Community Cohesion
Ascanio Piomelli
Professor of Law; Former Associate Dean for Experiential Learning
"I will always cherish the ‘Social Justice MVP’ bobblehead of me."
Roles as a community-oriented member of the school
Co-founder, UCH Community Justice Clinics; board member, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing for 3,000 low-income people and families.
Most rewarding aspects of your engagement with the UC Hastings community
Working with students in our clinics, seeing them grow in confidence, zeal and effectiveness, often “out-lawyering” more experienced counsel.
Particularly meaningful honor or award
I will always cherish the “Social Justice MVP” bobblehead of me, in an Oakland A’s uniform, that a cohort of Social Justice concentrators gave me.
Most important way the Hastings community enriches your life
By surrounding me with talented and committed clinical colleagues who are caring teachers, great lawyers and role models, and dear friends. Letting me teach—and learn from—engaged and inspiring students. Allowing me to serve clients and community groups I believe in to create outcomes I feel good about.