The protracted legal battle over renaming San Francisco’s oldest law school has concluded. On Monday, the Supreme Court opted not to review the case of *Hastings College Conservation Committee v. State of California*, effectively affirming the lower court's decision with a brief one-sentence order that saw no dissents. This ruling confirms that the institution formerly known as Hastings College of the Law will continue under its new name, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, or UC Law SF.

The controversy began when the law school decided to shed the name of Serranus Hastings, a figure who, despite being California’s first chief justice, funded lethal expeditions against the Yuki people in the 1850s. This darker aspect of his legacy prompted a significant restorative justice effort, culminating in the school's renaming on January 1, 2023, following the passage of AB 1936 by the legislature and the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom.

However, the decision did not sit well with some, including six descendants of Hastings and a group of alumni who felt that a 1878 statute requiring the school to “forever” bear Hastings’ name constituted a binding contract. They argued that breaking this contract would mean the state owed them the original $100,000 gift plus interest, which they calculated at around $1.7 billion. Their lawsuit, however, did not gain traction in the courts. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Ulmer ruled in 2024 that the 1878 law was an ordinary statute that could be repealed. This decision was upheld by a unanimous panel of the First District Court of Appeal last October, and both the California Supreme Court and now the U.S. Supreme Court have declined to review the case.

Gregory Michael, the lawyer representing the Hastings descendants, expressed disappointment, stating that the litigation aimed to “vindicate fundamental constitutional principles and preserve the legacy of Judge Hastings against legislative action,” which they believed exceeded constitutional limits.

Amidst these legal proceedings, the benefits introduced by AB 1936 have been somewhat overshadowed. These include scholarships for members of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, pro bono support for tribal courts, and the establishment of an Indigenous Law Center at the school.

David Faigman, Chancellor and Dean of the school, noted his relief at the resolution of this long-standing issue. Faigman, who initiated the inquiry into the legacy of Hastings back in 2017 and is set to step down in June 2027, expressed satisfaction at leaving the name controversy settled, marking a new chapter for the law school focused on inclusivity and restorative justice.