Story and photos by Maria Iacobo
Members of USC Law’s Class of 2015 don’t officially begin their three years of study until August, but 80 admitted students attended the annual USC Law Day to learn what life and school might be like here. The prospective students traveled from around the country to spend a day meeting with current students and faculty, touring the law school and campus and attending mock classes.
Dean of Admissions Chloe Reid and Student Bar Association President Natasha Chua Tan ’12 congratulated the students on their acceptance to USC Law.
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| Admitted students tour the law school and campus |
Morning sessions allowed students to hear from faculty members about their careers, scholarship and work with students at the law school. Panel discussions with current students provided information on public interest and externship opportunities, clinical programs and student life.
“We designed this day to give you an opportunity to feel what it would be like to attend USC Law,” Dean Robert K. Rasmussen told the students at the luncheon.
Showcasing one member of the legendary Trojan Network, the dean introduced Tom Hansen ’78, co-founder of Hansen Jacobsen Teller Hoberman Newman Warren Richman Rush & Kaller, which specializes in transactional entertainment law. Hansen, whose clients make up a veritable who’s who in the television and film worlds, told the students it took him a few years after college to decide what he wanted to do for his career, but once he started law school he never looked back.
“I found a profession that challenges me, excites me, occasionally amuses me and has always kept me focused and interested,” Hansen said.
“What I can’t over-emphasize is the impact my three years here at USC had on these last 34 years. The way I thought about things, the way I had looked at my academic career, and the way I had read books was completely changed. All of a sudden I was being taught to think, not to memorize and not learn by [repetition].
“I had never encountered the level of training and intellect from professors that I encountered here. I had never encountered fellow students who were as smart and interested in learning as I was. I was daunted at the beginning. As the process went along though, it turned from daunting to exhilarating, from exhilarating to breathtaking.”
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| Thomas Hansen '78 |
Hansen emphasized that the best law schools have professors that challenge their students and encourage them to think independently.
“This school has amazing faculty,” said Hansen.
The Trojan network was also on display at an afternoon panel of six alumni representing a variety of legal careers: public interest, state government, solo private practice and practice within a firm.
Mock classes were conducted in Property Law, taught by Vice Dean and Virginia S. and Fred H. Bice Professor of Law Scott Altman, and Criminal Law, taught by Professor of Law David Cruz.
Current students representing a variety of student organizations, journals and honor societies were on hand to introduce the activities that have helped shape their career choices and enriched their academic years.
The day ended with a reception where admitted students were encouraged to ask whatever questions they had of the dozens of faculty and students present. The event also allowed members of the USC Law family to celebrate the accomplishments of their guests and welcome them to their law school.
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