U.S. Circuit Judge Tells Santa Clara University School of Law Graduates Opportunities Are Limitless

Business Wire, May 19, 2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- United States Circuit Judge and 1975 graduate of Santa Clara University Richard C. Tallman returned home today when addressed the class of 2007 at the Santa Clara University School of Law commencement ceremony in the university's Mission Gardens.

Tallman told the 286 graduates their newly minted degrees "will open many doors" and gives them the "tools to do great things." He pointed out that at least five of the 2008 presidential candidates are lawyers. With opportunity and power comes responsibility, Tallman added. He cautioned the new grads to take their ethical obligations seriously. "Simply put, people remember professionalism and courtesy. Conversely, they never forget the opposite."

Tallman also stressed the importance of recognizing and valuing the support of friends, family, and teachers who helped the graduates get to where they are today. He shared the words on the tombstone of the great industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, "Here lies a man who knew how to enlist in his service better men than himself." Tallman added, "The epitaph is a fitting attribution to those who support each of us, enabling us to exceed our personal limitations and excel through the power of cumulative strength and collective endeavor."

Tallman, who was presented with an honorary law degree by Santa Clara University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., serves as an active U.S. Circuit Judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2000. Donald Polden, dean of the school of law, served as Master of Ceremonies and recognized a number of the distinguished guests at the university's 156th commencement ceremony including: Santa Clara City Mayor, Patricia M. Mahan and Santa Clara County District Attorney, Dolores Carr.

At the ceremony, 275 J.D degrees and 11 LL.M degrees were awarded. Of the J.D. degrees, 53 percent were awarded to women and 46 percent were awarded to students of color. The LL.M. (Masters of Laws) degrees included three programs, U.S. law for foreign lawyers, intellectual property law, and international and comparative law.

About the SCU School of Law

The SCU School of Law, founded in 1912, combines a tradition of excellence with a commitment to ethics, diversity, and social justice, and is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. Many of its 974 students work in criminal and civil community law clinics, and may earn certificates in intellectual property law, international law, or public interest law. Law degrees may be combined with MBA or master's in taxation degrees, and the law school offers lawyers master's degrees in international law and intellectual property law.

About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California's Silicon Valley, offers its 8,377 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's and law degrees and engineering Ph.D.s. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu.