IRVINE, Calif. (September 16, 2024) — John C. Hueston, founding partner of Hueston Hennigan LLP, is the new chair of the University of California, Irvine School of Law’s Board of Visitors. He succeeds Richard (Rich) Bridgford, founding partner of Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian LLP. Rich, who served as the Board of Visitors chair from 2019 to 2024, continues his involvement with UC Irvine School of Law and the Board, where he remains a member as Chair Emeritus.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to serve as Chair of the UC Irvine School of Law Board of Visitors,” said John C. Hueston. “UC Irvine Law is a forward-thinking school committed to not only delivering an innovative education to tomorrow’s lawyers but also to instilling values such as the importance of public service and equity in the profession. I look forward to working with the Board to continue to play my small part in the school’s future.”
“John Hueston has been a steadfast supporter of UC Irvine School of Law and a remarkable leader in the legal community,” said Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish. “We are thrilled to have him chair our Board of Visitors and we are excited for the innovative ideas and strategic guidance he will bring to our Law School. John is one of the nation’s finest lawyers and a true innovator. His commitment to professional excellence, his support of social justice issues and lawyers making a difference in the communities they serve, fits perfectly with the law school’s mission and bold ambitions.”
John Hueston has been a steadfast supporter of UC Irvine School of Law and a remarkable leader in the legal community.
Austen Parrish
Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law
The Board of Visitors is an advisory committee — comprised of legal, business and community members — that serves the law school by invitation of the dean. Board members advise the dean on strategic planning and efforts to continue to strengthen the school’s national and global standing; they support the school’s fundraising efforts; and they promote the school’s programs, students and leadership in local, national and global communities.
“We are extremely fortunate to have an amazing Board, who cares deeply about the school, its mission, and our students,” Dean Parrish added. “Since I arrived two years ago, the Board has been instrumental in moving the school forward, and I’m looking forward to working with John as we continue to have leaders of the legal profession from around the country join the Board. The Board’s support of our deep commitment to public service and faculty excellence — as well as our mission to graduate advocates who will go on to be masterful lawyers who will make a difference in the firms, government agencies, public interest organizations, and corporations they join — is truly exceptional.”
More About John C. Hueston
John C. Hueston is a founding partner of Hueston Hennigan LLP. He represents Fortune 500 companies and governments as lead counsel in complex, high-profile cases and investigations. John’s work ranges from winning and defeating multibillion-dollar actions to terminating some of the nation’s most significant regulatory and criminal investigations and cases. He recently received the “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession” honor at the 2024 Chambers USA Awards.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, John also served as a prosecutor with the Department of Justice for 13 years, culminating in his service on the Enron Task Force. As a prosecutor, John earned national accolades for his work, including the Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service (the highest award granted by the attorney general within the Department of Justice), and three DOJ Director’s Awards for Superior Service.
John has played an active role in supporting educational institutions. A friend to UC Irvine School of Law since its founding, John joined the Board of Visitors in 2020. He is also a member of the Dartmouth College President’s Leadership Council and is a former member of the Executive Committee of Yale Law School Association. John has lectured nationally at law and business schools on topics of trial advocacy and corporate governance, including at Cornell Law School, Loyola Law School, Stanford Law School, UCLA Law, UC Irvine Law, UC Law SF, USC Gould School of Law, and Yale Law School.
In the broader legal community, John leads the board of directors for the Social Justice Legal Foundation, which advances social justice through trial work and collaboration across private, public and academic sectors. John also serves on the boards for California Indian Legal Services and the Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and serves on its Federal Criminal Procedure Committee and California-Southern State Member Selection Committee. He is also a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. John is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association of Orange County, and a former national co-chair of the ABA White Collar Crime Committee.
UC Irvine Law invites alumni and supporters of the school to follow in John’s footsteps and join him in supporting the Law School’s remarkable trajectory. Please contact Joshua Larsen, the Executive Director of Development, for more information.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. Nearly half of all UC Irvine Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine Law.