In honor of the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s 100th anniversary, the school held a Centennial Symposium on Friday, Sept. 20.
The symposium consisted of a brief lunch, in which students could mingle with faculty, and was followed by a keynote address by speaker Michael McConnell, former presidential professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney College of Law and currently Director of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center.
McConnell discussed how the U law program can continue to grow and gain national attention. He suggested standardization of law schools by following the model of higher ranked schools, which includes enlarging class sizes.  According to the College of Law’s website, the law school is consistently ranked in the top 50 law schools in the country.
Despite this ranking, some feel the school does not get the attention it deserves.
“I think the U doesn’t get enough national attention. All of my professors have gone to Ivy League universities or taught at Ivy League universities and then they come here and I feel like it’s a little under-appreciated. These are brilliant people so it’s cool to see them recognized by their peers as such,” said Sara Parker, a law student.
After McConnell’s address, current faculty from each department of law gave presentations on current projects as well as accomplishments of their fellow faculty members.
Michael Teter, associate professor in public law, spoke about his work, which is centered on congressional gridlock and ways in which Congress can overcome stalemates. Meanwhile, Amos Guiora, professor of law, has been invited to publish a series of books on freedom from religion and religious extremism.
Robin Craig, the William H. Leary Professor of Law, shared some of the broader accomplishments of her eight colleagues, which since the beginning of 2010 included citations in every top 50 law review, except for two. In that time the courts have also cited their work 54 times in high and low courts including state supreme courts, U.S. court of appeals for the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, District of Columbia and federal circuits, as well as U.S. District Courts in a variety of states.
As for future goals, Parker said she would like to see the U’s law program rise in recognition and prominence, and would also like to see the U continue to keep class sizes low.
“That’s what I love most about the U’s law school is that they have so much personal attention,” Parker said.
Leslie Francis, associate dean for Faculty Research and Development and the Alfred C. Emery Professor of Law, had another take.
“I hope we remain as multifaceted, colorful, funny and contributory over the next hundred years,” Francis said.