Page 18 - Briefcase Volume 36 Number 2

FACULTY RETIREES

SUSAN RACHLIN

Susan Rachlin joined the University of Houston Law
Center faculty in 2000 as a clinical assistant professor.
Rachlin previously worked as a health law associate with
Norton Rose Fulbright for four years where she represented
health care clients in a variety of transactional matters. While
in law school, she won the award for Best Brief in the John
Black Moot Court Competition.
Rachlin, a 1981 alumna of the Law Center, established
the Legal Writing Center in 2001 and served as its program
manager until her retirement in the summer of 2017. She
taught objective and persuasive writing, drafting, research
and citation.
Rachlin believes in the importance of practical training and
played a role in preparing countless students for their future
legal careers.
“It’s what the students need to know to get a job and keep
a job,” Rachlin said. “When they get a clerkship, they’re
judged on their research and writing skill. A firm’s primary
expectation of its new associates is that they can think and
write clearly.
“I have sincerely treasured all the times former students
have contacted me to tell me how well prepared they felt for
their jobs. When they get compliments on their writing and
share them with me, it always warms my heart.”
Since her retirement in August 2017, Rachlin has been on
eight trips.
“I’d always wanted to see the tulips in the Netherlands and
had never been able to travel in the spring,” Rachlin said. “I
checked it off my bucket list in April.”
Rachlin enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and
looks forward to collecting new stamps on her passport. ■

18 UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER