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UHLC HONORS PROFESSORSHIP DONORS AT PLAQUE betterment of our systems of forensic science and our legal system,”
UNVEILING CEREMONY Thompson added.
Alumni and friends of the University The opening speaker was Casarez, chair of the board of directors at the
of Houston Law Center who have Houston Forensic Science Center, which is Houston’s independent forensic
helped fund a number of named laboratory. She discussed the progress the center has made, including its
professorships were recognized with efforts to battle wrongful convictions.
donor plaques at a presentation at the The second topic focused on the role of prosecutors in uncovering wrongful
Law Center. The new plaques can be convictions. The speaker was Inger Chandler, the former chief of the
found in the breezeway between the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Professorship Donors’ Wall Blakely Advocacy Institute and the The third topic, “Investigating Past Convictions to Redress Wrongful
Dean’s Suite. Convictions Due to Unreliable Forensic Evidence,” was led by Robert
“I recognize how important it is to show gratitude for those who have made Wicoff, chief of the Appellate Division of the Harris County Public
a significant difference in the life of the Law Center,” Dean Leonard M. Defender’s Office.”
Baynes said in his welcoming remarks. “A number of alumni and friends of
UHLC provided funding for six named professorships. These professorships Lastly, the Honorable Judge Barbara Hervey addressed the role of the Texas
are crucial for the Law Center to recruit and retain our very talented faculty. Criminal Justice Integrity Unit in providing leadership on statewide efforts
The faculty are the life blood of the institution by teaching our students how to correct wrongful convictions caused by unreliable forensic evidence,
to be lawyers. as well as in providing educational programs. Hervey serves on the Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals.
“The Law Center is forever grateful for the generosity of these donors who
have invested in our faculty so they can continue to be excellent teachers and The visit was sponsored by the Kazakh Ministry of Justice and the
scholars. These professorships are really important to our faculty. It gives World Bank.
them an honorary named professorship that lets people know that they are
held in very high esteem in the profession.” ASTROS GENERAL COUNSEL TOUTS ECONOMIC
Honored contributors of the following professorships are: BENEFITS OF WORLD SERIES WIN DURING UHLC PANEL
Andrews Kurth LLP (Professor Craig Joyce), Mike & Teresa Baker (Professor The positive effects of Houston
ending its championship drought
Emeritus Jordan Paust), Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P. (Professor Doug in professional sports, among other
Moll), Houston Intellectual Property Law Association (Associate Dean sports-related topics, were discussed
and Professor Greg Vetter), Law Center Alumnae & Friends — (Professor at a program titled, “Life After the
Barbara Evans and Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson), and Leonard B. World Series: Impacts on Houston
Rosenberg Family & Friends — (Professor Darren Bush) and the Greater Community” at the
Baynes noted that the Houston Intellectual Property Law Association University of Houston Law Center.
Professorship will eventually be renamed to honor Professor Paul Janicke, “One of the great things about the
who once held the professorship. Law Center and the University
of Houston is we can bring great
CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS speakers in to discuss topical issues,”
ADVANCEMENTS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE TO Dean Leonard M. Baynes said in his
KAZAKHSTANI DELEGATION AT UHLC welcoming remarks. “For many of us,
Developments in criminal law were the focal point for the U.S.-Kazakhstan this year has been a year of ups and
Roundtable Discussion on Texas Innovations in Forensic Sciences at the downs. We had Hurricane Harvey,
University of Houston Law Center. which was a very difficult situation.
Opening remarks were delivered by Associate Dean Greg Vetter and Then we had the Astros winning a
world championship which made
Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson, director of the Criminal Justice everyone excited and put Houston on
Institute. the map.”
“We in Houston as a city and at the Law Center are very, very proud of what The program began with a panel that
Houston has done with forensic science,” Vetter said. “We’re particularly included Mark Arnold, a partner at
proud of Professor Thompson’s role in transforming and improving Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, Law
forensic science in Houston and also our visiting Professor (Nicole) Center Professor Tony Chase, and
Casarez’s role as well.” Giles Kibbe, general counsel of the
“We hope the discussion fostered an exciting dialogue for the mutual World Series trophy Houston Astros.
34 Briefcase 2018