Los Angeles entertainment attorney Dennis Roach has joined the USC School of Social Work’s Board of Councilors, an advisory board composed of professional, academic and community leaders who work toward the advancement of the vision and mission of the school.

As the father of a current Master of Social Work student, Roach understands the importance of supporting the work students do now as interns and the work they will do as professionals once they graduate.

That’s why Roach, who also serves as president of both the Buddy Taub Foundation and the Claire and Theodore Morse Foundation, has directed gifts of $10,000 from each organization to support scholarships and a field placement with an agency serving children, respectively.

His daughter, Justine Roach, has held internships with the Pasadena Unified School District’s mental health services program, the Children’s Law Center and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. These experiences, which she has described as life-changing, inspired her father to make these gifts and join the school’s board to bolster the School of Social Work’s mission of improving the lives of vulnerable populations.

Since its founding nearly 95 years ago, the school has committed itself to bettering communities through the education of selfless individuals who have chosen to advocate for others, whether by practicing in clinical settings, lobbying for policy changes or performing high-impact research. USC’s social work students and faculty strive to find the best and most innovative ways to ameliorate the effects of severe mental illness, homelessness, health disparities, poverty and military service, among many other pressing issues.

“Dennis’ professional expertise in the legal community will bring a new perspective to our board, broadening our reach in new areas. We always appreciate the involvement of the parents of our students, and becoming a new board member is going above and beyond. We welcome his leadership and commitment to our school’s future,” said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work.

Roach, who earned his bachelor’s degree from USC in 1969 and law degree from UCLA in 1972, is no stranger to supporting the kinds of organizations that tackle these issues on a daily basis. He and his wife, Jill Roach, have previously given to many social service-focused organizations, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Aviva Family and Children’s Services. And through the Claire and Theodore Morse Foundation, Roach has supported organizations such as Vista Del Mar, Save the Children, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Harlem Children’s Zone and Children of the Night, among many others.