University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law has awarded four new endowed chairs and professorships since 2023, recognizing distinguished faculty whose work advances the law school’s mission of preparing lawyers for success in California, across the United States and around the world.

Endowed chairs and professorships provide vital support for faculty research and program growth, strengthen McGeorge School of Law’s highly regarded centers and academic offerings, and honor the generosity of alumni and donors whose vision shapes the future of legal education.

These recent appointments highlight McGeorge’s nationally and internationally renowned professors who educate the next generation of lawyers, judges, advocates and leaders.

Stephen C. McCaffrey Endowed Professorship

The Stephen C. McCaffrey Endowed Professorship was established in 2024, in honor of Professor McCaffrey’s pioneering legacy as a world leader in international water law. Funded through a successful $500,000 campaign and matched by the University’s Powell Fund, this new professorship strengthens McGeorge’s position at the forefront of water and environmental law education.

Professor Rachael Salcido, a nationally respected scholar and founder of McGeorge’s Water and Environmental Law Concentration, will be the first to hold this distinguished position in 2025. An accomplished author and frequent speaker on complex environmental and natural resources issues, Salcido’s leadership and scholarship will advance McCaffrey’s vision for innovative solutions in sustainable resource management and environmental justice worldwide.

“I am honored and excited to be named the first Stephen C. McCaffrey Endowed Professor. I have known Steve my entire academic career. I have great admiration for his contributions to international human rights and the environment. I also know what a wonderful person he is, which makes the title even more special to me,” Salcido said.

Robert Eglet Evidence Law Endowed Chair

The Robert Eglet Evidence Law Endowed Chair was established in 2024 to honor McGeorge alumnus Robert Eglet ‘88, a nationally acclaimed trial lawyer whose generosity supports McGeorge’s leadership in evidence law and trial advocacy. This prestigious chair fosters research, teaching and advocacy on complex evidence issues, reinforcing the school’s top-ranked trial advocacy programs.

Professor Andrew Jurs, named the inaugural chairholder in 2024, is a specialist in expert evidence and criminal law, known for his empirical research and practical courtroom insights. His scholarship includes a widely used textbook on expert witnesses and numerous influential articles that shape evidence law. Jurs’ role as chair strengthens McGeorge’s mission to prepare students for success in trial practice, combining rigorous academic inquiry with real-world application.

“The generous support of Robert and Tracy Eglet to provide for education for future practicing lawyers is central to what drew me to McGeorge, because I want to champion their mission of ensuring both rigorous and practical training to make our graduates stand out on the job market, transition seamlessly into the profession, and succeed as trial lawyers over the long term,” Jurs said.

Carol Olson Endowed Professorship in International Law

The Carol Olson Endowed Professorship in International Law was established by Steve Ellyson in honor of his late wife, Carol Olson ‘83, an alumna and faculty member known for her dedication to international human rights law. The professorship supports a nationally recognized teacher-scholar who advances understanding of international human rights, organizations, criminal law and comparative law.

In 2024, McGeorge appointed Professor Omar Dajani to this distinguished position. Dajani, co-director of McGeorge’s Global Center for Business and Development, is a leading expert on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with extensive experience advising on peace negotiations and governance reforms. Through this role, he continues to produce influential scholarship and organize conferences that strengthen dialogue on enforcing and interpreting international human rights treaties and related topics.

“At a time when the very idea of international law is facing more flagrant challenges than we’ve seen in 80 years, the Carol Olson Professorship is a testament of faith in the power of rules and institutions — and education about them — to bring order and fairness to our world,” Dajani said.

Tracy A. Eglet Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution

The Tracy A. Eglet Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution was established through the historic Eglet gift to McGeorge to support teaching, scholarship and programs that advance ADR. The chair host conferences, speakers and events that promote the study and practice of mediation, negotiation and conflict management.

Dean Michael T. Colatrella Jr., a respected scholar and leader in alternative dispute resolution, was appointed as Chair in 2023. He is co-author of the widely used text Mediation—Skills & Techniques and has developed training for the California Judiciary. Through this role, Colatrella continues to expand opportunities for students and legal professionals to engage deeply with Alternative Dispute Resolution at McGeorge.

“It is a great privilege to serve as the Inaugural Tracy Eglet Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution, which has enabled the law school to promote this important area of study at national level through conferences, teaching and scholarship. It is especially meaningful, too, because it is one of only a few ADR Chairs in the country. We are all grateful to Tracy and Robert Eglet for their incredible generosity,” Colatrella said.