By Megan Goulding
Last year, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, California’s largest public sector labor, employment and education law firm, became the founding corporate sponsor of the Price School’s Dean’s Speaker Series. Through this partnership, the Price School found a strong ally in the effort to solve public sector challenges.
As one of the top public affairs schools in the nation, the USC Price School of Public Policy recognizes that strong, vibrant public and nonprofit organizations are integral to the health and wellness of the communities that they serve. Through research, education and outreach, the Price School has long advanced innovative, feasible solutions to public sector problems.
Through the Dean’s Speaker Series, presented by the Price School’s Athenian Society, the school convenes hundreds of stakeholders to attend substantive policy discussions with high level executives, government officials, business, community and civic leaders. Held quarterly throughout Los Angeles, the Dean’s Speaker Series translates knowledge into action, and builds a vibrant network of stakeholders engaged in the policy issues affecting their community.
And with the support of new corporate sponsors like Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, the school is able to further expand its reach and impact on the policy community
As the inaugural corporate sponsor for the Dean’s Speaker Series, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, founded by Daniel Cassidy ’59, recognized the potential of the event series to advance knowledge on critical public sector issues, and spark positive change within communities that they serve. The firm has more than 30 years of experience providing public and non-profit clients with specialized legal counsel, representation and training in California labor, employment and education law. The firm’s clients, which include schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties and special districts, are a familiar sampling of the wide range of public and nonprofit institutions that the Price School is devoted to improving.
“Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is the ideal sponsor for the Dean’s Speaker Series. The firm truly embodies the Price School’s commitment to advancing sustainable and effective public organizations, and they are a true partner in our success and ability to serve the public. We are privileged to have them as a partner,” said Jim Lewis, city manager of Pismo Beach and chair of the Price School’s Leadership Council.
In addition to fostering dialogue and advancing knowledge on critical policy issues, the Dean’s Speaker Series serves an important networking forum for decision makers to share ideas and best practices within their respective fields.
Scott Tiedemann, managing partner of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, noted the exceptional caliber of individuals affiliated with the Dean’s Speaker Series, as well as the networking opportunities that the event series provides. “I was initially intrigued by the possibility of learning from people who occupy leadership positions in the communities in which Liebert Cassidy Whitmore works, and who are tackling the same issues we are helping our clients to deal with,” Tiedemann said. “We believe that we have a unique perspective to contribute to the Price School, and likewise believe that our work on behalf of our clients may be enhanced by the information we learn through the Price School’s education efforts.”
In partnership with Liebert Cassidy Whitman, the 2013-14 Dean’s Speaker Series held events on a wide range of topics, including California’s drought, healthcare reform and municipal bankruptcy, which featured Liebert Cassidy Whitmore partner Steve M. Berliner. More than 500 individuals attended this year’s series, from alumni to industry leaders to students to civic leaders.
Other sponsors of the 2013-14 series included: Keenan and Associates, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, MDS Consulting, Healthcare Financial Management Association and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
As the 2013-14 year comes to an end, the Athenian Society will soon begin planning the 2014-15 Dean’s Speaker Series. “We look forward to working with a wide range of sponsors to provide engaging, thoughtful policy discussions through the Dean’s Speaker Series, and of course, we will continue to build our valuable relationship with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore.” Lewis said.