I did not attend Wash U and, therefore, did not have David Becker as a teacher. I came to know him through my husband, Chaitanya Maddali. Chaitanya was a student of David’s in 2002 and finished David’s property law course at the top of the class. He later became David’s research assistant. I learned early on in my relationship with Chaitanya the impact David had on Chaitanya’s law school career and his career working as an associate at a large law firm in Chicago. He spoke of David not just as a brilliant and talented teacher, but also a friend in whom he could confide.
I, too, am a lawyer and was looking to enter the legal academy. Chaitanya suggested that I contact David. As is typical of David, he extended himself to me and spoke with me on numerous occasions about my career – even before having met me. And, in time, David became a close, trusted friend to me as well.
Chaitanya had a serious illness throughout law school and beyond, and David regularly checked in with the both of us about Chaitanya’s health. Not too long ago, David contacted me daily to check on Chaitanya’s status when he was in critical condition in the hospital. At that time, David drafted a letter to Chaitanya to tell him how much he meant to him — a letter I would read to Chaitanya daily for two weeks. Chaitanya, though, did not recover. Without hesitation, David flew in from Florida to deliver an eulogy in honor of Chaitanya at the memorial service. Chaitanya would have been honored to hear the words that David delivered that day. Chaitanya had so much admiration for David.
It is rare to find someone of David’s kindness, generosity, and depth of character, and it brings tears to my eyes thinking about the ways in which he touched my husband’s short life. David is more than a gifted teacher — he is a wonderful human being. Chaitanya would have been proud to celebrate with David and proud to give a speech in his honor. Chaitanya is not here, but I am so grateful that he introduced me to David and that I have been given the gift of David’s friendship. David’s friendship is truly an honor.
Anita Maddali (wife of Chaitanya Maddali, JD 2005)
I think one of the greatest honors a lawyer, or any person, can receive was depicted in To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is leaving the courtroom after his valiant though futile defense of his innocent client. His children are in what was called the colored section. The entire section stands in silent tribute to Atticus. His daughter wonders why people are standing and is told, “Stand up. Your father is passing.” David has earned this honor. Let us stand.
Stuart Oelbaum, JD 1977
“After receiving my grades my first semester in law school, I was disappointed and my disappointment included my grade in Dave Becker’s Real Property class. I knew his door was always open so I venture in to ask him what I had done wrong to windup in the middle of the pack in his class. He was busy at that particular moment but invited me to come back and spend some time going over my exam as well as what he was looking for in answers to his complex exam questions. He spent over three hours with me concluding that I had written a fine exam for a political science class but it was now time to think and write like a lawyer. The light bulb went on in my head and the rest is history. The rest of my law school career went very well. I have been blessed with an extraordinary career as a lawyer. I can’t be absolutely sure that Dave made the difference but there is a very good chance that he provided the turning point. For that I have and will continue to say “thank you” to Dave Becker, the consummate teacher.”
Maury Poscover, JD 1969
“The sentiment that I’d like to express is that David Becker changed the trajectory of my career in the most positive way. When he reached out to me as a young law student, he truly helped me reach my potential. His assistance in helping me improve my performance has aided me both in law school and in my career.”
Bob Millstone, JD 1988
“Dave Becker is a triple threat; lawyer, professor, and tireless advocate for Washington University. The school, its students and alumnae are forever in debt for his devotion to the law school and its mission to provide a quality legal education. In addition, the greatest testament to a teacher is whether that teacher is able to make a life-long impact on his/her students. Hundreds of Washington University Law School students–and now alumnae–surely echo a resounding cheer for the lifelong lessons that David instilled both in the classroom and outside of it (and especially the basketball court!). He is one of the most humble and caring persons that I have ever met. It has truly been an honor to have had some small association with him over the last thirty years.”
Mark McCareins, JD 1981
“What I remember about David was that when I first started teaching here at the age of 26, David gave generously of his time in mentoring me. My office happened to be next-door to his, so it was easy for me to seek him out for advice about teaching. I also remember in that first year, when I didn’t have to be visited by anyone on the tenured faculty, I asked David to visit me in an unofficial capacity, as a friend. What I still recall about that experience was that after he had seen me teach, I expected him to tell me all of the things I should have done. Instead, he started the conversation by asking what MY goals were in teaching the class. His aim was not to make me be like him, but to make me be the best teacher I could be on my own terms. What more could a young teacher ask from his mentor than that?”
Dan Keating, Faculty
“They don’t make someone like David Becker anymore. But he has made a lot of us his disciples. We stand in his giant shadow.”
Harry Joe, JD 1975
David Becker was the best professor I had during Law School as well as a friend and mentor. I owe him a lot of lunches from when I worked with him as a summer research assistant.
Thomas J. Palazzolo, JD 1992
Two of my favorite David Becker memories involve the rule against perpetuities. The first is how the Rams came to St. Louis. In typical St. Louis fashion, Jerry Clinton had the lease to the dome, while Eagleton and his crew had the relationship with the Rams. The rule against perpetuities was how the lease was wrested away from Clinton. The lease did not vest until St. Louis had an NFL team, an event that most certainly was not guaranteed to occur within lives in being plus 21 years. The second is the 1964 opinion of the California Supreme Court in Lucas v. Hamm, in which the lawyer botched the rule against perpetuities so the estate plan failed. The intended beneficiaries sued the lawyer for malpractice and the first issue was whether they could sue even though they were not clients. The Court said yes. The second issue was whether the lawyer had committed malpractice. The Court held that the standard of the profession in California was to botch the rule against perpetuities, so there was no malpractice!
Mark G. Arnold, JD 1977
“David Becker was born to teach the law. The fit was a natural one. He could make even the most tedious points of law come to life in the classroom. His teaching style showed that he viewed his position at Washington University School of Law as a profession, rather than a job. And, he exhibited genuine concern for his students. I consider myself very fortunate to have been taught by Professor Becker.”
John Anthony Klobasa, JD 1975
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