The Hewlett Foundation is one of the biggest trusts in U.S.A. and disbursed more than $353 million in grants only in 2011. The foundation headquartered at Menlo Park, California, controls more than $7 billion in assets. It aids programs on reducing poverty, addressing climate change, improving education and reproductive health, as well as supporting arts projects in San Francisco.
Before becoming the Dean of Stanford Law, Larry Kramer had taught at Michigan School of Law and the Chicago School of Law. His last position before joining Stanford was as an associate dean at New York University School of Law.
John Etchemendy, the provost and acting president of Stanford told the media, “Larry Kramer transformed the Stanford Law School, both physically and programmatically … He pioneered a new vision of legal education and then oversaw the creation of a physical plant capable of supporting the new program. His vision has benefited not only law students but the university at large, by integrating the law school with the rest of the university.”
Under the guidance of Larry Kramer, the Stanford law school had brought its calendar in line with the rest of the university, making it easier for law students to enroll in other programs offered at Stanford. Kramer was also instrumental in improving and expanding clinics and the establishment of research centers and programs with a focus on globalization. As a result of such efforts, the Stanford Law School opened the John and Terry Levin Center for Public Service and Public Interest Law in 2007.
Under Larry Kramer, the law school added a $62 million building housing the schools 10 clinics and earlier this month, Stanford left Harvard behind to claim the second spot in U.S. News & World Report’s annual law school rankings.
When contacted by the media over his announcement, Kramer said “It has been an incredible honor to work at Stanford Law School these past eight years … I had the privilege to work with amazingly talented faculty, staff and students – to support their innovative scholarship and work and be a part of what I believe is easily the world’s best university.”
Before becoming a legal educator, Kramer, after graduation from the Chicago Law School, clerked for Judge Henry J. Friendly of the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and for Justice William J. Brennan of the U.S. Supreme Court. After passing out from Chicago Law School in 1984, he returned there as faculty in 1986 and became a professor in 1990.
