health discussions into faculty meetings and organizing regular wellness events. Additionally, public figures like US Senator John Fetterman, who openly discussed his struggles with depression, are instrumental in destigmatizing mental health issues and encouraging individuals to seek help.


Administrators, faculty, alumni, and current students all have a role to play in creating a supportive environment. By prioritizing ongoing support and well- being programming, we can empower individuals to seek help when needed and foster a culture of resilience within the legal community.


Moreover, maintaining a dialogue with stakeholders and soliciting feedback is crucial. Law schools and legal institutions should regularly assess the effectiveness of their initiatives, adapt programming based on community needs, and collaborate with external partners to expand resources.


Ultimately, by working together as a collective, we can create a healthier and more supportive legal community for all. Whether we are alumni reflecting on our experiences or current students navigating the challenges ahead, let’s commit to prioritizing mental health and well-being for the betterment of our profession as a whole.


This article contains excerpts from the “Your Voice” section of the ABA Journal dated May 17, 2023, authored by David Jaffe ’93 who has served as AUWCL’s Dean of Students since 1997. Renowned for his prolific writing on these topics, Jaffe has demonstrated a profound dedication to assisting law students facing substance use and mental health challenges and has earned recognition for his significant contributions in this field.


Guardian of Barbie’s Legacy


One Alumnus’s Journey from AUWCL to Safeguarding Mattel’s Iconic Brand


“I think if you had told me I’d be working for Mattel when I started at American University, I would’ve maybe laughed at you,” Michael Moore ’96 said. “I would’ve thought ‘that was great.’”


Moore is an associate general counsel, senior director, and global head of intellectual property—content and brands at Mattel.


continues to evolve, and that is what has kept him there.


“My role, I feel like every year, is constantly evolving,” he said. “That’s no doubt part of the reason I’ve been as long.”


Since the release of the Barbie movie in July, Mattel has seen an uptick in copyright infringement. This has kept a lot of lawyers across the globe busy. Historically, Mattel has had a reputation for being aggressive and protecting its brand. Since the movie’s release, the company has taken a more nuanced approach to its IP enforcement and loves that people are celebrating the brand.


When Moore came to AUWCL, he wanted to study international law. While he was getting a bachelor’s degree at the University of California, San Diego, in the early 90s, there were a few humanitarian crises in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Listening to NPR, he would hear professors and speakers from AU address international human rights.


“I thought Washington College of Law would be a great place to study and potentially be a human rights lawyer,” he said. That changed, however, when he took a copyright course and became interested in intellectual property.


In the 23 years Moore has been at Mattel, he has seen the company go from being more than a toy company. His role


“The line has to be drawn when somebody is commercializing our brand, making money off of it in a way that affects [Mattel],” said Moore.


This year, Moore received the Mattel, Inc. In-House Leader of the Year Award, and the Mattel, law department intellectual property content and brands team won the 2024 Household and Consumer Goods Team of the Year award from the World Trademark Review.


Moore had the great opportunity to attend the “Pink Carpet” premiere of Barbie and says he sometimes still cannot believe it’s all happening.


“I never imagined I’d be doing this,” he said. “Every now and then, I have to pinch myself.” –Liz Newton


AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW 17


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