Key Takeaways
- Kristin ’07 and Tom Sverchek have donated $125,000 to UC Law San Francisco to create two technology‑focused scholarships for 2L and 3L students with financial need and an interest in innovation law.
- The gift supports the College’s “Into the Future” fundraising campaign, bringing the total raised to $77.2 million of a $100 million goal.
- Kristin’s own career path—from UC Law SF student to senior leader at Lyft and Kodiak board member—illustrates the impact of early exposure to tech‑law opportunities.
- The scholarships aim to relieve financial pressure so recipients can pursue internships, clinics, conferences, and bold career choices in AI, startups, and emerging technologies.
- By targeting students with both need and a passion for innovation, the Svercheks hope to broaden diversity and dynamism in the tech‑law community.
- Intellectual curiosity, comfort with ambiguity, and understanding of the business and technology behind legal issues are identified as essential skills for success in the fast‑moving tech law field.
- Kristin advises scholarship recipients to “dive deep” into how their clients’ products work, make money, and contribute to society, positioning themselves as lawyers genuinely excited about technological advancement.
Introduction of the Scholarship Gift
Kristin ’07 and Tom Sverchek have pledged $125,000 to UC Law San Francisco to establish two new scholarships aimed at empowering the next generation of technology‑focused lawyers. The funds will create the Kristin ’07 and Tom Sverchek Technology Scholarship and the Kristin ’07 and Tom Sverchek Technology Endowed Scholarship. Both awards are designated for second‑ and third‑year law students who demonstrate financial need and a clear interest in technology and innovation law. By earmarking the gift for these criteria, the Svercheks intend to remove economic barriers that might otherwise limit students’ ability to explore cutting‑edge legal fields.
Impact on UC Law SF’s Fundraising Campaign
The Svercheks’ contribution directly advances UC Law SF’s “Into the Future” campaign, which seeks to raise $100 million to support student success, faculty excellence, and transformative initiatives. With this $125,000 gift, the College has now secured $77.2 million toward its target. The scholarships reinforce the institution’s growing reputation as a leader in artificial intelligence and technology law, building on existing curricula, startup partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities. In effect, the donation helps bridge the gap between traditional legal education and the emerging demands of a tech‑driven economy.
Kristin Sverchek’s Personal Journey and Motivation
Kristin’s own trajectory underscores why she and Tom chose to invest in tech‑law education. After graduating from UC Law SF in 2007, she began her career as a corporate lawyer at a law firm, transitioned to an in‑house counsel role, and eventually rose to senior leadership positions at Lyft—serving as general counsel, president of business affairs, and ultimately president of the company. Today she sits on the board of directors at Kodiak. Reflecting on her time at UC Law SF, Kristin recalls a pivotal Law & Venture Capital class that opened her eyes to the possibility of a legal career intertwined with technology. That experience gave her the foundation to navigate a non‑traditional path, and she wishes to pay that forward by ensuring current students have similar exposure and support.
What the Scholarship Hopes to Make Possible
When asked about the intended impact of the scholarship, Kristin emphasized the importance of creating “breathing room” for recipients. Financial constraints often force talented students to make conservative choices—accepting only paid positions or foregoing experiential learning that could spark unexpected opportunities. By alleviating some of that pressure, the scholarship enables students to say yes to internships, clinics, conferences, and conversations that might open doors to innovative career paths in AI, startups, or other emerging technologies. Beyond practical opportunities, Kristin hopes the award sends an early signal to recipients that someone believes in their potential, fostering confidence to think boldly about the future of law and technology.
Why Financial Need Meets Innovation Interest
Kristin explained that pairing financial need with a demonstrated interest in innovation is essential for cultivating a tech‑law community that reflects societal diversity. The legal profession shaping technology policy, startup ecosystems, and emerging industries should not be limited to those who can afford to take risks. Some of the most creative legal thinkers come from backgrounds where they have “the most to prove and the most to contribute.” By supporting students who both face economic constraints and possess a passion for innovation, the Svercheks aim to broaden participation, encourage varied perspectives, and ultimately generate richer ideas and solutions in tech law.
Core Competencies for Succeeding in Tech Law
When queried about the most important preparation for law students entering this rapidly evolving field, Kristin placed intellectual curiosity at the top of the list. Because technology advances faster than any static curriculum can keep pace, the habit of continuous learning—staying genuinely engaged with industry shifts and their legal implications—is paramount. She also highlighted the need to become comfortable with ambiguity, as tech lawyers frequently advise clients on questions lacking clear precedent. In such environments, judgment, creativity, and the ability to reason from first principles become critical assets. Developing these skills early equips students to navigate uncertainty and contribute meaningfully to cutting‑edge legal work.
Advice for Scholarship Recipients
Kristin’s final piece of advice for those who receive the scholarship is to “dive deep” into the substantive work of their clients’ businesses. Understanding how a product functions, how it generates revenue, and how it aspires to benefit society allows lawyers to provide counsel that is not only legally sound but also strategically valuable. The lawyers who will lead the tech‑law arena are those who grasp both the legal landscape and the underlying business and technological realities. By cultivating genuine excitement for what is being built, recipients can position themselves as indispensable advisors at the forefront of innovation.
These paragraphs collectively summarize the Svercheks’ generous gift, its alignment with UC Law SF’s strategic goals, the personal motivations behind it, and the envisioned outcomes for students pursuing careers at the intersection of law and technology. The Key Takeaways section distills the most salient points for quick reference.