USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

ADVOCATE University of San Diego School of Law

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD After 47 years as one of USD’s most esteemed faculty members, Professor Roy L. Brooks leaves an influential legacy of social justice scholarship and mentorship

PLUS: ❱ A bold new vision for upgrading the law school’s facilities ❱ The Legal Clinics innovate with expanded offerings ❱ Dynamic LLM programs open doors for global students

SPRING 2026

MASTHEAD

ADVOCATE University of San Diego School of Law

2025-2026 BOARD OF VISITORS — Chair of the Board Erin P. Gibson ’03 (JD) Vice Chair of the Board Dennis J. Doucette ’86 (JD) Immediate Past Chair Alan K. Brubaker ’76 (JD)** Members Derek Aberle ’96 (JD) Hon. Olga Álvarez ’02 (JD) G. Edward Arledge ’73 (JD)** Hon. Richard Aronson ’72 (BA), ’75 (JD) (ret.)** Richard M. Bartell ’75 (JD) Angela A. Bartosik ’93 (JD) Adam J. Bass ’88 (BA), ’91 (JD) Hon. Michael S. Berg ’81 (JD) Erin Bosman ’94 (BBA), ’99 (JD) Matthew J. Bresnahan ’07 (JD) Robert S. Brewer Jr. ’75 (JD) Benjamin C. Bunn ’89 (JD) Elizabeth “Libby” Carson, JD** David S. Casey Jr. ’74 (JD) Steven J. Cologne ’84 (JD)** Stephen P. Doyle ’84 (JD) Bibianne U. Fell ’04 (JD) Michael A. Ferrara Jr. ’72 (JD) Thompson Fetter ’67 (JD) Robert “Bobby” K. Foster ’19 (JD)* David Fox ’07 (JD) C. Hugh Friedman, JD**+ Gordon L. Gerson ’76 (JD) Robert H. Gleason ’98 (JD) Hon. Allison H. Goddard ’00 (JD) Susan S. Gonick ’86 (JD)** Hon. J. Richard Haden ’74 (JD)** John R. Henkel ’77 (JD)** Karen P. Hewitt ’89 (JD) Denise Hickey ’94 (JD) Hon. Richard Huffman, JD** Peter J. Hughes**+ Steven R. Hunsicker ’75 (JD) Jennifer “Jenn” Jett, JD Shaka H. Johnson ’03 (JD) Michael B. Kaplan ’72 (JD)** Kimberly M. Koro ’86 (JD) Hon. Melinda J. Lasater ’73 (JD)** Stanley W. Legro**+ Patrick W. Martin ’92 (JD) Haida Massoud Mojdehi ’94 (JD) Hon. Barbara A. McAuliffe ’89 (JD) Hon. Judith McConnell, JD** James R. McCormick Jr. ’97 (JD) Jack McGrory ’81 (JD) Gerald McMahon ‘64 (JD)**+

Edwin F. McPherson ’82 (JD) Scott L. Metzger ’79 (JD) A. John Murphy Jr. ’72 (BA), ’75 (JD)** Andrea Myers ’08 (JD)

Benjamin Gourley ’20 (JD) Joy Utomi Hartmann ’11 (JD) Ashley T. Hirano ’09 (JD) Curtis M. Jackson ’18 (JD) Knut S. Johnson ’86 (JD) Desi Kalcheva ’17 (JD) Julianna H. Kat ’16 (JD) Professor Michael B. Kelly, JD

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD After 47 years as one of USD’s most esteemed faculty members, Professor Roy L. Brooks leaves an influential legacy of social justice scholarship and mentorship

PLUS: ❱ A bold new vision for upgrading the law school’s facilities ❱ The Legal Clinics innovate with expanded offerings ❱ Dynamic LLM programs open doors for global students

SPRING 2026

Virginia “Ginny” C. Nelson ’79 (JD)** Hon. Louisa S Porter ’77 (JD) (ret.) Michael J. Rider ’83 (JD) Kristin Rizzo ’06 (JD) Paul E. Robinson ’73 (JD) Frank E. Rogozienski ’71 (JD) Dean Robert A. Schapiro, JD* Frederick Schenk ’78 (JD) Congresswoman Lynn Schenk ’70 (JD)** Edward P. Schlesier ’89 (BBA), ’00 (JD) Gary W. Schons ’73 (BA), ’76 (JD) Ronson J. Shamoun ’98 (BAA), ’02 (JD), ’03 (LLM) Thomas E. Sharkey ’59 (JD)** Susanne Stanford ’75 (JD)** Hon. Todd F. Stevens ’88 (JD) George G. Strong Jr. ’74 (JD) Dawn S. Theodora ’87 (JD) Michael T. Thorsnes ‘68 (JD)**+ Hon. Robert J. Trentacosta ’79 (JD) Vickie E. Turner ’82 (JD)** Michael J. Weaver ’73 (JD)** Christopher Wesierski ‘78 (JD) Charles B. Witham ’98 (JD), ’99 (MBA) *ex-officio member **emeritus member +deceased 2025-2026 LAW ALUMNI BOARD — President Bobby Foster ’19 (JD) President-Elect Kirsten F. Gallacher ’12 (JD) Immediate Past President Katherine “Katie” Parker ’11 (JD) Matthew L. Abbot ’15 (JD) Dylan M. Aste ’11 (JD) Beth K. Baier ’84 (JD) Alan H. Barbanel ’82 (JD) Alexandra Preece Barlow ’14 (JD) Ross E. Bautista ’16 (JD) Hon. Marissa Bejarano ’01 (BA), ’04 (JD) Carolina Bravo-Karimi ‘08 (JD)

SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS — Robert A. Schapiro, JD Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert Muth, JD Vice Dean and Professor of Law Emily Nagisa Keehn, JD Assistant Dean, Law Student Affairs Judith Lihosit ’97 (JD) Assistant Dean and Director of the Legal Research Center, Professor of Legal Research Debbie Rider ’84 (JD) Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Relations Alison Bushan Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Chavez, JD Assistant Dean, Admissions and Financial Aid Ronald Han, JD Roy L. Brooks, Carolina Bravo-Karimi ‘08 (JD), Maureen Gregory ‘18 (JD), Debbie Rider ‘84 (JD), Chris Nayve ‘06 (JD), Anna Capati ‘24 (JD). Bottom row: Dorothy Couchman ‘24 (JD), James de Haan ‘18 (JD), Stacey Mouton ‘18 (JD), MaryBeth Ammari ‘25 (JD), John “J.P.” Riley ‘24 (JD), Pouch Liang ‘23 (JD). On the cover: Students, alumni and colleagues celebrate Professor Roy L. Brooks at his lecture series. Top row: Jesse O’Sullivan ‘19 (JD), Ian Pike ‘19 (JD), Amber Rahim ‘26 (JD), Christopher Chandler ‘09 (JD), Kameron Wright ‘21 (JD), Mike Rider ‘83 (JD), Jacqueline Isaac ‘09 (JD), Hilary Schwartz ‘17 (JD), Ana Rica Hartman ‘08 (JD), Hugh Kim ‘99 (JD), Cameron Holl ‘22 (JD). Middle row: Shannon Finley ‘13 (JD), Julianne Odin ‘18 (JD), Rachel Giubilato Hochstetler ‘15 (JD),

Alex L. Landon ’71 (JD) Erin P. Lupfer ’17 (JD) Noel J. Meza III ‘19 (JD) Carola Murguia ‘20 (JD) Berenika Palys ’18 (JD) Alexandria Pritchett ’21 (JD) Logan Quessenberry ‘26 (JD expected) Dean Robert A. Schapiro, JD* Benjamin Schenk ’20 (JD) Phillip M. Shelton, Ph.D. ’22 (JD) Patrick C. Swan ’15 (JD) Francis “Frank” J. Tepedino ’74 (JD) Hon. Victor M. Torres ’84 (BA), ’88 (JD) Hon. Christopher T. Whitten ’91 (JD) Jessica G. Wilson ’02 (BA), ’06 (JD)

*ex-officio member ADVOCATE STAFF — Editors Alison Bushan Alexis Vercollone Contributors Jordan Corder Shari Baurle Green Jeanette Nichols Kaitlynn Pimentel Debbie Rider ’84 (JD)

Photographer Grace Goodale Lauren Radack Design

Diablo Custom Publishing Advocate is published by the

University of San Diego School of Law Department of Marketing and Communications. Please address all correspondence to: Advocate University of San Diego School of Law 5998 Alcalá Park

Assistant Dean, Law Careers and Professional Development Dr. Karen Sigmond ’96 (JD) Assistant Dean, Graduate, International and Certificate Programs

San Diego, CA 92110-2492 Email: lawpub@sandiego.edu © 2026 USD School of Law

David S. Casey III ’18 (JD) Saerin Cho ’08 (JD), (LLM) Megan L. Donohue ’09 (JD) E. Scott Dupree ’77 (JD) Erin F. Giglia ’01 (JD)

CONTENTS

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DEPARTMENTS 2 DEAN’S MESSAGE

Dean Robert A. Schapiro reflects on the many ways in which USD Law strives to build a better world. 3 DISCOVERY Updates on USD Law newsmakers and events, including new books by alumni and faculty, a milestone for the Experiential Advocacy Practicum, and more. 6 STUDENT SUCCESS A banner year for advocacy competition teams, SBA President Logan Quessenberry and inspiring words from California Supreme Court Associate Justice Goodwin Liu. 22 FACULTY FOOTNOTES News about faculty members’ achievements and activities. Plus: a tribute to beloved Professor Roy L. Brooks as he retires after 47 years at USD Law. 28 ACADEMIC EVENTS Flagship events connect students to their classes. 30 GIVING Longtime USD Law supporter Karen Hewitt ’89 (JD), the impact of student scholarships, updates on the Loan Repayment Assistance Program and more. 34 CLASS ACTION Catch up with the professional lives of alumni. 44 IN MEMORIAM USD School of Law mourns the passing of alumni and friends. 46 CONNECTING ALUMNI Photos from alumni events and reunions.

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FEATURES 12 INTERNATIONAL VANTAGE POINTS USD School of Law offers world-class LLM programs to help global students gain expertise in U.S. law. 16 CLINICAL IMPACT Recent developments in the Housing Rights Clinic, the Immigration Clinic and the newly launched Innocence Clinic reflect the many ways the law school’s clinical education programs continue to flourish. 20 DESIGNING FOR THE FUTURE USD School of Law has initiated an ambitious campaign to reinvigorate, upgrade and expand its facilities.

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DEAN’S MESSAGE

experiential learning spaces and create welcoming environments that reflect the caliber and ambition of our community. These improvements are investments not only in bricks and mortar, but in the generations of lawyers who will learn, lead and serve. Our faculty are building a better world through scholarship and service. Their thought leadership influences courts, policymakers and practitioners across the country and around the globe. In this issue, we are honored to pay tribute to scholar, mentor and beloved teacher Professor Roy L. Brooks as he retires after 47 years at USD Law. We are also delighted to welcome six outstanding new faculty members whose expertise spans critical and emerging areas of law. Their arrival strengthens our intellectual community and ensures that our students are learning at the forefront of legal development. USD Law’s commitment to student success remains unwavering. This fall, we welcomed an exceptionally talented and accomplished 1L class whose academic credentials and diverse experiences promise to enrich the community. We have expanded the international LLM offerings and certificate programs to meet the needs of students outside the U.S. Beyond the classroom, our advocacy competition teams have distin guished themselves on the national stage, earning top honors and demonstrating the skill, professionalism and preparation that define a USD Law education. None of this progress would be possible without you. As alumni and friends, you continue to inspire us through your achievements and generosity. Your sup port of scholarships, clinics and campus improvements directly empowers students and expands our impact. It is an exciting and consequential time for USD School of Law. Thank you for being part of this commu nity and for helping us build a better world—together. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus soon.

T his year’s magazine theme, Building a Better World , captures our aspirations and daily work at USD School of Law. Across campus and throughout the community, students, faculty and alumni are advancing justice, strengthening legal institutions and expanding opportunities to make a tangible difference. I am proud to share a few of the many ways USD Law is living out that mission. At the heart of our impact are the 13 legal clinics and three policy centers, which continue to transform lives while shaping practice-ready lawyers. Through direct representation, policy advocacy and community part nerships, students are addressing urgent needs from negotiating settlements for tenants facing homelessness and supporting immigrants seeking asylum to advocat ing for the innocent and safeguarding civil rights. Clinic by clinic, case by case, they are building a better world by ensuring that the promise of justice is accessible to all. We are building for the future in a very literal sense. Our Designing for the Future facilities campaign is reimagining the campus to support collaboration, innovation and excellence in legal education. Planned renovations will modernize classrooms, expand

ROBERT A. SCHAPIRO Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law

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DISCOVERY

USD LAW BOOKSHELF RECENT AND FORTHCOMING WORKS BY FACULTY AND ALUMNI

FACULTY

❱❱ Margaret A. Dalton, with coauthor Dean T. Adams, California School Law, 4th edition (Stanford University Press, 2026)

❱❱ Donald Dripps, Sentencing Discretion and the Constitution: Due Process of Time (Oxford University Press, 2026)

THE FIFTH ANNUAL BLUE BRIEF ❱❱ The University of San Diego School of Law is pleased to share the fifth annual Blue Brief , a faculty review of care fully selected rulings from the 2024-2025 Term of the U.S. Supreme Court. USD has an extraordinarily distinguished law faculty who have shared their assessments of cases ranging across a variety of important topics including civil rights, freedom of speech, administrative law, religion in schools and citizenship. This momentous Term highlighted continuing sharp divisions among the Justices. The Supreme Court showed deference to executive power with its rulings in Trump v.

❱❱ Miranda Perry Fleischer, with coauthors Laura E. Cunningham and Noel B. Cunningham, The Logic of The Transfer Taxes: A Guide to the Federal Taxation of Wealth Transfers , 3rd edition (West Academic, 2026)

❱❱ Dov Fox, The Conscience of Care: Navigating Health in the Culture Wars (Harvard University Press, 2026)

CASA and other emergency power cases, and it contin ued to define the contours of protections for margin alized groups in decisions such as United States v. Skrmetti and Mahmoud v. Taylor . Free speech in the digital age also came under scrutiny in cases including TikTok v. Garland and Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton. In addressing critical issues, the justices often rely on the insights of our faculty, and this past Term was no exception. Professor

❱❱ Lisa Ramsey, Trademarks and Free Speech: Conflicts and Resolutions (Cambridge University Press, 2026)

ALUMNI

❱ ❱ Benjamin Benumof ʼ 03 (JD), If Not, Then Why? (Platypus Publishing, 2025)

❱❱ Mikayla Blanchard ʼ 25 (JD), Caught by Demons (Laila of Midgard Book 1 Extended Edition, 2023)

Michael Ramsey’s work was cited by Justice Thomas in his concurrence in Fuld v. Palestine Liberation Organization and by Justice Sotomayor in her dissent in Trump v. CASA. We are happy to share the insights of nine of our eminent faculty on these important Supreme Court decisions. The Court’s new Term opened on October 6, 2025, and we look forward to reporting back to you in the summer of 2026 with the latest developments. Visit sandiego.edu/scotus.

❱❱ Matt Murphy ʼ 93 (JD), The Book of Murder: A Prosecutor’s Journey Through Love and Death (Hyperion Avenue, 2024)

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A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATIVE TRAINING USD’s Experiential Advocacy Practicum celebrates its 10th anniversary

is needed for legal education to keep up with the demands of the legal market.” USD School of Law students and faculty agree! As part of the required curriculum, the EAP introduces litigation and transactional practice through realis tic, simulated casework administered by San Diego’s leading practitioners, many of whom are USD Law alumni turned adjunct faculty. One such alumnus, Jason Miller ’18 (JD), an associate at Mintz, was a teaching assistant for the program in its inaugural year and is now an instructor. “As a student, I appreci ated learning directly from successful practitioners and discovering how I could emulate their approach to closing a deal,” he said. Today, he strives to be the same inspiration for his students. Guided by experts in a small setting of 10 to 12 stu dents per group, students devise various strategies to win their cases and, in doing so, not only apply theory to practice but also learn from one another that differ ent viewpoints and arguments can be just as effective as others. In the first five weeks of law school, stu dents are taking depositions, drafting documents, negotiating terms and presenting oral arguments—a truly exceptional experience that many lawyers don’t have until they are well into their practice. “The Experiential Advocacy Practicum is a great experience where we get to actually interview wit nesses, take depositions, gather evidence, review discovery, and put it all together for a closing oral

Professor Linda Lane leads EAP class.

❱❱ Ten years ago, the University of San Diego School of Law launched a truly unique plan to reimagine the first-year experience and give every student hands-on, practical training from the moment they arrive on cam pus. Today, the Experiential Advocacy Practicum (EAP), created and led by Professor of Practice Linda Lane, has become a national model for prepar ing practice-ready lawyers and a defining feature of a USD legal education that gives students the foundation and confidence to be successful after graduation. Bloomberg Law named USD School of Law as a finalist in the 2024 Law School Innovation Program for Changing Pedagogy and noted, “USD Law’s Experiential Advocacy Practicum is a key example of the innovation that

“ EAP brings together different areas of law that students may not have known existed, ” said Saleem Hawatmeh, partner at Winger Grebing, who participated in EAP first as a student and is now an adjunct professor. Hawatmeh applauds the program’s hands-on structure that provides students early exposure to the excitement, stress and realities of being a lawyer. Having had no connections to litigation or trial attorneys prior to law school, he is grateful to Professor Lane and EAP for opening his eyes to the breadth of legal careers available and introducing him to practitioners who were passionate about their work, an attribute he endeavors to embody for his students.

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DISCOVERY

“ My experience at USD has already proven invaluable. The first few weeks in the Experiential Advocacy Practicum in particular have been more than just inspiring—they’ve solidified my passion for the legal field and affirmed my commitment to a career in litigation. I am incredibly excited to continue learning, growing and putting these skills into practice. ” —SAMANTHA HEYWORTH ’25 (JD)

argument,” said 1L Sheba Candor. “It allows us to apply the legal skills we are learning from lectures directly into practice.” “During their first year of law school, students learn the doctrines and rules surrounding torts and criminal law, and in EAP they are able to use those same rules in the context of real factual situations and learn how to communicate those facts to a trier of fact or jury that’s going to be listening and wanting to hear the story they are telling,” said Lane, who oversees course design, lectures and instruction. She credits the program’s success to the strength of USD’s legal community. “EAP not only gives 1L students practi cal exposure to life as a litigator and a transactional attorney, the program thrives because of the law school’s support and the involvement of San Diego practitioners who teach and mentor our students.” Many students form lasting professional connec tions with their instructors that lead to employment opportunities. A decade in, the Experiential Advocacy Practicum continues to evolve and strengthen USD’s reputation for excellence in practical training. Its early national recognition and lasting impact make clear: The EAP is not only innovative—it is transformative.

EAP students engage in a networking session.

“ As AI advances, the human skills EAP teaches, including critical thinking, persuasion and adaptability, will only become more important, ” said adjunct faculty member Julia Y. Park, partner at Morrison Foerster. Park was drawn to the Experiential Advocacy Practicum by longtime mentor Professor Lane. From her perspective at a large law firm, EAP stands out for giving students an authentic preview of legal practice, particularly through early exposure to oral advocacy and transactional concepts often missing from law schools’ coursework. She values the program’s supportive, low-risk environment, where students build confidence, test skills and learn through experience. Students discover their own voices as advocates, reinforcing that effective lawyering does not require one single style or personality. As legal education continues to evolve alongside advances in AI that contribute to research and writing, Park praises EAP’s emphasis on skills that are essential to preparing practice-ready graduates.

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STUDENT SUCCESS

USD LAW ADVOCACY COMPETITION TEAMS SHINE ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STAGES USD athletics may draw headlines, but tournaments are not confined to basketball courts and baseball fields. They also unfold in boardrooms and courtrooms, where USD School of Law’s Advocacy Competition Teams (ACTs) send students into national and international trial, appellate, arbitration, and transactional competitions. Across these events, USD Law students sharpen drafting, counseling and advocacy skills that they will rely on throughout their careers.

❱❱ The Transactional Law Team (TLT) , coached by Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Corporate and Securities Law Stephen Ferruolo, gives students hands-on training in corpo rate deal practice, contract analysis, transactional drafting and dealmaking. The year opened with a finalist finish at Baylor Law’s invite-only, rapid-fire contest The Closer, where Nathan Gelbrich ’25 (JD) counseled a client, identified key issues and reached business-savvy solutions in a 24-hour span. “In his final round on Sunday, Nathan demonstrated the same mastery of the deal and worked collaboratively with opposing counsel to find sensible, business-savvy solutions to all the major issues,” Ferruolo said. In Los Angeles, two USD TLT teams swept through the UCLA

Transactional Law Competition where they managed a simulated, complex private equity purchase of a technology company. Kyle Murphy ’25 (JD), Kevin Masso ’25 (JD) and Reece Martin (3L) won Best Draft, Best Negotiation and Best Overall while Coleman Fuquea (3L), Julia Perry ’25 (JD) and Brian Buckley (3L) took home awards for Best Draft and Best Overall, marking TLT’s best finish at the esteemed event. TLT’s momentum continued to competitions at William & Mary, Wayne State University, Duke University and on to the ABA Business Law Section’s MAC Cup III, where Buckley and Ye Jun Kim (2L) advanced from a 64-team field to the Elite Eight, impressing judges with precise contract analysis and deal strategy.

Top: Nathan Gelbrich (far left) and competitors at Baylor Law’s invite-only, rapid-fire contest The Closer. Right, front row: Reece Martin and Julia Perry; back row: Kyle Murphy, Brian Buckley, Professor Stephen Ferruolo, Kevin Masso and Coleman Fuquea at the UCLA Transactional Law Competition.

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Alexis Hughes, Isabella Cantwell, Mikayla Seiler, Leah Schumacher and Joe Doucette at the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM) program in Vienna.

Transactional Law Team members Abigail Healey and Karla Lora at William & Mary’s 2025 Colonial Cup.

Emily Gaines, Brooke Tooma and Professor Kathryn Hoyt at the ABA Business Law Section’s MAC Cup III.

The Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (VICAM) pro gram competes worldwide in international commercial law and arbitration, building members’ research, brief-writing and oral advocacy skills. In Vienna, Austria, Joe Doucette ’25 (JD) paired with Leah Schumacher (3L), while Alexis Hughes (3L) and Isabella Cantwell (3L) competed together under student-coach Mikayla Seiler ’25 (JD). Both groups finished in the top 30% of more than 390 teams, with Schumacher earning the Martin Domke Award as a top 5% oralist. At Vis East Moot in Hong Kong, student-coach MaryBeth Ammari ’25 (JD) helped teammates Nicole Parks (4P) and Caroline Sharp (3L), along with the duo of Savannah Munoz (3L) and Danielle Nead-Work (3L), to the round of 16 from a 154-team field, which was VICAM’s first elimination-round appearance since 2017. USD Law was one of only two U.S. law schools to reach that stage. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Team (formerly the Client Advocacy Team) develops client-counseling, negotiation and mediation skills while sustaining USD’s reputation for client centered advocacy. Building on a regional title, Emily Gaines (3L) and Brooke Tooma (3L), with head coach Adjunct Professor of Law Kathryn Hoyt ’14 (JD), attorney coach Noel Gillespie ’02 (JD) and student-coach Reem Dabbous ’25 (JD), finished in the top six at the ABA Law Student Division Negotiation Competition Nationals in Chicago. The USD Moot Court Program continued its tradition of suc cess in not only sending teams to National Competitions but hosting them as well under the leadership of Chair Lexi McCrillis (3L). USD hosted the Alumni Torts Moot Court Competition, where students wrote briefs and then competed in appellate arguments. The final round featured San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Pulos, United States Magistrate Judge Valerie

Torres, and retired San Diego Superior Court Judge Kenneth Medel ’79 (JD). In November, USD hosted 30 schools from across the country at the National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition featuring Ninth Circuit Judge John Owens, San Diego Superior Court Judge Victor Torres ’84 (JD) and Magistrate Judge Michelle Pettit as the final round judges. These results reflect hundreds of hours from students, fac ulty coaches and volunteer attorneys who dedicate themselves to seeing their teams succeed. Months of research and practice ensure everyone represents USD Law with pride. Thanks to donors’ generous support, these competitions become a reality. Because of these investments, USD Law students turn classroom knowl edge into practice: drafting, negotiating and advocating at a high level long before graduation while making memories that will last a lifetime.

Nicole Parks, Caroline Sharp, Danielle Nead-Work, MaryBeth Ammari, Savannah Munoz and Coach Kayla Sideco ’25 (JD) at Vis East Moot in Hong Kong.

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FALL 2025 ENTERING JD CLASS: AN OVERVIEW A statistical look at the exceptional new students attending USD Law 4,241 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED (UP 31% FROM 2024) AGE RANGE 19-45 34 % DIVERSITY 163 MEDIAN LSAT

3.84 MEDIAN GPA 240

24 AVERAGE AGE

STUDENTS ENROLLED

62 % WOMEN

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STUDENT SUCCESS

MEET THE SBA PRESIDENT 3L Logan Quessenberry keeps community at the forefront of USD Law

❱❱ Logan Quessenberry once imagined a future in music as a concert tuba player. Then, a UCLA mock trial inten sive he attended in high school changed everything. “I fell in love with that style of advocacy,” he noted. “I thought I would help people through music until I realized it wasn’t enough for me.” A San Diego native, Quessenberry graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California but returned home for law school. Drawn to USD’s sense of connection, he reflected, “After that first campus visit, I could see myself here.” At USD Law, he found a sense of belonging through hands-on work in the Immigration Law Clinic, spend ing two semesters on U visa matters and contributing to a successful asylum case. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had as a person, let alone as a law student,” he said, noting how direct client work not only sharpened his skills and underscored the importance of legal services, but also the importance of collaboration. Quessenberry brought that mindset to the Student Bar Association (SBA), serving as secretary before step ping into the presidency. Guided by mentors, including former SBA president Sophie Parker ’25 (JD), Professor Justin Brooks and Dean Robert A. Schapiro, he set out to strengthen communication with the administration and build bridges to the wider University through shared events and resources. One initiative, a spring Law Student Night with USD Athletics, is designed to bring law students into the broader campus community. After graduation, Quessenberry plans to pursue public criminal defense in San Diego while maintaining an interest in immigration practice. Asked for a favorite USD Law memory, he points to a pattern rather than a moment: sustained support from faculty and staff. “That commitment makes it easier to participate, to be heard and to belong,” he shared.

[The Immigration Law Clinic] was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had as a person, let alone as a law student. ” —3L LOGAN QUESSENBERRY

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Associate Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court addressed the new graduates at USD Law’s 68th Commencement.

GUARDIANS OF THE RULE OF LAW Justice Goodwin Liu’s Message to the Class of 2025

❱❱ University of San Diego School of Law celebrated its 68th Commencement on May 17, 2025, with a ceremony that awarded more than 300 JD and LLM degrees to the Class of 2025. In his address, Associate Justice Goodwin Liu of the California Supreme Court—with his character istic wit and moral clarity—offered graduates a send-off that blended humor with a powerful call to service and reminded the class that the privilege of joining the legal profession carries profound responsibility. Justice Liu began with warmth and levity, praising the graduates’ “Suits-ready” appearance and offering his own “executive orders” granting straight A’s and student loan forgiveness for all. Yet beneath the laughter was gratitude as he asked graduates to stand and honor the families, friends and mentors who had made the journey possible. That moment of collective appreciation set the tone for an address centered on humility, purpose and service. His famous story about scoring in the third percen tile on the contracts portion of his bar review practice

test—an anecdote greeted with gasps and laughter— carried a reassuring message. Hard work and determina tion matter far more than innate mastery, he told them. If a bar student who barely passed contracts could become a justice of the California Supreme Court, then temporary setbacks should never define one’s professional future. “I don’t recommend that route,” he joked, “but it’s possible.” Justice Liu’s speech soon shifted to a sobering reflec tion on the essential role of lawyers in defending the rule of law—especially in turbulent times. Becoming a lawyer today, he said, “is dangerous work.” Quoting Shakespeare’s famous line, “The first thing we do is, let’s kill all the lawyers,” he reminded graduates that tyrants and authori tarian movements have always targeted lawyers first. Why? Because lawyers defend the unpopular, hold govern ments accountable and insist that power operate within the bounds of law. Justice Liu traced a lineage of moral courage—from John Adams defending British soldiers after the Boston

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Massacre, to Clara Foltz’s fight for women’s rights and the creation of the public defender, to Justice Thurgood Marshall and the civil rights lawyers who risked their lives to end segregation. These examples, he warned, are not relics of a bygone era. Around the world today, lawyers are imprisoned, threatened and punished simply for rep resenting clients or causes unpopular with those in power. “That principle is under threat today,” he said, “and you must stand strong and defend it.” To underscore this duty, Justice Liu invoked Justice William O. Douglas, who cautioned in 1953 against the “shortcuts” governments take in moments of fear or politi cal fervor—shortcuts that can quietly erode constitutional foundations. Lawyers, Douglas wrote, must be vigilant custodians of the law, ensuring that expedience does not become “the accepted pattern.” Justice Liu told the gradu ates that they, too, would soon take the oath to support and defend the Constitution—an obligation that distinguishes the legal profession and should guide their entire careers. For inspiration, he urged graduates to return to their beginnings. “Print a copy of your law school application

FOLLOWING IN THEIR FAMILY’S FOOTSTEPS At the ceremony, a record number of legacy students received their degrees presented to them by their proud family members in partnership with USD President James T. Harris III. ❱❱ Tyler Dunne was joined by his mother, Julie Dunne ’92 (JD). ❱❱ Leslie Franklin Girard was joined by his mother, Lori Girard ’96 (JD). ❱❱ Dennis Michael Grady, Jr. was joined by his father, Dennis Brady ’84 (JD). ❱❱ Christopher Hogan was joined by his sister, Remy Leila Hogan ’24 (JD). ❱❱ Grace Marie Houser was joined by her father, Eric D. Houser ’87 (JD). ❱❱ Mia F. Jessen was joined by her father, Joshua Jessen ’02 (JD). ❱❱ Grant Marcketta was joined by his wife, Erin Graham ’24 (JD). ❱❱ Marven Mekha was joined by his sister, Moreen Mekha ’19 (JD). ❱❱ Emma Elizabeth Nelson was joined by her father, Craig Nelson ’94 (LLM). USD Law is always pleased when these kinds of familial bonds extend within the larger law school community. “every color, every creed, every culture of this vibrant soci ety,” Justice Liu expressed confidence that their aspirations would guide them through the difficult moments ahead. They will face unpopular clients, hard arguments, and moments of doubt or vulnerability. But in those moments, he said, “Your clients and our nation are counting on you.” Justice Liu closed with a charge befitting the gravity of the profession: “Be advocates. Be defenders. Be officers of the court. Be guardians of the rule of law with the fate of our democracy in your hands.” With that, he sent the Class of 2025 forward—celebrating their determination and resil ience, and calling them to courage, integrity and service. “As they say,” he concluded with a smile, “I will see you in court.” essay,” he said. “Keep it in the top drawer of your desk.” Revisit it often. That essay—written before classes, bar prep, job pressures and professional expectations—contains the clearest expression of their hopes, values and reasons for entering the profession. It should be their “moral compass,” a reminder that law is ultimately a service to humanity, an instrument for justice and a commitment to those who cannot speak for themselves. As he looked out at a graduating class that reflected

Clockwise from top left: Leslie and Lori Girard, Grace and Eric Houser, Julie and Tyler Dunne, Mia and Joshua Jessen.

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INTERNATIONAL VANTAGE POINTS USD Law offers world-class LLM programs to help global students gain expertise in U.S. law

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USD Law’s LLM in U.S. Law (online in Spanish) orientation.

W hen Lebanon’s economy collapsed in 2019 and many Lebanese citizens suddenly found them selves destitute, Michael Najem ’26 (LLM) decided to devote himself to protecting his fellow citizens from such catastrophes. “I watched families go bankrupt, lose their life savings, and struggle to survive in a system with no financial or legal protection,” Najem said. “That inspired me to integrate law and finance, with the goal of addressing systemic injus tices and helping to rebuild strong legal and institutional safeguards to protect people’s rights and livelihoods.” Now a Fulbright Scholar, Najem is enrolled at USD Law in the Master of Laws (LLM) in U.S. Law program. Najem explained that he and the Fulbright program chose USD Law “because it offers one of the most repu table LLM programs for international students seeking a strong foundation in U.S. law. USD and Fulbright share the same values of ethical leadership,

innovation and public service—principles that reflect my own aspirations and that I hope to bring back to Lebanon.” Najem’s story is just one example of a foreign student

so they can counsel their domestic clients on those differences.” Other international students who pur sue an LLM at the law school are foreign lawyers residing in the United States who want to reestablish their legal careers in this country. A third group are students who come to the United States with the intention of pursuing the LLM as a way to enter the legal profession, whether in U.S. law firms, corporations or other legal settings. In general, the degrees that USD Law offers international students—namely the long-standing LLM in U.S. Law and the more recent online LLM in U.S. Law offered in both Spanish and English— address a growing need for international legal expertise. “Our LLM programs have become increasingly relevant as the legal profes sion continues to globalize and evolve,” said Assistant Dean Karen Sigmond ’96 (JD). “The relevance of an LLM from USD lies in its ability to bridge global legal systems, expand professional mobility, and provide the skills and credentials

Michael Najem ’26

who is taking advantage of USD Law’s LLM programs tailored to international participants. Some, like Najem, enroll to deepen their knowledge of the U.S. legal system before returning to their home countries with a credential that can expand their opportunities and help them to work with U.S. and multinational firms on international legal issues. “Roughly 40 to 50 percent of my students are foreign lawyers who are interested in expanding their area of expertise in their home countries,” said Michael Amon , an adjunct professor who teaches in the LLM program. “For example, a lawyer in Peru or Argentina may be interested in better understand ing the workings of the U.S. legal system

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Students from the USD Law LLM in U.S. Law (online in Spanish) traveled to Washington D.C.

needed to thrive in a competitive and interconnected legal market.” Sigmond points out that the LLM programs for international students are not intended as prep courses to pass bar exams. They are “for professionals who want to strengthen their knowl edge of U.S. law while keeping an eye on bar exam eligibility, rather than as a substitute for a dedicated bar review course.” Najem expects his studies at USD will grant him access to a global network, allowing him to gather knowledge that could be applied in his home country. “This degree will open doors for me anywhere in the world—whether in the U.S., Europe or the Middle East— enabling me to gain diverse experience and ultimately apply that knowledge to help my country prosper through more transparent and effective legal finan cial practices,” he said, adding that he chose to study U.S. law because of its sophistication, particularly with regard to financial regulation, and because it is based on common law. Lebanon’s legal system is based on civil law. “I wanted to broaden my perspective by immersing myself in the common law tradition,” Najem said. “The U.S. is the quintessential place to experience this system in action—to learn from the best legal minds, understand how lawyers and professors reason and apply the law, and capture the strengths that make this approach so effective.”

DEEPENING EXPERTISE Yasemin Dilber ’25 (LLM) is an interna tional student who chose to pursue an

the kind of specialization that Dilber is pursuing is built into the LLM programs. “The programs offer students the flex ibility to tailor their studies to emerging areas such as business and corporate law, international law, and taxation, fields that are in high demand among employers worldwide,” she said, adding that such “adaptability ensures that our graduates are prepared for both traditional legal practice and the rapidly growing areas of compliance, policy and advisory work that require a strong foundation in U.S. law.” For Dilber, moving to the United States offered her the opportunity to study IP law not only in her academic program, but also through exposure to San Diego’s technology and biotech companies, “making it an ideal place to deepen my expertise in IP law,” she observed. She was also drawn to USD Law because of its reputation as a top-quality school with a friendly atmosphere. “When I decided to continue my legal

LLM in U.S. law to prepare herself for work in the United States. A native of Turkey, she earned her law degree in

Istanbul, as well as an LLM with a focus on commercial law. Her course of study at USD Law focused on intellectual property (IP) law. “In practice, legal issues rarely appear in isolation,” Dilber said. “IP disputes often involve commercial agreements, corporate structures and international trade considerations. By combining my background in commercial law with IP law, and my understanding of both the U.S. and Turkish legal systems, I aim to provide legal solutions that are compre hensive and internationally informed.” Sigmond explained the opportunity for

Yasemin Dilber ’25

“ The relevance of an LLM from USD lies in its ability to bridge global legal systems, expand professional mobility, and provide the skills and credentials needed to thrive in a competitive and interconnected legal market. ” —ASSISTANT DEAN KAREN SIGMOND ’96 (JD)

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INTERNATIONAL VANTAGE POINTS

education in the United States, USD stood out not only for its strong academic reputation, but also for its supportive campus environment,” she recalled. “I was looking for a program that would offer high-quality education and a col laborative atmosphere, and USD offered the best combination of both.” Her process of acclimating to a new country was made easy because of the support she felt at USD Law. “As an international student, I expected to face challenges in adapting, but the community at USD has made me feel welcome from the beginning. The willingness of professors and peers to understand our perspectives is some thing I truly value.” Dilber’s career goal is to work as a managing attorney at an intellectual property firm in San Diego where she can “support innovative companies and entrepreneurs.” BRIDGING BORDERS While Sigmond was earning her degree at USD Law, she traveled to Mexico for a summer-abroad program and decided she wanted to work internationally. She has worked as a legal educator in Mexico as well as the United States,

starting at USD Law as the Director of Graduate, International and Certificate Programs about four years ago. She said being able to offer international students “an opportunity to learn about the U.S. legal system is very gratifying.” When international students arrive at USD Law, Sigmond observed that “they sometimes have no knowledge of how the U.S. legal system works other than what they saw in a Netflix series. But you see them grow in a short period of time, and then those students become the bridges between countries. Particu larly for us at the border—lawyers from Mexico learn the U.S. legal system and then participate in cross-border trans actions. To see how that happens is something that does not have a price.” USD Law’s LLM in Spanish, the Maestría en Derecho Estadounidense, was started in 2023 for lawyers and academics from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. It also attracts Spanish-speaking lawyers living in the United States who want to retool their skills for legal careers here. Sigmond recently returned from a trip to Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia, where she was working on memoranda of understanding with

institutions in those countries to create not only faculty and student exchange programs, but also such trailblaz ing arrangements as joint executive programs—which she points out are important for international business transactions—and trial skills seminars held abroad. “Not only are we bringing students here, we are also sending our faculty to work with students and lawyers in dif ferent countries,” Sigmond said. “Many people can’t come to the U.S. for work or family reasons. Well, if you can’t come to the U.S., we will go to you.” USD Law is also making arrange ments with universities in Spain, India and China. “We are opening doors and opening frontiers,” Sigmond noted. “We are pioneers in many regards in terms of all the new things we are doing in the international area.” Sigmond anticipates that many of the collaborations being started now will evolve into more international LLM programs at USD. “I believe we will see an increase in interest from international attorneys and international students who want to come to the U.S.,” she added. A GLOBAL LENS Having finished her LLM in Decem ber 2025, Dilber leaves USD Law as a licensed attorney with degrees in com mercial law and U.S. law, a specialty in intellectual property and a strong under standing of cross-border commercial transactions. On her LinkedIn account, she sums up what she and many other international LLM students develop while at USD Law: “I bring a global perspective to legal problem-solving.” ■

USD Law’s LLM in U.S. Law (online in Spanish) graduation.

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Interim Academic Director Eric Austin ‘11 (JD), Professor Tammy Lin ‘06 (JD), Professor Sandra Wagner (ret.), Professor Michael Devitt, Professor Ali Brown ‘13 (JD), Vice Dean Robert Muth and Kelley Hallet The Legal Clinics play an important role in the San Diego community by providing vital pro bono legal services while giving students meaningful legal experience. Recent developments in the Housing Rights Clinic, the Immigration Clinic and the newly launched Innocence Clinic reflect the many ways USD Law’s clinical education programs continue to flourish. CLINICAL IMPACT

F ounded in 1971, the Legal Clinics provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students who want to hit the ground run ning as practicing attorneys by the time they graduate from law school. The clinics operate as an extension of the law school’s excellent doctrinal program while providing countless hours of free legal services to clients in need and training generations of students in lawyering best practices. Today, the program has grown to 13 thriving clinics, well equipped to address wide-ranging legal matters including workers’ rights, veterans’ affairs, and educa tion and disability issues. Now under the leadership of

Interim Academic Director Eric Austin ’11 (JD)—and with the strong foundation established by his predeces sors, Vice Dean Robert Muth and Professor of Law Margaret Dalton ’94 (JD)—the clinics have long been trusted sources of legal services in the San Diego com munity. This year alone, graduates of the Class of 2025 fulfilled an impressive 19,200-plus hours of service at the clinics, estimated to be worth over $3.3 million in monetary value to the local San Diego community. Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert A. Schapiro praised the work of the clinics, say ing, “They continue to confront humanity’s challenges. Their work is truly a signature of legal excellence.”

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The clinics have been providing exceptional services for more than 50 years while staying alert to emerging needs for legal assistance. As proof, the Housing Rights Clinic recently added a satellite program housed in the San Diego Law Library, giving students opportunities to represent tenants who would otherwise be on their own in unlawful detainer eviction proceedings. Aus tin praised the Housing Rights Clinic’s founder and supervising attorney, Professor Alysson Snow , for her “brilliant idea” to represent people appearing in pro per for their court hearings. In a similar fashion, Professor Tammy Lin ’06 (JD), supervising attorney of the Immi gration Clinic, has stepped up efforts “to the next level” in response to the tremendous need for full-scope legal representation in Immigration Court (removal hearings) and Board of Immigration Appeal appellate cases. Furthermore, Austin noted that the Legal Clinics are proud to welcome the newest addition to the program: the Innocence Clinic. Overseen by renowned advocate Professor Justin Brooks , the clinic builds on Brooks’s longtime efforts to assist people who have been wrong fully incarcerated—and is now creating opportunities for USD Law students to do the same. HELPING PEOPLE STAY HOUSED Since its launch in 2022 with a $230,000 grant from a private foundation, the Housing Rights Clinic has helped some 500 people, said Snow, who previously led the Consumer Protection Division at the Legal Aid Soci ety of San Diego and currently serves as the mayor of Lemon Grove, a suburb of San Diego. The clinic works with people facing homelessness, eviction, foreclosure, and threats to housing like uninhabitability and harass ment. Yet each time Snow and her students went to housing court, they identified unmet needs. “Every time we went to court, we saw people who showed up without a lawyer on the day of their trial,”

Snow said. “They were not able to negotiate favorable settlements or navigate the legal process.” Snow tried to figure out how to provide effective legal services, “and it seemed like the best way was to reach people on the day of trial. Every incentive for the landlords and for the tenants to settle culminated right before trial.” With another grant from a private foundation, the Eviction Negotiation Program was born on June 2, 2025. The program evolved because judges frequently have too many cases to hear in one morning and often order the parties into the hall to negotiate a settlement. That is when Snow and her law students step in: They approach people outside the courtroom and offer to represent them in their eviction negotiation. Arriving shortly after 8 a.m., they conduct an intake, review the materials and proceed to negotiate. On a typ ical day, the case is resolved by noon. To further assist these clients, Snow has procured space in the San Diego Law Library, a block away from the courthouse, where students can meet with clients in a confidential setting. Snow told the story of one couple with two children. “They owed about $10,000 in back rent,” she said. “They were trying to find a new place to live. If they had to pay the back rent, they could never move forward with their lives.” Snow and her students negotiated a settlement in which “the couple did not have to pay the back rent. They got 60 extra days to find a new place to live, and they were able to move forward with a clean slate. That was a new lease on life, and they were thrilled,” she added. “None of our clients have fallen into homelessness, which is nothing shy of a miracle,” noted Snow. “Stu dents get to use their law degree to help someone stay housed, to keep a family together under the same roof. I am hopeful that the clinic will create a new bastion of social justice warriors who are ready to take on these dif ficult fights.”

“ I am hopeful that the [Housing Rights Clinic] will create a new bastion of social justice warriors who are ready to take on these difficult fights. ” —PROFESSOR ALYSSON SNOW

AIDING IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES San Diego’s proximity to the U.S.- Mexico border led USD Law to establish its Immigration Clinic in 1984. Lin, who helped build the

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