USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

spaces for faculty and administration, and updating the LRC to meet the current needs of students for study, research and collaboration. Throughout, there will be an emphasis on fostering well ness through increased access to natural light and outdoor spaces and taking full advantage of the spectacular campus and surrounding environment. CAMPAIGN GOALS The campaign to fund the project is one of the most important initiatives in the law school’s history. With an ambitious goal, a dedicated group of volunteers is leading early fundraising efforts to support major renovations to Warren Hall and the LRC. The University has also informed key School of Law vol unteers that it will make a substantial institutional contribution to these transformative improvements. “USD has always been at the fore front of legal education, not just in San Diego but regionally and nation ally,” said Vice President for University Advancement Richard P. Virgin . “We are now in a moment where the investment in our law school facilities is going to be integral to elevating the educational experience for our students and ensuring that we continue to attract top-tier scholars. The physical enhance ment to our facilities will also encourage innovation and ensure that we have the

latest technology to meet the needs of legal education for the future.”

outstanding choice for USD Law’s efforts to craft an Innovation Hub, which will include the law school, the legal research center, the Shiley Marcos School of Engi neering and the new USD STEM facility. Her degree in genetics from UC Davis and her work as a scientist at Genentech and a laboratory technician at the Scripps Research Institute positions her well to connect the law school to cutting-edge technological expertise. While the cochairs are spearheading the campaign, the prospect of upgrading the law school’s facilities has inspired many other alumni to get involved. Jack McGrory ’81 (JD), for example, is lending his expertise by serving on the executive advisory committee. “The law school is a huge credit to the University and has produced an unbelievable number of great lawyers and judges, and the top-notch legal clinics compare with the best in the country,” said McGrory, CEO of La Jolla MJ Management, a real estate investment company. “But we have an opportunity to do even better. And when we look at the future of the law school, that future will center around the anchor of having brand-new facilities.” CREATING AN INNOVATION HUB The law school’s improved facilities will be an exciting addition to a larger transformation already taking place on the USD campus: They will be a key component of a new multidisciplinary “innovation hub.” With the establish ment of a STEM building adjacent to the law school, USD is creating an environ ment in which scientists, engineers and lawyers can more easily collaborate. “We want to be part of this hub where we can help move innovations through the legal system,” Rider said. “Enhancing law school facilities will help deepen con nections throughout the University and the community at large.” ■

DEDICATED LEADERSHIP The University’s commitment comple ments the law school’s own fundraising efforts, which are being cochaired by three distinguished alumni, Dennis Doucette ’86 (JD), Karen Hewitt ’89 (JD) and Denise Hickey ’94 (JD). Doucette, managing partner at Pro copio, is a longtime supporter of USD Law. In addition to contributing to the school’s capital campaigns, Doucette and his wife, Margot, have funded scholarships, driven by a commitment to creating opportunities for deserving stu dents. Among other gifts, the Doucettes have donated $1 million toward the facilities improvement campaign. Hewitt, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California and regional partner-in-charge of California at Jones Day, has generously invested $1 million in support of this “once-in-a-life time” transformation of the law school. Her support underscores her belief in the power of education to strengthen the legal community and sets a powerful example, affirming that an investment in USD Law is an investment in integrity, innovation and the rule of law itself. Hickey, retired vice president and assistant general counsel, Innovation Law, at Bristol Myers Squibb, is an

The Pardee Legal Research Center (LRC) will be updated to better meet the needs of students for research, study and collaboration. (conceptual rendering by Gensler)

USD SCHOOL OF LAW

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