Class Note 1986. It’s a strange feeling to be writing this column in the middle of summer, knowing it won’t be read until the beginning of winter. If you’re surrounded by snow and bitter cold when you read this, take a moment to think back to the dog days of summer—basking on the beach, gliding across the lake on a paddleboard, picking blueberries, or biting into a fresh, juicy peach. That’s one of the reasons I love living in New England: Every season brings something special to enjoy. As much as I love summer, there’s something magical about those bluebird ski days and watching snow gently fall outside the window. Sometimes, on the hottest summer days, I find myself looking forward to winter. Do you have a favorite season? If so, I’d love to hear about it! Tell me what makes your favorite season special and share what you love to do during that time of year.
In August, Sarah Williams was named interim dean of Penn State Dickinson Law, the public law school of the Pennsylvania State University. Sarah, who holds a law degree from New York University School of Law, had a distinguished career in federal securities law and federal regulatory law before joining the Penn State Dickinson Law faculty in 2019 and becoming a tenured law professor. Recently, she has received several student organization recognitions, including the Student Bar Association Faculty Member of the Year Award. She is also set to launch a program on leadership for lawyers. Sarah was selected for interim dean from more than 50 nominations received from the law school’s faculty and staff, noting her commitment to leading a process to update the law school’s strategic plan.
Sarah said, “I joined the law school after years of regulatory practice because of its dedication to pedagogical, experiential, and practical legal education. As interim dean, I will lead in ongoing efforts to honor Penn State Dickinson Law’s commitment to preparing students to be highly qualified lawyers, while cultivating the attributes of the recently reunified law school that ensure its ability to do so.”
Sarah teaches and writes about financial regulation, with scholarship focused on the regulation of gatekeepers under federal securities laws. An expert in securities regulation, she has served on the board of a national securities exchange and provided testimony in securities fraud litigation. Before entering academia, Sarah worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a staff attorney, branch chief, and commissioner’s counsel. More recently, she worked with the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, both based in Washington, D.C. Outside of her law school duties, Sarah is vice chair of the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority and volunteers as an arbitrator for the D.C. bar.
Please continue to send me your news. I love it when I receive great information to share with all of you. We look forward to hearing what’s new in your life!
—Suzy Nachman Mercado, 55 Aspen Wood Lane, Fairfield, CT 06825; suzynmercado@gmail.com