Alumni News
Check out the latest UCI Law Alumni Newsletter to stay up to date on all things UCI Law! Send us your news: rbergeron@law.uci.edu.
- UCI Law graduate Stephanie Lind '16 featured in OC Business Journal Women in Law 2022 profile story
- UCI Law graduate Caitlin Emmons '15 featured in OC Business Journal Women in Law 2022 profile story
- UCI Law Graduates Brooke Weitzman and Christina Zabat-Fran Honored with the 2022 ADL's Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award
- UCI Law Alumni Support Pro Bono Program 2021-2022
- UCI Law Graduate Kristin Gomez '14 Receives Woman of the Year Award
2021
- UCI Law alum Chariese Solorio ’15 joins Orange County Head Start, Inc. Board of Directors – Snell & Wilmer LLP
- UCI Law alum Kevin Crockett ’15 profiled – Orange Coast
- UCI Law alum Jackie Brenneman ’12 appointed to Burbank Cultural Arts Commission – Burbank City Council
- Desirae Hutchison, UCI Law Alum, Appointed to Serve as a Judge in Los Angeles – UCI Law
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 quoted on lawsuit against County of Orange over criminalization of homelessness – Voice of OC
- UCI Law alums Michael Armstrong ’15 and Ashley Kim ’14 elected to CMCP Ambassadors Council – California Minority Counsel Program
- Samrah Mahmoud ’12 joins Public Law Center’s Volunteer Board of Directors – Public Law Center
- UCI Law alum Justice Turner ’20 highlighted for video series “Is that Justice?” – UCI Paul Merage School of Business
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 co-writes article on the James A. Musick Facility, OC’s mental health crisis and law enforcement response – OC Lawyer
- Vish Mohan ’16 and Diana Palacios ’12 named among Minority Leaders of Influence: Attorneys List – Los Angeles Business Journal
- UCI Law Graduate Tax Program LL.M. Alumna Kyoolee Park First to Clerk at U.S. Tax Court – UCI Law
2020
- Samrah Mahmoud ’12 named 2020 Women in Business Award Nominees – OC Business Journal
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 and Maggie Woodruff ’21 co-write article on homelessness and the COVID-19 pandemic in Orange County – OC Lawyer
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 participates in panel discussion on how the pandemic is changing business terms and relationships – Bloomberg Law In-House Forum
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 elected OCBA Board of Directors Secretary – OCBA
- UCI Law alum Fernando Nunez ’19 writes law review article on reentry during a pandemic – UCLA Law Review
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 named General Counsel of the Year Finalist – Corporate Counsel
- Ariela Rutbeck-Goldman ‘16 writes on rethinking the bar exam and diploma privilege advocacy – Medium
- Olivia Meme '20 named winner of the 2020 Academy for Justice and Arizona State Law Journal National Student Writing Competition – UCI Law
- Brian Hardingham ’12 helps secure key victory in Alabama private probation case – Public Justice
- Emily Croucher ’20 and Pilar Escontrias ’20 co-author op-ed calling for diploma privilege – Washington Post
- Emily Croucher ’20 co-writes letter to the editor on Kentucky Bar Exam and diploma privilege – Lexington Herald Leader
- UCI Law alums Pilar Escontrias ’20 and Emily Croucher ’20 highlighted for diploma privilege advocacy – Law360
- UCI Law alums Emily Croucher ’20 and Pilar Escontrias ’20 interviewed on diploma privilege – Ipse Dixit
- Josh Ji ’16 co-writes article on OCBA’s Inter-Generational Task Force – OC Lawyer
- C. Ryan Fisher ’16 highlighted for role on OCBA’s Young Lawyer Division Committee – OC Lawyer
- UCI Law alum Jamila Benkato ‘16 quoted in Time feature story on nonprofit organization Protect Democracy
- Nafisa Ahmed '20 named Equal Justice Works fellow
- Diana Palacios ’12 named among Most Influential Women Attorneys in Los Angeles by L.A. Business Journal
- Fernando Nunez '19 was named a Shriver Center Racial Justice Institute Fellow
- UCI Law alum Denny Chan ’12 writes on COVID-19 and equity for elderly Asian Americans – Justice in Aging
- UCI Law alum Kevin Lerman ’16 co-authors op-ed on COVID-19 and jailed parolees in New York – City Limits
- Sean Garcia-Leys ‘16 quoted on work to remove client from LAPD CalGangs database – Los Angeles Times
- Samrah Mahmoud ’12 was named partner at Troutman Sanders LLP
- Samrah Mahmoud ’12 and Sheila Chen ’15 write on California healthcare litigation filing trends – Law 360
- Prof. Katie Tinto and alum Sean Garcia-Leys ‘16 quoted on suspension of LAPD officers after incorrectly labeling a minor as a gang member – New York Times
2019
- Josh Ji '16 has been appointed to the Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors for 2020. He will be installed at the 2020 Judges' Night & Annual Meeting in January.
- Brooke Weitzman '14 quoted on Supreme Court's decision not to hear homelessness case – Newport Beach Independent
- UCI Law Board of Visitors members Carol and Eugene Choi, Eric Fanchiang '17 to be recognized at UCI's 2020 Lauds & Laurels – UCI News
- Nora Cassidy ’17 named inaugural Hurd Fellow – Legal Aid at Work
- Dean Richardson, D’lorah Hughes, Crystal Adams ’15, Shirley Diaz ’18 and Sean Lobb ’18 quoted on UCI Law’s involvement in the UCDC Law Program – Orange County Lawyer
- Aaron Benmark ’16 will speak at a panel on the Visual Artists rights Act of 1990 (The Copyright Society of the USA).
- Emily Satifka '19 named fellow at Juvenile Law Center
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 is running for OCBA Secretary
- Julie Hartlé ’17 helps asylum-seeking Congolese father reunite with family – Los Angeles Times
- Shaleen Shanbhag ’14 and Brian Olney ’13 become partners at Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai – Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai
- UCI Law alums Kristin Gomez '14, Hollie Washington '16, and Vish Mohan '16 featured for OCBA Young Lawyers Division work – OC Lawyer
- Brooke Weitzman ’14, wins award from the National Lawyers Guild, Los Angeles Chapter, for her civil rights success in addressing homelessness crisis
- Jack Williams IV '15 delivered the keynote address at the 10th Annual Veteran Appreciation Dinner at UCI
- UCI Law Alums Diana Palacios and Samrah Mahmoud write on key differences among California’s four federal districts – Orange County Lawyer
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 received the 2019 Ralph Kennedy Award at the 37th Affordable Housing Awards Breakfast hosted by the Kennedy Commission, OCCHC/SteppingUP and Affordable Housing Clearinghouse.
- UCI Law alum Kristin Gomez ’14 spoke April 25, 2019, at the Federal Bar Association Orange County Chapter Young Lawyers Division Practice Panel, “An In-House Perspective on Federal Practice,” co-moderated by Samrah Mahmoud ’12.
- Diana Palacios ’12 recognized in Variety’s 2019 Legal Impact Report – Variety
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 nominated for 2019 Women in Business Award – Orange County Business Journal
- Bennett Kaspar '14 was named to Littler's Diversity & Inclusion Council.
- Shunya D. Wade '18 has joined Klinedinst Los Angeles as an Associate. She focuses her practice on representing attorneys in professional liability matters.
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 to receive Distinguished Alumni award at the 49th annual UCI Lauds & Laurels gala – UCI News
- Ryan Stauffer ’12 joined Saxton & Stump as an associate in February 2019. He specializes in healthcare law and commercial litigation.
- WATCH: Brooke Weitzman ’14 discusses her work with Orange County’s homeless population – Spectrum News 1
- Alums Samrah Mahmoud ’12 and Diana Palacios ’12 write on teaching a short-session class on California federal court filings at UCI Law – The Recorder
- Harnik Shukla ’12 was named partner at Knobbe Martens in January 2019.
- Alumna Brooke Weitzman ’14 discusses pro bono litigation efforts to help Orange County’s homeless – Daily Journal
2018
- Andrea Feathers ’12 named pro bono attorney of the year at Sheppard Mullin – Sheppard Mullin
- Alumna Brooke Weitzman ‘14 named among OC’s most influential of 2018 – Orange County Register
- Josh Ji’s ’16 student note on SARLs and diversity jurisdiction was cited by Am. Jur. 2d Federal Courts and U.S. District Court, Southern District New York opinion on TCD Royalty Sub LLC v. Galderma Laboratories L.P., et al.
- Alisa Hartz ‘12 quoted on L.A. County’s new jail-release planning policies – Los Angeles Times
- UCI Law alumnus Josh Ji ’16 was named president elect of the OC Korean American Bar Association for 2018-19. He will serve as president the following year.
- Kelly Galligan ’15, Christina Zabat-Fran ’12, Daniel Robinson and Mei Tsang elected to OCBA’s Board of Directors – Orange County Bar Association
- Alumna Christina Zabat-Fran profiled on her role at St. John Knits by Profile Magazine
- UCI Law alum Denny Chan ‘12 wins AARP Asian American Pacific Islander Hero Award – AARP
- Ashley Tellier '15 received the U.S. Army’s Achievement Medal for Civilian Service on Aug. 31, 2018, in recognition of commendable service between 2015 and 2018 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In September, Ms. Tellier will join the Office of the General Counsel of the National Nuclear Security Administration in Washington, D.C.
- UCI Law alum Citlalli Ochoa '16 discusses her work with the International Refugee Assistance Project – Urban Justice Center
- Robert Liu ’14 named chair of the Business and Corporate Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association
- UCI Law alum Robert Moddelmog comments on CA Coastal Commission vote to tear down Laguna Beach sea wall – Los Angeles Times
- Kristin Garcia ’14, Kelly Galligan ’15, and Nicholas George ’14 featured in cover story of Orange County Lawyer magazine – Orange County Lawyer
- Jonathan Markovitz ’14 quoted on ACLU lawsuit against San Diego County program requiring random searches of welfare applicants – Voice of San Diego
- Daniel Werner ’18 writes on his externship experience with Dolores Street Community Services in San Francisco – UCI Law
- Nonprofit co-founded by UCI Law alumna Brooke Weitzman ’14 highlighted for efforts to solve the homeless crisis in Orange County – Los Angeles Times
- Sean Garcia-Leys '16 honored by the ACLU of Southern California with the Equal Justice Award for his work with Urban Peace Institute
- Shirley B. Kim '16 was appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy by Gov. Brown
- Stephanie Talavera ’15 highlighted in Daily Journal as part of McKennon Law Group PC – Daily Journal
- Stephanie Talavera ’15: Ruling addresses when a third-party acts as ERISA fiduciary – Daily Journal
- UCI Law alum part of conservation group suing Trump administration over New Mexico border wall – Albuquerque Journal
- Itohan Okogbo '17 joins Elder Law and Disability Rights Center team – ELDR Center
- Kelly Galligan '15 named chair of OCBA’s Young Lawyers Division for 2018 – Orange County Lawyer
- Joni Carrasco ’12 and Irina Transovan ’12 sue LSAT test maker over failure to provide disability accommodations – Law 360
- Brooke Weitzman '14 comments on agreement reached with county to clear Santa Ana Riverbed homeless encampment – Los Angeles Times
- Brooke Weitzman '14, representing OC homeless, reaches agreement with county on Santa Ana Riverbed eviction lawsuit – Orange County Register
- UCI Law alum Brooke Weitzman '14 who filed lawsuit against OC surveys homeless encampment along Santa Ana River with federal judge – Los Angeles Times
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 and team file lawsuit to halt clearing of homeless encampment in Orange County – Los Angeles Times
- Claire Stanley ’15 wins settlement against BarBri over discrimination allegations – Cohen Milstein
- Also in Inside Higher Ed
- Sierra E. Nelson of the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian granted writ petition
- Mimi Anh named associate at Kahana & Feld
2017
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 named top OC influencer
- Jean Su '12 pens op-ed: Jerry Brown is no climate action hero – The Sacramento Bee
- Ryan Stauffer '12 wins city council seat – Saucon Source
- On Sept. 8, Alum Sean Garcia-Leys, UCI Law ’16, will be honored with the Social Justice Attorney award from Chicanos Unidos for his work in fighting gang injunctions in OC
- Alum, Josh Ji '16, appointed to OC ethics commission – Voice of OC
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 named to Association of Corporate Counsel 2017 list of “Top 10 30-somethings”
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 named to ABA Young Lawyers Division “On the Rise” Top 40 Young Lawyers list
- Olivia Weber ’17 and attorney Suma Peesapati write op-ed re: air pollution litigation in Huntington Beach – Voice of OC
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 named a “Top 10 30-Something” by the Association of Corporate Counsel – Orange County Bar Association
- Jean Su ’12 of Center for Biological Diversity discusses suit filed against Dept. of Homeland Security over border wall prototypes – CBS8.com
- Brooke Weitzman ’14 quoted in media as one of the attorneys seeking protections for property of homeless living along Santa Ana River: KPCC, Voice of OC
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 nominated for Global Counsel Award, Rising Star
- Wedding of Nassim Alisobhani ’17 and Dr. Justin Lee Yanuck featured in New York Times, including mention of Sam Lam ’12 performing the ceremony
- Jaclyn Stahl ’13 appointed to Children’s Bureau Orange County Board of Trustees
- Denny Chan ’12 named to 2017 Board of Directors for Legal Aid Association of California
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 nominated for Women in Business award – OC Business Journal
- Cinthia Flores '14 profiled in series highlighting women in leadership – Faalta
- Marco Pulido '15 describes working with the Appellate Litigation Clinic
- Alisa Hartz '12 recognized for work challenging Constitutionality of Los Angeles gang injunctions – Daily Journal
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 featured in OC Lawyer!
- Alumni Organize Expungement Clinic for First Annual Alumni Pro Bono Day
- Jennifer Chin ’13 honored as outstanding pro bono attorney for her volunteer work with Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice
- UCI Law alumni and students represented at the UC Irvine Homecoming Celebration Feb. 25
- Erna Mamikonyan '14 part of amicus brief in support of State of Washington v. President Trump – UCI Law
- Michael Iseri ’15 and his company, Lawpp, profiled – UCI Magazine
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 recaps UCI Law event, calls for greater diversity in legal profession – Orange County Business Journal
- Kelly Galligan ’15 installed as President-Elect of OCBA Young Lawyers Division for 2017
- Click here for group photo of alumni at event >
- Denisha McKenzie ’12 is president-elect of the Newport Beach-based Thurgood Marshall Bar Association – Orange County Business Journal
- Mohammed Elayan ’12 is guest speaker on Equity Fundraising Basics at UCI Applied Innovation Lunch and Learn
2016
- Jonathan Markovitz '14 of the San Diego ACLU reflects on being a civil rights attorney at the dawn of the Trump era – Medium
- Ari Yampolsky ’12 writes about status of Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act on its one-year anniversary – The Hill
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 featured on front page of OC Business Journal
- Christina Zabat-Fran '12 Honored With OC Business Journal Rising Star Award
- Lauren Mendelsohn '16 writes about seven reasons Prop. 64 is a great way to legalize cannabis for adult use – The Influence
- Elizabeth Tissot ’16 listed in Career Notes, highlighting her position with Jefferson County Community Law Office – Business Alabama
- Alumni show support for Judge Guilford as he received Stotler Award at Federal Bar Assn.-OC Judges’ Night Oct. 27
- Class of 2016 grads Nefi Acosta, Ricardo Lopez are recipients of 2015-16 MALDEF Law School Scholarships – MALDEF
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 promoted to General Counsel – OCBA News
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 promoted to General Counsel of St. John Knits
- Oscar, Emmy and Tony-award winner Frances McDormand reads article written by Prof. Fisk and alumna Alisa Hartz ’12 (video) – The Wooster Group Blog
- Class of 2015 alums James Miller and Vahe Mesropyan write article on reverse settlements in ABTL Report (starts pg.3) – ABTL Report
- Mohammed Elayan ’12, Kelly Galligan ’15 and Kristin Garcia ’14 featured on cover of OC Lawyer magazine as leaders of OC Bar Association Young Lawyers group
- Jordan Aiken ’16 receives prestigious Equal Justice Works Fellowship
- Joseph Boniwell ’13, Policy Director at Housing California, discusses solutions for homelessness – KCRW
- “Can Informal Law Discipline Subsidies?” co-authored by Vinhcent Le ’16 and Prof. Shaffer, wins inaugural John Jackson Prize – Oxford Journal of International Economic Law
- Article by Ricardo Lopez ’16 proposing specialized health care courts is winner in student writing competition – The National Law Review
- Alumni Association Board presidents to be recognized at Public Service Award Dinner May 6
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 nominated for 2016 Women in Business Award – Orange County Business Journal
- Kelly Galligan ’15 co-authors op-ed on disclosures for transactions that don’t require stockholder approval – Daily Journal
- Class of 2015 Swearing-In Ceremony captured in photos – OC Lawyer
2015
- Jean Su ’12, staff attorney at Center for Biological Diversity, wrote about being in Paris for global climate talks
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 appointed to OC Bar Association Board of Directors
- Christina Zabat-Fran ’12 nominated for OC Business Journal General Counsel Award
- Cinthia Flores ’14 appointed by Gov. Brown to CA Health Professions Education Foundation board
- Bennett Kaspar ’14 writes for Corporate Counsel about questions for employers and employees raised by same-sex marriage ruling
- UCI Law Review Vol. 3, Issue 3 article on redistricting commissions cited in SCOTUS opinion (p. 12 of PDF)
- Executive Board for the issue: John Bridge, Jeanne Detch, Michael Klinger, Jin Soo Lee, Jaclyn Stahl
- Coral Lopez ’15 wins award in Beverly Hills Bar Rule of Law Competition
- Article on cost-benefit analysis written by Adam Sechooler ’13 for UCI Law Review Vol. 4, No. 4 republished by website dedicated to better regulation
- Renee Amador ’14 spoke on countering wage theft in the day laborer community at Pathways to Justice conference
- Skyler Gray ’14, law clerk and Huffington Post blogger, profiled by Phi Beta Kappa Society
- Kelly Galligan ’15 quoted in Daily Journal re: her clinical experience at UCI Law (PDF)
- Video: Class of 2015 Commencement, featuring speakers Sen. Boxer and Alex Patterson ’15
- Daily Pilot report from Commencement 2015 features speaker Sen. Boxer and grads Alex Patterson, Kelly Galligan, Rachel Khalili, Elizabeth McCullough-Sanden
- UCI Law Class of 2015 Commencement leads the pack of university graduation ceremonies in OC Register’s season preview
- Michael Iseri ’15 quoted in National Law Journal re: his personal experience with LSAT disability accommodations
- Edgar Aguilasocho ’12, as UFW lead attorney, quoted by CNBC re: labor dispute with biggest U.S. peach grower
- Skyler Gray ’14 writes at Huffington Post on rise of female lawyers in celebrity news/pop culture