Perspectives (Magazine)

2005·5.1 MB·English

July 2006: Travel to Tuscany
with Your Alumni Association
The breathtaking countryside of Chianti ripe
with fragrant olive groves and lush vineyards;
the historic city of Florence, birthplace ofthe
Renaissance and home to some ofthe world's
greatest architectural landmarks; and the
whimsical Leaning Tower of Pisa are just some
HOW TO CONTACT US: ofthe rich treasures that distinguish Tuscany
as one ofthe most beautiful places in Italy
Telephonenumbersandemailaddresses
attheSchoololLaw: and the world.
Dean'sOffice
413-782-1413 The Alumni Association is pleased to present
ArthurGaudio you with the opportunitytotravel to Tuscanyon
email:[email protected] an all-inclusivetravel opportunity:
Admissions • Roundtrip airfareto Florence
413-782-1406 • Accommodationsforseven nights
MichaelJohnson attheTuscan Villa Tavolese
ennail:[email protected] • Aspecial Welcome Receptionfeaturing
Development/Alumni Relations Chianti winesfromthe region
413-782-1311 • Three meals each day
KeithMcKittrick • Informative educational programs
email;[email protected] • Excursionsto Chianti olive grovesandvineyards;
Colle di Val d'Elsa, thecenterofTuscan crystal
CareerServices blowing; the 14th centurytown ofSan Gimignano;
413-782-1416
thetowns of Lucca and Pisa; a privatetourofthe
SandraOlearcek Castello di Monsanto; the cityof Florence; and
email:[email protected] Siena, spectacularlysituated atopthree
StudentRecords converging hills.
413-782-1401
MaryVanHouten Fordetails, contactthe Office ofLaw
email:[email protected] Alumni Relations at413-782-1311
LawLibrary orvisitwww.law.wnec.edu/alumni.
413-782-1457
BarbaraWest
email:[email protected]
FacultyMembers
413-782-3111
andaskforspecificfacultymember
Manyfacultyalsouseemail.
Toreachafacultymember,typetheinitial
oftheirfirstnameandtheirlastname
[email protected]
MainFaxNumber
'113-796-20&7
MailingAddress:
121.5WilbranamRoad
SpringfieldMA01119-2684
VisitusontheWeb
Ouraddressis:www.law.wnec.eda
FALL 2005
Perspechves
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SCHOOL OF LAW
TODAY'S PIONEERS:
Straighttalk from Russell Denver, Esq.'92 and Allan
Blair '96 on how initiatives like the new Western New
England College Law and Business Center for
Advancing Entrepreneurship are influencing eco-
nomic development in ourcommunity.
Page 10
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross 2L
Growing up in an environment surrounded by drugs,
gangs, and violence, Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross was
told notto expect much from life. Today she is a
"Model of Persistence and Accomplishment" tothose
around her.
Page 19
PROTECTING THE BIG IDEA
Focus on Intellectual ALUMNI PROFILE
Property Law Jonathan Blum '84
Western New England College School of Law has been the This SeniorVice President of Yum Brands, Inc., the
proving ground for scores of IP attorneys. Learn how our parent company ofTaco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long
alumni are applying their legal educations in this challeng- John Silver's, and A&W Restaurants, is using his
ing specialty. legal education to steerthe public affairs ofthese
Page 5 fastfood giants.
Page 25
PRESIDENT'SMESSAGE 2 CAMPUSNEWS 22
DEAN'SMESSAGE 3 FACULTYPROFILE: PhilBouchard 26
MeetMichaelJohnson,AssistantDeanandDirectorofAdmissions 4 ALUMNINEWS 28
NewFacultyandAdministrators 12 InstituteforLegislativeandGovernmentalAffairs 31
WhatifSirWalterRaleigh...? 14 CommencementandConvocation 32
FACULTYANDSTAFFNOTES 16 ClasonSpeakerSeries 34
ProfessoroftheYear:FrederickRoyal 20 ALUMNINOTES 35
DevelopmentReport 21 INMEMORL\M 39
FALL
2 0 0 5
Dear Benefactors, Donors,
and Friends ofthe School ofLaw,
Thishasbeen a yearofvigorousgrowth atWestern NewEnglandCollege
and at itsSchoolofLaw.
TheCollegecontinues tocreate innovativeprogramsthat meetstudents'needs.
The School ofLawhasestablished its firstmasteroflawsdegree,the LL.M. in Estate
Planningand ElderLawprogram,with an inauguralclassthathassignificantly
surpassed theprojected enrollment.Thisresponse is indicativeofthe need for
advanced and specializedlegaleducation and reflectstheongoingreputation
theSchool nowenjoys.
Indeed,theCollegeand its fourschoolscontinue tobe recognizedon a national
scale. In itsannual"America's Best Colleges"rankings, U.S. Newsand WorldReport
listsWestern NewEnglandCollege in thetop tierofits"North"categoryamong
comprehensivecollegesanduniversities,thosewhichprovidea full rangeofbachelor's
and master'sprograms.The report ranks schoolsbased on 15 differentindicators
relatedtoacademicexcellence.
Western NewEnglandCollege alsohasbeen selected to appearin CollegesofDistinction,
anewcollegeguideandwebsiteprofilinginstitutionscharacterizedasAmerica'sbest
valuesin highereducation. CollegesofDistinction featurescolleges that excelin keyareas
ofeducationalquality.
In ourlocalregion,thedynamic interplayamongourSchoolspresentsexceptionalopportunities
forourstudentsandsignificantbenefits to ourcommunity.Thisfall,through theestablishment
oftheWestern NewEnglandCollege Lawand Business CenterforAdvancingEntrepreneurship,
theCollegehascreateda meansofengaginglawandbusiness studentsandfacultyin an
economic development initiative that links the Collegeandthelocal community.
Yoursupport assures thatwewill continueto makeremarkableprogressattheSchool ofLaw
aswe fulfillourspecialcallingofmakinganoutstandinglegaleducation accessibletoexceptionally
qualifiedstudents.
Benefactors,alumni,friends,and membersoftheSchoolcommunityhavemanyreasons tobe
proud ofthe School ofLaw. It is throughyourgenerositythat wehavebeenableto craftand
sustain a highqualitylegal education,which our more than 6,000alumni recognizetobea
remarkableasset in theircareersaswell asin theirpersonallives.
I amgrateful to you foryourgifts.
Sincerely,
AnthonyS.Caprio
President
PERSPECTIVES
DearAlumni and Friends,
InthisissueofPerspectiveswehavetheprivilegeofsaying
"thankyou"tothemanyofyouwhohavebeensogenerousasto
giveusyourfinancialsupportoverthepastyear.Yoursupportmakesit
possiblefortheSchoolofLawtodomanythingsthatareimportantfora
qualitylegaleducationandforourlawstudents.Manyofyouspecifically
designatedyourgiftforscholarshippurposesandthatenablesustoattract
andretainmanygifted,butfinanciallyneedy,students.Othersofyou
madeacontributiontothelawlibrary,whichenhancesthestrengthofour
informationresourcesforbothstudentsandalumni.Thosewhomadea
discretionarygifttotheSchoolmadepossiblesuchundertakingsas
sendingourstudentstothefinalsofanumberofmootcourtand
negotiationcompetitionsoverthepastseveralyears.Participationin
thesecompetitionsservestostrengthenthenationalreputationofour
programs.And,veryimportantly,aswebeginaneweffort,someof
youhavemadecapitalgiftstohelpusstartthefundraisingforthe
renovationsandadditionstotheSchoolofLawbuildingthatare
essentialfortheSchooltoremaincompetitive. Fromeveryoneatthe
SchoolofLaw,pleaseacceptourmostsincerethanks.
Alsointhisissueyou'llseeourcontinuingefforttohighlight
WesternNewEnglandCollegeSchoolofLawalumni/aeinvarious
importantandgrowinglegalfields.Inourfeaturestorywetakenote
ofIntellectualPropertyanditsincreasingimportanceintheU.S.and
worldeconomies.AndSchoolofLawalumni/aeareinthemidst,ifnot
thelead,ofthisdevelopingfield.Ifthere'sapatent,copyright,or
trademarkissuetoberesolved,it'squitepossiblethatoneofyour
schoolmateswillbeatthetable.
Ihopeyouenjoytheissueandtheinformationaboutyour
classmatesandschoolmates. And,asalways,pleasefeelfreeto
shareyourthoughtsandideas.
ArthurR.Gaudio
DeanandProfessorofLaw
To what do you attribute the School's growth in the num- J
berof applications in recentyears?
E First, when you look atthe people taking the LSAT,—youii'il'lllffiinnrdi ^
thatthe majority ofthenn score within our medians our25th
and 75th—which makes us much more competitive and a lot
more attractive to more students. Many students view LSAT
scores as a reflection ofthe quality ofa school. Our numbers,
small class sizes, and scholarship program make us an attrac-
tive choice among lawschools regionallyand nationally.
Secondly, the factthat we are close to metropolitan areas
butare in a somewhat smallercity makes us attractiveto peo-
ple who don'twantthe congestion and the high cost of living
associated with majormetropolitan areas.
Q Howwill youroffice continueto build onthistrend?
MICHAEL JOHNSON
A
Our travel program puts us face-to-face with prospective
** students at forums across the country and gives us more
BRINGING A TOUCH OF SOUTHERN national exposure. They now recognize that we have a qual-
HOSPITALITY TO WESTERN NEW titoywaprrdosgraasmucacnedssafuclcocmaprleiesrhAesdtfhaecualptpylitchaanttwpiollollebaedctohmeems
more Internet savvy, am working to make ourcommunica-
I
ENGLAND COLLEGE tions more web-based to stay ahead of the curve. would
I
also liketo strengthen recruitmenteffortstoward minorityor
ByMaryMazzaferro diversity students with the
help ofalumni who can help
When prospective students call the Admissions Office at Western New prospective students to see
England College School of Law, they may not expect to hear a warm How hasscholarship aid that the School is commit-
southern accent on the other line. But the charm and service orienta- contributed to enrollment ted to diversity.
tion exuded by Assistant Dean and Director of Admissions Michael growth?
Johnson make this North Carolinian the perfect ambassador for a
Massachusetts school renowned for its collegiality. Our generous scholarship pro-
Michael has been an integral part of the growing success of gram is one of the strongest in
recruitment efforts since joining the Admissions staff as the assistant the country. It enables us to What otherrolescan
director in 2003. When formerAssistant Dean Sherri Berendt resigned drawfrom a bigger pool ofappli- alumni play in attracting
to return to her native Chicago this spring, Dean Art Gaudio and his cants and be more selective. It is qualified students?
staff were convinced Michael was the best candidate to continue to very importantforalumni to sup-
drive this upward trend in enrollment. port the School financially We getso manycallsfrom
Michael has been interested in law since he became involved in becausethe scholarship program prospective students who
student government at his high school in rural Granite Falls, NC, isa resourcethat makes us more want to speak with alumni
where he was among just over a dozen African Americans in a student competitive, particularly against practicing in a particularfield
body of 1,100. His selection as student body president speaks vol- regionalcompetitors. or geographic area. Just
umes for his early leadership abilities and inspiring "can do" attitude. - - making themselves available
His journey to head the Western New England College School of to the Admissions staff with
Law Admissions Office was an unusual one. While accompanying a updated phone numbers and
friend to a U.S. Airways "cattle call" of over 400 job candidates, Michael made such an impression that he addresses is a great help. We fre-
was one of the 25 people offered a job. He spent 13 years working for the airline, traveling the continent quently have prospective students
and the globe, and taking a special interest in the activities of the Association of Flight Attendants Union. in large cities such as New York,
"I didn't hold any office, but I was very involved with the union base, and I did a lot of volunteer work Philadelphia, orAlbany, wherewe have
during campaigns and strike negotiations. It inspired me to finish my undergraduate degree, which I had a strong alumni base, eagerto talkto
put on hold. did very well and decided that law school was within reach." an alum from that city. We're always
I
Amazingly. Michael completed dual majors in Criminal Justice and History from the University of looking for alumni to host sessions
North Carolina at Charlotte and earned a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law while continu- for admitted students or speak on
ing to work as a flight attendant on weekends! During law school, Michael's interpersonal skills landed panels orat open houses. Introducing
him a part-time position as a Graduate Assistant for Minority Recruitment. While he had originally prospects to a successful alum
intended to apply his legal education to human resources or labor law, Michael felt a natural fit in law provides a great glimpse into their
admissions. His interest in law admissions has led to his recent two-year appointment to serve on the ownfuture.
Law School Admissions Council's Finance and Legal Affairs Committee. Today, this southern transplant
feels right at home recruiting law students to the heart of New England.
4* www.law wnec edu PERSPECTIVES
Focus on Intolleotual Property Law
From peer-to-peer distribution of music and film on the Inter-
net to the vanguard of biotechnology, intellectual property [IP]
aw often stands on the leading edge of legal precedent. The
rapid pace of technology creates opportunities to test new
boundaries and define parameters not imagined just a
decade ago.
By Mary Mazzaferro The specialty is exploding in opportu- students will need some familiaritywith the
nity and complexity fueled by emerg- specialty, Assistant Professor ofLawWilliam
ing technologies on all fronts. Childs says,"In all sorts ofareas ofindustry,
Whether it is negotiating patent application IP strategy is playing a more central part.
issues in Asia or challenging licensing and Some companies are even creating separate
trademark infringements in cyberspace, pro- subsidiaries to enforce patent protections
tecting the "Big Idea" is fast becoming one of right from the start. That is why the Law
thebiggest practice areas ofthe 21^^ century. School has expanded class coverage for
Western New England College School of students for whom this may not be their
Law has been the proving ground for scores primaryfocus."
ofIP attorneys. Recognizing that all current
According to Cheryl Lisi properly.Afewyears ago,wehad
Chadwick,VicePresident, to litigate when a small company
Assistant General Coun- began to use a similar name to
sel and Assistant Secretary for ourWite-Out® brand. It ledto a
BIC, the company's iconic logo bench trial in Federal Court in
elicits, "Seventy-five percent New York with the defendant
unaided brand awareness in the claimingWite-Out had become
pen category and 90 percent generic.Wewere able to prevail
aided brand awareness, which is againsttheclaim becausewehad
the highest in its category. What put a great deal ofeffort toward
consumers say they remember protecting thebrand."
CHERYL LISI CHADWICK '88 most is the'BIC Boy'and orange With its origins and parent
color." company in Clichy, France, BIC
Vice President, Protecting patents has been has sent Chadwick around the
AssistantGeneral Counsel integral to the company's com- world overseeing IP issues. Much
andAssistantSecretary petitive advantage in so many ofher international attention is
BICCorporation consumer goods categories. For focused on working with R&D
(Legal DeMpialrfotrmde,nCtT) nearly 15years,Cheryl Lisi Chad- teams regardingpatents and new
wick has been a part ofthe cor- productlaunches.
porateIP strategyforsuccess. Among the biggest IP chal-
Attorney Chadwick first lenges for the company remain
became involved in IP lawwhile "knock-off" products. "Our
BiC working in private practice in brand is so strongand ourprod-
Washington, DC, representing uct imagehasbecomesopopular,
small, emerging businesses. In when we can, we pursue trade-
1991, she was hired as an in- mark or patent protection for
house counsel at BIC's North product shape. It is a critical
Americaheadquarters. Chadwick strategy to address counterfeit
says,"Oneofthefirstthings Iwas products. This is particularly
assigned to do was to get my important in the shavercategory
arms around the trademarkport- wherethecompetition is fierce."
folio." WhilemanyIPattorneyshave
Shebegan acarefulassessment backgrounds in science or engi-
ofthe company's many brands. neering.AttorneyChadwickcred-
"We needed to determine what its her generalist background
we owned. We had to build an with giving her a well-rounded
internal system and a database. background."Being an in-house
Today, we still rely on outside practitioner,you need to be able
counsel, but we have a small in- to make complex legal issues
house department with fiveattor- understandable to business peo-
A neys.We're all generalists,but we ple. I model that from many of
global leader each have certain practice areas; mylawprofessors."
in the stationery products, lighter, and shaver one"ofWemicnoeveisrIaP.lot ofground. straCtehgaicdwIiPcpklaennnijnogy,sshteatrinrgo,l"eWien
consumer goods categories, BIC® is a textbook You maynot thinkthatpensarea have several product categories
example of brand marketing at its best. highlyregulated product,but ink that are heavily involved in
is a chemical so there are a lot of emerging technologies that may
regulations,"statesChadwick. befiveyearsout ormore. It'svery
"There's a lot ofeducation excitingto bea part ofpropelling
involved in protectingourbrands thecompanyinto thefuture."
to make sure the names are used
PERSPECTIVES
PHILMORE H. COLBURN II '91
Partner,
CantorColburn LLP
Bloomfield.CT
course.We are also fortunate to have a As a managing partner, (Colburn
numberofexcellent adjunct professors focuses his energies on "opinion work,
with significant expertiseas practition- transaction work, and advising clients,
ersinthe IP field." mostly our large corporate clients like
Attorney Colburn has much to GE and IBM. I get a fairly high level of
bringto the classroom from nearly 15 exposure with the management ofour
years as an IP attorney and an ideal clients. I feel that I can make an imme-
background for IP practice that diate impact on business issues con-
includes a B.S. in Electrical Engineer- fronting these companies, and I am
ing,anM.B.A.,anda J.D. involved in shaping what they mayor
A former Design Engineer for the maynotdoin thefuture."
Hamilton Standard Division ofUnited Lookingattrendsandopportunities
Technologies Corporation,Attorney impacting his firm, Colburn observes,
Colburn has become a preeminent IP "There has certainlybeen a build up in
attorney, serving Fortune 500 clients in thebiotech and pharmaceutical groups.
the telecom, automotive, petroleum, Also, we've been growing our foreign
optical imaging,andmanyotherindus- practice, primarilywork originating
tries. His firm, Cantor Colburn LLP, from Asia. Currently, we have two
specializes in patent,trademark, copy- Korean patentattorneysinthefirm and
right, unfair competition, computer, a Japanesepatent attorneywill soon be
Attorney Philmore H. Colburn II, trade secret law, and related licensing comingonboard."
a partner in Cantor Colburn LLP headquartered andlitigation. AttorneyColburn makes these rec-
For Colburn, a technical back- ommendations to current students
in Bloomfield, CT, has joined our adjunct ground is a real advantage in IP interested in IP law, "Work ethic is
facultythis fall to teach patent law practice. He says, "Almost all of extremely important. Many students
to third-year students. our attorneys have technical back- don't realize what it takes to bill 1,800
—
grounds you need that to sit for the hours. Moreover, you need to be
He Patentbar." patient; it takesthree to fiveyears fora
is amongagrowingnumber The firm currentlyretains 57 attor- patent attorneyto be trained.At that
ofIP instructors atthe School neys and agents at offices in Bloom- timeyoubecomealot morevaluable."
ofLaw. States Professor of field,CT;Troy,MI;andAdanta,GA.
LawAmy Cohen,"There has been a "Mostofourlitigationgroupiscom-
tremendousexpansion ofinterest in IP prisedofWesternNewEnglandCollege
inthelast 20years.TheLawSchool has alums.Oneofthewayswechosetogrow
responded by increasing both our wasbyexpandingthatarea. Initially,my
courseofferingsandthenumberoffac- partnerand I didmostofthelitigation,
ultymembersteachingin this area.We butitwasdifficulttolook fornewbusi-
nowhave four full-time faculty mem- nesswhenyou'reconstantlytravelingfor
bers who teach at least one IP-related Litigation."
CantorColburnLLPemploys
12alumniofWestern New
EnglandCollegeSchoolofLaw:
(Itor)
PamelaJ. MercierCurbelo'91
DanielE. Bruso'96
AmyJ. Bizon-Copp'97
SeanF.Sullivan '93
GeorgeA. Pelletier'97
PhilmoreH.Colburn II '91
J. Michael Buchanan'05
StevenM. Coyle'93
WilliamJ.Cass'88
CharlesF. O'Brien'97
AndrewC. Ryan'97
Missingfrom photo:
MarlsaJ. Dubuc'00
KATHLEEN M. PORTER '90
Partner,
Robinson &Cole LLP
Boston, MA
" Technology is so important today.
The challenge is in balancing how you maximize
its protection vs. how you exploit it fully,"
observes Kathleen M. Porter, a Partner at
Robinson & Cole LLP of Boston, MA.
As cochair ofboth her firm's Intellec- rate company, depending on whether we wayto keepyou wired intowhat ishappen-
tual Property and Technology haveashort-term orlong-term goal." inginyourspecialty."
Group, and E-Commerce Group, In addition to the transactional work, Attorney Porter attributes her strong
Attorney Porter steers the IP issues of Porter regularlycounsels clients by phone analytical skill to the legal education she
clients involved in manufacturing and dis- or in person on day-to-daybusiness issues received at Western New England College
tribution in many fields, such as specialty ranging from responding to inquiries from School ofLaw. She says,"I have such high
chemicals, home heating oil, and marine state or federal regulators, to reviewing regard for so many people at the School of
electronicsandsoftware. websitecontent,todraftingan agreement. Law. It was a wonderful experience. I really
Porterspent the first fiveyears at Robin- "Weworkwith a significant number of enjoyed a course with Professor Leora
son & Cole practicing in bankruptcy and UK, European, and Canadian clients. As Harpaz. She reallyencouraged us to analyze
documenting loan workouts. In 1995 the such, it's important to have an understand- the issues carefully."
economy turned around, and she began ing ofhowa companyoperates in another Today,Porterworks closelywith another
looking for a newchallenge in IP law. She countrysoyoucan explain to them the dif- favorite mentor, Professor and Associate
and her husband, Jim McGlynn '90, who ferences in U.S. law. For example, privacy Dean forExternalAffairs Sam Stonefield,as
worked as a housing lawyerat Connecticut law is very different in the U.S. In many a member of the Law Alumni Board of
LegalServices,decidedto relocateto Boston. other countries, laws generallygovern the Directors. For Porter, keeping alumni con-
Kathy and Jim, who is now Committee collection, use,and disclosure ofa person's nectedisamongherfirstordersofbusiness.
Counsel to the HousingCommittee in the personal information.TheU.S.,however,has "More alumni need to continue to net-
Massachusetts House ofRepresentatives, no general scheme governing the use of work and become familiar with resources
along with their daughter, Molly, have personal information. The rules here are such as the Alumni Directory on the
enjoyedtheirBostonexperience. moreofa patchworkoffederal and state law School's website. I often receive calls from
"Today I do a lot ofworkwith technol- aswell asself-regulation and depend heavily classmates looking for referrals to attor-
ogy-based companies, particularly in the ofthetypeofpersonalinformation." neys. The Directory is a great place to start,
partnering andjointventurearea. It's excit- Attorney Porter is an active member of notjust for IP attorneys, but for anyprac-
ing to bring business partners together, to theABA Business Section's Cyberspace Law ticearea."
seewhat ideas, products,and services are in Committee,and as such has had the oppor-
R&D
development, to see more ofthe tunityto coauthor articles and participate
stage." She says shaping the deal is always in panel discussions on E-commerce and
interesting,"I may talk with the company Internet law issues. She advises,"I encour-
about licensing technology by structuring a age anyone in large or small firms to
—
licensingagreementorbysettingup a sepa- become involved with theABA it's a great