At a special event that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the School of Law at Case Western Reserve University dedicated the David J. Elk (‘64) – Elk+Elk Active Learning Classroom on May 11, 2022.
The partners of Elk+Elk Law Firm provided a generous gift to the School of Law to name the Active Learning Classroom in honor of the firm’s co-founder and senior partner, David J. Elk, a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Together with his brother, Art, David Elk built one of the largest injury practices in Ohio. For more than 58 years, he has represented thousands of Ohioans and their families in injury and death claims. Believing that quality legal representation allows all people to level the playing field against the big insurance companies, David Elk has helped injured people receive the compensation they deserve.
Due to its innovative and extensive marketing, Elk+Elk, with its tagline “serious lawyers for serious injuries,” is one of the most well-known and successful personal injury firms in Ohio.
“David’s collaborative and mentoring spirit are reflected in this uniquely designed classroom dedicated to collaborative learning,” said Elk+Elk Managing Partner Jay Kelley, who has his own personal connection to the School of Law. His eldest daughter, Madeline, advanced to the Regional Finals in the national Mock Trial competition this year and will graduate with the Class of 2022 on May 14. His daughter, Clare, just finished her 1L year at CWRU School of Law and is externing at the County Prosecutor’s Office this summer. She will follow in Madeline’s footsteps as a member of the Mock Trial team.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Clare noted that the “Active Learning Classroom is the go-to room for classes and studying—everybody loves it.”
The classroom represents a pedagogical shift toward active learning, collaboration, information access, assessment and instruction delivery. Special features include movable and configurable tables, five interactive Windows touch computers with web conferencing functionality and large HD displays, enhanced wireless Internet bandwidth, writable walls and whiteboards, Zone audio and PA and more.
“The Active Learning Classroom is a special educational space within our law school featuring the latest in collaborative technology,” said Co-Dean Michael Scharf. “It is one of the jewels of our school and we are thrilled that it will now carry the name of and include a plaque honoring one of our best-known alumni leaders.”