New Institute for Privacy Protection
Professor Gaia Bernstein: “Our society is in the midst of a privacy debate, which outcome will impact our lives in important ways."
PRESS RELEASE
SETON HALL LAW RECEIVES $1.68 MILLION AWARD TO ESTABLISH INSTITUTE FOR PRIVACY PROTECTION
August 8, 2016
Newark, NJ – Seton Hall Law received in excess of $1.68 million as part of a class action settlement approved by Judge Cathy Seibel, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, in March 2016. The award will be used to establish Seton Hall Law’s new Institute for Privacy Protection. The Institute will promote academic research and educate businesses on proper privacy practices in commercial advertising and consumers in their privacy rights.
“We are extremely thankful for this donation, which will enable Seton Hall Law to build upon our extensive educational programs in corporate compliance. We plan to expand upon the important work we do in privacy law by educating businesses and consumers in the myriad of laws and practices that impact privacy rights,” stated Seton Hall Law School Dean Kathleen M. Boozang. “Such programs will nicely complement our innovative educational tools, including compliance-oriented online courses and certificate programs.”
Stephen Rasch '79, a partner at Loeb, Block & Partners, LLP in New York and counsel to one of the litigants, had suggested the creation of the Institute during the course of the settlement discussions. Mr. Rasch stated: “Based on my experience as a Seton Hall Law alum and the school’s recognized leadership in the field of social justice, I am sure this award will be used to effectively address the critical topic of privacy rights in a manner consistent with the Court’s mandate.”
Professor Gaia Bernstein, Michael J. Zimmer Professor of Law, will serve as the first Director of the Institute for Privacy Protection. Professor Bernstein specializes in information privacy, health privacy, intellectual property, and law and technology theory. Prior to joining Seton Hall Law School in 2004, Professor Bernstein was a fellow at the Engelberg Center of Innovation Law & Policy and at the Information Law Institute at the New York University School of Law. She has served as the Chair of the Section on Privacy and Defamation of the American Association of Law Schools.
Professor Bernstein noted: “Our society is in the midst of a privacy debate which will impact our lives in important ways. I am grateful to be part of Seton Hall Law School’s long-standing commitment to this important and dynamic area of law. This gift will enable us to build on our unique Privacy and Security track of studies for J.D. students, to extend the reach of our research and education to the larger community.”
Seton Hall Law will be hiring a Fellow for the Institute for Privacy Protection this fall.
Seton Hall University School of Law, New Jersey's only private law school and a leading law school in the New York metropolitan area, is dedicated to preparing students for the practice of law through excellence in scholarship and teaching, with a strong focus on clinical education. Founded in 1951, Seton Hall Law School is located in Newark and offers both day and evening degree programs as well as online degree and graduate certificate programs. For more information visit law.shu.edu.
Contact: Janet LeMonnier, Communications, [email protected]; mobile 973-985-3165