UCI Law Talks

This episode of UCI Law Talks was recorded with Professor Dan Burk on January 17, 2024, and sadly, less than three weeks later, on February 4, Dan passed away. As you will hear in this episode, and as profoundly poignant as it is, Dan spoke warmly about his 15 years in Irvine, the wonderful colleagues and students at UCI, his career and the early days of the founding of UCI Law. In this last recorded conversation with Dan, these were his final words for us: “Take some risks but never risk quality. You might want to choose a topic that’s a little offbeat. You might want to work in an environment that’s a little bit different. But you always do quality lawyering. You always do quality scholarship, and that’s not something that I’m willing to take a risk with and I don’t think others should either.” Rest in peace, Dan.

Dean Austen Parrish interviews Professor Robert Chang, executive director of the renowned Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality (Center) and discusses our exciting news that he and the Center will be joining UCI Law this summer. Professor Chang details the iconic civil rights leader's story, his fight for justice and outlines the goals and ambitions for the Center at UCI Law.

Dean Austen Parrish interviews four powerhouse UCI Law Alums who are now Presidents of Bar Associations: Mimi Ahn ’14 (Orange County Korean American Bar Association), Shirley Diaz ’18 (Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia), Cinthia Flores ’14 (Latina Lawyers Association), and Honieh Udenka ’17 (Thurgood Marshall Bar Association). They share some classic UCI Law folklore, discuss their leadership and thriving legal practices, how public service became part of their DNA at UCI Law, and how they wouldn’t trade the UCI Law experience for anything.

Ann Southworth on her new book, “Big Money Unleashed,” UCI Law’s Unique Legal Profession Course, and the Role of Lawyers in a Democratic Society.

UCI Law Dean Austen Parrish interviews Michael Gregg, President of the Orange County Bar Association and Shareholder at Littler Mendelson, on supporting the bench and the bar through the Orange County Bar Association, being part of the founding group of the Thurgood Marshall Bar Association and practicing law in Orange County.

Dean Austen Parrish interviews Hon. Maria D. Hernandez, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Orange County, about her public interest and judicial career, her experience as a first-generation undergraduate Social Ecology student-athlete at UCI, and her pro tips for new lawyers.

Dean Austen Parrish interviews Arnold Pinkston, Corporate Vice President and General Counsel at Edwards Lifesciences, about his rewarding career focused on changing the lives of people fighting cardiovascular disease through innovative and patient-first strategies in the GC office, his views on philanthropy and corporate responsibility, and about how teamwork is key to being a successful lawyer.

UCI Law Dean Austen Parrish interviews Amy Laurendeau, Managing Partner of O’Melveny & Myers LLP’s Newport Beach office, about the historical roots of the legal markets in Orange County and Los Angeles, being a trial lawyer in product liability litigation, her robust pro bono practice, and inspiring advice for law students.

Dean Austen Parrish interviews Monica Glicken, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Public Law Center (PLC), on how the PLC is fighting for justice in Orange County, her career in immigration law and public interest work, the unique Orange County legal community, the work UCI Law students do with the PLC, and her advice for law students.

Prof. Stephen Lee interviews Prof. Mónica Ramírez Almadani and Viridiana Chabolla '20 on their role in protecting DACA and the Supreme Court's recent decision blocking the Trump Administration from ending the program.