Katarina R. Monzon '26, National Anthem Singer & Christina S. Sorfazian '26, Student Speaker
111th Commencement Ceremony / Friday, May 15, 2026
Processional
Grand Marshals
Board of Trustees
Commencement Speaker
Honorary Degree Recipient
Administration
Faculty Graduates
National Anthem
Katarina R. Monzon '26
Welcome
Darby Dickerson, President & Dean
Walter M. Yoka '80, Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees
Class of 2026 Address
Christina S. Sorfazian '26
Conferring of Honorary Doctor of Laws Degrees
Walter M. Yoka
Darby Dickerson
Recipients:
Hon. Consuelo Maria Callahan
Shawn Holley '88
Commencement Address
Shawn Holley '88
Conferring of Juris Doctor Degrees
Walter M. Yoka
Darby Dickerson
Professor John Heilman, Grand Marshal
Professor Richard Lorren Jolly, Grand Marshal
Tribute
Professor Isabelle R. Gunning (In Memoriam)
Greetings from the Alumni Association
Rachel Gezerseh '07, President, Alumni Association Board
Recessional
Grand Marshals
Board of Trustees
Commencement Speaker
Honorary Degree Recipients
Administration
Faculty
Graduates
Honorary Degree Recipient
The Honorable Consuelo Maria Callahan
Judge Consuelo Maria Callahan serves as a United States Circuit Judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was appointed by President George W. Bush in May 2003, following a unanimous Senate confirmation. Judge Callahan received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University, her Juris Doctor from McGeorge School of Law, and her Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Judge Callahan has also been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Western University of Health Sciences and an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of the Pacific.
Before her appointment to the federal bench, Judge Callahan was a state judicial officer (1986 to 2003), serving on both trial and appellate courts. She began her judicial career as Commissioner of the Stockton Municipal Court. She was subsequently appointed Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court and Justice of the California Court of Appeals for the Third Appellate District.
Before being appointed to the bench, Judge Callahan was a Deputy City Attorney in Stockton and a Deputy District Attorney for San Joaquin County. As a prosecutor, Judge Callahan prosecuted major felonies, including but not limited to child abuse, sexual assault, career criminals, and capital homicides.
Judge Callahan selflessly donates her time to committees and activities for both the court system and the public. As a state court judge, she was active in court governance and training as a member of the Board of the California Judges Association. She participated in the presentation of numerous programs sponsored by the Center for Judicial Training and Research. Judge Callahan is also a coauthor of The Rutter Group's California Practice Guide: Employment Litigation. In addition, she served as a Regent for the University of the Pacific from 2005-2014 and rejoined the Board in 2022, serving to the present. She is a current Trustee for Western University of Health Sciences and the American Inns of Court, where she serves as Chair and President, respectively.
Throughout her career, Judge Callahan has received numerous professional honors and awards. Judge Callahan has been honored as the 2005 Alumna of the Year and a 2024 Alumni of Distinction by McGeorge School of Law, as the 2006 Sacramento Judge of the Year, and as the 2008 ABOTA Humanitarian Judge of the Year. She is also a 2009 Athena Award recipient, the 2014 American Inns of Court Ninth Circuit Professionalism Award recipient, the 2016 Judge Armendariz Award recipient, and the 2017 University of the Pacific Alumni Award Recipient for Distinguished Public Service, and the 2023 Saint Thomas Moore Award recipient.
Commencement Speaker & Honorary Degree Recipient
Shawn Holley '88
Shawn Holley '88 is a partner at Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir, a Los Angeles law firm where she practices entertainment/ business litigation and criminal defense. She started her career as a Los Angeles County Public Defender, where she handled hundreds of serious criminal cases. After leaving the Public Defender's Office, she worked as an associate at the Law Offices of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., where she practiced civil litigation and criminal defense, notably as a member of the O.J. Simpson defense team.
Ms. Holley's list of past and present clients include Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Torey Lanez, T.I., Kathy Griffin, Rosario Dawson, Ryan Phillippe, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, the Kardashian/Jenner family, Katt Williams, Charlamagne tha God, Mike Tyson, "Sugar" Ray Leonard, Lamar Odom, Reggie Bush, and members of Black Lives Matter. She prevailed in a high-profile trial on behalf of Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Ms. Holley recently prevailed as co-lead counsel in the wrongful death trial, Skaggs vs. Angels Baseball.
Ms. Holley is also co-executive producer on a scripted television show inspired by her life and career, which is currently in its third season on Hulu.
Ms. Holley is a Los Angeles native who attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and Southwestern University School of Law. She is married to Dorian Holley, a prominent and well-known vocalist and vocal director. They have three daughters: Nayanna, Sasha, and Olivia. She loves books, music, and SoulCycle.
Board of Trustees
Lauren B. Leichtman '77
Chair, Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees; Chief Executive Officer, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Peter Duchesneau '93
Vice-Chair, Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees; Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Walter M. Yoka '80
Vice-Chair, Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees; Partner, Yoka | Smith
Trustee Emeritus; Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, LLP
Faculty and Administration Faculty
Ronald G. Aronovsky
A.B., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Arman Avagyan '22
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Jessica Barclay-Strobel
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Luke Boso
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law and Co-Associate Dean of Research, Tenured
Melissa Brandman
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Beth Caldwell
B.A., M.S.W., J.D., Professor of Law and Director, Criminal Law and Advocacy Concentration
Christopher David Ruiz Cameron
B.A., J.D., Justice Marshall F. McComb Professor of Law and Director, Labor and Employment Law Concentration
Mark Cammack
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Philip Costa
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Alexandra D’Italia
B.A., M.P.W., J.D., Associate Professor of Law, Director, Writing Center, and Director, Moot Court Honors Program
Ande Davis
B.A., M.F.A., J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Law
Angela Dean
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Associate Professor of Law, Tenure-Track
Bridgette M. de Gyarfas '94
B.S., J.D., Professor of Law, Director, Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Program, and Director, Southwestern's Evening Hybrid Program
Meera E. Deo
B.A., J.D., Ph.D., The Honorable Vaino Spencer Chair and 2025-26 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar, Tenured
Darby Dickerson
B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law, President, and Dean
Michael M. Epstein
B.A., J.D., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Law, Director, Entertainment and Media Law Concentration, and Supervising Editor, Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law
James M. Fischer
J.D., Professor of Law
Andrea Freeman
B.A., J.D., Second Century Chair in Law and 2025-26 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar
Rebecca Friedman
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Spencer Gales
B.A., J.D., M.M.L.I.S., Associate Professor of Law and Reference Librarian
Anahid Gharakhanian
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Vice Dean, and CoDirector, Externship Program
Andrew Gilden
A.B., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Karin J. Graver
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Associate Director, Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Program
Kevin J. Greene
B.A., J.D., John J. Schumacher Chair and 202526 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar
Warren S. Grimes
B.A., J.D., Irving D. and Florence Rosenberg Professor of Law
Isabelle R. Gunning ❖
B.A., J.D., Mayor Tom Bradley Professor of Law and Director, Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration
Jeffrey Haas
B.S., J.D., Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law
Margaret F. Hall
B.A., M.L.I.S., J.D., Associate Professor of Law, Associate Dean, and Law Library Director
Danielle Kie Hart
B.A., J.D., LL.M., The Honorable Arleigh M. Woods and William T. Woods Chair, Tenured
John Heilman
B.S., J.D., M.P.A., M.R.E.D., Professor of Law and Interim Director of Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration
Roman J. Hoyos
A.B., J.D., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Law
Collin Hu
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director, Dean's Fellow Program
Jodi Jewell
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Parris Academy for Excellence in Law and Leadership
Nydia Johnson '10
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Academic Success and Bar Preparation
Richard Lorren Jolly
B.A., M.Sc., J.D., Professor of Law and 2025-26 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar, Tenured
Hila Keren
LL.B., Ph.D., Paul E. Treusch Professor of Law, Tenured
Joerg W. Knipprath
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Cristina C. Knolton
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Associate Dean for SCALE®
Christine L. Lofgren
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Director, Technology Law and Entrepreneurship Concentration
David McFadden
B.A., M.S.L.S., Associate Professor of Law and Senior Reference Librarian
Jonathan M. Miller
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured Dinah Minkoff
B.A., M.S.L.S., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Head of Collection Services
Janet Nalbandyan '04
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Co-Director, Externship Program
Jyoti Nanda
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and 2025-26 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar, Tenured
Janet Philibosian '04
B.A., M.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Andrea Ramos
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Director, Clinical Programs, and Director, Immigration Law Clinic
Orly Ravid '14
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean, Biederman Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Institute
Christopher J. Robinette
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law and CoDirector, Panish Civil Justice Program
Natalie Rodriguez '12
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Academics
Jenny Rodriguez-Fee '08
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Director, Children's Rights Clinic
Louis Rosen
B.S., J.D., M.A., Associate Professor of Law and Remote Reference Librarian
Sarah Schimmel
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law, Co-Director, Negotiation Honors Program, and Associate Director, Bison Bar Pass Program
Ira L. Shafiroff '80
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Judy Beckner Sloan
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Byron G. Stier
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, Director, Civil Litigation and Advocacy Concentration, and Co-Director, Panish Civil Justice Program
Phillip Talbert
B.A., M.Ec., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
John Tehranian
A.B., J.D., Professor of Law, Paul W. Wildman Chair, and 2025-26 Kenneth & Harle Montgomery Foundation Scholar, Tenured
Della Thompson-Bell '02
B.S., J.D., Professor of Law
Tracy L. Turner
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Learning Outcomes
Rachel E. VanLandingham
B.S., M.P.M., J.D., LL.M., Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law and Co-Associate Dean of Research, Tenured
Julia Vázquez
B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law, Director, Community Lawyering Clinic, and Director, Public Interest Law Concentration
Dov A. Waisman
A.B., M.S., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Tara Walters
B.A., J.D., Visiting Associate Professor of Law
Julie K. Waterstone
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Vice Dean for Experiential Education and External Engagement
William Wood
B.A., M.S.E.L., M.P.P., J.D./M.A., Professor of Law
Bryce Woolley
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Pantea Yashar
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Dennis T. Yokoyama
B.A., M.S., J.D., Professor of Law, Tenured
Emeritus Faculty
Debra Lyn Bassett
B.A., M.S., J.D., John J. Schumacher Chair Emerita
Paul A. Bateman
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Emeritus
Michael J. Berger '79
B.A., M.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law Emeritus
Kathryn Campbell
B.A., J.D., Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Emerita
Catherine L. Carpenter '76
B.A., J.D., The Honorable Arleigh T. Woods Chair Emerita
Michael B. Dorff
A.B., J.D., Professor of Law Emeritus
Michael H. Frost
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Emeritus
Norman M. Garland
B.S., B.A., J.D., LL.M., Second Century Chair in Law Emeritus
Bryant G. Garth
B.A., J.D., Ph.D., Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Emeritus
Jay W. Gendron
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law Emeritus and Director Emeritus, Entertainment and the Arts Legal Clinic
Herbert T. Krimmel
B.S., J.D., M.Acc., Professor of Law Emeritus
James A. Kushner
B.B.A., J.D., Professor of Law Emeritus
Robert C. Lind
B.E.S., J.D., LL.M., Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law Emeritus and Director Emeritus, Biederman Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Institute
Christine Metteer Lorillard
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Emerita
Robert E. Lutz
B.A., J.D., Paul E. Treusch Professor of Law Emeritus
Susan J. Martin
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law Emerita
Robert Popovich
B.S., J.D., Professor of Law Emeritus
Susan Westerberg Prager
A.B., J.D., Dean Emerita and Professor of Law Emerita
Robert A. Pugsley
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law Emeritus in Residence
Harriet M. Rolnick
B.A., J.D., Associate Professor of Law and Associate Dean for SCALE® Emerita
Katherine C. Sheehan
B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law Emerita
J. Kelly Strader
B.A., M.I.A., J.D., Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law Emeritus
Leigh H. Taylor
B.A., J.D., LL.M., Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Emeritus
N. Kemba Taylor
B.A., J.D., Professor of Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Emerita
Linda A. Whisman '83
B.A., M.L.S., J.D., Associate Dean for Library Services Emerita and Professor of Law Emerita
B.S., J.D., Professor of Law and Co-Director, Trial Advocacy Honors Program
April Macaraeg '15
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law and Co-Director, Negotiation Honors Program
Bill H. Seki '99
B.A., J.D., Professor of Law and Co-Director, Trial Advocacy Honors Program
Ashley Tabaddor
B.A., J.D., Distinguished Visiting Jurist
Adjunct Faculty
Michele Anderson '90 ❖
A.A., B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Ryan E. Abelman '15
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Michael Ashjian '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Vanessa Barnett '21
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Isela Barrios '09
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
John Begakis '11
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
David Bell
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Nicholas Bond '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Michael Borenstein
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Samantha W. Borghi '08
B.A., M.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Kelly Boyer '05
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Abraham Bran '21
B.A., M.B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Mackenzie Brown '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Victoria Burke '11
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Lorenzo Callender '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Robyn Lee Chew
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Susan Cleary '93
B.A., M.L.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Carol Contes
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Annabelle Cortez
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Linda Dakin-Grimm
B.A., M.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Hon. Angela Davis
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Samantha Dennis '21
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Harout Dimijian '13
B.A., M.B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law and Board of Trustee Member
Adam Dombchik '98
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Jonathan Evans '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Mitch Federer '09
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Tess Feldman
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Gary P. Fine
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Kelsey Finn '20
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Rebecca L. Fischer
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Shaughnessy Flint '20
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Ricardo García
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Simon Gardiner
LL.B., Adjunct Professor of Law
Alice J. Garfield
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Craig Gelfound '95
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Christopher Ghazarian '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Robert Glassman '09
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Karina Godoy '15
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Adam Grant
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Nazgole Hashemi '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Rhonda Haymon
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Catherine Hegdale
B.A., M.F.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
David Helfant '80
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Michelle Hernandez '19
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Howard L. Jacobs
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Veronica M. Jeffers
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Allan Johnson
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Douglas L. Johnson
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Neville L. Johnson '75
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Juli Jordan
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Robert F. Kayne
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Naris Khalatian '89
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Andrew Knapp
B.A., M.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Daniel Kramer '08
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Daniel Lifschitz
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Kathy M. Lombard '97
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Vincent Look '16
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Henry Lydiate
LL.B., Adjunct Professor of Law
Kyle B. Marks '10
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Hon. Darrell S. Mavis
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Timothy B. McCaffrey, Jr.
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Lori Meyers
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
James Mixon
B.A., M.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Hon. Karine Mkrtchyan '08
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Michael Morse '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Negin Mostadim '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Anasheh Nalbandian '10
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Matthew Nussbaum
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Tigran Palyan '09
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Michael Peters '18
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Tish Pickett '19
B.S., J.D., Writing Center Specialist
Kathryn Podsiadlo '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Romy S. Rahmanian '09
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Juan A. Ramos
B.A., M.P.P., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Emily Rehm '17
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Nicole Rossi-Standley '21
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
George H. Ruiz
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Anastasia Sagorsky '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Christina Sahakian '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Maria Samson '16
B.A., J.D., M.B.A., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Carly Sanchez '14
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Matthew Serror
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Jeffrey A. Shane
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Jay J. Shin '07
B.A., M.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Alyssa Skolnick
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Jenna Sleefe '11
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Alexandra Smyser '08
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Edward C. Stark '79
B.S., Ph.D., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Mark Talise '15
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Joseph A. Trigilio
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Ethan Tyer '00
J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Danielle Van Lier
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
In Loving Memory of Isabelle R. Gunning
Mayor Tom Bradley Professor of Law
Emmanuel Vergara '15
B.S., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Anna Wassenberg '10
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Bryan Weiser '13
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Allyson Weldon '17
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Kaimipono Wenger
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Laura Wesley
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Professor of Law
Christopher White '16
B.A., J.D., Adjunct Associate Professor of Law
Professor Isabelle R. Gunning, who passed away on March 28, 2026, was a beloved member of the Southwestern Law School community for more than three decades and a distinguished legal scholar, teacher, and civic leader whose life advanced justice in Los Angeles and far beyond.
She joined the faculty in 1992 and served as the inaugural Mayor Tom Bradley Professor of Law and the inaugural Director of the Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration. She was admired for the seriousness of her intellect, the moral clarity she brought to difficult questions, and the care with which she taught, mentored, and challenged those around her.
Her life in the law was shaped by the civil rights struggles of the 1970s and by a belief she carried throughout her career: that the law, even in a society marked by profound inequality, could still be made to serve justice. A foundational voice in critical race feminism and multicultural legal theory, she also brought that commitment into public life. She served as president of the ACLU of Southern California, later represented the affiliate on the National ACLU Board, and led the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations through difficult public work on policing, bias, and community trust.
Her legacy lives on in the students she shaped, the communities she served, and the institutions she helped strengthen in the pursuit of justice.
Administrators
President & Dean
Darby Dickerson
President & Dean
Vice Deans
Anahid Gharakhanian
Vice Dean and Co-Director, Externship Program
Natalie Rodriguez '12
Vice Dean
Julie K. Waterstone
Vice Dean for Experiential Education and External Engagement
Faculty Deans and Administrators
Luke Boso
Co-Associate Dean of Research
Alexandra D'Italia
Director of the Writing Center and Director, Moot Court Honors Program
Bridgette M. de Gyarfas '94
Director, Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills Program and Director, Southwestern's Evening Hybrid Program
Margaret Hall
Associate Dean and Law Library Director
Jodi Jewell
B.A., J.D., Faculty Director, Parris Academy for Excellence in Law and Leadership
Nydia Johnson '10
Associate Dean, Academic Success and Bar Preparation
Cristina C. Knolton
Associate Dean for SCALE®
Janet Nalbandyan '04
Co-Director, Externship Program
Andrea Ramos
Director of Clinical Programs and Director of Immigration Law Clinic
Orly Ravid '14
Associate Dean of the Biederman Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Institute
Sarah Schimmel
Co-Director of Negotiation Honors program and Associate Director of Bison Bar Pass Program
Byron G. Stier
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives
Della Thompson-Bell '02
Caregiving Students’ Co-Advisor
Tracy L. Turner
Associate Dean for Learning Outcomes
Rachel E. VanLandingham
Co-Associate Dean of Research
Non-Faculty Deans and Administrators
Frank Acosta
Director of Facilities
Marcie Canal
Chief Operating Officer
Marisela Cervantes
Executive Director of Board Governance and Governmental Relations
Janet Dial
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Sammy Elzarka
Assistant Dean of Accreditation Compliance and Institutional Effectiveness
Katrina Garcia Director of Administrative Services
Michael Garcia Director of Campus Safety and Security
Lisa M. Gear
Associate Dean for Admissions
Cindy Goldberg
Assistant Dean for Online Education Administration and Caregiving Students’ Co-Advisor
Jordan Hall
Associate Dean, Student Services
Lauren Hughes-Leslie
Assistant Dean and Chief of Staff
Suzanne Kunz Director of Financial Aid
Steven Lopez
Chief Communication & Marketing Officer
Robert Mena
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Sean Murphy Chief Information Officer
Laura T. Ponder Chief Financial Officer
Chanté Spann Assistant Dean, Online Education
Oscar Teran
Associate Dean of Career Services
Julie Xanders General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Eileen Zwiers Registrar
Emeritus Staff
Doreen E. Heyer
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Administration Emerita
Debra L. Leathers
Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement
Emerita
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Laws
General LL.M. Program
Southwestern's General LL.M. Program is designed for students who have already earned a law degree in the United States or abroad and would like to continue their legal studies in a particular area according to their individual goals. To earn the LL.M. degree, students complete 24 units of post-J.D. coursework on a full- or part-time basis. Students work closely with their Southwestern faculty advisor to develop a detailed course of study tailored to their own interests from a comprehensive selection of more than 150 electives and core courses.
Fulbright-José Siderman Human Rights Fellowship
In an effort to promote the training of young Argentine lawyers in civil liberties and human rights, the Fulbright Commission in Argentina and the family of José Siderman have established the Fulbright-José Siderman Human Rights Fellowship at Southwestern. The Fellowship brings an Argentine law graduate to Los Angeles to complete an LL.M. degree in Civil Liberties and Human Rights or an LL.M. degree in Advocacy at the law school.
The Fulbright Commission in Argentina selects one Siderman Fellowship recipient per year as part of its regular grant competition. The program involves nine months of study at Southwestern and a three-month externship. Applicants must be law graduates from an accredited Argentine law school and are selected based on their academic ability, English language fluency, and potential for furthering human rights and social justice in Argentina.
Andres Eduardo Melean Nava I ☼ Abogado, Universidad Rafael Urdaneta –Venezuela
Rodrigo Albano Robles Tristan I * ☼ LL.B., University of Buenos Aires – Argentina
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22.
M – Moot Court Honors Program
N – Negotiation Honors Program
December 2025 Graduate
July 2026 Graduate
Candidates for the Degree of Juris Doctor
Full-Time Day Program
Students who choose Southwestern's full-time day program complete their J.D. degree in three academic years of full-time study. During this time, they pursue a broad-based legal education with opportunities to focus on a particular area of the law. All first-year students participate in the designated curriculum. Secondand third-year students combine required courses with a wide range of electives to tailor a program suited to their interests and goals. Students take the designated curriculum of 15 units each semester during their first year and a course load of 10 to 16 units each semester thereafter. Students must complete 87 units to graduate.
Konstantin Abajian
B.S., Pepperdine University
Ebehimalen O. Aboiralor J
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Firoozeh A. Adli
B.S., The Los Angeles Film School
Christian X. Aguayo
B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University
Evelyn M. Aguilar Chaidez T
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Michael Angel Ahn J
B.A., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Aya Al Shehabi
B.A., California State University, Long Beach
Alexandria M. Alcala T
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Oksana Aldendeshe L S
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Anjelique S. Alexander
B.F.A., Chapman University
Mikayla Brook Grande Allaire M
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Esperanza Alonso I
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Maria P. Alvarez Saavedra
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Ali Mohammed Amini M
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Ronnie S. Anabi
B.S., Azusa Pacific University
Olivia Anderson
B.A., University of Washington
Emil Andreasyan I
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Christineh E. Antinian C
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Emiliano F. Arellano
B.A., California State University, Dominguez Hills
B.S., California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carl Ashbel
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Sevada Avartzarian
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Ani Avoyan
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Sioneh Azarian I
B.A., University of Southern California
Nicole Bala L
B.A., Gonzaga University
Serge Balassian
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
George A. Banna I
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Daniela Barragan
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Nathan J. Barukh
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Juliet Bernal J
B.A., American University of Paris - France
Brooke M. Betts
B.A., University of Texas, Austin
Norman Bhuian L
B.A., University of Southern California
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22.
M – Moot Court Honors Program
N – Negotiation Honors Program
T – Trial Advocacy Honors Program
S – Student Bar Association
L – Southwestern Law Review
I – Southwestern Journal of International Law
J – Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law
C – Law Commentator
V – Military Veteran
* December 2025 Graduate
** July 2026 Graduate
*** December 2026 Graduate
♦ Southwestern Torch Bearer
☼ Fulbright-José Siderman
Arielle Z. Bitton ♦
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Lynette Bonyadi *
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Astgik Boyadzhyan
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Tierra M. Boyd J
B.A., Seton Hall University
Laurence C. Brahm
B.F.A., New York Film Academy
Baylynne Joy Brunetti S
B.A., University of San Diego
Jeffrey W. Burke
B.S., American University
John Matthew C. Camara I S V
B.A., Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Kierra K. Capurro I S
B.A., University of Nevada, Reno
Andrew J. Castaneda L
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Amanda Castro
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Natalie Centi
B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University
Mary Sami Chammas I
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Madison P. Conway M L
B.B.A., University of San Diego
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril T
B.A., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Kassandra H. Cuellar
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Rebecca Cunha
B.S., Arizona State University
Kane H. Davies
B.S., Sonoma State University
Samuel A. Dayan
B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University
Nayelie De Santiago
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Cassandra De Vera
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Nicholas G. Demirjian I *
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Madison G. Dobson M L
B.S., University of Kansas
Jesse Dorfman
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Donovan J. Dragon
B.S., University of California, Irvine
Karina Elliana DuBourdieu J *
B.A., University of California, San Diego
B.S., University of California, San Diego
David Enayati
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Devyn Ray Espino-Canche I
B.A., California State University,
Long Beach
Selena Estrada M
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Alexi Ezdrin T
B.A., The Pennsylvania State University
Amir Fattahi
B.A., University of California, San Diego
Andres Fernandez
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Miranda M. Flores-Tirado S
B.A., Kalamazoo College
Inioluwa Praise Gbenjo J
B.A., Howard University
Arpi N. Gevorgyan
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Artyom Ghabuzyan
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Alexandra Ghassemieh
B.A., University of Southern California
M.A., Pepperdine University
Annabel Gholichian
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Rachel M. Glusak J
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Julia Gonzalez
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Alicia N. Govea M
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Gina N. Greco
B.A., University of San Diego
Yervant G. Hadjian *
B.S., University of Southern California
Henry S. Hand L
B.S., Northeastern University
Nathaniel Haroonian *
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Sofya Harutyunyan L
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Connor W. Haviland L
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Vanessa Hernandez
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Ashley G. Hight
B.A., Chapman University
Seung Gi Hong
B.A., University of Southern California
Elen Hovhannisyan
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Miranda C. Hughes T J
B.A., San Francisco State University
Jamie L. Hunt
B.A., Texas State University
Emma Suzanne Idiart L
B.A., Brigham Young University
Surani G. Jayasuriya
B.Com., University of Calgary - Canada
Hovhanes H. Karageozyan N L
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Nicholas Karkanen T
B.S., Arizona State University
Isabel Kasch M L
B.S., University of California, Berkeley
Laura Kato T
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Michaela Noelani Kemna J
B.B.A., University of Hawai'i at Manoa
M.A., University of Southern California
Melissa B. Keshishian
B.A., University of Southern California
M.S., University of Southern California
Izabelle H. Khanzetyan S
B.A., University of Southern California
Lina Khodaverdi C
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Carissa Kim J
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.M., The Juilliard School
Ph.D., University of Southern California
Chorok Kim
B.A., American University
Ethan Korn N J
B.A., Florida Atlantic University
Lauren LaBorde S
B.A., San Jose State University
Pamela D. Lazo Villatoro
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Kyle A. Legge
B.A., California State University San Marcos
Jack A. Lehrer
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Jiaxing Lin
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Cian Logue *
B.S., Northern Arizona University
Alexis E. Lopez
B.A., California State University, East Bay
Liliana K. Lopez S
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Saul Lopez-Pulido S
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Daniel J. Lozada
B.A., University of California, Davis
Davit Malkhasyan
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Hovig M. Manoyan
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Zion Marzini Rabanepur *
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Frances C. McCall N I
B.S., Santa Clara University
M.A., Loyola Marymount University
Madison S. McPhearson
B.S., William Jessup University
Kiran Mehr
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Rhea Mehra N
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Elena S. Melehani
B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara
Jonathan A. Midolo
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Nicole Marie Milner L S V
B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Anasheh Mirzaians M
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Nathan Missaghi
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Katarina R. Monzon
B.A., California State University, Channel Islands
Eva Mooradian ♦
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Devon W. Moreland
B.A., University of California, Davis
John Hovik Nahabedian
B.S., Arizona State University
Dzina Nelson
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Jeremy D. Neutel
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Charlie Phu Nguyen L J
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Harmanjit Nijjer
B.A., San Francisco State University
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22. M – Moot Court Honors Program N – Negotiation Honors
Angela Noravian *
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Xthlali Nunez T
B.A., California Lutheran University
Natalie O'Rourke I
B.S., Arizona State University
Michael Elizabeth Orton J
B.S., University of Nevada, Reno
Matthew G. Ospina S
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Kaylin H. Pak
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Alisson S. Pena
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Leah Perez L
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Juan C. Pinon
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Allen Poghosyan
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Eric J. Rachmani
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Zachary C. Radin
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Nellie Rafaelian ♦
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Kristina M. Ramirez M
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
M.S., Arizona State University
Andrew Ramos J
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Ariana M. Reynoso M L
B.A., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
John A. Riordan N
B.S., Chapman University
Melinda E. Rivas
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Nicholas B. Rodriguez M L
B.A., University of California, San Diego
Samantha V. Rosales
B.S., California Lutheran University
Nicolas D. Ruiz
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Odelia Safadel
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Deeba Saffarian-Toosi
B.A., Boston University
Kamilla Salikhova J
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Jenna A. Samuelian
B.S., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Hector D. Sanchez
B.S., California State University, Los Angeles
Kohar E. Sanikian
B.A., California State University, Long Beach
Lia Sarkisian *
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Daniel Sasson
B.A., University of California, Davis
Rachel J. Schneider
B.A., Pitzer College
Alex J. Schott
B.S., University of Colorado, Boulder
Nicholas Scopazzi-Beatty
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Zareh C. Shahinian L
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Nicole S. Sharifi
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Shivani Sharma
B.A., University of La Verne
Nathaniel A. Shaumyan
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Sandra Shenouda
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Angela Sheu
B.A., New York University
Emily Shirvanian C
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Arsen Shirvanyan
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Bethany R. Shrove
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Nolan K. Silverstein L
B.A., Wake Forest University
Hera Simonian
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Cindy Sinaie
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Chance P. Sinerius
B.A., California State University, Long Beach
Naomi L. Sirota L
B.Com., Toronto Metropolitan UniversityCanada
Christina S. Sorfazian N C
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Kristofer W. Sosa T
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Ana Sofia Soto J
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Raad Soudani J
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Alyssa V. Stevenson I
B.A., University of Colorado, Boulder
Shira Striks
B.A., Thomas Edison State University
Maryam Sudzhyan C
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Jacob Susman
B.S., University of Colorado, Boulder
Madison D. Sutlovich
B.A., University of Oregon
Sadaf Tabibzadeh
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Michelle Nareh Tahmasian *
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Lorenzo Jose N. Tanlu
B.A., Trinity University
Lianna Tashchian
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Roderick S. Tatanian
B.S., University of Southern California
Anush Ter-Ghukasyan
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Tina Toonian
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Antonio Torres
B.A., San Diego State University
Mina R. Trujillo
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Hou Min Tsai *
B.S., University of California, Davis
Lindsay Q. Tucker
B.B.A., Whitworth College
Michael M. Tufenkchian C
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Esteban Urzua T
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Carla P. Vallejo Hernandez *
B.A., University of California, Merced
B.S., University of California, Merced
Brittany N. Van Horn
B.A., Northern Arizona University
Kristiana A. Varela T
B.A., University of California, Merced
Jacquelyn Vasantachat
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
M.S.W., University of Southern California
M.S.C.J., University of Southern California
Samouel Vaseghyzand
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Paola Velazquez S
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Jonathan I. Vergara-Diaz
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Joel Vidal-Cortes I
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Ethan K. Wang
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Sean P. Wilkins
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Lauren Wonn L
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Keaton T. Woodburn J
B.A., Pepperdine University
Kenneth M. Yadidi *
B.A., University of California, San Diego
Charles J. Yeganeh
B.A., University of California, San Diego
Alexander L. Yessayan S *
B.S., University of Southern California
Isabella T. Zemshman
B.A., California State University, Northridge
M.S., California Lutheran University
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22. M – Moot Court Honors Program N – Negotiation Honors
Candidates for the Degree of Juris Doctor
Part-Time Evening Program
The evening program is a four-year comprehensive course of study designed for students who would like to pursue their J.D. degree on a part-time basis. The program's schedule provides a way for students to attend law school while maintaining their full-time work responsibilities. Students must complete 87 units to graduate.
Xiomara Angel
B.A., Occidental College
Alejandra Chavez
B.S., California State University, Dominguez Hills
M.P.S., The Pennsylvania State University
Stephanie Cohen
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Jeremy J. Davison M L
B.M., California State University, Long Beach
Gisell Del Carmen M I
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Olivia O. Dilas I
B.A., University of Novi Sad - Serbia
M.A., The George Washington University
M.A., Tel Aviv University - Israel
Madison N. Eckardt S
B.A., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Roman J. Henson M
B.S., Charter Oak State College
Graciela A. Hernandez
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Roberto Jr. Hernandez
B.A., University of California, Davis
Nathan H. Lhrar L J
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Vanessa M. Lopez T
B.A., California State University, Long Beach
Jessenia Marie Medina
B.A., University of Southern California
Kelvin Monroy
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
Summer Peachey
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
M.P.A., National University
Ekaterina K. Perez I J P
B.A., University of Southern Queensland –Australia
B.S., Far Eastern Federal University - Russia
M.A., University of New Haven
Katrina L. Petty J
B.A., California Lutheran University
Natalie Renee Resendiz J
B.S., Mount Saint Mary's University
Leslie Rodriguez
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Claire P. Schweighofer
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Aman M. Shamim
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Ediberto Soto Del Moral L J
B.S., Pepperdine University
M.B.A., Pepperdine University
Mary S. Sutton V
B.S., University of California, San Diego
Michael Witt
B.A., Muhlenberg College
M.S., University of Pennsylvania
Anthony K. Wong
B.A., University of California, Davis
Christopher E. Yanchev
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Mark A. Zambon V
B.S., California State University, Sacramento
Candidates for the Degree of Juris Doctor
PLEAS and Part-Time Day Program
PLEAS (Part-Time Legal Education Alternative at Southwestern) is one of only a very few part-time day programs in the country designed to accommodate students with child- or elder-care responsibilities. Established in 1981, the four-year PLEAS schedule is typically arranged to enable parents and guardians to attend law school while their children are in school. A select number of other students are granted a similar schedule. Part-time day students attend classes with traditional full-time students, taking a designated curriculum during the first two years of study. There are many opportunities for elective courses and externships during the final two years. Students take 8 to 11 units each semester and attend two summer sessions. Students must complete 87 units to graduate.
Lucas A. Berman *
B.A., New York University
Tatiana S. Faus L PL ♦
B.A., Kuban State University - Russia
Gustavo R. Guevara
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Qlehd Mernell C. Guiwa N *
B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University
Elizabeth T. Houston PL
B.A., Sonoma State University
Monique Madrid
B.A., Mount Saint Mary's University
M.L.S., Loyola Law School
Michael G. Mardini ♦
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Shakeh Nikogosyan
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Rachel F. Perkins L PL
B.B.A., Belmont University
Amanda M. Von Essen
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Cian L. Williams
B.A., The University of British Columbia - Canada
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22.
M – Moot Court Honors Program
N – Negotiation Honors Program
SCALE®—Two-Year J.D. Program
Established in 1975, SCALE is the first two-calendar-year accelerated J.D. course of instruction in the nation. SCALE students learn fundamental legal principles and develop core lawyering skills through an integrated curriculum that utilizes hypothetical problems as a teaching method while encompassing all essential subject matter taught in traditional required courses. Hands-on experience is provided in class and through externships in professional legal settings. SCALE's intensive workload relies on total immersion and is designed to begin acclimating students to the rigors of law practice. Students must complete 87 units to graduate.
Jacob M. Akopnik S J
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Lina Gregorian Alexander N I ***
B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara
Natalie Tina Altounian M I
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
Derrian C. Annan
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Alfred Jordan S. Arizala N
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Sergey Asatryan
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Courtney Hannah Azari J S
B.A., University of Southern California
Alison P. Beck
B.A., University of Southern California
Lauren N. Brasesco T L
B.M., Azusa Pacific University
Breanna S. Caal
B.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
John D. Campbell IV
B.A., Pepperdine University
Zack A. Castorina T ***
B.S., University of Oregon
Andrew Sungkyu Choi
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Zara G. Davis N J
B.A., University of Kansas
Erin M. Doyle ♦
B.S., University of Southern California
Lauren E. Duffy ♦
B.A., University of Washington
Jeffrey E. Eaker
B.A., Arizona State University
Wessal Esber Fabela M L
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Zachary J. Fiumara T
B.S., Loyola Marymount University
Albert Hovhannisyan L
B.S., Greensboro College
Marina R. Kaye J
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Xitlaly E. León
B.A., University of California, Davis
Stephen J. Liem ***
B.A., University of California, Irvine
Valeria Linan
B.A., University of California, Merced
Tucker Bradley Morgan N
B.A., San Francisco State University
Donya Noori ♦
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Savannah N. Panah I
B.M., Portland State University
M.M., Boston University
Luke Pastor L
B.A., University of Southern California
Sara E. Pelayo J
B.A., California State University, Northridge
West Pesina
B.A., San Francisco State University
Samuele J. Protano N
B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz
Hannah Robinson N
B.S., Utah State University
M.Ed., Utah State University
Samantha L. Scadron
B.A., Pace University
Mallory Baird Smith ***
B.S., Syracuse University
Justine M. Stange
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Alyssa P. Steinfeld I J
B.S., Chapman University
John Sun
B.S., Arizona State University
Aris Terteryan
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Rebecca M. Trujillo
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Stephanie D. Urena
B.A., California State University, Fullerton
M.A., University of California, Irvine
Rebekah Verghese ***
B.S.A., University of Texas, Austin
Leila O. Wazana
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Omeed J. Zokaeim
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles
J.D./M.B.A. Concurrent Degree Program
In partnership with The Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management of Claremont Graduate University, Southwestern established concurrent-degree programs for students who wish to combine a J.D. and Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.). To earn the J.D./M.B.A. degree, students apply 16 units earned at the law school to the 60 units required for the M.B.A. degree and complete the remaining 44 units at Drucker.
Fiona C. Cheung B FE *
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
A.D., The Juilliard School
M.B.A., Drucker School of Management
The following notations after a graduate's name denote participation in the corresponding program during law school. For a full description of the honors program, refer to pages 21 and 22.
M – Moot Court Honors Program
N – Negotiation Honors Program
T – Trial Advocacy Honors Program S – Student Bar Association L – Southwestern Law Review I – Southwestern Journal of International Law
Military Veteran
December 2025 Graduate
July 2026 Graduate
December 2026 Graduate B - J.D./M.B.A.
Full-Time Evening Program
Student Organizations
Moot Court Honors Program M
The Moot Court Honors Program provides students with the opportunity to develop oral and written advocacy skills through competitions in appellate advocacy. Students who excel during the annual Moot Court Intramural Competition are invited to interview for Southwestern's nationally recognized Moot Court Honors Program. Those selected represent Southwestern in regional and national interscholastic competitions as oralists, brief writers, or board advisors. Members of the Moot Court Board of Governors are selected based upon scholarship and participation in previous competitions. Southwestern's moot court teams regularly win major regional and national awards for brief writing, oral appellate advocacy, and overall team excellence. Southwestern has earned a reputation as one of the most active and successful moot court programs in the country.
Negotiation Honors Program N
The Negotiation Honors Program provides students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate core lawyering skills in the context of negotiating. Members of the program take part in competitions that allow them to apply the skills of legal research, writing, advocacy, and client counseling through negotiation exercises, expanding their experience in all aspects of legal practice. Top-performing students in the annual Negotiation Intramural Competition are eligible to interview for the Negotiation Honors Program. The Negotiation Board of Governors, made up of experienced team members, coordinates both the intramural competition finals and team preparation for interscholastic competition.
Trial Advocacy Honors Program T
The Trial Advocacy Honors Program provides students with the opportunity to develop oral advocacy skills through the annual Trial Advocacy Intramural Competition, the JEBS (Joseph Esposito/Bill Seki) Competition, and interscholastic competitions in which Southwestern students compete against students across the nation. The program prepares students to be effective courtroom advocates who are able to conduct direct- and cross-examinations and present compelling opening statements and closing arguments. Students who excel in the intramural rounds are eligible to apply for positions in the Trial Advocacy Honors Program and represent Southwestern in regional and national trial competitions. The Trial Advocacy Board of Governors, made up of experienced team members, coordinates both the intramural competition finals and team preparation for interscholastic competitions.
Southwestern Law Review L
The Southwestern Law Review is a student-edited journal that publishes scholarly articles and commentary on California and federal law from prominent jurists, law professors, practitioners, and students on the Law Review staff. Each student member of the Law Review has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and writing skills. Students ranked in the top ten percent of the first-year day and SCALE classes and second-year evening and PLEAS classes, as well as students who excel in the annual summer Production Exercise Competition, are invited to participate. Members of the Law Review Executive Board are selected based upon scholarship, editing skills, legal research skills, extensive personal interviews, and overall contribution to the Law Review. Recent volumes of the Southwestern Law Review have examined civil rights and social justice, tort law and emerging technologies, immigration law, international and humanitarian law, bankruptcy and economic justice, environmental regulation, and the evolving landscape of legal education.
Southwestern Journal of International Law I
The Southwestern Journal of International Law publishes scholarly notes and articles contributed by students and members of the legal community on issues that complement Southwestern's extensive course offerings and faculty expertise in international and comparative law. Participation in the Journal allows students to develop their legal writing and research skills along with their substantive knowledge of topics covered by the Journal. Any Southwestern student in good academic standing who has completed at least the first-year day or SCALE program or at least the second-year evening or PLEAS program may compete in the summer Production Exercise Competition to earn a place on the Journal staff. Members who are recognized for outstanding contributions to the Journal are selected to serve on the Editorial Board during the subsequent year. Symposia, with proceedings later published in the Journal, have included "In the Shadow of Territorial Conflict Symposium: Legacies of Soviet-Era Media Control and Speech Norms," "Fake News and Weaponized Defamation: Global Perspectives," and "Freedom of Information Laws on the Global Stage: Past, Present, and Future."
Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law J
The Journal of International Media and Entertainment Law is a semi-annual publication produced by Southwestern's Donald E. Biederman Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Institute in cooperation with the Forums on Communications Law and the Entertainment and Sports Industries of the American Bar Association. The Board of Editors is composed of Biederman Institute faculty and members of the Forums' committees. Students who are interested in entertainment, media, and sports law are selected to work with the Board on research, technical editing, and other tasks. The first of its kind, the Journal promotes scholarship focused on the international dimension of media and entertainment law and addresses all aspects of international and comparative law in these areas, including topics related to content, regulation, intellectual property, distribution, publishing, internet and technology, and transactions.
Student Bar Association S
The Southwestern Student Bar Association (SBA), to which all students automatically belong, has been recognized several times as "the most outstanding student bar association" in the region and nation by the American Bar Association/Law Student Division and other entities. The SBA Board of Directors is composed of elected executive officers, the American Bar Association/Law Student Division representative, class representatives, and directors of appointed committees. The SBA sponsors programs and events to promote student interests, provides a variety of extracurricular experiences for students, and encourages community service. Among the activities recently presented by the SBA and student organizations are the Bison Vote: Electioneering and Managing a Campaign Event, the PILC Trivia Bowl, and the Hoover Toy Drive.
Law Commentator C
The Law Commentator is a student-run news magazine produced by and for the Southwestern student body in print and online formats. The student editors develop editorial and news policies and determine coverage. Features of the publication include articles and commentary by students, faculty, and administrators, on-campus programs and events, student accomplishments, alumni profiles, legal issues in the news, and media and entertainment developments.
Awards and Scholarships
Latin degrees cannot be determined until all grades have been completed and GPAs have been calculated.
Dean's Academic Leadership Award
The Dean's Academic Leadership Award was established by the Board of Trustees to provide scholarships to the highest-ranking upper-division students.
Zara G. Davis
Jeremy J. Davison
Dean's List
Connor W. Haviland
Isabel Kasch
The top ten percent of each class (SCALE, full-time day program, and part-time), based on annual GPA, determines who is on the Dean's List at the end of each academic year.
Evelyn M. Aguilar Chaidez
Oksana Aldendeshe
Carl Ashbel
Nicole Bala
Lauren N. Brasesco
Andrew J. Castaneda
Fiona C. Cheung
Madison P. Conway
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Zara G. Davis
Jeremy J. Davison
Madison G. Dobson
Erin M. Doyle
Dean's Fellows
Wessal Esber Fabela
Alicia N. Govea
Henry S. Hand
Connor W. Haviland
Elizabeth T. Houston
Elen Hovhannisyan
Emma Suzanne Idiart
Isabel Kasch
Kyle A. Legge
Jack A. Lehrer
Nathan H. Lhrar
Nicole Marie Milner
Harmanjit Nijjer
Luke Pastor
Leah Perez
Rachel F. Perkins
Ariana M. Reynoso
Nicholas B. Rodriguez
Nicolas D. Ruiz
Zareh C. Shahinian
Nolan K. Silverstein
Naomi L. Sirota
Mary S. Sutton
Lauren Wonn
Upper-division students in the top of their class are invited to serve as Dean's Fellows. Selection is based upon their expertise and experience with particular courses and professors. Dean's Fellows work with students on overall preparation and comprehension of coursework and help students develop effective study strategies to maximize their opportunities for academic success.
Alexandria M. Alcala
Anjelique S. Alexander
Mikayla Brook Grande
Allaire
Emil Andreasyan
Lauren N. Brasesco
Fiona C. Cheung
Madison P. Conway
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Zara G. Davis
Nayelie De Santiago
Gisell Del Carmen
Lauren E. Duffy
Wessal Esber Fabela
Connor W. Haviland
Roberto Jr. Hernandez
Elizabeth T. Houston
Albert Hovhannisyan
Elen Hovhannisyan
Isabel Kasch
Laura Kato
Ethan Korn
Lauren LaBorde
Nicole Marie Milner
Kelvin Monroy
Natalie O'Rourke
Luke Pastor
Ekaterina K. Perez
Leah Perez
Kristina M. Ramirez
John A. Riordan
Hannah Robinson
Nicholas Scopazzi-Beatty
Zareh C. Shahinian
Sandra Shenouda
Nolan K. Silverstein
Chance P. Sinerius
Naomi L. Sirota
Alyssa P. Steinfeld
Lauren Wonn
Dean's Merit Award
The Dean's Merit Award was established by the Board of Trustees to provide scholarships to upper-division students who have demonstrated academic excellence and are in the top thirty percent of their class.
Evelyn M. Aguilar Chaidez
Oksana Aldendeshe
Lina Gregorian Alexander
Mikayla Brook Grande
Allaire
Emil Andreasyan
Carl Ashbel
Sioneh Azarian
Nicole Bala
George A. Banna
Nathan J. Barukh
Lucas A. Berman
Brooke M. Betts
Norman Bhuian
Lynette Bonyadi
Lauren N. Brasesco
Andrew J. Castaneda
Natalie Centi
Fiona C. Cheung
Madison P. Conway
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Kane H. Davies
Zara G. Davis
Jeremy J. Davison
Gisell Del Carmen
Nicholas G. Demirjian
Madison G. Dobson
Jesse Dorfman
Erin M. Doyle
Donovan J. Dragon
Lauren E. Duffy
Selena Estrada
Wessal Esber Fabela
Writing Fellows
Tatiana S. Faus
Andres Fernandez
Alicia N. Govea
Gina N. Greco
Yervant G. Hadjian
Henry S. Hand
Sofya Harutyunyan
Connor W. Haviland
Roman J. Henson
Graciela A. Hernandez
Elizabeth T. Houston
Albert Hovhannisyan
Elen Hovhannisyan
Emma Suzanne Idiart
Hovhanes H. Karageozyan
Isabel Kasch
Laura Kato
Melissa B. Keshishian
Lauren LaBorde
Kyle A. Legge
Jack A. Lehrer
Nathan H. Lhrar
Alexis E. Lopez
Frances C. McCall
Nicole Marie Milner
Anasheh Mirzaians
Devon W. Moreland
Charlie Phu Nguyen
Harmanjit Nijjer
Luke Pastor
Ekaterina K. Perez
Leah Perez
Rachel F. Perkins
Allen Poghosyan
Nellie Rafaelian
Kristina M. Ramirez
Ariana M. Reynoso
John A. Riordan
Melinda E. Rivas
Hannah Robinson
Nicholas B. Rodriguez
Nicolas D. Ruiz
Kamilla Salikhova
Samantha L. Scadron
Nicholas Scopazzi-Beatty
Zareh C. Shahinian
Nolan K. Silverstein
Chance P. Sinerius
Naomi L. Sirota
Ediberto Soto Del Moral
Raad Soudani
Alyssa P. Steinfeld
Madison D. Sutlovich
Mary S. Sutton
Lindsay Q. Tucker
Michael M. Tufenkchian
Stephanie D. Urena
Jonathan I. Vergara-Diaz
Lauren Wonn
Charles J. Yeganeh
Alexander L. Yessayan
Upper-division students with strong writing skills are invited to serve as fellows for the Writing Center. Selection is based on their academic performance, a writing sample, and ability to teach students. Writing Fellows work with students on the writing process, basic writing style, organization, grammar, and punctuation. They focus on strengthening students' writing and rewriting skills in the context of their writing classes and externships to prepare them to excel in the legal workplace.
Kane H. Davies
Andrew Ramos
Wildman/Schumacher Scholarship
The Wildman/Schumacher Scholarship program was established in 1983 in memory of Paul W. Wildman, who served Southwestern for 28 years as a student, faculty member, dean, and president, and Southwestern's founder, John J. Schumacher, who championed legal education opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds and actively encouraged the enrollment of women and students of color long before other institutions did so.
Konstantin Abajian
Firoozeh A. Adli
Evelyn M. Aguilar
Chaidez
Michael Angel Ahn
Jacob M. Akopnik
Oksana Aldendeshe
Anjelique S. Alexander
Lina Gregorian Alexander
Mikayla Brook Grande
Allaire
Natalie Tina Altounian
Maria P. Alvarez Saavedra
Ronnie S. Anabi
Olivia Anderson
Emil Andreasyan
Xiomara Angel
Derrian C. Annan
Christineh E. Antinian
Alfred Jordan S. Arizala
Sergey Asatryan
Sioneh Azarian
Nicole Bala
George A. Banna
Daniela Barragan
Nathan J. Barukh
Lucas A. Berman
Juliet Bernal
Brooke M. Betts
Norman Bhuian
Arielle Z. Bitton
Lynette Bonyadi
Tierra M. Boyd
Laurence C. Brahm
Lauren N. Brasesco
Jeffrey W. Burke
John Matthew C. Camara
Kierra K. Capurro
Andrew J. Castaneda
Zack A. Castorina
Amanda Castro
Alejandra Chavez
Stephanie Cohen
Madison P. Conway
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Kassandra H. Cuellar
Rebecca Cunha
Kane H. Davies
Zara G. Davis
Jeremy J. Davison
Samuel A. Dayan
Nayelie De Santiago
Cassandra De Vera
Nicholas G. Demirjian
Madison G. Dobson
Jesse Dorfman
Erin M. Doyle
Donovan J. Dragon
Lauren E. Duffy
Jeffrey E. Eaker
Madison N. Eckardt
David Enayati
Devyn Ray EspinoCanche
Wessal Esber Fabela
Amir Fattahi
Andres Fernandez
Zachary J. Fiumara
Miranda M. Flores-Tirado
Inioluwa Praise Gbenjo
Artyom Ghabuzyan
Annabel Gholichian
Rachel M. Glusak
Julia Gonzalez
Alicia N. Govea
Gina N. Greco
Gustavo R. Guevara
Yervant G. Hadjian
Henry S. Hand
Nathaniel Haroonian
Sofya Harutyunyan
Connor W. Haviland
Roman J. Henson
Roberto Jr. Hernandez
Graciela A. Hernandez
Ashley G. Hight
Albert Hovhannisyan
Elen Hovhannisyan
Miranda C. Hughes
Jamie L. Hunt
Emma Suzanne Idiart
Nicole C. Jackson
Hovhanes H. Karageozyan
Nicholas Karkanen
Isabel Kasch
Laura Kato
Marina R. Kaye
Michaela Noelani Kemna
Melissa B. Keshishian
Izabelle H. Khanzetyan
Ethan Korn
Pamela D. Lazo Villatoro
Kyle A. Legge
Jack A. Lehrer
Nathan H. Lhrar
Jiaxing Lin
Liliana K. Lopez
Saul Lopez-Pulido
Daniel J. Lozada
Monique Madrid
Davit Malkhasyan
Hovig M. Manoyan
Zion Marzini Rabanepur
Frances C. McCall
Madison S. McPhearson
Kiran Mehr
Rhea Mehra
Elena S. Melehani
Nicole Marie Milner
Kelvin Monroy
John Hovik Nahabedian
Dzina Nelson
Charlie Phu Nguyen
Harmanjit Nijjer
Donya Noori
Angela Noravian
Natalie O'Rourke
Michael Elizabeth Orton
Matthew G. Ospina
Kaylin H. Pak
Savannah N. Panah
Luke Pastor
Sara E. Pelayo
Alisson S. Pena
Leah Perez
West Pesina
Katrina L. Petty
Allen Poghosyan
Eric J Rachmani
Kristina M. Ramirez
Andrew Ramos
Natalie Renee Resendiz
Ariana M. Reynoso
John A. Riordan
Hannah Robinson
Nicholas B. Rodriguez
Nicolas D. Ruiz
Jenna A. Samuelian
Lia Sarkisian
Daniel Sasson
Samantha L. Scadron
Alex J. Schott
Nicholas Scopazzi-Beatty
Zareh C. Shahinian
Aman M. Shamim
Nathaniel A. Shaumyan
Sandra Shenouda
Angela Sheu
Emily Shirvanian
Arsen Shirvanyan
Bethany R. Shrove
Nolan K. Silverstein
Cindy Sinaie
Chance P. Sinerius
Naomi L. Sirota
Ana Sofia Soto
Raad Soudani
Justine M. Stange
Alyssa P. Steinfeld
Maryam Sudzhyan
John Sun
Jacob Susman
Mary S. Sutton
Michelle Nareh Tahmasian
Lorenzo Jose N. Tanlu
Lianna Tashchian
Anush Ter-Ghukasyan
Aris Terteryan
Antonio Torres
Rebecca M. Trujillo
Lindsay Q. Tucker
Stephanie D. Urena
Esteban Urzua
Jacquelyn Vasantachat
Rebekah Verghese
Joel Vidal-Cortes
Ethan K. Wang
Leila O. Wazana
Sean P. Wilkins
Michael Witt
Anthony K. Wong
Lauren Wonn
Keaton T. Woodburn
Christopher E. Yanchev
Charles J. Yeganeh
Alexander L. Yessayan
Biederman Scholars
Isabella T. Zemshman
Omeed J. Zokaeim
The Donald E. Biederman Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law Institute of Southwestern established the Biederman Scholars program in an effort to recognize academic excellence and expand opportunities for promising future entertainment lawyers. Students selected as Biederman Scholars are eligible for special entertainment and media law educational, networking, and other mentoring opportunities. To be considered as a Biederman Scholar, students must be in the top twenty percent of their class, have excelled in Copyright, and have a demonstrated interest in entertainment, media, sports, or music law. Candidates are selected by the Biederman faculty and Associate Dean of the Biederman Institute.
Oksana Aldendeshe
Norman Bhuian
Zara G. Davis
Henry S. Hand
Connor W. Haviland
Melissa B. Keshishian
Nolan K. Silverstein
Naomi L. Sirota
George and Katrina Woolverton Public Service Award
Established in 2010 through the generosity of Southwestern alumni George '75 and Katrina '02 Woolverton, the George and Katrina Woolverton Public Service Award is given to one graduating student in recognition of demonstrated and extraordinary dedication to public interest law activities while at Southwestern.
Nicole Bala
Woolverton Family Public Interest Award
The Woolverton Family Public Interest Award honors one graduating student in recognition of exceptional dedication to public interest law activities while at Southwestern.
Miranda M. Flores-Tirado
Harvey L. and Lillian Silbert Public Interest Fellowship Program
The Harvey L. and Lillian Silbert Public Interest Fellowship Program was established in 2000 by the Harvey L. and Lillian Silbert Foundation. This program permits students who are selected as Silbert Fellows to receive grants that will enable them to work and gain legal experience at nonprofit public interest organizations. The Silbert Foundation's generous gift not only assists numerous legal service providers but also benefits Southwestern students by providing them an opportunity to gain practical legal experience and exposure to public interest work.
Natalie O'Rourke
Public Interest Law Summer Grant Program
The Public Interest Law Committee's Summer Grant Program was established in 1990 with the mission of providing financial support to students seeking fulltime summer clerkships with a nonprofit legal services organization providing no-cost legal assistance to underserved, marginalized communities. This program makes it possible for students to acquire the practical experience necessary to address the needs of indigent communities. Recipients are selected annually based on the merit of their proposed summer clerk positions, participation in on-campus public interest activities, community work, and commitment to pro bono or public interest career practice.
Alexandria M. Alcala
Esperanza Alonso
Nathan J. Barukh
Baylynne Joy Brunetti
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Andres Fernandez
Alicia N. Govea
Vanessa Hernandez
Emma Suzanne Idiart
Lauren LaBorde
Madison S. McPhearson
Eva Mooradian
Nellie Rafaelian
Melinda E. Rivas
Nicolas D. Ruiz
Bethany R. Shrove
Justine M. Stange
Jacquelyn Vasantachat
Paola Velazquez
Jonathan I. Vergara-Diaz
Sean P. Wilkins
Isabella T. Zemshman
Public Interest Law Service Award
Southwestern's Public Interest Law Service Award honors selected graduating students who demonstrated significant dedication to public interest law activities while at Southwestern.
Esperanza Alonso
Emiliano F. Arellano
Olivia O. Dilas
Melinda E. Rivas
Paola Velazquez
Isabella T. Zemshman
Public Service Program
Southwestern's Public Service Program was established in 2009 to encourage students to perform 25 hours of service each year as part of the legal profession's responsibility to ensure equal access to justice for all communities. In partnership with civil legal aid, nonprofit services organizations, and government agencies, students provide direct legal services, litigation and policy advocacy, and community legal education in a wide variety of settings and contexts. Students who perform a minimum of 75 hours of public service throughout their law school experience receive special recognition at commencement and have the notation "Public Service Distinction" placed on their law school transcript.
Emiliano F. Arellano
Courtney Hannah Azari
Nicole Bala
Astgik Boyadzhyan
Baylynne Joy Brunetti
Kassandra H. Cuellar
Nayelie De Santiago
Olivia O. Dilas
Miranda M. Flores-Tirado
Vanessa Hernandez
Jamie L. Hunt
Xitlaly E. Leon
Eva Mooradian
Natalie Renee Resendiz
Zareh C. Shahinian
Bethany R. Shrove
Raad Soudani
Jacquelyn Vasantachat
Paola Velazquez
Isabella T. Zemshman
There Is a Light Foundation Scholars
The There Is a Light Foundation Public Service Scholarship was established by Arash Homampour '92 in 2024. This scholarship recognizes upper-level students who demonstrate a strong commitment to public service, leadership, and academic excellence, empowering a new generation of advocates dedicated to making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Esperanza Alonso
Nicole Bala
Baylynne J. Brunetti
Kierra K. Capurro
Stephanie Cohen
Alexis M. Cornejo-Peril
Gisell Del Carmen
Olivia O. Dilas
Wessal E. Fabela
Miranda M. Flores-Tirado
Qlehd Mernell C. Guiwa
Vanessa Hernandez
Jamie L. Hunt
Lauren LaBorde
Saul Lopez-Pulido
Madison S. McPhearson
Devon W. Moreland
Matthew G. Ospina
Natalie R. Resendiz
Hannah Robinson
Hector D. Sanchez
Justine M. Stange
Paola Velazquez
Isabella T. Zemshman
Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership
The Parris Academy for Excellence in Law & Leadership was established by Carrol and R. Rex Parris '80 in 2024. The Phase 3 Award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership by completing a comprehensive leadership development program, serving in significant leadership roles, and designing, implementing, and defending a capstone leadership project.
Courtney Hannah Azari
The History of Academic Dress
The traditional academic attire that we see as a colorful part of commencement exercises had its beginnings in the Middle Ages when the university first developed as an institution of higher learning.
The most important centers of intellectual life in the 10th century were the monasteries—the centers least affected by the disorders of the time. The relative stability of the monastic life left monks free to develop systematic graded education for the first time in the history of Western society. The first students were monks and priests, and the costumes they wore were more for protection from the weather than as distinctive regalia for the scholarly way of life. Caps were a necessity in the cold, drafty buildings, and capes and hoods were also worn for warmth. In later centuries, as the British universities passed from the control of the monasteries, the costumes took on brighter colors, and the hood was singled out as the item to be made distinctive for various degrees by color, trimming, and lining.
The use of caps, gowns, and hoods has been continuous in the United States since colonial times—the tradition having been transplanted from Oxford and Cambridge to the New World. However, the dress code was modified and the vivid colors so prevalent in Great Britain were eliminated. Before 1895, faculty academic costumes varied widely from university to university. Since few people knew the distinguishing marks or colors for the various degrees, the dress code was standardized for all American universities. At the same time, students began a movement that would spread throughout the country to make academic regalia an integral part of the commencement ceremony. A desire to make the festivities more impressive and interesting as well as to add grace and dignity to the ceremony led the students in this successful endeavor.
Southwestern students participating in today's commencement ceremony are wearing regalia for the degrees of Master of Laws and Juris Doctor. The gowns have full, rounded sleeves marked with three purple velvet bars. The academic hoods for both degrees bear purple and white edging identifying Southwestern Law School as the institution conferring the degree. The purple tassel signifies a legal studies degree.
Students who have been on the Dean's List (the top ten percent of each class at the end of each academic year) or participated in academic co-curricular honors or extracurricular service programs are wearing stoles in distinguishing colors as follows: Dean's List—scarlet with white lettering; Dean’s Fellow—light green with white lettering; Writing Fellow—light purple with white lettering; Moot Court Honors Program—white with purple lettering; Negotiation Honors Program—green with white lettering; Trial Advocacy Honors Program— purple with white lettering; Law Review—gold with purple lettering; Journal of International Law—purple with gold lettering; Journal of Media and Entertainment Law—silver with purple lettering; Los Angeles Public Interest Law Journal—maroon with silver lettering; Student Bar Association—navy blue with gold lettering; Law Commentator—light blue with white lettering; and the Public Service Program—blue with white lettering. Southwestern Torch Bearers are wearing silver cords, honoring their connection with Southwestern alumni, faculty, or staff members. Military veterans are wearing red, white, and blue cords. Students with concentrations are distinguished as follows: Civil Litigation and Advocacy—gold; Criminal Law and Advocacy—teal; Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies—forest green; Entertainment and Media Law—purple; Labor and Employment Law—white; Public Interest Law—burgundy; and Technology Law and Entrepreneurship—royal blue.
Congratulations, Graduates!
This program contains official lists of names of graduates who received degrees in December 2025 and unofficial lists of names of candidates for May, July, and December 2026 graduation. Degree conferral for anticipated May, July, and December 2026 graduates is not official until final grades for the student's final semester or term have been entered and graduation requirements have been verified. Southwestern's official registry for conferral of degrees is the Registrar's Office.
