College of Law Faculty & Staff Show Support for La Verne Law

In November 2014, Dean Gilbert Holmes made a special request of all employees at La Verne Law. He told them he was reaching out to the larger legal community and asking them to support the school, and felt it would make an important statement if the people who were closest to the College of Law were willing to make donations themselves. By the end of the year, the law school had 100% participation in the faculty and staff campaign, with gifts and pledges of all sizes.

Some agreed to make monthly payments of $100 or more to the $7.5 Million Club (so named because when the group reaches 250 members, the money available to La Verne Law will be equivalent to the earnings received from a $7.5 million endowment). Others agreed to bring food for students studying for the bar exam or to play in the Society for Legal Studies and Business golf tournament fundraiser in May. Donations included gifts to the dean’s discretionary fund, the law library, the Center for Academic Support & Bar Readiness (CABR), and several student groups.

“I believe this sends a powerful message to our alumni and others in the external community, to know that the people who work at La Verne Law are so supportive of the school,” said Holmes. “Nobody knows more than the faculty and staff, who are here every day, that we are completely committed to making this the most unique law school in the Nation. I am truly moved that they give so much of their time and their talent, and they are also willing to put their own resources toward making this an even better place.”