Alumni in the News

Kurt Rambis ’80 has been hired as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. A former title-winning player for the LA Lakers and their assistant coach for much of the past seven seasons, Rambis was selected for the job based on his emphasis on player development and up-tempo coaching philosophy. He replaces Kevin McHale, the man who famously clotheslined him while playing for the Boston Celtics in the 1984 finals. (See a profile of Rambis in the Summer ’09 SCM.)

Photo: Courtesy Chuck Poochigian

Charles “Chuck” S. Poochigian J.D. ’75 has been appointed associate justice of the Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Since 2007, Poochigian has served as an attorney with the law firm Dowling, Aaron and Keeler. He previously served as senator for the 14th Senate District and as assemblyman for the 29th Assembly District. In addition, Poochigian served twice in the state’s executive branch, under Govs. Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian. The new Republican justice fills the spot of the deceased Justice Thomas A. Harris.

David Murphy ’68 has been appointed superintendent of education for the division of juvenile programs for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He has taught English at the high school level and served as an administrator with the Palo Alto and Alameda unified school districts and as superintendent for the El Dorado Union High School District and Davis Joint Unified School District.

Zachary Zaharek ’91, J.D./ MBA ’94 led an informal Q&A with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at a gala banquet and fundraiser in May. Held at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, the 14th annual dinner was hosted by the Southern California chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Previous speakers have included Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Rudy Giuliani, and Tony Blair. Zaharek is the event chair and senior corporate counsel for First American CoreLogic. More than 4,000 were in attendance, including judges, attorneys, and others who work outside the corporate realm.

Heidi Keefe J.D. ’95 and Rodger Cole J.D. ’95 were named to the 2009 list of Top 20 Lawyers Under 40, chosen by the San Francisco and Los Angeles Daily Journal. Keefe is an intellectual property partner in White & Case’s Palo Alto office. She has taught classes at SCU’s law school and has lectured at Boalt School of Law and Stanford University Law School. Cole is a partner in the litigation group at Fenwick & West in Mountain View, where he focuses on IP and commercial litigation for high-tech companies.