Debt’s Dominion: A History of Bankruptcy Law in America, an excerpt from a new book by Prof. David A. Skeel, Jr.

Amsterdam, Fitts, and Bok

Commencement exercises for the Class of 2001 of the University of Pennsylvania Law School were held on Sunday, May 20, 2001 at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia’s premier concert hall. Former Harvard University President Derek C. Bok delivered the commencement address in which he inspired the young graduates to make commitments to family and to community part of the character of being a lawyer. Anthony G. Amsterdam L’60, Edward M. Weinfeld Professor of Law and Director of the Clinical Program at NYU Law School, was made an Honorary Fellow of Penn Law School, an honor bestowed on professionals who have been at the forefront of delivering legal services to the under-served. Class of 2001 president Heath Tarbert delivered remarks using wit and gentle mimicry to capture the experience of his classmates’ three years of legal education at Penn. Roberta de Oliveira e Corvo spoke on behalf of the graduating LL.M. students. Graduates Mark E. Farrell and Stephanie M. Whitfield presented the Harvey Levin Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence, voted on by the class, to Professor Matthew Adler. Class officers John F. Cacchione and David Rush presented to Dean Michael A. Fitts the Class of 2001 gift – a marble bust of University of Pennsylvania Law School founder James Wilson (see article here - opens in new window) now permanently installed in the Law School.