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Alumni Accomplishments
Columbus School of Law Building
Gallagher Confirmed as SEC Commissioner | Law School Observes Veterans Day
Strong Record of Producing Big Firm Partners | Alumni Committment to Pro Bono Service
Alumni Extol Virtues of Public Interest Law Careers
All-Alumni Panel Discuss Future of Raising Capital for Private Companies


Daniel Gallagher

Daniel M. Gallagher Confirmed as SEC Commissioner

Catholic University law school alumnus Daniel M. Gallagher Jr., Class of 1999, was confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 21 to serve as one of the five commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nominated by President Obama on May 18, 2011, Gallagher's confirmation hearing before the Senate followed in June. He is the first graduate of the Columbus School of Law to serve as commissioner for the government's primary regulatory agency overseeing the securities industry.

"I very much appreciate the Senate's confirmation of these nominees. Investors and markets are best served when the SEC benefits from the dedication and broad range of views that a full five-member Commission provides. …I welcome Dan's return to the agency as we continue our efforts to protect investors and improve our markets and the economy," said SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro in a written statement.

Gallagher is currently a partner in WilmerHale's securities department and a member of its broker-dealer compliance and regulation, securities litigation and enforcement, and derivatives and futures practice groups.

The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for Gallagher. Prior to joining WilmerHale, he was a deputy director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the SEC. During his tenure there, Gallagher played a critical role in the agency's response to the financial crisis. He worked closely with the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and various international regulators on matters relating to the crisis.

"Dan's achievements mirror the success of many of our securities alumni," said Professor David Lipton, director of the Securities Law Program. "The law school has consistently turned out graduates who are well trained, highly motivated, and exceptional practitioners.Dan's achievement is a tribute not only to him, but, to all of our securities alumni." Gallagher, a Republican, joins Democrat Luis Aguilar as the SEC's newest commissioners.

The agency's five commissioners are appointed by the President. Their terms last five years and are staggered so that one Commissioner's term ends on June 5 of each year. No more than three commissioners may belong to the same political party.

Gallagher was also the keynote speaker at the annual Securities Practice Group Alumni Luncheon, held at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3. 

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Veterans Day

Law School Observes Veterans Day with Personal Touch

Law school alumnus and former Army medic Patrick Campbell, Class of 2008, offered a presentation at the Pryzbyla Student Center on the CUA campus titled “How the GI Bill Saved CUA, and How CUA Saved the GI Bill.” Campbell serves as legislative director and chief spokesman for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. (Full story)

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Columbus School of Law Building
Law School Has Strong Record of Producing Big Firm Partners, According to New Study

The Columbus School of Law ranks 36th among the nation’s law schools in producing graduates that land partnerships at the largest law firms, according to new research. (Full story)

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Pro Bono Service
Alumni Demonstrate Commitment to Pro Bono Service

Jon Labukas, 2010, Kristin McGough, 2008, and Becky O’Brien, 2000, were part of a panel discussion, “Pro Bono: Good for the Public, Good for You,” held in celebration of National Pro Bono Week, Oct. 23 to 29, 2011. (Full story)

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Public Interest Law talk
Alumni Return to Extol Virtues of Public Interest Law Careers

Lisa Damiano, 2005, trial attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, Appellate Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division; Kathryn Doan, 1991, executive director, Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition; and Laila E. Leigh, 2010, staff attorney, Family Law/Domestic Unit of the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau, returned on Nov. 2 to urge today’s students to consider public interest law as a career path. (Full story)

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Raising Capital for Private Companies

All-Alumni Panel Discussed the Future of Raising Capital for Private Companies

Theodore R. Lazo, 1994; Eric W. Blanchard, 1999; Andrew J. Brady, 1996; and Annemarie Tierney, 1990, were the discussants for “Creating Liquidity for Shareholders of Private Companies: The New Definition of Publicly Traded Securities,” held on Oct. 18, 2011 in the New York City offices of the law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf, which supported and hosted the program. (Full Story)

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