U Magazine, Spring 1987

ALCALA PARK Three law profs face challenging new tasks

P resident Reagan, California State Attorney General John Van de Kamp and the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pa. recently asked three School of Law faculty members to accept prestigious and challenging new assignments. The faculty are Bernard Siegan , nomi– nated by the President for a seat on the U.S . 9th Circuit Court ofAppeals; Robert Fellmeth, appointed by Van de Kamp to the new state post of State Bar Discipline Monitor; and Michael Navin, named new dean of the Dickinson School of Law. Siegan, distinguished professor of law, has taught at USO since 1973. He is a rec– ognized authority on land use and the Constitution, and has written several law books. If confirmed by the Senate, Siegan will serve on the highest federal court in the West. The 9th circuit decides all federal appeals in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington , Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Siegan's nomination has drawn opposi– tion from liberal critics who contend he has promoted property rights over civil liberties. While acknowledging those criti– cisms , Siegan maintains he is a strong believer in civil rights and civil liberties. "Liberty is what our society is all about. Whatever will maximize liberty is good for the individual and the society," he says. Siegan will resign his USO post if he wins Senate confirmation. Fellmeth's appointment is to a pos ition created by the California legislature to help put the state's legal community back in order. As bar monitor, Fellmeth and the center he directs at USO, the Center for Public Interest Law, will play a major role in deter– mining how the public is protected against improper acts by attorneys and whether the State Bar will be allowed to retain responsibility for disciplining attorneys. Fellmeth and Center staffwill monitor and evaluate the State Bar discipline system and procedures for three years. Fellmeth , according to Van de Kamp , "is a highly respected attorney and brings to the position seven years of prosecutorial experience as a deputy district attorney for San Diego County, including two years as a special assistant U.S. attorney." USD's Center for Public Interest Law, which Fellmeth founded in 1979, has a twofold purpose: to make the regulatory functions of state government more effi– cient and more visible by serving as a pub– lic monitor; and to provide law students with practical experience by introducing

them to a broad spectrum oflegal practice. Fellmeth began his involvement in con– sumer causes in 1968 as one of seven stu– dents recruited by Ralph Nader to help compile a blistering report on the Federal Trade Commission. Navin will become the seventh dean of the Dickinson School of Law on July I. Founded in 1834, Dickinson is a private, free standing law school not associated with any other educational institution. "Mike brings to his new job the perfect blend of academic excellence and practical experience which will be so important in administering the Dickinson program in the future ," according to Dickinson Presi– dent Dale F. Shughart. Navin is professor of law and associate director ofUSD's graduate tax program. He has taught at the school since 1973. 'Tm excited a t this opportunity," Navin says. "Dickinson is one of the best law schools anywhere, and the chance to be its dean is one that cannot be overlooked." At Dickinson , Navin will work with 23 full-time professors, 30 adjunct instruc– tors , 42 members of the administrative staff and 545 students . "These three appointments reflect the growing sta ture of USD's School of Law,.. notes Dean Sheldon Krantz. "It is strong testimony to the maturing of our school a nd to the outstanding faculty who tea ch here.·· •

Law projessors Robert Fellmelh - Be rnard Siegan and Michael Navin recently w ere tappedfor challeng– ing new assignments.

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