I'm saddened to have learned (here, and earlier reported on Above the Law) that Miguel Méndez, Adelbert H. Sweet Professor of Law Emeritus, passed away last week. Miguel was an alumnus of the Monterey County Public Defender's Office, California Rural Legal Assistance, and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund. He was a seasoned trial lawyer who joined Stanford's law faculty at a time when few elite law professors had this kind of experience. He was also Stanford's first Latino faculty member. Although I never got to have a class with him, he was among the kindest and most generous law teachers I've ever known, patiently answering rudimentary questions about evidence and trial procedure when, as a student, I wandered into his office unnanounced because I'd heard he would be helpful and, years later, offering valuable strategic advice in a challenging civil case when I was struggling with how to approach a difficult witness.
California Rural Legal Assistance, a sizeable legal aid program serving migrant and low-wage workers and families throughout most of California, is a longtime pro bono client of mine in ethics and regulatory matters; Miguel rose to deputy director of the organization, and his kindness and wisdom were legendary there.
He was 74, and will be widely missed. Requiescat in pace.
--Bernie
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