UC Law SF Alumni Celebrate Stellar Classmates, Enjoy the Campus Transformation, and Raise Funds for Students and Programs
Generations of UC Law SF alumni connected with former classmates and professors in the iconic Beaux-Arts setting of San Francisco City Hall, celebrating the law school that has produced more California bar admittees than any other.
Some 400 alumni returned to UC Law San Francisco in April for the fourth annual Spring Week, reconnecting with classmates and celebrating their alma mater as it transforms its campus into an Academic Village at the cutting edge of legal education.
The festivities included an All-Alumni Party at San Francisco City Hall on Friday evening, where the College and Chancellor and Dean David Faigman honored two outstanding graduates. Kelly Matayoshi ’12, a partner at Farella Braun + Martel, received the Alum of the Year award for her remarkable legal career and deep commitment to mentoring and alumni engagement. She reflected on the impactful careers of her UC Law SF-educated family members in Hawaii, who inspired her.
“I was raised seeing the potential of UC Law SF and experiencing firsthand its benefits,” she said. “I am deeply thankful for my experience here and what it has allowed me to achieve.”
Rachel Proffitt, partner and CEO of Cooley LLP, was honored with the inaugural Chancellor’s Alumni of Distinction Award. Work commitments prevented her from attending in person, but she shared in a LinkedIn post: “My formative years at the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) were pivotal to my professional journey.”
Hosted by the UC Law SF Alumni Association, the April 3–5 Spring Week featured vibrant gatherings, campus tours, an art walk and artist reception, a Jazz Brunch for milestone reunion classes, and a Giants game outing at Oracle Park. A virtual town hall with Faigman offered a glimpse into the College’s forward-looking vision to become an interdisciplinary hub for higher education while continuing to lead the way in preparing legal professionals.
Spring Week also made a lasting impact, raising nearly $75,000 for the annual Day of Giving on April 3 to support vital academic programs, scholarships, student groups, and public-interest fellowships.
“Spring Week was a tremendous success—our alumni came back in full force, and their energy and enthusiasm were incredible to witness,” said Julia Jordan, UC Law SF’s Chief Advancement Officer. “This week is a celebration of our community’s strength and UC Law SF’s standing as a leader in legal education and innovation. From cutting-edge facilities to transformative student support, it’s an exciting time to be part of this institution’s legacy.”
Set to the backdrop of live string music, alumni reunited in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall to celebrate shared memories and learn about UC Law SF’s latest innovations in legal education.
While accepting the 2025 Alum of the Year honor, Kelly Matayoshi ’12 of Farella Braun + Martel reflected on her time as a student competing in national moot court competitions and the strong sense of community that continues to define UC Law SF. “It’s experiences like moot court, the friends I made there, that helped shape me into the lawyer I am today,” she said.
On a tour of UC Law SF’s newest building at 198 McAllister St., alumni experienced firsthand how the College continues to redefine legal education—with immersive courtrooms, collaborative spaces for scholarly publications and innovative programs, and new student housing that fosters an inclusive, interdisciplinary learning environment.
More than 200 alumni joined students, faculty, and staff for a sunny evening at Oracle Park to cheer on the Giants in a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. UC Law SF alumni are renowned for sparking new opportunities for mentorship with current students and strengthened a thriving network of legal professionals devoted to shared growth and impact.
Alumni marking milestone reunions—from the Class of 1955 to 2015—gathered on UC Law SF’s Quad for a special jazz brunch to celebrate their legacy and discover how the College is preparing the next generation of legal leaders to make an impact. The lively sounds of Saint Gabriel’s Celestial Brass Band set the scene.
Chief Advancement Officer Julia Jordan and alum Thomas MacBride ’75 enjoy the Jazz Brunch on the Quad, one of the campus’s many outdoor spaces.
The Jazz Brunch brings alumni back to campus to reminisce and enjoy UC Law SF’s new spaces.
A highlight of Spring Week, the Jazz Brunch brings together multiple generations of UC Law SF alumni.
During the third annual “Ripples” Community Art Event, State Senator Scott Wiener praises UC Law SF for supporting Northern California artists, whose works are displayed on walls across the campus. “This art exhibition is just another example of UC Law San Francisco’s commitment to the community,” he said.
During “Ripples,” San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood commends UC Law SF for uplifting the Tenderloin community through public safety advocacy, collaboration with city officials, and investing in new student housing. “In a city that’s been finding it really difficult to build housing, they’re leading the way in actually getting housing built in San Francisco,” he said.