Registration is open!

Register by Oct. 1 to enjoy an early registration discount

Dear Classmates,

Registration is now open for our 50th reunion. Register by October 1st to take advantage of the early registration price of $65.00 for the Saturday night Half-Century Dinner at the Ritz Carlton. We are anticipating the largest turnout for a BC Law 50th reunion in a number of years! Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate our BC Law degree and our last 50 years.

The Reunion Brochure, including a complete event schedule and registration materials, will be coming soon to your mailbox this week. If you have any questions, email us at 50thlawreunion@bc.edu.

We hope you enjoy this class newsletter including:

A look back on Berney's Raiders and profiles of two classmates who were part of this pioneering civil rights advocacy program, as well as an update on its inspirational leader.
Reunion Weekend highlights and the latest Hope-to-Go list.
Our reunion class gift and how you can be part of it.

We look forward to celebrating our momentous anniversary with you on Nov. 2 and 3.

Your Class Committee

Hon. Jack Connor, Jeffrey Somers, Jim Champy, Martin Michaelson, Ned Holland, and Sam Spencer

We were in law school at a time of much social and political change. The civil rights movement and drive to protect the due process rights of the poor and disadvantaged led to much activism on school campuses.

Schools across the nation were asked to send volunteers to our country's hot spots to advocate for civil rights laws. In response, Professor Arthur Berney proposed that BC Law establish its own civil rights organization. The students who participated in this seminal group became known as Berney’s Raiders.

Their mission was to assist legal groups involved in civil rights litigation anywhere in the country on any matter that needed their help. Fifteen students participated in its inaugural year, including several from our class. The students fanned out across the country during the summer of 1966, aiding in all different types of civil rights work, whether fighting to protect train service to an all-black community or advocating for Native Americans in front of tribal courts. (Click here to read a June 1967 story that appeared in our law school newspaper chronicling many of the assignments Berney's Raiders undertook that summer to fight for those with a lesser voice.)

Classmates Ned Holland and Jon Schneider look back on their roles as two of Berney's Raiders. Read Ned and Jon's reflections of their respective experiences during the summer of 1966 and how those experiences shaped their careers and lives. Both look forward to seeing all of you at our 50th reunion.

Professor Update

Arthur Berney

Professor Berney began teaching at BC Law in the fall of 1964, two years before we matriculated there. (See the law school newspaper article, "New Faces on the Faculty," about Professor Berney and Professor Houghteling joining the BC Law faculty in 1964). He went on to be one of the school's most revered professors. He taught courses in constitutional, communications and national security law before retiring from active teaching duties in 2001. Among his many accomplishments, he served on the Steering Committee of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Obviously, his passion to pursue equality for all never waned.

Professor Berney is now 88 years old and lives with his son in the Boston area. Unfortunately, his health precludes him from joining us at our reunion. However, he remembers his Raiders and all his students with great fondness, and he wishes us a very happy reunion.

Our latest Hope-to-Go list

Nearly 25 class members are hoping to attend our reunion!

If your name is on our Hope-to-Go list, it's time to register!
If you want to add your name to our Hope-to-Go list, register today.

HURRY! THE EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ENDS OCTOBER 1.

REUNION WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, November 2
BC Law School
Newton

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Legal Assistance Bureau (LAB), share your clinical experiences, and learn about the law school's robust clinical offerings from alumni, faculty, and students; join in a fascinating panel discussion led by Professor Daniel Kanstroom about the collateral consequences of criminal convictions; attend the alumni assembly featuring a discussion with the former Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and Professor Bob Bloom about today's most pressing law enforcement issues; and relive Bar Review with old friends and professors and enjoy the added treat of a delectable New England fare buffet.

Saturday, November 3
The Ritz Carlton
Boston

Tour the historic Boston Public Library and learn about its architecture and art treasures; enjoy an informative afternoon panel discussion with Professor Mark Brodin and alumni judges about their path to the judiciary and current challenges facing the courts; and don't miss the chance to celebrate with classmates at our main event, the Saturday night Half-Century Dinner.

Become a Dean's Council donor and attend an intimate pre-dinner Dean's Council reception with Dean Vincent Rougeau.

View the complete Reunion Brochure for Reunion Weekend details.

See you in November!

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