The University of Toledo College of Law, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has welcomed back former professor and associate dean Douglas E. Ray as its 16th dean.
Dean Ray, who taught at UT Law from 1981 to 1998, looks forward to leading the College of Law into its second century, working with the community to continue the College’s steady climb.
“I accepted this position because I think the College of Law has a bright and positive future,” said Dean Ray. “My hope is to spend much of the next academic year working with the faculty, staff and alumni in a planning process to ensure that we make the most of our opportunities and continue the College’s progress.”
Dean Ray returns to UT Law following six and a half years of service as dean of the Widener University School of Law and as vice president of Widener University. At Widener, he was responsible for law school campuses in Wilmington, Del., and Harrisburg, Pa., with more than 1500 students.
As dean, one area of focus will be expanding opportunities for students to engage in public interest work, building upon the College’s rich heritage of clinical programs, as well as upon student enthusiasm for using their legal education to help others.
“The College’s clinic programs and public service externships give students the opportunity to serve the poor, learn practical skills, build confidence, and learn that a lawyer can make a big difference in a person’s life,” Dean Ray said.
UT President Lloyd A. Jacobs said he was delighted to welcome Dean Ray as the College’s newest leader.
“Doug Ray has the perfect mix of familiarity with our College, expertise in an important area of law, and willingness to lead in difficult times,” Dr. Jacobs said.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Harvard Law School, Dean Ray has been an economist with the U.S. Department of Labor, a labor attorney with Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis, and a professor at the University of Richmond Law School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970.
He has also been active in a number of professional and civic organizations including state and local bar associations and the Association of American Law Schools. He has served as chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Association of American Law Schools and is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators.
Dean Ray has taught and published extensively in the fields of labor law, employment discrimination law, and labor arbitration. His publications include two labor law treatises, Understanding Labor Law, and Labor Management Relations: Strikes, Lockouts and Boycotts. He has been a frequent speaker on national programs concerning labor and employment law and has appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal.
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Come to Toledo on September 16 for our Centennial Celebration
Highlights of our September 16 centennial celebration include CLE courses offered by distinguished members of the UT Law faculty, a performance from the nationally known musical comedy group Capitol Steps, and a gala reception that will incorporate reunions for class years ending in ‘1 and ‘6. Whether you’re celebrating your class reunion or not, don’t miss the alumni celebration of the century – a chance to catch up with former classmates, take in a performance that will have you in stitches, meet the new dean of the college and new president of the university, and enjoy a walk down memory lane. As we celebrate 100 years of excellence, we also celebrate the depth of quality of our alumni community. Join us as we take time to appreciate our past and, as a community, look forward to the many promising years ahead.
Here’s the agenda. It’s easy to register. Print out the RSVP form and send it to the address listed on the form, or look for an invitation coming to you in the mail shortly, which will contain an RSVP card and a self-addressed envelope. You can also register by calling the College of Law Alumni Office at 419.530.2628. Don’t miss out on the alumni celebration of the century.
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Alumni will play key role in helping students prepare for the upcoming academic year
As the last bit of summer vacation fades away and the new academic year approaches, incoming students look forward to Orientation while continuing students prepare for the fall interviewing season. Alumni and area attorneys will be volunteering their time to help out on both fronts.
On Aug. 3, Law Career Services will host an interview preparation program for 2Ls and 3Ls. Several alumni will be participating. The event includes an opportunity for students to network with alumni, as well as an opportunity for plenty of interviewing practice with timed mock interviews. After the mock interviews are complete, alumni will share tips for interviewing.
“We think practicing alumni are in the best position to tell students what will sell in today’s job market and what won’t,” says Heather Karns, director of career services and alumni affairs. “This helps give our students additional perspectives on their interviewing and preparedness skills and allows alumni to share the knowledge they’ve gained through their own professional experiences.”
Orientation also gets a big boost from area attorneys. On Aug. 18, the third day of Orientation, a morning-long session will set the stage for incoming students to understand the role that ethical standards will play in their legal careers. Every year, 15 pairs (30 lawyers) from the Toledo Bar Association lead discussions with small groups of incoming students. During the small group sessions, the attorneys and incoming students discuss hypotheticals that help to illustrate how ethical and professionalism standards apply in daily practice. Following the small groups, The Honorable Jack Zouhary ’76 of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, will give a keynote address on “Professionalism, Ethics and The Law School.”
“We’re grateful for the participation of all the Toledo Bar Association members who will be volunteering their time for this program,” says Carol Frendt, assistant dean for law admissions. “Students enjoy hearing from practicing attorneys and judges, and appreciate the real-world experience that they bring to the table.”
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Spark a connection by joining the National Alumni Referral Network
You never know what work might come your way simply by staying connected with your fellow alumni. One way to spark a connection is to enter your contact information in a database maintained by the College of Law’s Career Services and Alumni Affairs Office. The referral network was established last fall to make it easier for alumni to refer work to one another. If you have legal work that you need to refer to an attorney in a different city, why not consider UT Law alumni? Simply click on the city you want the work to go to, and find a list of UT Law alumni in that area. The more alumni who enter their contact information into the database, the more complete and effective the network will be. Alumni across the country are talking about how the network has benefited them. Visit this page and follow instructions, or call the Career Services and Alumni Affairs Office at 419.530.2851.
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