Environmental law expert Jim Chen, a 1991 graduate of 扒哥黑料 School of Law, will be its 2021 graduation ceremony speaker. This year鈥檚 commencement will take place in-person from 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, two weeks before the University鈥檚 convocation.
鈥淛im Chen has had an extraordinary and inspiring career,鈥 said Co-Dean Jessica Berg.
Chen started at the Environmental Protection Agency, moved to Hogan & Hartson LLP and Crowell & Moring LLP and served as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Tesla Motors. He is now Vice President for Public Policy at Rivian Automotive鈥攖he manufacturer of the world鈥檚 first electric adventure vehicles (electric pick-up trucks that perform like sports cars). This past year, he also served as a member of the law school鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Cabinet for Diversity and Inclusion.
鈥淎s the law school builds its new $10 million endowed Burke Center for Environmental Law, Jim鈥檚 expertise and impact in this area during his thirty years of law practice in the government, law firms, and industry make him an especially relevant commencement speaker,鈥 added Co-Dean Michael Scharf.
The school featured Chen in its 2019 In Brief alumni magazine. In that article, he spoke about his desire to return to the law school to speak to students about his career journey. Now, he will have that opportunity.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 the great thing. Everything in law school鈥攖he training I received, the degree, the connections鈥攖hat鈥檚 what opened the doors for me to have the career that I have,鈥 Chen said.
The law school鈥檚 graduation ceremony starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. It will be held outside, rain or shine, at Freiberger Field, in front of the Tinkham Veale University Center. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the university cannot accommodate guests at this year鈥檚 event, but it will be streamed live at case.edu/livestream/s1.