USC Gould School of Law Launches Alumni Association

Contact: Gilien Silsby

Director of Media Relations, USC Gould School of Law
               (213) 740-9690 or (213) 500-8673 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USC Gould School of Law Launches Alumni Association

Leaders hope to expand membership

In an effort to tap into the legendary Trojan Network, a group of committed USC Law alumni has joined forces to launch the USC Gould School of Law Alumni Association.

All 10,000 graduates of the law school are invited to participate in the group, which is thriving in the Southern California, and seeking to expand across the country and worldwide.

“USC is known for its extraordinary network of alumni famous for loyalty to the school and to one another — in fact, it is this network that drew many of us to USC for law school,” said Nina Ries ’01, founding president of the USC Law Alumni Association and principal of the Ries Law Group. “In my own practice, I am always happy to refer a client to a fellow USC Gould alum, and my preference is to do so. The USC Gould School of Law Alumni Association seeks to facilitate such networking.”

The group aims to reinforce the alumni connection to USC Gould through professional events where alumni can sharpen their skills, earn MCLE credits and network. In addition, a variety of social events for alumni and their families will be promoted by the alumni association, including the holiday party and toy drive with Dean Robert K. Rasmussen. This event is scheduled as a harbor cruise and brunch out of Long Beach and toys will benefit the Inner City Law Center. Public service opportunities will also be publicized among the membership. The recently launched association grew out of the school’s former young alumni group, which was headed up by a long list of loyal alumni, including most recently Ries.

“We want to build, foster and facilitate our alumni’s connection to the law school,” Ries said. “It was important to me that we made a concerted effort to offer something for everyone, no matter their years in practice, practice area or setting, or geographic location. It makes for a well-rounded USC Gould School of Law Alumni Association.”

Dean Robert K. Rasmussen is highly supportive of the new group and looks forward to working closely with its leaders.

“Great law schools have great alumni,” said Rasmussen. “There is no more passionate nor loyal group than those who were educated at the USC Gould School of Law. In today’s legal environment, the commitment of our alumni is a real distinguishing factor for us among the country’s elite law schools.”

In May, the group launched the USC Law Alumni Association Lunchtime Speaker Series, including events that offer MCLE credits. The first event featured Judge Jacqueline Connor (Ret.) USC ’73, J.D. ’76, who shared her experiences with juries’ Internet use during trial. In January 2013, JAMS arbitration, mediation and ADR services will present a half-day MCLE course in downtown Los Angeles as well as in Orange County exclusively for USC Gould alumni. The group also participated in a recent USC leadership conference, a foodie walking tour of downtown Los Angeles’ financial district, and the annual alumni tailgate party before the USC v. Oregon football game.

Due to the popularity of the lunches among local alumni, Ries already has scheduled monthly lunches for 2013, to be held in Beverly Hills, downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley and Orange County.

Ries hopes to expand the group outside of Southern California, launching satellite organizations and planning events for local alumni.

“I see an incredible opportunity for our members to hone their skills, to learn about the business of law, to build and foster professional relationships, and to socialize with fellow USC Gould graduates and their families,” she said.

Alumni automatically become members of the USC Law Alumni Association upon graduation from USC Gould. Graduates who want to get involved with the group’s steering committee may contact Nina Ries at [email protected]; Pasha Hawthorne, associate director of development; or USC Gould’s Lorri Grubaugh, director of annual giving, at [email protected].