USD Law Advocate, Spring 2026

(2022–2025) and receiving the Profiles in Diversity Journal ’s 2024 Latino Leadership Award. She achieved success as second chair in a multi million-dollar whistleblower trial and secured summary adjudication in complex discrimination cases.

Vivian Adame ’17 (JD)

James Hurt ’16 (JD)

clinical professor and started the Child Advocacy Clinic. This led to Project Heartbeat, an initiative to integrate services for children with serious behavioral challenges. In 2000, she cofounded Ashworth, Blanchet, Christenson and Kalemkiarian, a woman-owned law firm specializing in complex family law, where she became a certified fam ily law specialist. Judge Kalemkiarian’s civic commitment is extensive, having served as a “minor’s counsel” for the superior court and dedicating years of service as board chair for Kids’ Turn San Diego. She was also appointed to the California Regional Water Quality Board, Region 9. Since her judicial appointment, she is committed to judicial education, serving as faculty for state judicial training and organizing monthly sessions for family law officers. She has been honored with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ 2020 Judicial Officer of the Year award, among others. She and her husband, Rey Galindo, reside in San Diego; she raised three children while pursuing her demanding career. The ceremony also recognized two Rising Star Recent Alumni, Vivian Adame ’17 (JD) and James Hurt ’16 (JD). Adame is a senior associate in the employment law group at Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP, focusing on representing and advising businesses in complex labor and employment disputes. She defends employers in litigation involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation. Adame also counsels clients on employment issues like leaves and policy development, and serves as a workplace investigator, often conducting investigations that require Spanish fluency and cultural understanding. A 2017 cum laude graduate, Adame also holds a 2014 bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude , from San Diego State University. Her professional distinctions include being named to the San Diego Super Lawyers ’ Rising Stars List

Adame maintains strong ties to the legal community, mentoring students, judging competitions, and serv ing as the cochair of the Association of Business and Trial Lawyers’ Leadership Development Committee. She recently completed her term as vice president of commu nity relations for the Lawyers Club board of directors. As the first in her family to attend law school, Adame also dedicates time to training Spanish-speaking small busi ness owners on their legal obligations. Hurt is a senior associate in the intellectual property group at Sheppard Mullin and a seasoned patent litigator, specializing in matters involving wireless communica tions, integrated circuits and mobile device technologies. A registered patent attorney, he also prosecutes patents across diverse technology areas, including AI and online gaming. His legal prowess is bolstered by 15 years of engi neering experience, including a previous role as principal engineer/manager at Qualcomm, Inc., where he was a named inventor on over a dozen patents. Hurt graduated as valedictorian, summa cum laude , in 2016. He holds a master of engineering degree (2002) and a bachelor of science degree (1998) in electrical engineer ing from UC San Diego. During law school, he was on the San Diego Law Review and externed for two federal judges. Committed to public service, Hurt serves on the board of Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego and actively mentors students. As an adopted Korean, he is an advocate for the Adoptee Citizenship Act, raising significant awareness through events like the screening of In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee. His pro bono work includes assisting indigent clients and serving as counsel to Me & Korea, an organi zation that helps Korean adoptees explore their heritage. To attend or sponsor this event in 2026, or to support the Justice for Legal Education fund, visit sandiego.edu/law/ alumni/awards.

USD SCHOOL OF LAW

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