SYLLABUSAmerican Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar • Volume XXXI, Number 2 • Spring 2000

After twenty-six years

of distinguished

service, James P.

White is passing the gavel

to Dean John A. Sebert. On

September 1, 2000, John A.

Sebert assumed the role of

Consultant on Legal

Education to the American

Bar Association. Dean

Sebert succeeds James P.

White, the ABA’s Consultant

on Legal Education since

1974, who will continue to

work with the Section as

Advisor to the Consultant.

This issue of Syllabus is

dedicated to Jim for his

many years of service to

legal education. Without

question, Jim White has

had a profound and positive

effect on legal education for

the past quarter century.

END OF AN ERA

2 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

Volume XXXINumber 2Spring 2000

Officers of the section of LegalEducation and Admissions to the Bar:Diane C. Yu, Chairperson; Gerald W.Vandewalle, Chairperson-Elect; E.Sullivan, Vice Chairperson; Herma HillKay, Secretary; Robert K. Walsh, Past-Chairperson; and Jose Garcia Pedrosaand Norman Redlich, Delegates to theHouse of Delegates.

Editor:Kurt Snyder

Consultant’s Digest Editors:Kurt Snyder

Rick L. Morgan

Layout:IBJ Contract Publishing

Library Column Editor:Professor George S. Grossman

University of California-Davis School of Law

The Section of Legal Education andAdmissions to the Bar publishesSyllabus on a quarterly basis. It providesa forum for ideas concerning legal edu-cation and bar admissions. It informsmembers of the Section of the activitiesof the Section.Opinions and positions stated in indi-vidual articles are those of the authorsand not necessarily those of theAmerican Bar Association or membersof the Section of Legal Education andAdmissions to the Bar.All manuscripts are reviewed by the edi-tors, and those accepted become theproperty of the American BarAssociation. Manuscripts or letters maybe submitted to the Editor, AndrewArnone, American Bar Association,Legal Education and Admissions to theBar, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago,IL 60611. Changes of address should be sent toMember Services Division, AmericanBar Association, 750 North Lake ShoreDrive, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Pleaseinclude mailing label.

Copyright © 2000American Bar Association

Section of Legal Education andAdmissions to the Bar

The price of an annual subscription tomembers of the Section of Legal

Education and Admissions to the Bar isincluded in their dues. Subscriptions

to nonmembers are $15.

CONSULTANTFinal ThoughtsBy James P. White

As I write my final column forSyllabus as Consultant, I pauseto reflect on the almost twenty-

seven years during which I haveserved in this position.

In the summer of 1973 I received atelephone call from Dean SamuelThurman of the University of UtahCollege of Law. Dean Thurmaninformed me that he was chairing asearch committee for a successor toProfessor Millard H. Ruud of theUniversity of Texas for the position ofConsultant on Legal Education to theAmerican Bar Association. MillardRuud had been appointed executivedirector of the Association ofAmerican Law Schools, but was stillserving as the ABA Consultant. DeanThurman suggested that MillardRuud and I meet in the next severalweeks during the annual meeting ofthe American Bar Association.

In early August, Millard Ruud and Imet in Washington during the ABAannual meeting. We discussed whatthe position entailed and the timecommitment involved. I had recentlyaccepted a university position as deanfor Academic Planning andDevelopment at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and Iintended to continue teaching in thelaw school. Yet, I was intrigued withthe position as Millard described it.

Since 1927 there had been an advi-sor on legal education to theAmerican Bar Association whoseoffice was located at the law school ofthe Consultant. With Millard’sappointment the title had beenchanged to Consultant on LegalEducation to the American BarAssociation reflecting the fact that the

Consultant related not only to theSection of Legal Education andAdmissions to the Bar, but to theentire American Bar Association.

Nineteen seventy-three was a timewhen an explosion of law schoolapplicants and the founding of newlaw schools was taking place.Clinical legal education was still in itsinfancy. The Ford Foundation fund-ing administered by William Pincuswas just beginning to bear fruit. Thecomposition of the law school com-munity and of the bar was beginningto change as more women and morepersons of color were being admitted(even though they still only com-prised 20% of total law school enroll-ment). New law buildings werebeing built and existing structuresexpanded; libraries were burgeoningand new technology was still in itsearly infancy. Law schools werebeginning to broaden their curricularofferings reflecting new areas of legalpractice. The civil rights movementwas at its zenith, and American legaleducation was beginning to look atlaw throughout the world. Criticallegal studies and feminist studieswere part of the fervor of the legaleducation community. All of thesefacts made me consider the possibilityof becoming the Consultant. Itwould be an exciting time to be in akey role in American legal education.

To my surprise, I was offered theposition as Consultant, which Iaccepted, intending to stay three tofive years. Now, over twenty-sixyears later, I am ending my duties asConsultant. I have been fortunate tohave been in this role at a time ofgreat change in legal education and in

3SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

the legal profession.When I began my duties it was not

unusual for a law school to have astudent/teacher ratio of 50 to 1.Clinical legal education was sparse.Technology was little more than amag card typewriter. Libraries wereexpanding, but hardbound copieswere still considered the measure ofrecognition. Women and persons ofcolor were only a small part of lawschool enrollment and an evensmaller portion of the faculty.Advanced degrees (LL.M) wereoffered by only a small handfulof schools and were for the mostpart designed for legal educators.Internationalization of legal edu-cation was unheard of in mostlaw schools. Staff support wasminimal—one or two secretarieswith the dean often directingadmissions, placement, alumnirelations, student counseling andwhat little student aid existed.Few seminars, legal writingcourses and clinical experienceswere unavailable to students.Law school buildings had three orfour classrooms, offices, a library andsometimes a student lounge. And,the resources for legal education werelimited; yet, for some universities lawschools were a source of financialsupport for other units. Legal educa-tion was far different than it is today.

As I reflect upon my years asConsultant, I look at the changes inlaw schools and American legal edu-cation that have occurred during thisperiod. Smaller classes, new forms ofinstruction including increased inter-disciplinary courses, growth of clini-cal education and legal writing andincreased emphasis on ethics haveoccurred. The composition of thestudent body and the faculty has sig-nificantly changed and continues tochange. Law schools and librariesmake use of the latest technology.The curricular offerings of lawschools have exploded includingadvanced degree programs which arenow offered by over one-half of theABA approved law schools on a widerange of subject matter and increas-

ingly for foreign trained lawyers. Allof these factors have caused facultygrowth and expansion. The interna-tionalization of the curriculum andthe ability of American students tostudy abroad is astounding. This pastsummer over one hundred fifty sum-mer abroad programs were conductedby American law schools, and thereare an increasing number of coopera-tive programs of foreign study, semes-

ter abroad, advanced degree studyabroad and individual student studyabroad for American law students.The support staff for a law schoolnow includes recruitment, financialaid, student counseling, placement,alumni relations, development, tech-nology support and pro bono activi-ties. All of these developments havemade American legal education rec-ognized as a model through theworld.

I have been privileged to be a par-ticipant in this exciting process foralmost twenty-seven years. The lead-ers of American legal education andthe profession, volunteers and leadersof the Section have all contributed tothis exciting progress. I must payparticular tribute to those deceasedleaders of the Section who have beensuch a part of this process and of mylife: Millard H. Ruud, Gordon D.Schaber, Robert B. McKay, Samuel J.Roberts, Samuel D. Thurman, ErwinN. Griswold, Claude R. Sowle andJoseph R. Julin. And, my debt is tomany leaders who have done so

much for the cause of legal educationand who have supported my efforts:Norman Redlich, Rosalie E. Wahl,Robert McCrate, Henry Ramsey, Jr.,Jose Garcia Pedrosa, Erica Moeser,Beverly Tarpley, Willard L. Boyd, R.W.Nahstoll and many others who con-tinue to unselfishly work for the bet-terment of legal education.

The highlights of this past yearwere the activities of the Section to

honor me for my almost twenty-seven years as Consultant. I amindebted to Norman Redlich,Erica Moeser and NormanLefstein for their efforts. Therewas a marvelous conference inIndianapolis in April on LawSchools and the Professionattended by over two hundredsixty leaders of the professionand legal educators. The climaxof the event was a video pro-duced by assistant consultantKurt Snyder featuring, amongothers, Justices Kennedy andO’Connor, Detroit Mayor Archerand Indiana Governor

O’Bannon. I shall always rememberthat wonderful weekend and all thelegal educators, lawyers, judges andfriends from around the country whocame to honor me. The papers willbe published in a forthcoming issueof the Indiana Law Review.

At the ABA annual meeting in NewYork a special luncheon was held inmy honor. I received resolutions ofappreciation from the ExecutiveCommittee of the Association ofAmerican Law Schools and theCouncil of the Law School AdmissionCouncil and gifts from the Section.An oil portrait was commissionedwhich will hang in the new IndianaUniversity Law School building inIndianapolis and a duplicate in thenew Office of the Consultant inChicago. The establishment of anannual lecture on legal education inmy honor at the Indiana UniversitySchool of Law, Indianapolis, was alsoannounced. I also received aDistinguished Alumni Recognition

I have been privilegedto be a participant in this exciting

process for almost twenty-seven years.

Continued on page 6

4 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

FROM THE CHAIR

Agenda for the Year

By Diane C. Yu

It’s a humbling experience to fol-low Bob Walsh, Dean of WakeForest University School of Law,

as chair of this section. To cite justa few of his major achievements,Bob guided us with efficiency andgrace through the first phase of thetransition from Jim White’s to JohnSebert’s tenure as Consultant onLegal Education to the ABA. Healso helped plan and moderate amemorable celebration symposiumon legal education in Jim White’shonor at the Indiana UniversitySchool of Law last April. Bob wasan excellent presiding officer for

the Council, and succeeded inbeing both inclusive and efficient.

In addition, he energetically pro-moted professionalism initiatives,including programs on teachingand learning professionalism in lawschool at the annual meeting andthe first-ever joint meeting of theSection of Legal Education and

Admissions to the Bar with theNational Conference of BarPresidents, National Conference ofBar Examiners and NationalConference of Bar Foundations todiscuss lawyer professionalism.That convocation was a huge suc-cess at the Dallas midyear meeting.On behalf of all of us in theSection, I want to thank and com-mend a truly outstanding leader:Dean Robert K. Walsh.

Our plans for the current year areequally ambitious. I’d like to focuson a few matters here that will bein the spotlight in the next few

months, and will coverother issues in futurecolumns.

AccreditationNo surprise: accredi-

tation activities willcontinue to occupycenter stage this year.The AccreditationCommittee, chaired byProfessor Michael Davisfrom the University ofKansas School of Law,will review and consid-er hundreds of matters,from site evaluationreports to LL.M. pro-gram concepts to pro-posals for new pro-

grams around the world. InDecember, the Department ofEducation will conduct a com-prehensive public hearing aspart of its ongoing oversight ofthe Council’s role as the recog-nized accrediting body for U. S.schools granting the first degreein law.

DiversityLast year, ABA President Bill

Paul made initiatives to increasediversity in the legal professionhis hallmark priority. PresidentMartha Barnett will be continu-ing that focus in earnest for2000-2001 and notes that ABAresearch indicates that our pro-fession is lagging behind manyother professions in this area.I’ve been active in expandingopportunities for women andpersons of color since my lawschool days, and am honored tobe the first Asian American andfirst woman of color to chairthe Section. I feel it is impera-tive that the Section contributesits knowledge, expertise, andideas to this effort, becauselegal education and admissions,after all, are our twin purposes.The practicing bar needs tohear from us on these criticalissues.

To that end, we co-spon-sored with LSAC and AALS aninvitational conference entitled,“Action and Accountability:Diversity Imperatives for a NewCentury” on October 6-7 inDenver. The four major themeswere the legal framework fordiversity, the law school envi-ronment, expanding thepipeline for persons of colorand recommendations forfuture actions to achieve racialand ethnic diversity in the pro-fession. We attempted to movebeyond theoretical discussionsand concentrate on specificactions and strategies that willproduce a more diverse andrepresentative profession.Council member Michael Olivasfrom the University of HoustonLaw Center was the confer-ence’s planning chair and chairof the Section’s DiversityCommittee.

We also plan to continue ourcooperative work with theCommission on Women in theProfession in exploring ways toaddress previously identified

I’ve been active inexpanding opportunitiesfor women and personsof color since my lawschool days, and am honored to be the firstAsian American and firstwoman of color to chair

the Section.

5SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

issues facing women in lawschools. Great opportuni-ties for progress exist withthe naming of theCommission’s new chair,Professor Deborah Rhodefrom Stanford Law School.Professor Katherine Vaughnsfrom the University ofMaryland School of Law,vice chair of the DiversityCommittee, is spearheadingthis activity.

ProfessionalismFordham Law School

Dean John Feerick takes thereins as the chair of theProfessionalism Committee.He will lead the continuingcollaboration of the Sectionwith the National Conference ofBar Presidents, NationalConference of Bar Examinersand other groups in efforts toadvance professionalism inter-ests in the post-MacCrate TaskForce era. At the San Diegomidyear meeting, we’ll co-hosta session with these organiza-tions in conjunction with theDeans’ Meeting. TheCommittee will also aim tosecure grants to fund sixregional workshops in teachingand learning professionalism.John’s extensive experience as abar leader will be enormouslyvaluable as we strive to enhanceour relationships with the prac-ticing bar and increase itsunderstanding of how the legalacademy has changed and whatnew challenges it faces.

Strategic PlanningAs a corporate in-house attor-

ney, I’ve come to see the valueof engaging in a thoughtfulstrategic planning process. It’san essential component of suc-cess in an extraordinarily com-petitive, fast-changing busi-ness climate. In a similarvein, law schools prepare Self-Studies for their sabbatical vis-

its by site teams, and often usethat exercise to evaluate whatthey are doing, why and howthey can do things better.

The Council last adopted itsLong-Range Plan in 1995-96,which is a fair recitation of ouractivities and responsibilities.With the millennium turn, thisis an ideal time to revisit theplan and, for the first time ever,incorporate elements of a Self-Study of the Section andCouncil in that process. DeanTom Sullivan from Minnesotaand immediate past chairRobert Walsh are heading ourLong-Range PlanningCommittee. At its Octoberretreat, the Council will devotetime to this endeavor. I amvery excited about theprospects of our creating a gen-uinely strategic plan for theSection that encompasses notonly what we are doing, butalso examines the why and thehow.

Multidisciplinary andMultijurisdictional Practice

Both MDP and MJP are com-pelling issues confronting thelegal profession. The JulyHouse of Delegates vote willclearly not end the MDP debateand anxiety about how to deal

with changing realities andpowerful economic, market-driven forces that have thrustthese initiatives before us.Prudence mandates that theacademy understand fully theramifications ofMultidisciplinary Practice andhow it may affect admissions,curriculum, placement andother issues in the law schooluniverse. Similarly, the poten-tial is there for the MJPnotion to capture the atten-tion of bar-admitting authori-ties and high courts. Weexpect our Bar AdmissionsCommittee, co-chaired by barexaminers Margaret FullerCorneille and Fred Parker, to

take a proactive role in theseissues.

TransitionIn September, we moved the

Section headquarters from theIndianapolis base of operationsto our new digs in Chicago atABA headquarters. JohnSebert, late of the deanship atthe law school at the Universityof Baltimore, assumes thedaunting task of heading theOffice of the Consultant in anew city, new office and withmany new staff members. Theservices of the inestimableJames Patrick White will beavailable to John and Councilleaders to ensure an effective,low-stress transition. While thestaff is getting its bearings,please be patient and under-standing.

If you have any questions orcomments, please feel free toemail me at diane.c.yu@mon-santo.com, or send it to theConsultant’s office in Chicagoto my attention. See you in thenext edition! n

I am very excited aboutthe prospects of ourcreating a genuinely

strategic plan forthe Section that

encompasses not onlywhat we are doing, but

also examines thewhy and the how.

6 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

Award from my alma mater, theUniversity of Iowa College of Law, aSpecial Recognition Award fromthe Pontifical Catholic Universityof Puerto Rico and a special giftfrom the University of HawaiiCollege of Law. I am truly hum-bled by all of these expressions ofappreciation from so manyfriends from throughout thecountry.

I have been blessed with awonderful staff. MarilynShannon and Cathy Schrage havefaithfully served the Office since1974. My Secretary, MaryBarron, has been with me foreighteen years. And the otherstaff, Claudia Fisher, MaryKronoshek, Kim Massie, data spe-cialist Rick Morgan, and assistantconsultant Kurt Snyder have allgiven countless extra hours andeffort to support the Office andthe Section. Richard Hurt hasfollowed in the footsteps of FrankT. Read and Arthur Gaudio andbrought true professionalism to theoffice of the deputy consultant.Several studies have noted that the

office is understaffed; yet the devotedstaff accomplishes much more thanmight be expected. I have been fortu-nate to be a member of the faculty of

Indiana University, which has givensignificant fiscal support, office spaceand administrative support over thepast twenty-six and a half years. My

location at a university and as a facul-ty member has given credibility in theacademic world to the Office of theConsultant.

Finally, I must pay tribute tomy wife Anna who has support-ed me for all these years andendured my countless absencesfrom home and from activities ofwhich she has been a major part.In calendar year 1999, I traveledforty-four weeks and wasinvolved in meetings thirty-twoweekends.

It has been a satisfying andexciting twenty-six years. Whilethere have been tensions, lawsuits and a consent decree, Ibelieve the process and theSection have survived, hasmatured, and the Section hasimproved its many activities forthe betterment of legal educationand bar admissions. My thanksto all who have supported meover this period.

I leave the office in the handsof a worthy successor, Dean John

Sebert, and look forward to workingwith him as he assumes these respon-sibilities.

CONSULTANTContinued from page 3

James P. White and Robert A. Stein

JANUARY 200126-28 Accreditation Committee Meeting

Tempe, Arizona

FEBRUARY 200114-20 Midyear Meeting

San Diego, CA15-17 Workshop for Deans of ABA-Approved Law Schools

San Diego, CA17-18 Section Council Meeting

San Diego, CA

MARCH 200115-16 Conference on Foreign Legal Education

San Francisco, CA

APRIL 200127-29 Accreditation Committee

Chicago, IL

MAY 200129-June 1 Law School Development Conference

Jackson Hole, WY

JUNE 20012-3 Council Meeting

Napa, CA6-10 Seminar for New Law School Deans

Winston-Salem, NC12-14 Conference: Salzburg Revisited:

The Next Quarter Century in International EducationIstanbul, Turkey

29-July 1 Accreditation Committee MeetingJackson Hole, WY

AUGUST 20012-8 ABA Annual Meeting

Chicago, IL2-3 Section Council Meeting

Chicago, IL3 Kutak Award Reception

Chicago, IL4 ABA/AALS/LSAC Breakfast Meeting for Deans of

ABA-Approved Law SchoolsChicago, IL

4 Section ProgramChicago, IL

Upcoming Section Events

7SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

NOW AVA

ILABLE!

http://www.abanet.org/legaledor call the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221Please specify product code: 529-0085-01ED

8 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

Association of American Law Schools

Resolution of Appreciation for

JAMES P. WHITE

Whereas, James P. White has had a distinguished career inlegal education for over forty years;

Whereas, James P. White has enriched the lives of his stu-dents at George Washington University, the University ofNorth Dakota and the University of Indiana, Indianapolisthrough his constant attention to teaching throughout hiscareer;

Whereas, James P. White has served with distinction as theConsultant on Legal Education to the American BarAssociation for more than twenty-five years, through whichoffice he has contributed immeasurably to the improvementof the quality of legal education and the legal profession inthe United States and throughout the world;

Whereas, James P. White is universally recognized for hiscommitment to advancing the quality of legal educationthrough standards of law school accreditation;

Whereas, James P. White has worked cooperatively with hiscolleagues in the Association of American Law Schools;

Whereas, James P. White has assisted the Association ofAmerican Law Schools in achieving its mission of improvingthe legal profession through legal education;

And for all of these reasons, be it resolved;That the Executive Committee of the Association ofAmerican Law Schools expresses to James P. White its appre-ciation and thanks and best wishes for the future on theoccasion of his retirement as Consultant on Legal Educationto the American Bar Association.

May 16, 2000

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION COUNCILRESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION

Whereas, James P. White is recognized nationally and inter-

nationally as a leader in law and legal education;

Whereas, James P. White has, for more than forty years, ful-

filled with distinction the public and private roles of lawyer

and counselor with intellect, civility and grace;

Whereas, James P. White has elevated the educational, ethi-

cal, and professional standards of American law and legal

process through more than twenty-five years of service as the

Consultant on Legal Education to the American Bar

Association;

Whereas, James P. White has dedicated his career to the bet-

terment of the legal profession and society through the

improvement of legal education;

Whereas, James P. White has recognized the significance of

the role admissions plays in shaping the legal profession and

in the creation of diversity within the law school and the

legal profession;

Whereas, James P. White has earned the respect and admira-

tion of his colleagues in legal education and the Law School

Admission Council for his principled support of the highest

standards of law school accreditation; and

Whereas, James P. White has been a constant and steadfast

friend to the Law School Admission Council,

For all of these reasons, be it resolved:That the Board of Trustees of the Law School Admission

Council expresses to James P. White its sincere appreciation

and admiration on the occasion of his retirement as

Consultant on Legal Education to the American Bar

Association.

May 5, 2000

In Appreciation of Your Extraordinary Leadership and Collaboration with CEELI inPursuit of Legal Reform in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union

9SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

On April 7, 2000 the Sectionheld a reception, in conjunc-tion with a conference on Law

Schools and the Legal Profession, inhonor of James P. White, ABAConsultant on Legal Education forthe past 25 years. Hundreds ofmembers of the legal profession –from academia, the practicing bar,and the judiciary – attended thisfunction, the highlight of which wasa video that featured tributes by thir-ty-seven of Jim’s friends and col-leagues, as well as statistics regardingthe improvements in legal educationsince he became the Consultant in1974. The video, which was wellreceived, was divided into severaldifferent segments, which we high-lighted for your convenience.

James P. White Tribute Video

During the past twenty-five yearsJim worked with many wonderfulvolunteers from the academy, thejudiciary and the profession. Thetribute video was not only dedicatedto Jim but also to the hard work of thethousands of volunteers that workedalongside Jim in his pursuit toimprove legal education in America.In particular, the video highlighted allthe Section Chairs who worked withJim to make legal education what it istoday.

Anthony Kennedy, associate justiceof the U.S. Supreme Court, andJeffrey E. Lewis, dean of Saint LouisUniversity School of Law, began thevideo vignettes with a discussion ofJim’s career in general. Dean Lewisstated that Jim has “done more toimprove the quality of legal educationthan any other human being in the20th century.” Justice Kennedy wenton to say that Jim has helped preservethe “great American resource” that is

the “language of the law,” and that hehas “made it clear that there is a veryclose link between the academy andthe legal profession.”

Increase in Accredited Law Schools

Since Jim became Consultant in1974, twenty-eight law schools havebeen added to the list of ABA-approved law schools. During thatsame time period many schools bene-fited from his counsel in informal dis-cussions and in a formal way throughthe accreditation process. Dean

Howard Glickstein, Touro CollegeSchool of Law, Dean Nina Appel,Loyola University School of Law –Chicago, and Dean John D. Feerick,Fordham University School of Law,each participated in the tribute to Jim.Dean Glickstein noted that when he isasked his advice on which law schoolto choose, he feels confident in saying,“choose any ABA Accredited LawSchool, and you will get a quality legaleducation.” Both Dean Appel andFeerick stated that they were honoredto have worked with Jim and that legaleducation is better because of him.

Celebrating a Magnificent Career

Randall T. Shepard and James P. White

Jim has done more to improvethe quality of legal educationthan any other human being in

the 20th century.

By Lindsey Holloway

10 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

DiversityJim White has played a piv-

otal role in the upsurge ofdiversity among the membersof the legal profession, in aca-demia and beyond. Over thelast twenty-five years, we haveall seen the “face” of legal edu-cation change dramatically.New ABA Standards on“Equality of Opportunity” and“Equal Opportunity Effort”were both drafted and adopt-ed under Jim White’s adminis-tration and have helped toensure a place in legal educa-tion for women and minori-ties. In 1975 minorities onlyrepresented 7.8% of J.D.enrollment; today they repre-sent 20.2%. Similarly, in1975 women only represented23.4% of J.D. enrollment;today they represent 47.4%.And, for the first time, weexpect the class entering lawschool in 2000 will have morewomen than men. While muchwork is required to maintain andexpand this greater level of diversity,Jim’s work has been essential to thegenesis of a legal education systemthat is more multifaceted and multi-cultural than ever before.

Diane C. Yu, Managing Counsel forMonsanto Company and Chair of theSection, and Dennis Archer, mayor ofDetroit, both spoke of Jim’s role in theexpansion of diversity among law stu-dents and legal education. Bothnoted that Jim has made extensiveefforts to give minorities and womengreater opportunities in the legal pro-fession. Mayor Archer reflected backto his days on the AccreditationCommittee by discussing Jim’s com-mitment to diversity and his workethic.

ClinicsBeyond diversity, Jim White helped

create greater opportunities for stu-dents to gain valuable, practicalexperience while in law school.Professor Roy T. Stuckey, Universityof South Carolina School of Law, dis-cussed Jim’s activities in improving

clinics and clinical education and hisrole as a mediator between clinicianswho support clinical reform and lawschool deans who are afraid of it.Robert MacCrate, author of LawSchools and the Legal Profession: AnEducational Continuum (the MacCrateReport), praised Jim for his vision ofa highly clinical legal education sys-tem, stating that the “legal professionis profoundly indebted” to him.

FacilitiesJim White’s administration saw

ABA-approved law schools becomemore physically and technologicallyequipped to support and educate thegrowing number of law students.Over the last decade, several Section-sponsored conferences focused ondevelopment and facilities. As aresult of these efforts, many lawschools embarked on substantial ren-ovation projects to better serve theirstudents, faculty and staff. DeanCarlos E. Ramos-Gonzalez, Inter-American University School of Law,lauded Jim for his help in improvingthe facilities of law schools in PuertoRico, especially Inter-American.

Dean and President Steven R. Smith,California Western School of Law,discussed Jim’s vital role in improvingfacilities throughout the nation’s lawschools. Professor and LibraryDirector Laura N. Gasaway,University of North Carolina School

Norman Lefstein

Naomi Linnell, Anna and Jim White, Erica Moeser, and Norman Redlich

11SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

of Law, also noted Jim’s contributionto the improvement of law librariesand the ABA Standards concerningthem. In addition, Professor ElliotMilstein, American University Schoolof Law, believes that many of theimprovements in law school facilitieshave been made as the direct result ofthe “intellectual and pedagogical rev-olutions that [Jim] helped shape,” andthat this was made possible by thesite-evaluation and accreditationprocesses. Professor Milstein went onto say that it is unfortunate that lawschools are named for the rich asopposed to the wise.

Student-Faculty RatioIn contrast to the increase in the

number of approved law schools andenrolled law students, the average

student-faculty ratio decreased overthe last 25 years. In 1975, the medi-an student faculty ratio was 27 to 1;whereas, today the median studentfaculty ratio is 17 to 1. This lowerratio not only allows law faculty timeto cover a broader range of topicsand to pursue scholarship moredeeply, it also allows students toreceive a more in-depth and inten-sive education and to interact moreclosely with faculty. SandyD’Alemberte, President of FloridaState University, emphasized Jim’swork toward decreasing the overallstudent-faculty ratios of ABA-accred-ited law schools, thereby improvingand intensifying the classroom expe-rience. He said that this improve-ment would be one of Jim’s greatestlegacies.

GlobalizationIn addition to the changes Jim

effected in American legal education,many nations around the world alsobenefited from his sage advice. JimWhite was heavily involved in theSection’s African Law Initiative, a pro-gram that exposed African legal edu-cators to the American legal system.Jim also supported the efforts of theCentral and Eastern European LawInitiative, or CEELI. Both initiativesbrought American principles of legaleducation to law schools outside theU.S. and in turn brought many newideas to the U.S. Jim has made greatefforts in bringing the American lawschool accreditation system to nationsbeyond the U.S. through his involve-ment with both the African LawInitiative and the Central and Eastern

European Law Initiative(CEELI). In fact, CEELI broughtJim together with U.S. SupremeCourt Associate Justice SandraDay O’Connor who praised Jimfor his efforts in the globaliza-tion of the American system oflaw. In addition, Mark Ellis,Executive Director of CEELInoted that “Jim was able to bringto CEELI the remarkableresources of U.S. lawschools…the work that he hasdone will be remembered foryears to come.”

ConsultantAs the Consultant, Jim has

done a masterful job of advisingthe ABA on matters relating tolegal education and stewardingits collaborative efforts withother organizations such as theAssociation of American LawSchools and the Law SchoolAdmission Council. ABAExecutive Director Robert A.Stein stated, “Jim White is moreresponsible and deserves morecredit than any other person forthe high quality of legal educa-tion in the United States.” EricaMoeser, President of theNational Conference of BarExaminers, discussed Jim’s workbeyond legal education and

Norman Lefstein, Gerald Bepko, Robert A. Stein, James and Anna White, Randall T. Shepard,Philip S. Anderson, Rosalie E. Wahl, Robert K. Walsh, and Barbara Ruud.

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor praisedJim for his efforts in the globalization of

the American system of law.

12 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

within the realm of accreditation. Sheremarked that the integrity of theaccreditation system that Jim hasspent twenty-five years improving is“one of the reasons that we have beenable to sustain a state-by-state licens-ing process that serves the public aswell as it does.” She added that the“skill, diplomacy and solid back-ground” that Jim brings to the accred-itation process “affects bar examina-tion nationally.” In addition, NormanRedlich, dean emeritus of New YorkUniversity School of Law, and CarlMonk, executive director of theAmerican Association of Law Schools,each added their praise and com-ments to the tribute. Monk called Jimthe “principal architect of many of thefeatures that make U.S. legal educa-tion what it is today.”

StaffIn addition to the many practition-

ers, legal academics, and judges thatparticipated in the tribute video, theConsultant’s staff dedicated their per-sonal and professional gratitude toJim. When Jim began his career as theConsultant on 1 January 1974, he didso without a staff. As the responsibili-ties of the Consultant grew, so did theneed for staff. One of Jim’s firstemployees, Executive AdministratorMarilyn Shannon, joined the staff

about six months after Jim began.Barely a week later, ExecutiveAssistant Cathy Schrage joined thesmall, but promising staff. And SeniorAdministrative Secretary Mary Barronjoined Jim a few years later. Sothroughout most of his career, Jim hashad the dedication and support ofthese incredibly talented, hard-work-ing women, without whom the suc-cess of the Consultant’s Office would-n’t be possible. Today,the Consultant’s Staffincludes a deputy con-sultant, an assistant con-sultant, a data specialist,and four additionaladministrative secre-taries, all of whom playvital roles in theConsultant’s activitiesand the accreditationprocess. ExecutiveAssistant Cathy Schrage,Senior AdministrativeSecretary Mary Barron,and Data Specialist RickL. Morgan offered theirthanks for the opportu-nity to be part of theprestigious efforts of theConsultant’s Office andits network of volun-teers. In fact, the entirestaff of the Consultant’s

Office thanked Jim for his leadershipand expressed their congratulationson a remarkable career. J. RichardHurt, Deputy Consultant on LegalEducation and former Dean ofMississippi College School of Law,stated that Jim “has always been even-handed in the way he has dealt withthe law schools, regardless of their sizeor stature.” Former Deputy

Robert MacCrate, Mary Kay Kane, and Connie MacCrate

James P. White and Martha Barnett

The “skill,diplomacy,

and solid back-ground” that Jimbrings to theaccreditation

process “affectsbar examination

nationally.”

13SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

Consultant (1996-1998) Arthur R.Gaudio remarked, “he took every stepimaginable to assure that every schoolreceived a fair and unbiased assess-ment.” And Former DeputyConsultant (1994-1996) Tom Readdiscussed Jim’s astounding integrity in

the face of adversity and stated that hehas “shown more steadfast commit-ment to high-quality legal education”than any other member of the profes-sion.

ScholarBefore Jim became

Consultant, he began ateaching position at theIndiana University Schoolof Law – Indianapolis in1966, and he remains atenured professor theretoday. Norman Lefstein,Dean of the I.U. School ofLaw in Indianapolis, dis-cussed the school’s pridein Jim’s work with theABA and as a professor oflaw. In addition, two ofJim’s former students –Dean E. Thomas Sullivan,University of MinnesotaSchool of Law, and JohnR. Hargrove, Esq.,Heinrich, Gordan,Hargrove, Weihe &James, – joined in thetribute to discuss his

work from a different perspec-tive. Hargrove stated that Jimtaught his students “how todream of a better community.”

Before concluding, the videofeatured tributes to Jim’s sup-portive wife, Anna, and hisbeloved cat, Francesca di Rimini.Indiana University – PurdueUniversity – IndianapolisChancellor Gerald Bepko com-mented about Anna’s culturalpresence in Indianapolis andJim’s and Anna’s ability to sup-port each other’s careers. Jimcould not have done all of thiswithout the love and support ofAnna and the friendly welcomehome after many long trips ofFrancesca di Rimini

Ambassador of IndianaBecause the Consultant has

worked out of Indianapolis forthe last twenty-five years, legaleducation and the state ofIndiana have become associatedwith one another among mem-

bers of the profession. Randall T.Shepard, Chief Justice of the IndianaState Supreme Court, noted that Jimhas brought Indiana into the spotlightwhere legal education is concerned,and that he has created many oppor-tunities for Hoosier lawyers andjudges to become more involved inthe accreditation and other processesof legal education. He also comment-ed that in searching for Jim’s succes-sor, they found they had mighty bigshoes to fill. Concluding the tributewas Indiana Governor FrankO’Bannon, who praised Jim’s “style,grace, experience, knowledge, andability to bring people together.”Because of Jim’s efforts in legal educa-tion and accreditation, and the creditthese have brought to Indiana,Governor O’Bannon awarded Jim theSagamore of the Wabash, the highesthonor the state can give.

Chief Justice Randall T. Shepardpresented the Sagamore award to Jim.Notably, the first comment Jim madewas that his wife Anna had receivedthe same award ten years earlier. Jimshowed the same, if not a greater

Mark Ellis, Nancy Neuman, Gerald W. Vandewalle, Phil Shelton, Tom Reed, Fred Schlagel, Deborah Rhode, and Elliot Milstein.

Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis

14 SYLLABUS SPRING 2000

amount of gratitude – toward hisguests at the reception and all mem-bers of the legal profession – thatthey showed him in their applause,their tributes, and their involvementin his life’s work.

Jim thanked the SymposiumCommittee, the Indiana Law Review,the Symposium speakers and KurtSnyder (the producer of the video).He had his staff stand and thankedthem for their support. He stated,“the past twenty-five plus years havebeen years of a wonderful rewardingand exciting experience, years oflearning for me at a time of dramaticchange and growth in American legaleducation. I have been privilegedindeed, “lucky” to have been theConsultant, to have worked withleading academic lawyers, practicinglawyers and judges, both in theUnited States and abroad, and tohave occupied a unique position inthe world of legal education.

“For me, the never ceasing tele-phone calls, the familiarity with allmajor and many local American air-ports, and many foreign airports,being a defendant in law suits, andalso the demand for more statisticsand more service and more studiesthat are more sophisticated and morecomplete, all become possible anddoable both because of my wonder-ful staff and because of the remark-able volunteers from law schools, thepracticing profession, the judiciaryand the public who give so much ofthemselves to the improvement ofAmerican legal Education which istruly the best in the world.” n

Lindsey Holloway, a Journalism/ Englishundergraduate student at IndianaUniversity Purdue University Indianapolis,was a student helper the past two years forKurt Snyder the Editor of Syllabus.

The Section of Legal Educationand Admissions to the Bar wishesto thank everyone who participat-ed in the creation of this tributevideo, which proved to be a greatsuccess and a timeless honor toJim’s career.

Section Chairs during Jim White’s tenure as Consultant.

1973-1974 CHARLES D. KELSO Indianapolis, Indiana

1974-1975 R. W. NAHSTOLL Portland, Oregon

1975-1976 E. CLINTON BAMBERGER, JR. Washington, D.C.

1976-1977 GEORGE N. LEIGHTON Chicago, Illinois

1977-1978 JOSEPH R. JULIN Gainesville, Florida

1978-1979 SAMUEL D. THURMAN Salt Lake City, Utah

1979-1980 LAWRENCE NEWMAN New York, New York

1980-1981 WILLARD L. BOYD Iowa City, Iowa

1981-1982 GORDON D. SCHABER Sacramento, California

1982-1983 TALBOT D’ALEMBERTE Miami, Florida

1983-1984 ROBERT B. McKAY New York, New York

1984-1985 SAMUEL J. ROBERTS Erie, Pennsylvania

1985-1986 ALFRED T. GOODWIN Pasadena, California

1986-1987 FRANK K. WALWER Tulsa, Oklahoma

1987-1988 ROSALIE E. WAHL St. Paul, Minnesota

1988-1989 PHILIP S. ANDERSON Little Rock, Arkansas

1989-1990 NORMAN REDLICH New York, New York

1990-1991 JOSÉ GARCIA-PEDROSA Miami, Florida

1991-1992 HENRY RAMSEY, JR. Washington, D.C.

1992-1993 NINA S. APPEL Chicago, Illinois

1993-1994 ROBERT A. STEIN Minneapolis, Minnesota

1994-1995 JOSEPH W. BELLACOSA Albany, New York

1995-1996 ERICA MOESER Madison, Wisconsin

1996-1997 RUDOLPH C. HASL Jamaica, New York

1997-1998 BEVERLY TARPLEY Abilene, Texas

1998-1999 RANDALL T. SHEPARD Indianapolis, Indiana

1999-2000 ROBERT K. WALSH Winston-Salem, North Carolina

15SYLLABUSSPRING 2000

The Section received a grant from the U.S.Department of State Bureau of Educational andCultural Affairs for the African Law Initiative

Children’s Rights Project. The purpose of this project isto enhance the quality of juvenile justice and to assist inbuilding the human and institutional capacities for pro-tecting children’s rights in four African countries: Kenya,Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi. This project continuesthe Section’s work over more than five years with theOffice of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educationaland Cultural Affairs, now part of the Department of State,formerly USIA.

There is a growing written legal framework in place inmany African countries for protecting children’s rights,and all except Somalia have ratified the U.N. Conventionon the Rights of the Child. With these laws increasinglyin place, the focus now must turn to their implementa-tion. That will be the focus of this project, which comesat a time of peril for many children in Africa due toAIDS, urbanization, and armed conflicts.

In addition to continuing our work with law schools,this project will also include legal aid and human rightsorganizations and the courts. This project will allow us to

continue our support to the Law Development CenterLegal Aid Clinic in Kampala, Uganda. This clinic is inpart a juvenile justice clinic, with students working withyouth being held in pre-trial detention homes.

The Section worked closely with the ABA Center onChildren and the Law to create this project and theCenter will be closely involved in its implementation. Theother partners in this project are the ABA Juvenile JusticeCenter, the Northwestern University School of Law, andthe Loyola University (Chicago) School of Law. n

African Law Initiative Children’s Rights Project

Philip Bondzi-Simpson and Margaret Insaidoo fromthe Ghana School of Law in Accra, Ghana visitedtheir sister school, the North Carolina CentralUniversity School of Law, in October andNovember 1999. The purpose of the visit was todevelop new curriculum in two areas. MargaretInsaidoo focused on ADR in Family Law and PhilipBondzi-Simpson focused on Bankruptcy andInsolvency. They each have now proposed a newcourse for the Ghana School of Law in these areas.Their main host at NCCU, Professor Grady Jessup,

Ghana School of Law - North CarolinaCentral University School of Law sisterschool link

organized a diverse program for them, whichincluded continuing legal education programs withthe NC bar, visits to court, and a wide variety ofclasses at NCCU. Professor Jessup has previouslyvisited Ghana to work on the development of clini-cal legal education at the Ghana School of Law.The NCCU-Ghana School of Law sister school link-age was established at the beginning of the AfricanLaw Initiative in 1994 and has firmly taken root,with a number of exchanges, involving professors,students, and administrators since then. n

There is a growing writtenlegal framework in place inmany African countries forprotecting children’s rights.

SYLLABUSAdvisor to the ConsultantIndiana University550 W. North Street, Suite 349Indianapolis, IN 46202

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Editor’s Note:It is hard to believe that this will

be my last issue of Syllabus.Although I am looking forward tomy new position with the IndianaSupreme Court, I will miss mywork with the ABA. Over the pastfour years, I’ve had the pleasure ofworking with some wonderful peo-ple from the academy, the practicingbar, and the judiciary. Although Idon’t have the time or space tothank everyone who has helped meover the years, I would like to pointout the following people for theirwisdom, leadership, trust, and col-legiality: James P. White, Arthur R.Gaudio, J. Richard Hurt, Peter A.Winograd, Steven R. Smith, EricaMoeser, Rudy Hasl, Beverly Tarpley,Randall T. Shepard, Robert K.Walsh, and Diane C. Yu. Whateversuccess I have in the future will bedue in part to these individuals.Thanks.

Indianapolis Consultant’sstaff the past year:Cathy Schrage, Claudia Fisher, James P. White, MaryBarron, Mary Kronoshek,Rick L. Morgan, Kim Massie, Kurt Snyder,Marilyn Shannon, J. Richard Hurt