Accomplished Civic and Community Leaders Join Law School Council
California Western School of Law's Council of Visitors welcomes new members from across U.S.

Three of the newest members of the Council of Visitors (left to right) Lt. Gen. Scott C. Black ’80 (Ret.), Brig. Gen. Kevin M. Sandkuhler, ’81 (Ret.), and Vice Adm. Bruce MacDonald ’87 (Ret.), as featured in Res Ipsa, the magazine of California Western School of Law

"We are honored to welcome these outstanding professionals and civic leaders from around the country to the Council of Visitors," says Dean Steven R. Smith. "Their many achievements allow California Western to maintain a panoramic view of legal education and the practice of law."

Newest Members of the Council of Visitors
The five new members of the Council of Visitors come from a variety of professional backgrounds and bring a wide variety of knowledge and experience.

Robert J. Bell is partner at Luce Forward in San Diego. Bell's practice focuses on real estate development and workouts in commercial, industrial, office, and residential projects. In 2010, he was named a Best Lawyer in America by Best Lawyers, a Super Lawyer in Corporate Counsel by Super Lawyers, and Top 25 Lawyer by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine. 

Lt. Gen. Scott C. Black '80 (Ret.) brings to the Council of Visitors his experience as the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Army's top legal position in October of last year, Black joined BAE Systems, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-area firm that provides systems engineering and technical assistance services.  As vice president for Army and Joint Programs, he oversees governance and rule of law programs.

Vice Adm. Bruce MacDonald '87 (Ret.) shares the expertise of a 23-year naval career, culminating with an appointment to Navy Judge Advocate General from 2006-2009. In March of this year, President Obama appointed MacDonald to the position of convening authority of military commissions, where the retired three-star admiral oversees the military's war court.  As a student at California Western, he was a member of the school's national championship trial team.

Brig. Gen. Kevin M. Sandkuhler, '81 (Ret.) served as U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General, beginning his term just weeks before Sept. 11, 2001. He received national and international attention in 2003 for his memo expressing concerns about tough U.S. interrogation methods used with suspected terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. The decorated Marine earned the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, and the Joint Achievement Medal. While at California Western, Sandkuhler served on the editorial board of the International Law Journal. He currently serves as president and CEO of Pinkerton Government Services.

Hon. Lawrence F. Winthrop '77 brings to the Council of Visitors his experience as a judge for the Arizona Court of Appeals. Winthrop is a founding fellow of the Arizona Bar Foundation and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. As a student, he served as editor-in-chief of California Western Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. 

New Members Join Distinguished Leaders
The five newest members of the Council of Visitors join a list of distinguished leaders from across the country who bring a multitude of experiences that add depth and dimension to the law school's understanding of current issues affecting legal education and the practice of law. 

Other notable members of the Council of Visitors include:

• Stephen Weber of San Diego, President of San Diego State University 
• Brian Maienschein '94 of San Diego, Commissioner of Plan to End Chronic Homelessness at United Way of San Diego and former San Diego City Councilmember
• Hannah Arterian of Syracuse, N.Y., Dean of Syracuse University College of Law
• Edward T. Brady '78, of Fayetteville, N.C., Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina
• E. Donald Shapiro of Scottsdale, Ariz., Professor Emeritus of New York Law School and pioneer of health law studies
• Stephen Weber of San Diego, President of San Diego State University 

About the Council of Visitors
The Council of Visitors, a non-governing volunteer body, provides expert advice and legal counsel to the dean, faculty, and administrators at California Western. Members' insight into topical concerns related to legal education and the law school community help direct the school's engagement in an array of programs and activities. 

"Our students benefit from having a diverse Council of Visitors that advises the law school on policy and programs," says Smith. "The result is an innovative curriculum that utilizes real-world programs and institutes to provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to build rewarding careers."