Law in the New Millennium
1994
Law Library embraces information technology: its card catalog goes online. The following year, the law school publicly launches its Website (www.usc.edu/law).
1997
USC Law School unveils its first multi-media classrooms. One-third of library carrels are now wired to accommodate personal laptop computers – in use by 80 percent of students.
1998
Small Business Clinic is founded. Law students offer consultation services on employment issues to small businesses and nonprofits.
In the same year, the USC Center for Communications Law and Policy opens. The interdisciplinary program is jointly sponsored by USC Annenberg School for Communication, USC Annenberg Center for Communication and the law school.
1999
New law student services go online, including class registration, grade notification and on-campus employer interview sign-ups. Email discussion lists supplement classroom teaching in many courses.
2000
June 10, USC Law School celebrates its centennial.
More information about the USC Law School centennial celebration and in-depth articles on the school’s history are available on the Internet (www.usc.edu/law/centennial).
William Burby |
Property law expert William Burby joins the law school faculty. The University of Michigan-trained lawyer set the tone for legal education for the next 35 years. Employing the Socratic and case methods, Professor Burby’s courses prepared three generations of USC law students for real-world practice. His scholarly publications were mandatory reading for students and practitioners alike.
1927
Criminal law expert Justin Miller is appointed dean. During his three years in the position, the Stanford-educated dean recruited several important faculty members andadvanced the school’s scholarly reputation.
Bert McDonald JD ’23 with his mother. |
Washington University law school dean and criminal law expert William G. Hale is appointed dean. Despite the upheavals of the Depression and World War II, Hale’s deanship was one of remarkable stability. The core of his faculty – William Burby, Paul Jones, Robert Kingsley, Stanley Howell and Shelden Elliott – were in place throughout Hale’s 18-year tenure.
Edwin Jefferson JD ’31 graduates. Jeffer-son is representative of a group of black graduates who rose to leadership positions in Los Angeles during the first half of the 20th century. He was appointed to the bench in 1940. Other outstanding African-American alumni include David Williams JD ’37, who became a federal judge; Bert McDonald JD ’23, the first black lawyer in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office; and Crispus Attucks Wright ’36, JD ’38, who together with McDonald, Williams and others founded the John M. Langston Bar Association in 1943 (other bar associations had racial restrictions).
1948
USC Law School graduate Shelden Elliott JD ’31, LLM ’32 is appointed dean. On the faculty since his graduation, Elliott was former director of the Legal Clinic and an expert in legislation, administrative law and procedure.
 Mabel Walker Willebrandt with USC President Rufus B. von KleinSmid in 1926. |
First William Green Hale Moot Court competition. Named after the retired dean, this inaugural forensic competition pitted student-advocates on either side of a custody decree dispute and a full faith and credit matter. Arguing before five California justices, Philip Jones JD ’49 took the first prize. Jones himself later advanced to the bench. The competition was founded by Bill Hogoboom MPA ’41, JD ’49, another future judge, and Jerome L. Doff JD ’49.
1952
USC law professor Robert Kingsley is named dean. Educated at Harvard and the University of Minnesota, the criminal law and domestic relations expert had been on the law school’s faculty since 1928. His 11-year tenure in the dean’s office witnessed the first stirrings of active philanthropy.
1955
Legion Lex is founded. This active and successful volunteer fund-raising support group for the law school has, over the past 45 years, generated millions of dollars in annual contributions. Legion Lex has helped erect buildings, supported faculty research and teaching, and provided student scholarships.
1963
USC law professor Orrin B. Evans is appointed dean. The former University of Missouri professor and university counsel joined USC’s faculty in 1947 as an expert on real estate and insurance law. During his five years as dean, Evans helped usher in the USC Law School’s signature emphasis on interdisciplinary study.
1965
“Law, Language, and Ethics” first offered. This signature course, required of all first-year law students, transformed the way law is taught at USC. Drawing on fields such as sociology, psychology and economics, the course encourages students to examine legal issues in a comprehensive context. Its introduction in 1965 anticipated the school’s current faculty, many of whom have interdisciplinary interests and expertise.
Rise to National Prominence
Hon. Dorothy W. Nelson LLM ’56 |
Judicial administration expert Dorothy W. Nelson LLM ’56 becomes the first woman dean of a leading American law school. In 1957, a year after completing her advanced legal degree at USC, Nelson joined the faculty. A decade later, she succeeded Orrin Evans as dean, leading the school until 1980, when she was appointed to the bench. Nelson remains a judge on the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
1968
Board of Councilors is first convened. Culled from a distinguished list of lawyers specializing in a wide variety of legal areas, this board provides crucial insight and advice to both the USC Law School dean and the university president.
1969
The Black Law Students Association is founded.
1970
Chicano Law Students Association is founded. In the same year, the law school moves into its current headquarters, the $3.4 million Elvon and Mabel Musick Building. Named in honor of Elvon Musick, the five-level, 88,000-square-foot facility provided state-of-the-art resources, including a computerized library.
1971
Asian Law Students Association is founded.
California Supreme Court justices Marcus Kaufman JD ’56, David Eagleson JD ’50, Joyce Luther Kennard JD ’74 and Malcolm Lucas JD ’53. |
Program in Law and Rational Choice founded. Run jointly with Caltech, this program brings together professors, speakers and researchers doing work in law, economics and political science.
1980
USC-educated constitutional law expert Scott H. Bice ’65, JD ’68 is named dean. The second-longest serving dean in the school’s history, Bice will return to teaching when his 20-year tenure ends next month. Under his watch, the law school became international in its scope, nearly doubled in physical size and completed three major capital campaigns.
1981
Post-Conviction Justice Project is founded. The program gives students real-world training as advocates for prison inmates.
1987
The Public Interest Law Foundation is founded. Concerned about insufficient funds for public interest legal services, a group of law students levied a self-imposed $20 annual tax. With nearly 100 percent student participation and broad support from staff, faculty and graduates, the foundation subsidizes hundreds of student-advocates serving the elderly, abused and neglected children, homeless families and other vulnerable populations.
1989
Children’s Legal Issues Clinic founded. For a decade, students have represented minors in legal proceedings dealing with dependency and neglect, abuse, guardianships and school administrative matters.
Studying in the Law Library. |
The Musick Building’s new wing opens. Adding 62,000 square feet to the 1970 facility, this expansion yielded the Ackerman Moot Courtroom, new seminar classrooms, offices for student organizations and clinical programs, lounges and a cafeteria, computer and video labs and a greatly enlarged law library.
1991
Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics is founded. Sponsored jointly with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the Pacific Center brings together international scholars and public dignitaries in teaching and research concerning social, ethical and legal issues in health care.
1992
Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal is founded. This student-managed publication focuses on the scholarly work of legal academics, economists, physicians, anthropologist and experts in other fields who analyze law from their particular perspectives. The Southern California Review of Law and Women’s Studies, inaugurated in 1991, explores legal issues relating to gender and society.
Law in the New Millennium
1994
Law Library embraces information technology: its card catalog goes online. The following year, the law school publicly launches its Website (www.usc.edu/law).
1997
USC Law School unveils its first multi-media classrooms. One-third of library carrels are now wired to accommodate personal laptop computers – in use by 80 percent of students.
1998
Small Business Clinic is founded. Law students offer consultation services on employment issues to small businesses and nonprofits.
Clinical professor Carrie Hempel (front) with USC student-advocates outside the California Institution for Women at Frontera. |
New law student services go online, including class registration, grade notification and on-campus employer interview sign-ups. Email discussion lists supplement classroom teaching in many courses.
2000
June 10, USC Law School celebrates its centennial.
More information about the USC Law School centennial celebration and in-depth articles on the school’s history are available on the Internet (www.usc.edu/law/centennial).
Related Stories
Related Links
USC School of Law
California Supreme Court
A practice courtroom, circa 1914. |
Features --32nd Street School -Brancaccio -Construction - Law School
Departments -- Mailbag - What's New - In Support - Alumni News - The Last Word -