Overview
- The UCLA School of Law held a '25 Years After 9/11' symposium on Sept. 10–11 that listed Melanie T. Partow, the lawyer assigned to represent Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, as a participant.
- Chancellor Julio Frenk issued a public statement objecting to the event and has defended the wording of that statement instead of retracting it.
- At least 59 law‑school faculty and a broader open letter with more than 200 academic signatories have demanded Frenk withdraw his rebuke and defended the law school’s decision to host the symposium.
- Victims and advocates, including UCLA professor Judea Pearl, sharply criticized the program as insensitive, while faculty defenders say Partow’s remarks focused on military adjudicatory processes and did not reference any client.
- The dispute raises questions about event vetting, university sponsorship and campus leadership as UCLA faces separate legal and reputational pressures over how it protects community members and upholds academic freedom.