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A D A M HAYS
100% Employment for Inaugural Tech Edge J.D. Graduates
Santa Clara Law Hosts Swearing-In Ceremony Last December, in the Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara Law and the Santa Clara Bar Association hosted a swearingin ceremony for the newest members of the California Bar. In front of a beautiful holiday display of green trees with sparkling white lights, Dean Michael Kaufman greeted those assembled at what was his first swearingin ceremony as dean. “This truly is an occasion for reflection, for joy, and for gratitude,” said Dean Kaufman. “You have overcome tremendous challenges and shown great strength of character and perseverance,” he said. Dean Kaufman invited those gathered to reflect on the circle of people who supported them and encouraged them on their way to this goal. “Our nation, my friends, needs you. Our world needs you…You have been called to build the future of justice, and we have an abiding faith that all of you will answer that call in diverse and powerful ways,” said Kaufman. 2 DISCERN | SPRING 2022
“Our nation, my friends, needs you. Our world needs you... You have been called to build the future of justice, and we have an abiding faith that you all will answer that call in diverse and powerful ways.” — S A NT A CLA R A LA W DE A N M I CH A E L J . KA U F M A N
The Honorable Theodore C. Zayner, presiding judge of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County in California since 2009, swore those assembled into the California Bar; and the Honorable Edward J. Davila, district judge for the Northern District of California, swore the group into federal court. Other speakers at the event included Susana Inda, president, Santa Clara County Bar Association; and Adam Juratovac, chair, Barristers, Santa Clara County Bar Association.
All of the inaugural Tech Edge J.D. certificate-earners received employment offers before they hit 10-months postgraduation. The Tech Edge, which accepted its first cohort of students in the Fall of 2018, is Santa Clara Law’s innovative experiential J.D. certificate program. While many J.D. certificate programs focus on doctrinal knowledge acquisition through coursework, the Tech Edge is based upon the acquisition of skills through experiential learning. The Tech Edge students, all of whom have a demonstrated desire to work in technology law, start their 1L year with a customized professional development plan in accordance with their career interests. Each student is assigned a team of two Silicon Valley attorney mentors and one faculty or staff advisor who guide the student through their professional development. While in law school, Tech Edge students complete at least 450 hours of work experience through clinical and externship or internship placements. To successfully fulfill the certificate requirements, students must complete six skill milestones which can be obtained through courses, extracurricular activities, clinics, or work experience. Sound like a lot of work? It is, but the intent is that the extra work will pay off— namely, that employers will recognize these graduates have acquired essential skills and competencies to succeed in a technology law job. For the inaugural graduating class of 2021, it appears that the extra work has indeed paid off.
