The USD School of Law Legal Clinics Honor 13 Graduating Interns

The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Legal Clinics is proud to announce the recipients of the annual graduation awards. Thirteen students were honored for their incredible contributions to the Legal Clinics at the ceremony.

Graduates of the class of 2026 fulfilled an incredible 22,800+ hours of service at the Legal Clinics, estimated to be over $3.9 million in monetary value. Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert Schapiro praised the Legal Clinics and its personnel, saying, “For more than 55 years, our clinics have provided free legal assistance to those members of our San Diego community most in need. This is the place where our students begin to confront humanity’s challenges.”

He went on to recognize Legal Clinics Academic Director Eric Austin remarking, “I do want to especially thank our academic director, Eric Austin, for his outstanding work. He is a model of effective and compassionate servant leadership. And really sets a high standard and has done such a wonderful job. So thank you.”

Sara Anderson received the Appellate Clinic award from Professors Michael Devitt and David Schlesinger. Of her work on a recent appellate case, Schlesinger said, “Overall, she was the most outstanding student in terms of her approach toward the entire process. In the record review, discussion of the record, strategizing, the writing of the briefs, she did a tremendous job as well preparing the two students who argued the case. She was a selfless, hardworking team member.”

Jacquelyn Bitar received the Civil Clinic award from Professors Joe Villaseñor and Katie Parker. According to them, “Jacquelyn has been an outstanding student and an excellent advocate for her clients in the Civil Clinic. She exemplifies two traits that aren’t tested in traditional law school classes, but that are crucial to being a successful attorney and outstanding litigator. First, Jacquelyn takes ownership of every case as if she is the lead and only attorney for that client. And second, she treats each client with empathy and compassion.”

Mary Kaye Celine Valdez received the Education and Disability Clinic award from Professor Margaret Adams, who said, “Kaye was an amazing intern in the clinic for two different semesters. She worked on both representation in both education and disability cases, representing parents of students with disabilities, as well as petitioners in Superior Court for conservatorships of the person. What I remember most about Kaye, though, is just her diligence, in terms of representing the clients and also just caring about them.”

Kathryn Wood received the Entrepreneurship Clinic award from Professor Sebastian Lucier, who said, “Kathryn was always asking a question. She was always asking for follow-up. Like she has just been enthusiastic. And the learning process for an attorney, it doesn’t stop when you leave these halls. I look for students who are not going to stop learning once they exit this door. She is going to continue learning, continue growing, and become an amazing attorney.”

Brianna Trevino received the Federal Tax Clinic award from Professor Richard Carpenter. He remarked, “Brianna is very smart, hardworking, and dedicated. She understands several things. Number one, she wasn’t afraid to deal with the IRS. Sometimes students are timid when they have to call the IRS or interact with the IRS. Brianna had no fear. Secondly, Brianna understood that clients who have tax problems lose sleep at night. And so Brianna worked very hard to get their cases before the IRS as quickly as possible.”

Makenna Haskill received the Housing Rights Clinic award from Professor Alysson Snow, who read from Haskill’s reflection of a case on which she worked. “During my internship, I worked on a case that I will carry with me throughout my career. It wasn’t just the legal issues that made it unforgettable, it was the sheer humanity of it. Watching someone so vulnerable have to fight so hard for something as basic as a roof over their head was deeply unsettling. But what stood out to me wasn’t the injustice. It was the response. We provided more than just legal assistance. We approached each case with genuine concern for the person behind it.”

Amber Rahim received the Immigration Clinic award from Professor Tammy Lin who described Amber as a person who has empathy for all types of clients, the drive, and the curiosity. She continued by saying, “It wasn’t just that she had this drive, it was that she was willing to help, which is very much needed in the immigration community, in terms of just everything that’s put pressure on us lately. Amber’s been a delight. I am very excited to see her after she passes the bar and her journey as an immigration attorney.” 

Ani Poghosyan received the inaugural Innocence Clinic award from Professor Mike Semanchik saying the clinic was so fortunate to have Ani in its first year. He said, “Ani went the extra mile in the case that was assigned to her. And keep in mind, she only had this case for a couple of months. But in those couple of months, she did what no one else had done in this case. I can’t be more thankful to Ani, for her hard work and helping us move a little bit closer to freeing the next innocent person.”

Matthew Tarasen received the State Income Tax Clinic award from Professor Mengjun He. Tarasen, who received the award in “recognition of his great activity, diligence, and outstanding quality of work” handled nearly 100 case-related emails. He said, “Matthew’s class presentation on a tax topic offered the best in-depth legal coverage and practical guidance at a level not common in other students’ work. Most notably, Matthew successfully resolved a case that had been pending for over three years. Ultimately securing a refund of more than $7,000 for the taxpayer, before even counting interest.” 

Ahmad Almakhaita received the State Sales & Use Clinic award from Professors Lisa Alarcon and David Vahedi, who said, “Ahmad was an incredible student and zealous advocate for his clients. He was always ready to step in and assist with helping taxpayers, and he did not hesitate to explore the various strategies and other ways to advance his clients’ cases. He communicated effectively with CDTFA administrators, settlement officers, and administrative law judges and asked thought-provoking questions that add a great value to his representation of clients.”

Yuanyun Isaac Fung received the Veterans Clinic award from Professor Alison Brown who told a story about a recent case on which Fung worked. She said, “He was so quiet and thoughtful and patient in a way that I think any other intern would have just thought, this is messy and gross and too hard, and I don’t want to do this. And he was the opposite. He was all in from day one. And we found out two weeks ago we won. And so the client now has eligibility to receive full care and access to VA, is receiving compensation that has been long overdue.”

Meaghan Caskey appeared in all four branches of the Superior Court this semester and received the Women’s Clinic award from Professor Meredith Levin. Levin remarked, “Meaghan has a knack for family law because she understands the humanity of her clients while dealing with the difficult legal issues. She has been with our clinic for four semesters and has taken her opportunity in the clinic and parlayed it into a clerkship this semester and a job once she passes the bar with a wonderful family law firm. She is fearless and compassionate and has never met a courtroom she didn’t like.”

Christina Muraskas received the Workers’ Rights Clinic award from Professor Maria Tapia-Hernandez, who said, “Christina joined me in fall 2024 and has stood out to me since then, especially her persistence and genuine commitment to finding a solution for clients’ issues. She really listens and provides support. To the point where she even pushed me to think outside the box. Seeing Christina’s care and patience through a case was really, really inspiring to me.”