UCI Law Aims High In 2nd Decade

University of California-Irvine School of Law plans to raise $65 million in the next five years. 

It’s one of several ambitious capital campaigns at UCI; the university revealed a $2 billion effort this year.

One reason for the funding efforts: the law school, now in its 10th year, wants to offer full rides to all current students, according to Dean Song Richardson. 

“It’s important to attract students regardless of resources. We have always been about inclusive excellence, and diversity is important to our current and future success,” Richardson told the Business Journal last month. 

Richardson is the law school’s second dean; she took over from founding dean Erwin Chemerinsky last year. Chemerinsky now serves as dean of University of California-Berkeley’s law school.

When UCI’s law school opened in 2009, it offered free tuition to its first class.

The $65 million it’s looking to raise will also endow 10 faculty chairs; expand law school centers; and offer free legal services to Orange Countians. 

The campaign will support scholarships, “prepare future leaders … and enhance our commitment to public service,” added Richardson.

AI, Legal Hires

The law school recently welcomed five new faculty members, in addition to AI expert and IBM Master Inventor Neil Sahota, who also teaches at UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business. 

Research in artificial intelligence and machine learning is also an aim, Richardson said.