USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

GIVING USD School of Law is deeply grateful to the donors, alumni, faculty and friends who support the law school’s mission. Here are a few stories about why they give back. DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE Accomplished attorney Karen Hewitt ’89 (JD) is helping USD Law reach new heights

“I truly enjoyed my experience at USD Law, where I was very involved with Moot Court,” she recalled. “After I graduated, it became even more apparent what a good education I had received. When I started as a prosecutor and eventually ascended to become the U.S. Attorney in San Diego, I felt like the skills I learned along the way really started at USD.” She left the U.S. Attorney’s office in 2010, when she joined Jones Day. As a native San Diegan, Hewitt takes a measure of hometown pride in the continued success of her alma mater. “USD Law is a big part of the San Diego com munity,” she said, “and I am a big believer in giving back to make this community stronger.” To that end, she has been a longtime member of the USD Law Board of Visitors and, with her husband, Andrew, she has generously given $1 million toward the facilities improvement campaign. In her work at Jones Day, Hewitt handles both civil and criminal matters, often working on “sensitive, large-company issues involving crisis management, compliance and potential criminal proceedings,” she explained. She also finds great fulfillment in her leadership role, which allows her “to help nurture the careers of new lawyers, and it is wonderful to see their progression.” Many of these new lawyers turn out to be USD Law grads, “and when I see how outstanding they are, it makes me want to get even more involved with the law school,” Hewitt said. “One thing I have learned in my career is that where you spend your day matters,” she added. “The right environment can elevate performance and morale. And with better facilities, USD Law could be poised for a new level of greatness.”

Karen Hewitt ’89 (JD)

❱❱ “We are at an important inflection point,” said Karen Hewitt ’89 (JD). “USD Law is an outstanding place to learn, but the facilities need to match that level of excellence. Now is the time to get it done.” To help make this vision a reality, Hewitt is cochairing the campaign to improve the law school’s physical spaces (see page 20 to learn more). Along with cochairs Dennis Doucette ’86 (JD) and Denise Hickey ’94 (JD), Hewitt is bringing her expertise and commitment to legal education to this effort. “We want to get people excited about the future of USD Law,” she stated. “Karen’s leadership and dedication to this campaign embody the very best of our alumni community,” said USD Law Dean Robert A. Schapiro. “She is helping us build not only a stronger law school, but also a stronger founda tion for the future of legal education.” Hewitt is uniquely positioned to help lead this charge. A former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California and now regional partner-in charge of California at Jones Day, Hewitt has had a storied legal career. To no small degree, she credits her success as a prosecutor and law firm leader to the skills she acquired as a law student.

SPRING 2026

3 0