"I remember Antioch Law fondly as an emotional and educational roller-coaster that I was proud to ride in 1979-82. It's hard to imagine how commitment to following such a rough "road less traveled" can thrive in 2002 — but the more I hear about UDC–DCSL, the more I believe it. The path has taken turns, but it's the same path as before — you can trace it! Furthermore, that bumpy road is becoming a lot more livable and appealing, and the distant goals it aims for seem closer, now that its blind curves and rough surfaces are getting more attention. I'm excited about helping the institution live up to the inspiration." – Andy von Salis, ‘82, New York, NY

"I fully support the UDC– DCSL as an alumnus of Antioch School of Law. The clinical education provided by ASL was unparalleled 20 years ago. The torch has now been passed to another entity – and the school is moving forward in a way that is truly exciting. I refer to UDC– DCSL as the Phoenix Law School – it has risen from the ashes and refuses to die. I still remember fondly the work that I had the privilege to do while I was a student. I have worked primarily in the public service area since graduation, and have carried with me the experience I acquired at ASL. Where else can you have the opportunity to do such good work? Not very many places. Many of us have had to choose between doing what we most wanted to do and practical considerations such as health insurance and planning for retirement; for me, that means working in the public sector and attempting to make changes wherever I might be, however small. And my colleagues here in the lone star state are amazed when I tell them the kinds of work performed and the level of responsibility shouldered by law students at ASL, and now at UDC–DCSL. Nothing of the kind is available here. And for those willing to venture outside the beltway for employment, ASL grads have made an impact here (all 6 of us?): those who have previously hired an ASL grad jump at the chance to interview and hire other ASL grads. Assuming that the same type of clinical education is provided -- and demanded -- of students at UDC–DCSL, there are many doors open to graduates who have already proven their legal capabilities prior to graduation. (As one employer put it, he loved ASL grads because they were self-starters and didn't require babysitting, and brought fresh ideas and a different perspective to problem-solving.) – Sally Jo Hahn, ‘82, Policy Development Division, Public Utility Commission of Texas

"At ASL we learned by doing, and I'm glad UDC is keeping up that tradition and the tradition of encouraging legal services for social justice." – Kathy Peterson Scott, '82, River Falls, WI

"We are family, DCSL and Antioch alums. Maybe because we were at the tail end of the battle, many of my alums feel a special loyalty to Antioch but it’s gone and we have to move on! Other alums are right, it’s the training and values we got that matter. Keep the emails coming; I look forward to them." – Bayinnah Tariq,’83, Washington, DC

"I support UDC-Clarke School of Law because I firmly believe they are attempting to carry on the Antioch tradition and purpose. There will always be a need for attorneys to represent those who do not have the resources to hire a "private" attorney. Public interest law has been devastated by the cutting and cutting of Legal Aid budgets and this will continue as long as those in power devalue people in need. Without a school like DCSL and the other schools inspired by the Antioch model, a whole segment of our society would be further devalued and dehumanized. We can not allow our "loyalty" to Antioch destroy the very model that we say we are loyal to." – Stuart L. May, ‘84, Senior Vice President, Wachovia Securities, Charleston, WV

"I for one deeply appreciate UDC's efforts to provide us with a forum and opportunity to remain in touch. I applaud the efforts of the staff to keep the dream alive of providing avenues of justice available to all regardless of race, creed, religious or sexual orientation and last, but not least, wealth. I will never forget what an arrogant client from Princeton, N.J., once told me when I questioned the ethics and merits of a defense she wanted me to advocate. "Justice is for the RICH!" Believing herself to be "rich," she truly believed the system was there for her use against others. The fight to prevent injustice is our heritage. We all had our individual trials and tribulations at Antioch. Regardless, I believe most of us at Antioch were there because we believed that true justice should never be blind! Diversity is our strength and that diversity must be encouraged, nurtured, and protected by the Judiciary. Without this independent check and balance, can there ever be a true democracy? I think not. We are all patriots of a common thread. Thank you, UDC, for agreeing to be the keeper of the cloth." – Ed Pagan, Jr., ‘84, Flemington, NJ

"Although I am not an alumna of UDC–DCSL, I consider myself a Friend of UDC–DCSL simply because they are like the "Sister School" to the former ASL. ... I will support UDC– DCSL because it continues to operate under the same philosophy as ASL; employs many of the same faculty and staff; attracts that same type of dedicated student; and still fills a legal assistance gap in our community! Even more so, UDC–DCSL is tying us (ASL alums) into their loop of information, connections, and job leads whereas our law school – ASL – cannot, since it no longer exists! How can we NOT support UDC–DCSL?" – Doreen Cook Hope, ‘84, Washington, DC

"I feel fortunate to have had the clinical learning experiences and supervisory attorney relationships that were available to me at Antioch School of Law. I also attended two other law schools in my quest to become an attorney, so I know the difference between the (warm) ‘Antioch clinical method’ of teaching and the cold, detached, uncaring, and competitive nature of the purely Socratic method at other law schools. We learned and fostered teamwork at Antioch, and it has been advantageous to transfer those team-building skills to many facets of my life, but especially in my own law practice, as an entrepreneur, and in business and government. In sum, because of Antioch, I realized my major career goal and was motivated to serve several organizations, in various capacities – but mostly, in the public interest.

"Let UDC bear the torch. Society still needs catalytic attorneys who will create synergy in the public interest!" – Stephanie B. Ferguson, ‘85, Washington, DC

"I was an activist before law school and have done legal services housing work in Brooklyn and now Manhattan since graduation. I went to ASL because of its focus on public interest and poverty law, its clinical orientation, and its race, background, and age diversity. I remain particularly proud of my association with a law school that intentionally recruited people from groups underrepresented in the legal profession. I support the now-UDC David A. Clarke School of Law because it is identical to ASL in its commitment to these ideals. It is the same law school in spirit, even if operated under a different name!

Considering the conservative trend since the 1980s, it is amazing and wonderful that a school like this has survived, swimming directly against the tide of privatization, through repeated attacks by right-wing members of Congress, the Washington Post, and others, and miraculously riding out the District's recent deep financial crisis. Its survival and continued development under such circumstances is a testament to the excellence and importance of the ideals and practicality it represents. It is also a testament to the dedication and competence of the people – many from the staff and alumni of ASL – who have kept the dream alive.

I urge my fellow Antioch School of Law graduates to recognize their connection to UDC, to read the e-mails, to attend reunions, to volunteer as mentors, and to make donations. With our help, the law school will gain its full accreditation and, ultimately, prove the validity of the model of legal education that ASL pioneered, inspiring more and more law schools to ground their future attorneys in how the legal system serves and often fails poor people – through required clinical service." – Paul Peloquin, ‘85, Brooklyn, NY

"I was recently reminded, in the context of the Middle East, of one of my favorite quotations from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 'True peace is not the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.' I was extremely pleased to see Antioch, like a phoenix, arising from the ashes, as it were, as UDC-David A. Clarke School of Law. For many years, Antioch stood to represent those who could not afford private attorneys, thereby at least attempting to ensure that justice was not the sole commodity of the wealthy. The fact is that UDC–DCSL is really providing a public service to all strata of society because people who believe they cannot have their rights respected through the legal process will go outside the process to enforce them. The system will only survive as long as there is a perception of equality under the law. Take away places like UDC– DCSL and that perception becomes diminished. 'Those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.' John F. Kennedy – 1962." – Joshua Kricker, ‘85, NC

"I recently began to receive your emails. I am happy to read them and to be part of the ASL/UDC community. I went to Antioch to be trained as a public interest lawyer. I have worked as a family law lawyer in legal services for my entire legal career. I totally support what UDC/DSL is doing in carrying out the Antioch tradition and training public interest lawyers." – Abbe Hershberg, ’86, Greater Boston Legal Services

"As an Antioch Grad I am pleased to continually meet others who are from either ASL or UDC. In the District of Columbia, where I have practiced family law for over 10 years, I have met judges, defense lawyers, and even prosecutors who have graduated from ASL/UDC. We still are doing public interest work, caring for people, not just issues or money. Currently, as an Assistant General Counsel at Child and Family Services Agency, the staff attorney and law clerk who work with me are ASL/ UDC graduates. When I was an Assistant Corporation Counsel for Abuse and Neglect, and when I was part of the defense bar, there were ASL graduates who I could rely on for assistance. When I was a public defender in Chicago, one other PD was an ASL graduate. ASL/UDC continues to produce attorneys willing to serve the public. That tradition needs to continue." – Paul Kratchman, ‘86, Chevy Chase, MD

"I want to be a part of ASL-UDC, as an alum, to help keep a public interest law school alive! I don’t go to many events (I am rarely in DC), but it feels good to be a part of the bigger picture, where maybe Antioch’s philosophy and values are still growing. Plus, I kind of like your emails." – Merritt Becker, ‘87, Charlottesville, VA

"Well, it’s just that I am/was partial to Antioch of yore and had some reservations about the early days preceding current status. However, I am continually impressed by the work that you are doing and the services provided, which were essentially nonexistent when we graduated! I think you are doing a great job turning out public interest lawyers that can, we hope, stay in the field long term . . .unlike some of us who have had to defect to less noble income-producing positions! Kudos to you all!" – Kerry Loring, ‘88, Hyattsville, MD