ALUMNI GIVING
Your gifts to the Law Annual Fund support the law school's highest priorities, allowing us to provide financial aid, clinical programs, attract top faculty and more. Help us continue on the road to excellence. To make a gift please go to the online giving Web site or contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (619) 260-4692 or dmcintyre@sandiego.edu.

Introducing the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

The USD Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and the University of San Diego School of Law are pleased to announce the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients:

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who are recognized in the legal field or other chosen profession at an exemplary level and who embody the high ethical standards and commitment to community service that the USD School of Law seeks to instill in its graduates.

Join us at the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon on:

Friday, October 3, 2008
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Individual tickets are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Invitations will be mailed this summer and online registration will be available at that time. RSVPs and credit card payments are currently being accepted by phone at (619) 260-4692.

For more information about the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact the law development and alumni relations office at (619) 260-4692 or lawalum@sandiego.edu.

ALUMNI NEWS AND EVENTS

USD New York-Area Alumni and Current USD Law Students Happy Hour at the Volstead
July 16

USD School of Law's office of development and alumni relations and Law Alumni Association Board Member co-host Noel Vales '97 invite New York-area alumni and current USD law students to happy hour.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

USD will host the first round of drinks for law alumni and students. Please RSVP by Monday, July 14, to the office of development and alumni relations at (619) 260-4692 or lawalum@sandiego.edu

USD Orange County Alumni Chapter's Pageant of the Masters Dinner and Performance
August 9

Join USD Orange County alumni and friends for dinner at Tivoli Terrace and the Pageant of the Masters performance.

Saturday, August 9, 2008
4:00 p.m. Festival galleries/exhibits open
6:00 p.m. Cocktail reception at Tivoli Terrace
6:30 p.m. Dinner
8:30 p.m. Performance

Tivoli Terrace and Festival of the Arts
650 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-9650 for Tivoli Terrace
(949) 494-1145 for Festival of the Arts

The cost is $95 per person and includes the art exhibition, appetizers, no-host bar, three-course dinner and the performance. All seats purchased through USD are located in section "Main Tier Right" of amphitheatre. Space is limited.

USD Career Services LA Interview Day
September 12

Sign up for Career Services recruiting program in Los Angeles.

Friday, September 12, 2008
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Hilton Checkers Hotel Los Angeles
535 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 624-0000

For additional information regarding the USD in LA interview day, or other Career Services recruiting programs, please contact Heather Lloyd, Esq., career advisor and employer liaison for the Career Services office, at (619) 260-2752.

All law alumni are invited to attend Law Alumni Weekend, October 3-5, 2008. The weekend will celebrate reunions for the classes of 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1978, 1973, 1968 and 1963. In addition, the Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon will be held on Friday, October 3, at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego.

If you are interested in serving as a class reunion agent, please contact Shari Baurle, associate director of alumni relations. As a class reunion agent, you will assist the law school by encouraging your classmates to support the law school during Law Alumni Weekend.

Invitations will be mailed this summer and online registration will be available at that time. If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact the office of development and alumni relations at (619) 260-4692 or lawalum@sandiego.edu.

ON THE MOVE

Evan P. Kirvin, '94, Wins San Diego Superior Court Judicial Seat

In California’s June 3 primary election, Evan P. Kirvin, '94 was elected to the San Diego County Superior Court, Office 45, replacing retiring Judge William Kennedy.

"USD law school commands a great deal of respect from residents of San Diego County in general, and from members of the legal community in particular," said Evan. "During my campaign for judge, it was with great pride that I was able to inform voters that I was a graduate of the law school. After the election, several voters informed me that they voted for me, in part, due to the fact that I had listed USD law school on my ballot statement."

Evan will continue to serve as a deputy district attorney until his January 2009 swearing-in, assigned to the Sex Crimes and Stalking Division. He has worked in the District Attorney's Office since 1999, handling cases involving charges of rape, robbery, kidnapping and torture. He has also tried cases involving sexually violent predators, a special class of sex offender who can be committed to a state hospital under civil law after serving time in prison. Evan has prosecuted hundreds of felony cases, including murder trials.

Reflecting about his experiences at USD law school, Evan remarked, "I received an excellent legal education at USD and my first year criminal law professor and now dean, Kevin Cole, instilled a keen interest in choosing criminal law as my field of practice. Dean Cole had an ability to make the criminal cases come alive while lecturing about the nuances of the legal principles supporting the law." He continued, "I also gained insight into the area of criminal law as a research assistant for Professor Cynthia Lee, who also taught criminal procedure."

Evan said that one of his inspirations for aspiring to the bench came from Superior Court Judge and Adjunct Professor Howard Shore '72. "I was a student of Judge Shore in his advanced California criminal evidence and scientific evidence classes." Judge Shore, a USD law alumnus, was a deputy district attorney and then became a judge. Evan remarked, "I have now followed that same legal career path. As a prosecutor, I conducted several trials in front of Judge Shore, and am now humbled to know that I will soon be one of his colleagues on the bench."

Evan will be sworn in on January 5, 2009. We congratulate him on his victory.

Gerard von Hoffmann, '83, Earns Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals at the United States Masters National Swimming Championships

Gerard von Hoffmann, '83, a partner at Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear in Irvine, earned two gold medals, one silver and one bronze and finished in fourth and sixth places at the United States Masters National Swimming Championships held in Austin, Texas, in May.

Gerard has worked at Knobbe Martens since 1986. He specializes in the medical device industry including competitive strategies, infringement studies, financings, strategic transactions and patent prosecution. Prior to joining the firm, Gerard clerked for the Honorable Helen W. Nies, Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

He swam competitively in high school and college , then took a 16 year break from swimming during law school, his clerkship with Judge Nies and building his successful legal career with Knobbe Martens.

Gerard picked up competitive swimming again in 2002 and in 2005, he won a gold medal in the 50 breaststroke at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada. In 2006, Gerard medaled in six events at the FINA World Championships held at Stanford University that year, and was a member of a world-record-setting medley relay. He also earned four gold medals that same year at the United States Masters National Swimming Championships.

"Performance in law school and in the athletic arena involve the same mental skills," said Gerard. "Success is driven by a blend of preparation and natural ability. Enough of one can compensate for the other. In the end, it’s all about desire to succeed."

We congratulate Gerard on his most recent accomplishments as a competitive swimmer.

Ventura County Court Names David M. Hirsch, '92, as Commissioner

Ventura County Superior Court judges have selected David M. Hirsch. '92, as one of the court's newest commissioners. He is assigned to Department 10, traffic court. Dave fills the vacancy left by the appointment of Kevin G. DeNoce to a judgeship last month. He has been a deputy public defender for Ventura County since 2003. Prior to that, Dave worked for a criminal defense firm and as a sole practitioner.

"I've been very fortunate in my legal career and am hopeful that I can serve with distinction," said Dave. "As a proud member of the USD law school's class of '92, I'm looking forward to this new challenge."

We congratulate Dave on his appointment.

USD School of Law Welcomes New Alumni to the California State Bar Association

Congratulations to our newest members of the State Bar of California. Alumni, faculty, family and friends celebrated together with Dean Kevin Cole at USD Bar Swearing-In Breakfast prior to the Bar-Swearing-In Ceremony at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter hotel on Thursday, June 5, 2008.