Donors Provide $600,000 to Support UC Law SF Students and Academic Research

A composite photo of three donors: Chuck Dell'Ario in one photo and Deborah and Bruce Pfaff in a separate photo

Chuck Dell’Ario ’74 and Deborah and Bruce Pfaff ’79 make major philanthropic gifts supporting UC Law SF students and constitutional law scholarship, adding momentum to the College’s Into the Future campaign and its $100 million fundraising goal.

 

  • Alumni contributed $600,000 to provide scholarships for students with financial need and support the Constitutional Law Quarterly.
  • UC Law SF’s Into the Future campaign has now raised $71.7 million toward its $100 million goal.
  • Alumni generosity drives the College’s vision for advancing student success, faculty excellence, and innovative initiatives.

 

Donors to UC Law San Francisco have given two gifts totaling $600,000 to support academic research and students with financial need, bringing the total raised in the College’s Into the Future campaign to $71.7 million.

Approved by the UC Law SF Board of Directors on Friday, Dec. 5, the gifts will establish two endowed funds, boosting momentum toward the Into the Future campaign’s $100 million goal to support student success, faculty excellence, and innovative initiatives.

Bruce Pfaff ’79 and his wife, Deborah, contributed $500,000 to create an endowed scholarship for 2L and 3L students with financial need, with preference for those providing essential care to a child, parent, or other dependent.

Reflecting on his own time at UC Law SF, when tuition was under $1,000 per year, Pfaff said he was able to marry, start a family, work as a law clerk, and graduate debt-free.

“Deborah and I want to help students reduce their education costs so they aren’t in the hole when they graduate, giving them freedom to make personal and career choices not entirely dependent on salary,” said Pfaff, who founded a plaintiff’s personal injury practice in Chicago.

Chuck Dell’Ario ’74 gave $100,000 to support the Constitutional Law Quarterly (CLQ), which he co-founded in 1973 with classmate David Steiner ’74. Dell’Ario and Steiner served as the first co-editors-in-chief of the journal.

“I’m proud that David and I were able to launch the CLQ on its long, successful, and continuing journey,” Dell’Ario said. “This fund will help propel it into the future.”

Current CLQ Editor-in-Chief Marlene Coss ’26 said Dell’Ario’s gift will allow CLQ to continue publishing thoughtful and timely scholarship on the most pressing constitutional law issues. The gift will also help fund programs like the journal’s Feb. 6 Spring Symposium, “From the Voting Rights Act to Artificial Intelligence: The History and Future of Free and Fair Elections.”

“We are deeply grateful for Chuck Dell’Ario’s generous $100,000 endowed gift to CLQ,” Coss said. “With this support, CLQ will continue to amplify diverse voices and shape the legal discussion in today’s pivotal moment.”

UC Law SF Foundation Board of Trustees President Leo Martinez ’78 said he’s continually moved by alumni who show their gratitude for the impact UC Law SF had on their lives by giving back to support current and future students.

“Charles Dell’Ario ’74 and Bruce ’79 (with Deborah) Pfaff are great examples of gratitude,” Martinez said. “Their generosity matters. It allows those who follow us to better afford the great education that UC Law SF provides.”

UC Law SF Chief Advancement Officer Julia Jordan said these gifts represent a major step forward in the College’s first-ever comprehensive campaign and its goal of raising $100 million to advance student success, faculty excellence, and innovative initiatives.

“Our generous donors are helping UC Law SF invest in the next generation of legal leaders and advance research that makes a real difference,” Jordan said. “We’re grateful to our alumni for powering our efforts to support students, advance faculty excellence, and strengthen our innovative programs.”