A Tribute to Prof. Don Polden (1948-2024)
I’m saddened by the death of my colleague, friend, and former supervisor, Prof. Donald (Don) Polden. Don was the dean that hired me as a tenure-track faculty at Santa Clara Law in 2006. I had been an adjunct instructor at…
My Daughter’s (Unexpected) College Choice
I’m excited to announce that my daughter will attend University of Oregon Class of 2028, where she is a Stamps Scholar and will participate in the university’s Clark Honors College. She has not selected a major yet, but it will…
In Memoriam: Prof. Dan Burk
I’m devastated to report that UC Irvine Law School professor Dan Burk has died. 💔 His death comes just days before an already-scheduled event to celebrate his life, which will now become an emotionally wrenching memorial. Dan was a brilliant…
I’ve Finished Work on My Mom and Stepdad’s Estates
We’re nearing the 9 year anniversary of my mom’s death. As regular readers know, her death in 2015 threw my life into chaos because she had a complicated estate to resolve: 15 real estate properties, her publishing business, my stepdad…
A Tribute to My Departing Colleague, Prof. Colleen Chien
My colleague, Prof. Colleen Chien, is leaving Santa Clara Law and moving to UC Berkeley Law. This is great news for her, and congratulations to Berkeley Law on a terrific hire. Personally, I’m happy for Colleen but sad for myself….
Obituary for Grant Burrows, Santa Barbara High School Class of 1986
In Spring 1984, three candidates ran for Santa Barbara High School’s ASB Vice President position for AY 1984-85, which had primary responsibility for running the student legislature. Rising junior Danielle largely represented the “popular” kids. Rising junior Grant Burrows, a…
The Legacies of My Mom, Dr. Gail Schlachter Hauser (1943-2015)
Today would have been my mom Gail Schlachter’s 80th birthday. To commemorate the occasion, this post recap some of her ongoing legacies. Undoubtedly, mom would have said that her most important legacies are her children (Sandy and me) and four…
Why I’m Teaching Internet Law Online This Fall
[Santa Clara University gave me the option to teach online this semester instead of in the physical classroom, as I had been initially scheduled to do. I sent this note to the enrolled and waitlisted students explaining why I chose…
My Sister’s Eulogy for Our Stepfather, Stuart M. Hauser (1928-2020)
[Intro: as I blogged last week, my stepfather Stuart Hauser died at age 92. On Thursday night, we held a virtual shiva service for him. My sister, Sandy Hirsh, made these remarks at the service:] One week ago today, my…
My Stepfather, Stuart Hauser (1928-2020), Has Died
My stepfather Stuart Hauser died yesterday at the age of 92. His body and mind steadily declined over the past decade and finally gave out. We miss him, but in this post, I want to celebrate his life. Stuart’s childhood…