USD Legal Clinics’ Annual Ceremony Highlights Achievements of Graduates and Faculty

SAN DIEGO (May 19, 2025) – The University of San Diego (USD) School of Law Legal Clinics is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual Graduation Awards. Ten students and one professor were honored for their incredible contributions to the Legal Clinics at the ceremony.

Graduates of the class of 2025 fulfilled an incredible 19,200+ hours of service at the Legal Clinics, estimated to be over $3.3 million in monetary value. Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law Robert Schapiro lauded the Legal Clinics and its personnel, saying, “They continue to confront humanity’s challenges. Their work is truly a signature of legal excellence.” He and others also commended Professor Eric Austin, Interim Academic Director of the Legal Clinics, for his incredible leadership and support of the faculty, staff, and students. 

Francesca Nevil received the Appellate Clinic award from Professors Michael Devitt and David Schlesinger. Professor Devitt described Nevil saying, “She is brilliant, thoughtful, kind, collaborative, analytical, hard-working, and sensitive. She’s in law school because she wants to make a difference.”

Joshua Sarsfield received the Education and Disability Clinic award from Professor Margaret Adams. “He is exemplary in every single way. His research is amazing and speedy. He knows what he is doing and cares,” Professor Adams said of Sarsfield.

Yi Zhou received the Entrepreneurship Clinic award from Professor Sebastian Lucier, who said, “Zhou is curious and does not give up till she gets the right answer, and she wants to understand why it is right. She made the most of this clinic. Her attitude will take her far to becoming a successful practitioner.”

Javier Partida received the Federal Tax Clinic award from Professor Richard Carpenter. Partida spent three semesters at the clinic and worked over 350 hours. Professor Carpenter remarked, “He is not afraid of the IRS, which is a powerful institution. He has no fear or hesitation which is why gets the very best result for his clients.”

Itzelth Gamboa received the Housing Rights Clinic award from Professor Alysson Snow, who commented, “Gamboa felt the weight of her clients’ lives in her heart. Upon beginning at the clinic, she was daunted by the pressure of the clinic and the responsibility, but she overcame it and fought for her clients’ rights.”

Francesca Nevil also received the Immigration Clinic award from Professor Tammy Lin, who reiterated what Professor Devitt had said and added, “Nevil does not take light cases and represents clients who are in vulnerable positions. She is well-known throughout immigration clinics.”

Michael Lim received the State Income Tax Clinic award from Professor Mengjun He, who said, “Lim’s dedication and passion were especially evident during an oral hearing before the Office of Tax Appeals, where he zealously advocated on behalf of his client. His meticulous attention to detail, strong legal research and preparation skills, and compassionate approach truly stood out.”

Joseph Wilhardt received the State Sales & Use Clinic award from Professor Michael Larkin, who commented, “Wilhardt does great work, is really smart, and always shows up. He did everything that was asked of him, and he truly deserves and earned this award.

Gabriel Purpura received the Veterans Clinic award from Professor Allison Brown. “Purpura deeply believes in community service and making the world a better place than he found it,” said Professor Brown. She commented, “He gave up time on his breaks to come in and represent clients, including preparing a Veteran marine and his wife for their court date.”

Cassidy Perez received the Women’s Clinic award from Professor Meredith Levin. Contributing the most pro bono hours of any student, with more than 600 hours, Perez was praised by Professor Levin who said, “Her strength is working with her clients, who say she is excellent to work with. To know her is to love her.”

Tereza Abelian received the Workers’ Rights Clinic award from Professor Maria Tapia-Hernandez. In the face of several challenges, Abelian was excited to be in the clinic. Professor Tapia-Hernandez said, “Abelian has a passion to help workers. She is client-centered and always wanted to do more for her clients and the clinic. A client wrote, ‘She has empathy, care, and professionalism. She is a great attorney in the making.’”

Professor Joe Villaseñor presented Professor Allen Gruber with the Outstanding Service Award. Professor Gruber has given over 34 years of service and taught hundreds of students; he has been a mentor and an advocate for his students, putting them on the path to success. Professor Villaseñor said, “He has improved the practice of law. Students call him up and continue to look for his guidance and support.”

Professor Gruber remarked, “I’ve been practicing since 1970, and teaching here at USD has been the best part of my career.”

About the University of San Diego School of Law

Each year, USD educates approximately 800 Juris Doctor and graduate law students from throughout the United States and around the world.  The law school is best known for its offerings in the areas of business and corporate law, constitutional law, intellectual property, international and comparative law, public interest law and taxation.

USD School of Law is one of the 88 law schools elected to the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates.  The law school’s faculty is a strong group of outstanding scholars and teachers with national and international reputations and currently ranks 34th nationally among U.S. law faculties in scholarly impact and 37th nationally in past-year faculty downloads on the Social Sciences Research Network (SSRN). The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, independent, Roman Catholic university chartered in 1949.