California Western Faculty Highlights – May 2025
SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2025) - Faculty at California Western School of Law (CWSL) are continuing to produce groundbreaking work and present it across the country and around the globe.
Here are some highlights of the faculty’s activities from the month of May:
President and Dean Sean M. Scott, along with Professors Susan Bisom-Rapp, Kenneth Klein, and Dana Sisitsky, joined attorneys from across San Diego at the Carter Keep U.S. Courthouse for a Renewing Oath Ceremony as a National Law Day of Action special event, hosted by the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA) and the Federal Bar Association – San Diego Chapter.
Chief Justice Roger Traynor Professor of Law William Aceves
Professor William Aceves was a guest speaker for the LAist’s AirTalk ,“SoCal History: when Los Angeles gangs declared a truce” as an expert on the Watts Truce.
Associate Professor of Law Emily Behzadi Cárdenas
Professor Emily Behzadi Cárdenas served as a featured speaker for “Preserving cultural heritage in times of war” at the Berkeley Art, Law, and Finance Symposium 2025 on May 8, 2025.
Professor Behzadi Cárdenas presented “Protection of Intangible Heritage for Displaced Communities During Armed Conflict”, at the 2025 Intersessional Meeting of the International Law Association Committee on Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict in Seoul, South Korea on May 29, 2025.
Dean Steven R. Smith Professor of Law Susan Bisom-Rapp
Professor Susan Bisom-Rapp was quoted in an article published by Bloomberg Law's Daily Labor Report on May 20. The article, "States Caught in Crosshairs of Biden-Era Worker Inspection Suit," discusses efforts by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Chamber of Commerce to eliminate a Biden-era Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Rule called the "Walk-Around Rule." Professor Bisom-Rapp opined that "This is an easy rule for [the Trump administration] to rescind."
Professor Bisom-Rapp attended the American Law Institute's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on May 19. That day, the ALI session centered on Miscellaneous Provisions that might be adopted as part of the Restatement Third of Torts. Professor Bisom-Rapp was pleased to participate and be able to vote in favor of a provision, which aims to protect victims who are vulnerable due to "age, mental capacity, disability, incarceration, detention, confinement, medical need, or other similar circumstances."
Professor James Cooper is quoted in Newsweek’s “Mexican Sewage Is Flowing Into U.S.” on the long-standing issue of untreated sewage from the Tijuana River impacting San Diego beaches.
Professor Cooper is quoted in TechTarget’s “Nvida, AMD, others tout AI partnerships with Saudi Arabia.”
Professor Cooper is quoted in Newsweek’s “California Mayor Issues Warning Over Mexican Sewage Flooding Beaches” to outline the far-reaching impact the sewage has on the environment in Southern California.
Professor Cooper served as a panelist for “Global AI Legislation: Shaping the Future of Innovation and Compliance” at ITechLaw World Technology Law Conference in San Diego on May 15, 2025.
Professor of Law Pooja Dadhania
Professor Pooja Dadhania published “More than Miscommunication: Rethinking Interpretation at the Asylum Office,” in the Journal on Migration and Human Security (2025) (with Hillary Mellinger).
Louis and Hermione Brown Professor of Law Kenneth (Ken) Klein
Professor Klein’s research from “Truth and Consequences: Climate Change, Homeownership, and Underinsurance,” Lewis and Clark Law Review (forthcoming, 2025) is quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle’s “‘I think that’s simply fraud’: California hearing probes solutions to underinsurance after Chronicle investigation”, following a hearing Professor Klein spoke during on May 28, 2025.
Professor of Law Lisa Shaw Roy
Professor Lisa Shaw Roy spoke at the 2025 Southern District of California Judicial Conference. The conference theme was, “Upholding Justice: Innovation, Integrity and the Public Eye,” and it convened federal judges, attorneys and legal professionals from across the Southern District of California. Professor Roy spoke on a panel entitled, “Public Perception of Judicial Neutrality in Polarized Times.”
Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Law Erin Sheley
Professor Erin Sheley’s chapter, “Criminality” will be published in the Cambridge History of Women and British Romanticism (forthcoming, Cambridge University Press, 2026).
Professor Sheley will be presenting her book chapter, “Criminality”, at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Law, Culture, and Humanities at Georgetown University Law Center in June.
ProFlowers Professor of Internet Studies Professor of Law Brenda Simon
Professor Brenda Simon presented “Bespoke Regulation of Artificial Intelligence,” at PatCon: Annual Patent Law Conference, hosted by the University of San Diego School of Law.
Professor Simon presented “Bespoke Regulation of Artificial Intelligence,” at the Biolaw Conference hosted by Stanford Law School on May 16, 2025.
Professor of Law Kristen van de Biezenbos
Professor Kristen van de Biezenbos’s article, “Climate Proof Electricity”, 2025 Utah Law Review 49 (2025), will be reprinted in 62 Foundation Journal for Natural Resources & Energy Law 1 (forthcoming 2025).
Professor van de Biezenbos served as moderator for the “Panel on Indigenous-Lead Infrastructure” at the 4th Annual Electricity Camp in the Rockies, May 21, 2025, in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Professor van de Biezenbos will participate in the Penn-Berkeley Energy Law Scholars Workshop in Berkeley, CA, in July 2025.
Professor van de Biezenbos will participate in the Environmental Law Collaborative in Briarcliff Manor, NY in July 2025.
About California Western School of Law
For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.