Alumni News and Stories
October 2020
Sheppard Mullin Joins Forces with CAI Professors Robert Fellmeth and Jessica Heldman Seeking Records from Agencies of the Federal GovernmentFriday, October 23, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Joy Utomi Hartmann ’11 (JD) Chosen as Featured Speaker in Torero TalksThursday, October 15, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Judith Clark ’89 (JD) Elected as Assistant Presiding JudgeWednesday, October 14, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Tamala Choma ’97 (JD) named Vice President and General Counsel of Valley Presbyterian HospitalMonday, October 12, 2020
Virtual Homecoming and Family Week (Oct. 13-18): 'Toreros Together at Home' EventsMonday, October 12, 2020 post has video
Donating Appreciated Stock Is One of the Easiest Ways to Give More to USD School of Law Causes You Care Most AboutThursday, October 8, 2020
Gomez Trial Attorneys (GTA) Opens Their Doors to a Wider Audience To Help More PeopleThursday, October 8, 2020
Torero Tuesday is Right Around the Corner!Thursday, October 8, 2020
September 2020
USD School of Law Alumni David Casey, Jr. ’74 (JD) and Robert Francavilla ’79 (BBA), ’83 (JD) Named to “California's Top Plaintiff Lawyers”Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Higgs Fletcher & Mack, LLP Grants Diversity Scholarships to Two USD School of Law StudentsFriday, September 25, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Eve A. Brackmann ’04 (JD) Elected to OCBA Board of DirectorsThursday, September 24, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Sharon Spivak ’95 (JD) Selected as San Diego Ethics Commission’s New Executive Director After Nationwide SearchMonday, September 21, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Recognized in The Daily Transcripts's 40 Under 40Friday, September 18, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Board Member Dylan Aste ’11 (JD) Honored with Federal Bar Association's Younger Federal Lawyer AwardsWednesday, September 16, 2020
Coughlan & Vinel, LLP: Welcome to the Law Firm Challenge Family at USD!Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Making a Lasting Impact on Diversity in the Legal ProfessionTuesday, September 8, 2020
Tipping Our Hats with Gratitude to the 2019-2020 Law Firm ChallengeThursday, September 3, 2020
August 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Carolina Bravo-Karimi ’08 (JD) Recipient of the Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2020 Women Worth WatchingThursday, August 27, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Kristin Rizzo ’06 (JD) Appointed to City of San Diego Human Relations CommissionWednesday, August 26, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Tami G. Vail ’04 (JD) Joins Kahana Feld as the Managing Partner of New San Diego OfficeMonday, August 24, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Brody C. Burns ’16 (JD) Authors Article for SDCBA's For the RecordThursday, August 20, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Marsha Redmon ’89 (JD) Featured on Alumni Zoom TripsMonday, August 17, 2020
Class of 1975 Honors Raymond Joaquin MercadoFriday, August 14, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Vickie Turner ’82 (JD) Named Witkin Award RecipientMonday, August 10, 2020
USD School of Law Recent Graduate Alexandria Heins ’20 (JD) Argues on YouTube Before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitMonday, August 10, 2020
Join Us in a Standing Ovation for 2020 Law Firm Challenge ResultsWednesday, August 5, 2020
Your Gift, Your Impact, Our Thanks!Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Torrey Pines Bank, Procopio, and Class Action Law Forum Go VirtualMonday, August 3, 2020
July 2020
The Amazing Power of Virtual - A Force Multiplier for 2020 Tax Controversy InstituteWednesday, July 29, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Christopher B. Hayes ’10 (JD) Quoted in Financial TimesWednesday, July 29, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Serve as Guest Speakers for Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association's Virtual Neighborhood Law School SeriesMonday, July 27, 2020
USD Asst. Dean Meredith D'Angelo ’04 (BA), ’09 (JD) Appointed to Exe. Board of the National Association of Law Student Affairs ProfessionalsWednesday, July 22, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Allain ’18, Champine ’18, Hambly ’16, Jester ’18, and Sandler ’16 Co-Host SDCBA Panel on Civility in the LawWednesday, July 22, 2020
Assistant Director of Alumni Advising Emily Hirsekorn Shares Job Search Advice in ABA's Before the Bar BlogTuesday, July 21, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus David G. Greco ’14 (JD) Featured Guest on ExitCoachRadio.com PodcastFriday, July 17, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Rosa Cheuk Kim ’08 (JD) Appointed Vice President, Legal at CibusTuesday, July 14, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni-Owned Andrew Geoffrey Vineyards Receives Highest Live Auction Bid at 2020 Virtual USD Wine ClassicTuesday, July 14, 2020
California Supreme Court Names USD School of Law Alumnus Hon. Robert J. Trentacosta ’79 (JD) to Jury Selection Work GroupThursday, July 9, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Sebastian E. Lucier's ’05 (JD) Mintz Podcast Featured in National Law ReviewThursday, July 9, 2020
Law Firms Give It All They’ve Got!Tuesday, July 7, 2020
USD School of Law/RJS Law—Tax Controversy Institute—Bringing Tax Expertise to a New Virtual CommunityTuesday, July 7, 2020
USD School of Law Announces 2020 Distinguished and Rising Star Recent Alumni Award HonoreesMonday, July 6, 2020
USD President and School of Law Alumni Honored in San Diego Business Journal’s Inaugural SD 50 Recognizing Extraordinary LeadershipThursday, July 2, 2020
June 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Keith M. Gregory ’84 (JD) Elected to Anti-Defamation League Los Angeles' Executive CommitteeThursday, June 25, 2020
USD School of Law Holds Inaugural Virtual Swearing-In Ceremony for February Bar PassersWednesday, June 24, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Shawn Burgh ’20 (JD) Interviewed About Recent Supreme Court LGBTQ RulingTuesday, June 23, 2020
Part II: Class of 2020 Graduates Share Their Amazing StoriesMonday, June 22, 2020 post has video
USD School of Law Alumnus Jay Jurata ’00 (JD) Publishes Article on SEP Issues in Antitrust and IP Law in San Diego Law ReviewFriday, June 19, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Warren Den ’02 (JD) Selected to Moderate SDCBA Diversity Fellowship Program PanelTuesday, June 16, 2020
Four USD School of Law Alumnae Included Among Top 25: 2020 Women San Diego Super LawyersMonday, June 15, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus David S. Casey, Jr. ’74 (JD) Included Among Top 10: 2020 San Diego Super LawyersMonday, June 15, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Tim Scott ’96 (JD) CEO/Co-Founder of Tega Therapeutics Joins Life-Science Funders of COVID-19 Research FellowsFriday, June 12, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Brittany M. Wunderlich ’19 (JD) Produces Fisher Phillip’s Guide on CCPA Issues During COVID-19 PandemicThursday, June 11, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Melanie J. Snyder ’04 (JD) Named General Counsel of the Denver Regional Transportation DistrictTuesday, June 9, 2020
There's No Stopping a Group of Determined Law School Graduates! Class of 1975 Puts Heart and Soul Into Supporting USD School of LawTuesday, June 2, 2020
COVID-19 Summer Research FellowsMonday, June 1, 2020
Dean’s Scholarship InitiativeMonday, June 1, 2020
May 2020
USD Law F1RSTS: Navigating & Embracing the "First-Gen" Experience in Law SchoolFriday, May 29, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors Welcomes 2020-21 MembersWednesday, May 27, 2020
Mintz Highlighted in Law360 as “Counsel Who Care: How Attorneys Are Helping During A Crisis”Tuesday, May 26, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna and Adjunct Law Professor Virginia C. Nelson ’79 (JD) Elected to Board of Trustees of University of San DiegoTuesday, May 26, 2020
Congratulations Class of 2020!Friday, May 22, 2020- USD School of Law Alumna Eve A. Brackmann ’04 (JD) Settles Veterans Legal Institute Pro Bono CaseWednesday, May 20, 2020
USD School of Law OCPD and MilBar Co-Host Uncovering Opportunities in Federal Govt Civilian Law Event with U.S. NavyTuesday, May 19, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Miranda R. Watkins ’11(JD) Authors “Employment Issues Facing Hotels as They Reopen” in Calif. Lodging NewsMonday, May 18, 2020
CPIL’s Administrative Director Bridget Gramme ’03 (JD) '98 (BA) Quoted in The RecorderFriday, May 15, 2020
Presiding Judge Alksne ’92 (JD) and Asst. Presiding Judge Smyth ’85 (BA), ’91 (JD) Deliver State of the Court Address Part II to SDCBAFriday, May 15, 2020
Brad Hughes ’06 (JD) Quoted in Law360 Article “Defiant Tesla Sues Calif. Co., Reopens Plant in Power Play"Thursday, May 14, 2020
2020-21 SBA President Robert Ponce ’21 (JD) Highlights Importance of Student ScholarshipsWednesday, May 13, 2020
Classes from the Great Recession Asked to Answer the Call for 2020 Alumni Resource ProgramWednesday, May 13, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnae Erin Giglia ’01 (JD) and Laurie Rowen ’04 (JD) Co-Author Article in OC LawyerFriday, May 8, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Hon. Victor E. Bianchini ’63 (JD) Elected Chairman of Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Historical FoundationWednesday, May 6, 2020
Professor Robert Fellmeth and Jessica Heldman ’04 (JD) Child Rights Professor-in-Residence Op-Ed Published in San Francisco ChronicleTuesday, May 5, 2020
2020 Edition of San Diego Super Lawyers Ranks USD Alumni and Law Firm Challenge Attorneys Amongst Top Ten San Diego LawyersMonday, May 4, 2020
Students Facing COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges Clamor for Scholarship ReprieveMonday, May 4, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Robert Gerard ’87 (JD) Appointed OC Superior Court JudgeMonday, May 4, 2020
USD School of Law Celebrates Student Leadership at Virtual BreakfastMonday, May 4, 2020
A Toast to Leadership: Board and Maudsley Fellows Society Members Appreciation ReceptionFriday, May 1, 2020
April 2020
Nick Fox ’11 (JD), Lauren Stockunas ’17 (JD), and Hon. Robert Trentacosta ’79 (JD) Deliver Alumni Insights to Admitted StudentsTuesday, April 28, 2020- USD School of Law Alumna Kristin Rizzo ’06 (JD) Writes SDCBA Article on Mediation During Separation: Embracing the Virtual SessionTuesday, April 28, 2020
3L Carson Williams, President of Advocates for Children & Education and Environmental Law Society, is Honored with USD Enhancement AwardFriday, April 24, 2020
President of Pro Bono Legal Advocates’ Clean Slate Clinics, 3L Monet McCord, Honored With USD Enhancement AwardFriday, April 24, 2020
Student Bar Association (SBA) Highlights the Work of USD School of Law Student OrganizationsFriday, April 24, 2020
Student Bar Association Honors Treasurer, 3L Sarah Early, With USD Enhancement AwardFriday, April 24, 2020
Calling on USD School of Law Alumni to #HireUSDLawThursday, April 23, 2020- Presiding Judge Alksne ’92 (JD) and Asst. Presiding Judge Smyth ’85 (BA), ’91 (JD) Deliver State of the Court Address to SDCBAWednesday, April 22, 2020
University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Alumnus Vic Merjanian's ’10 (JD) tMed Video Platform Featured in OC Business JournalMonday, April 20, 2020- USD School of Law Hosts Virtual Alumni Insights Panel for Admitted StudentsFriday, April 17, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Erin Giglia ’01 (JD) Provides Guidance on Managing a Virtual Law FirmThursday, April 16, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Megan Donohue ’09 (JD) and Nick Fox ’11 (JD) Share How USD Prepared Them for SuccessWednesday, April 15, 2020
CPIL’s Administrative Director Bridget Gramme ’98 (BA), ’03 (JD) Quoted in Bloomberg LawTuesday, April 14, 2020
Jessica Heldman ’04 (JD) Child Rights Professor-in-Residence Quoted in Voice of San Diego on Child Abuse During COVID-19 PandemicTuesday, April 14, 2020
Former USD Adjunct Professor and Alumnus Richard Valdez ’91 (JD) Reappointed to 22nd District Agricultural Association, SD County Fair BoardMonday, April 13, 2020
USD School of Law Receives $25,000 from AccessLex Institute for Law Student in Need FundMonday, April 13, 2020
Students Are the Big Winners—Big Give 2020!Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Students Focus Vision 2020 Campaign on Helping Others: Interns and Community NonprofitsWednesday, April 8, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus James McPherson ’81 (JD) New Army Undersecretary & Acting Navy SecretaryWednesday, April 8, 2020
University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Alumna Bibi Fell ’04 (JD) Writes Message to Law Students: This Too Shall PassTuesday, April 7, 2020
University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Alumnus Michael J. Rider ’83 (JD) Helping ResMed Navigate Through COVID-19 CrisisTuesday, April 7, 2020
USD School of Law Establishes Law Student in Need FundMonday, April 6, 2020
Join T.E.A.M. Transform Connections Into OpportunitiesFriday, April 3, 2020
Law Firm Challenge Participant Procopio Shifts Forward in Response to COVID-19Thursday, April 2, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Marsha Kelliher ’94 (LLM) Named President of Simpson CollegeThursday, April 2, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Erik J. Greupner ’04 (JD), Padres President of Business Operations, Lays Out $1 Million Payout to Game Day WorkersThursday, April 2, 2020
Live Well @ USD Law Shares Online Self-Care & Stress Management Workshop with StudentsWednesday, April 1, 2020
March 2020
CPIL’s Executive Director, Professor Robert Fellmeth Quoted in ABA Journal On Bar Court Discipline Hearings Being VacatedWednesday, March 25, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Association Events Postponed/Cancelled Until July 1Tuesday, March 24, 2020
USD School of Law COVID-19 UpdatesTuesday, March 24, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnae Rowen ’04 (JD) and Giglia ’01 (JD) Share How To Work From Home With Kids During COVID-19 ClosuresMonday, March 23, 2020
CPIL’s Administrative Director Bridget Gramme Quoted in Los Angeles Daily JournalFriday, March 20, 2020
Doing Work Related to COVID-19? Share Your StoryFriday, March 20, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnae Erin Giglia ’01 (JD) and Laurie Rowen ’04 (JD) Share Best Strategies for Remote Work During COVID-19 ClosuresWednesday, March 18, 2020
USD School of Law Alumni Board Member Dylan Aste ’11 (JD) Honored with SDSU Inaugural Rising Aztec AwardWednesday, March 18, 2020
Sharing Words of Appreciation for Dean Stephen C. Ferruolo's Nine Years of ServiceMonday, March 16, 2020
February 2020
Applications for Law Alumni Board and Nominations for Distinguished Alumni and Rising Star Recent Alumni AwardsThursday, February 27, 2020- Big Give 20/20 Class ChallengeThursday, February 27, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Justin Hollander ’04 (JD) Promoted to Seattle Mariners Vice PresidentWednesday, February 19, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus John C. Hemmerling ‘01 (JD) Featured in The San Diego Union-TribuneTuesday, February 18, 2020
Accepting Applications for Loan Repayment Assistance for Public Interest Law AlumniMonday, February 17, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Jessica Neyman ’00 (JD) Named Chief Human Resources Officer of The Killeen Independent School DistrictMonday, February 17, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Shawn D. Skillin ‘94 (JD) Elected President of the Board of Directors of Collaborative Practice San DiegoMonday, February 17, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Lars Kroidl ’16 (LLM) Ambassador at e-fellows LLM Day in GermanyFriday, February 14, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Jeffrey M. Solomon ’83 (JD) with the Los Angeles Kings Featured in Los Angeles TimesThursday, February 6, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Mark A. Krasner ’81 (JD) Named 2020 Honoree for JDRF Vision GalaThursday, February 6, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Karen P. Hewitt ’89 (JD) Appointed Regional Partner-in-Charge of California at Jones Day Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Dean Ferruolo’s Thank You Tour: Nine Years, Nine CitiesMonday, February 3, 2020
January 2020
Volunteers Needed for Big Give Class CaptainsFriday, January 24, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr. ’87 (JD) Named as Co-Chair and Keynote Speaker for Class Action ForumWednesday, January 22, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Lyn A. Semeta ’85 (JD) Becomes Mayor of Huntington BeachThursday, January 16, 2020
USD School of Law Alumnus Bob Gaglione ’84 (JD) Highlighted in Featured TorerosThursday, January 16, 2020
CPIL’s Administrative Director Bridget Gramme '03 (JD) Quoted in Los Angeles Daily JournalWednesday, January 15, 2020
USD School of Law Alumna Lorna A. Alksne ’92 (JD) named Presiding Judge of San Diego Superior Court Tuesday, January 14, 2020