A tribute to Professor Chisolm.

• Author: Van Grol, Daniel
• Position: Former Case Western Reserve University School of Law professor Laura Chisolm - Testimonial

I am fortunate to count myself among the lucky one-third of Case Western Reserve University School of Law's 2009 graduating class that had the distinction of taking Property with Professor Chisolm.

As someone who needed extra attention in the subject, she always made time to meet after class, in her office (if you could find a place to sit), in the hall, in line at Schticks (the law school's in-house restaurant), or wherever. She always welcomed questions and debate on issues, although it is hard to call any conversation I had with Professor Chisholm much of a debate, as she was always right. Her dedication to her students was admirable to me then, and, as I look back to everything else that was going on in her life in the Spring of 2007, it is downright remarkable.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to get to know Professor Chisolm in a different capacity when she selected me as a Fellow for the Center for Social Justice in the summer after my graduation. Under Professor Chisolm's leadership as Director, the Center has helped fund dozens of unpaid summer public interest internships, allowing law students to volunteer and experience opportunities that they may not have had the financial capability to do otherwise. To say that through these magnificent students, Professor Chisolm's influence has traversed continents and oceans is no exaggeration. For example, one recipient spent the summer in Nairobi, Kenya working on child sexual assault, illegal detention, and police brutality issues, while another worked at the Appalachian Citizens Law Center in Whitesburg, Kentucky helping to resolve issues raised by coal miners that ranged from black-lung benefit claims to retaliation claims for reporting unsafe mining conditions. Several others were given the opportunity to work for various Public Defenders Offices and Legal Aid...