The Hon. Ronald Sargis, ’82

The Hon. Ronald Sargis, ’82, is the former Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. He was appointed to the bench in the Eastern District in 2010.

In January 2024, he was reappointed to serve as a bankruptcy judge for a second 14-year term on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California.

Sargis earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University in 1979 and a Juris Doctor degree, with distinction, from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1982. After law school, he served as a law clerk to the Hon. Loren S. Dahl. He, then, worked in private practice for 26 years with the firm Hefner, Stark & Marois. At the firm, he became a partner in 1989 and a managing partner from 1997-1998.

Judge Sargis’ legal practice included commercial law, PACA rights enforcement and litigation, fair debt collection practices and fair credit reporting compliance and litigation, oil and gas law, and federal and state legislation and regulation relating to fair debt collection practices, fair credit reporting, homestead and other exemptions, and HIPPA regulations and compliance. In addition, Judge Sargis helped draft legislation relating to debt collection, including laws about identity theft, child support, and hospital debt collection practices.

During Sargis’ first term on the bench, he served on the Ninth Circuit Conference of Chief Bankruptcy Judges Committee and served for three years on the Executive Committee for that conference. More of his accomplishments include serving as the Chair of that Conference for the 2021-2022 year, during which he was the Chief Bankruptcy Judge Observer to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and the Ninth Circuit District Court Judges Conference.

In addition, Judge Sargis has also served on the California State-Federal Judicial Council. He serves on the Legislative Committee for the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. He is on the executive committee for the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court.

Judge Sargis was an adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law from 2014 to 2020, teaching a course on bankruptcy. He has also served as a Chancellor to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church from 1993 to 2000.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is celebrating members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

Nine graduates from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law are being recognized as Alumni on the Rise, are making significant strides in their respective fields. These accomplished professionals, who earned their degrees between 2000 and 2017, have demonstrated outstanding achievements, leadership, and contributions to their communities. Whether they are excelling in private practice, public service, or other emerging industries, these alumni represent a remarkable generation of legal talent. Their stories highlight and prove that McGeorge’s impact extends far beyond the classroom into the highest levels of legal and civic leadership.

A woman poses for a photo.Trevor Quirk, ‘03

Trevor Quirk, ’03, is the founder of Quirk Law Firm, LLP, specializing in personal injury cases, such as defective products and wrongful death. His firm has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts, including an $84 million win in 2024 for his clients after a seven-week jury trial. Quirk gained recognition for his humanitarian efforts during the 2017 Thomas Fire, where he organized relief efforts and co-founded a nonprofit aiding disaster survivors called Upper Ojai Relief. Recognized as a compassionate community leader, he was named Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
The Hon. Dena Coggins, ‘06

The Hon. Dena Coggins, a 2006 McGeorge School of Law graduate, became a federal judge for the Eastern District of California in 2024. Coggins was nominated for the judgeship in February 2024 by President Joe Biden, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2024, and assumed the role in September 2024.

As the first female Black judge on the Eastern District bench, she brings a wealth of experience to the role. She previously served as the presiding judge of the juvenile court in the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County since 2021. Coggins has also served as an administrative law judge and held key roles in the General Jurisdiction Division and the Special Education Division for the State of California’s Office of Administrative Hearings.
Patricia Eichar, ‘07

Patricia Eichar, ’07, is an experienced attorney who represents municipal bond issuers, borrowers, and underwriters across a variety of public infrastructure and nonprofit financing structures. She is a partner in the Portland and Sacramento offices of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

As the Sacramento office leader, she has played a key role in both taxable and tax-exempt municipal financings for health care organizations, senior living communities, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. Eichar has also represented the State of California and other municipal issuers in issuing a range of bonds, including general obligation and pension obligation bonds. She actively engages in pro bono work, aiding veterans and prosecuting guardianships in Sacramento.
Ognian Gavrilov, ‘08

Ognian Gavrilov, ’08, is the managing partner at Gavrilov & Brooks, a successful law firm with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Specializing in business and corporate law, defamation, personal injury, and more, Gavrilov has led over 60 trials and arbitrations. One of his most notable achievements was a $39 million verdict in a 2021 case dealing defamation and cyberbullying. In 2020, he was named Advocate of the Year by the Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association.

A Bulgarian immigrant, he created a McGeorge scholarship for Bulgarian students which is awarded based on merit and financial need. Gavrilov was also appointed as Bulgaria’s Honorary Consul for Northern California in 2024.
Lauren Layne, ‘10

Lauren Layne, ’10, is a shareholder at Baker Manock & Jensen, PC, where she chairs the firm’s Business Department and leads its Water Law and Public Agency practice groups. She focuses on water and environmental law, including CEQA and NEPA compliance, and handles business transactions involving water rights, water quality, public agency law, agribusiness, and real property. Layne was the 2023 president of the McGeorge Alumni Association Board of Directors and is the current President of the Cal Poly Alumni Association Board. She is actively involved in water law and agribusiness organizations and holds leadership roles in various legal and industry associations.
Bennett Bearden, JSD ‘11

Bennett Bearden, JSD ’11, is an affiliate of the Alabama Water Institute (AWI), where he guides local, national, and international guidance in the development of public policy and functional legal regimes for water resources through education, research, and policy analysis while balancing the needs of economic development and ecosystems management. Leveraging the University of Alabama’s knowledge in science, policy, and law, Bearden provides research and strategic counseling in water law and policy.

Specializing in data-driven policymaking, water diplomacy, and dispute resolution, Bearden helps resolve complex water challenges through collaboration with governments, industry, and community groups. By furthering partnerships and stakeholder relations, Bearden supports innovative, sustainable solutions to pressing water issues. Bearden is also involved with the Geological Survey of Alabama, further contributing to effective water management practices.
Aaron Brieno, ’14

Aaron Brieno, ’14, currently serves as Chief of Staff for California State Senator Melissa Hurtado, representing the rural Central Valley. Brieno is the director of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law’s Legislative & Public Policy Clinic and a member of McGeorge’s Capital Center for Law & Policy Alumni Board.

As an admitted California attorney, Brieno mentors aspiring lawyers and advocates for public policy. He also founded Inspire California, providing college prep resources and scholarships to migrant farmworker students.
Lexi Howard, ‘15

Lexi Howard, ’15, is an attorney in the Legal Affairs Office of the California Secretary of State. Howard previously worked for four years in private practice as a real estate and business attorney. With over 26 years in the title insurance and financial services sector, Howard has a strong background in public policy advocacy and contract lobbying.

As the 2024 Chair of the McGeorge Diversity Alumni Board, she is also a founding and sustaining contributor to the McGeorge Virtual Food Pantry and serves on various boards, including SacLegal and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. Howard is also dedicated to mentoring law students and high school students in the Law and Public Policy Academy at C.K. McClatchy High School.
Nicole Low, ‘17

Nicole Low, ’17, is a shareholder at Schroeder Schaff & Low. She has quickly emerged as a leading attorney in Sacramento, earning recognition from Sacramento Magazine in 2021 and 2022, and being named a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2022. During her time at McGeorge, she was a part of McGeorge’s nationally-ranked Mock Trial team. She was inducted into the Order of Barristers and Traynor Honors Society when she graduated from law school.

Low has honed her trial skills through various roles, including clerking at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and providing litigation consultation for Focused Decisions. She focuses on Labor and Employment and Cannabis Law and serves on the boards of the McGeorge Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

Second-year law student Lacey Lorenzen is pictured at the Congreso de los Diputados in Madrid, Spain.

I decided to pursue law school after volunteering in Amman, Jordan where I got to meet with victims of human trafficking in a women’s prison. I knew I wanted to do something in the field of international law regarding conflict mediation, criminal law, atrocity crimes, and human rights.

When I toured the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, I felt the connection that all of the staff and professors had and the environment felt so different from what I had read about from students and alumni at other schools. The opportunities that McGeorge School of Law offered for study abroad, an internship abroad, and the Concentration in International Law were the final deciding factors for me when choosing a law school. So, I knew I would make it work to participate in the Salzburg Graduate Study Abroad Program no matter what it took.

Second-year law student Lacey Lorenzen tours Madrid, Spain. Lorenzen is pictured with two colleagues from her internship, Amparo Inigo (MSL ‘98) and Daniel Bernal.

What I didn’t know going into the program was that I was going to get the most amazing placement in Madrid, Spain. I worked at Natra Chocolate International for five weeks with the company’s in-house counsel, Amparo Inigo (MSL ‘98), and her associate Daniel Bernal. From day one, I was welcomed with open arms, invited to all meetings, and introduced to everyone from the general staff to the Director of HR and CFO.

During my five weeks at Natra, I got to attend and lead out meetings about client and provider contracts, edit contracts including writing new clauses, and digitalize contract templates for online completion. Aside from contracts, I learned about trade law and compliance, corporate law, banking and financing, HR, and environmental law. Since a new green initiative had recently passed in the European Union, I got to sit in on meetings where I learned first-hand how legislation affects company’s procedures and practices from the ground up. Since the primary working language at Natra is Spanish, I also got to learn a lot of new legal vocabulary, translate documents, and practice my language skills!

Second-year law student Lacey Lorenzen has lunch with colleagues from an internship in Madrid, Spain.

I do believe that what made the placement so special is how inviting Amparo and Daniel were, and how happy they were to have me there! They took me to lunch, invited me to their homes for BBQs and dinner, and showed me around the best spots in Madrid. They were just so fun, and Natra had one of the best working environments I have ever been in. Since its the Natra headquarters, the staff includes marketing and design, finance, IT, HR, and legal (which was the smallest department with only two lawyers to cover 7+ countries with offices and factories). The whole office eats lunch together everyday and works so collaboratively that it sets a high standard for where I want to end up working after law school!

Second-year law student Lacey Lorenzen tours the Spanish Congress in Madrid, Spain. She is pictured with Vice President of the Spanish Congress Jose Antonio, and her colleague Daniel Bernal.

I think my biggest takeaways from my internship are that I learned how much I love contract drafting and negotiations, I learned extensive Word and Excel skills, and I really got to see and practice how in-house counsel engages with their clients and customers – both Natra itself and their relationships with other companies. While the international law that I got to practice was private corporate law and not the public law I intend to practice, it was incredibly fascinating and I loved every second of it. I also got to eat a lot of free chocolate, so it was a win-win!

By Lacey Lorenzen, a second-year student at McGeorge School of Law.

Vienna, Austria

This past summer, I was lucky enough to participate in McGeorge School of Law’s Salzburg Graduate Study Abroad Program and the European Law in Practice internship program. It was an experience of a lifetime that brought me lifelong friends. 

I decided to participate in this program as a way of exploring other areas of law that I may not have considered, while in a beautiful country I had never traveled to before. Never did I imagine I would fall in love with the city and the people. I was placed at a firm in Vienna, Austria, where I lived walking distance to some of the most amazing views and historic locations.  

During my internship, I was able to attend many conferences, work on legal documents, and observe court trials. Initially I was nervous about the language barrier but I met so many incredible people who helped me quickly pick up conversational German.  

One of the most impactful moments during my internship was writing a comparative law article on the U.S. class action style lawsuit and the potential new Austrian Sammelklage (collective lawsuit). Even more exciting was that my article was posted the day the Sammelklage was voted in.  

After spending six weeks in Vienna, I am genuinely considering pursuing a career in the international law field. The program inspired me to complete the International Law Concentration at McGeorge.  

Second-year law student Katie Boucher and the Hon. Consuelo M. Callahan, ’75, participate in the First Week Reception Dinner in Salzburg, Austria.

Once my internship came to an end, I traveled to Salzburg, Austria to begin my three-week long course. The two classes I took were Negotiating Entertainment Contracts and Comparative Freedom of Expression. The negotiation class was a hands-on simulation style course that provided me with skills that will not only help me as a member of McGeorge’s Negotiation Competition Team, but will be greatly beneficial in my everyday life. The Comparative Freedom of Expression course, co-taught by McGeorge alumna and Ninth Circuit Judge Consuelo M. Callahan, ’75, and a local law professor, Professor Bernhard Zagel, showed me just how important it is to understand how other countries’ legal systems work and differ from the United States.  

I remember my first day in Vienna well. I had an, “Oh no!” moment where I began to wonder if I had made the right decision; I was acutely aware that I was completely alone in a foreign country, I didn’t speak the language, and I had a nine-hour time difference between me and my loved ones back home. I was worried I wouldn’t make it the entire nine weeks. Thankfully, I could not have been more wrong.  

McGeorge School of Law students tour the Salzburg Higher Regional Court.

I spent the first week at the law firm getting to know the other interns, being shown amazing sights of the city, including the Austrian Parliament and the juridicum, and most importantly, finding my independence and confidence.  

Apart from the incredible experience and impact on my education, the program brought many wonderful people into my life that I would not have met otherwise. I can honestly say that my life has been changed in many positive ways thanks to the Salzburg Graduate Study Abroad Program.  

I highly recommend everyone participate in this amazing program while at McGeorge School of Law. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience. 

By Katie Boucher, a second-year student at McGeorge School of Law.

The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law proudly boasts a remarkable legacy, with over 400 alumni serving as distinguished judges in various jurisdictions. Among these, 159 have held or currently hold the position of trial judge. 

Trial judges play a critical role in the judicial system, presiding over trial courts where they manage legal proceedings and uphold the principles of fair justice. Their responsibilities include handling motions to dismiss, determining the admissibility of evidence, overseeing trials, and resolving complex questions of law. In bench trials, trial judges also address questions of fact, issuing summary judgments in civil cases or delivering verdicts in criminal cases. 

At the federal level, trial judges are referred to as district court judges, while each state has its own trial court system, tailored to meet its specific legal needs. The selection of trial judges often involves a combination of elections and gubernatorial appointments, particularly to fill vacancies.  

Trial judges are essential to maintaining the integrity of the judicial process, ensuring that legal protocols are followed and that the rights of all parties are protected throughout the legal proceedings. Their work serves as the foundation for a fair and just legal system. 

The University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is dedicated to providing a premier legal education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue successful careers in justice. With a faculty of experts and robust career placement services, we offer the resources that aspiring legal professionals need to thrive.  

Photo description: A gavel and scales of justice.

Below, you will find a list of esteemed trial judges who have emerged from McGeorge School of Law, exemplifying the school’s commitment to excellence in legal education and public service. 

  1. The Hon. David W. Abbott (Ret.), ‘73, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Richard J. Allen, ‘75, is a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Michael G. Allphin, ‘80, is a senior judge for Second District Court in Utah.  
  1. The Hon. George F. Appel II, ‘92, is a Snohomish County Superior Court judge in Washington.  
  1. The Hon. Robin C. Appel, ‘79, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Vicki L. Ashworth, ‘96, is the presiding judge for the El Dorado County Superior Court.  
  1. The Hon. Trevor L. Atkin (Ret.), ‘87, was an Eighth Judicial District Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Kelly L. Babineau, ‘97, is a Nevada County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Stephen H. Baker, ‘86, is a Shasta County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Melissa D. Begley, ‘10, is a Placer County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. John A. Behnke (Ret.), ‘77, was a Mendocino County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. JoAnn Marie Bicego, ‘89, is a Siskiyou County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Thadd A. Blizzard, ‘78, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Mark S. Borrell, ‘86, is a Ventura County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Lauren C. Bowers, ‘04, is an El Dorado County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Patrick M. Broderick, ‘87, is a Sonoma County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Kenneth N. Brody, ‘92, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Bert M. Brown, IV, ‘88, is a Las Vegas Municipal Court judge in Nevada. 
  1. The Hon. John R. Brownlee, ‘90, is a Kern County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Lorna H. Brumfield, ‘83, is a Kern County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Andrea Y. Bryan, ‘78, is a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Rodney T. Burr, ‘86, is the chief judge for the Henderson Municipal Court in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Donald C. Byrd, ‘75, is a Glenn County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Raymond M. Cadei (Ret.), ‘77, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.   
  1. The Hon. Consuelo M. Callahan, ’75, was a Stockton County Superior Court judge.   
  1. The Hon. Hallie Gorman Campbell, ‘10, is a Tuolumne County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Christine A. Carringer, ‘87, is a Solano County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Dana Astrachan Caudill, ‘93, is a Ventura County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Shelleyanne L. Chang, ‘85, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Valerie R. Chrissakis, ‘96, is a Kings County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Alin D. Cintean, ‘05, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. David W. Clifton, ‘83, is a Reno Justice Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Robert F. Cochran, ‘75, is a Del Norte County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Sean D. Coen, ‘99, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Dena M. Coggins, ‘07, is a U.S. district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. 
  1. The Hon. Jonathan B. Conklin, ‘85, is a Fresno County Superior Court judge.   
  1. The Hon. Lloyd G. Connelly, Jr., ‘77, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Michael D. Coughlan, ‘86, is the presiding judge for the San Joaquin County Superior Court.  
  1. The Hon. Steven R. Cranfill, ‘84, is a judge for the Park County, 5th Judical District in Wyoming.  
  1. The Hon. Kevin R. Culhane (Ret.), ‘76, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Lewis A. Davis, ‘81, is a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Steve L. Dobrescu, ‘86, is a Seventh Judicial District Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Danielle K. Douglas, ‘99, is a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Kathleen M. Drakulich, ‘86, is a Second Judicial District Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Jack Duran Jr., ’02, is a chief justice of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Supreme Court. 
  1. The Hon. Randy L. Edwards, ‘82, is a Kings County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Morrison England, Jr., ‘77 and ‘83, is a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of California. 
  1. The Hon. Kevin A. Enright, ‘79, is a San Diego County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Gregory T. Fain, ‘86, is a justice for the Fresno County Superior Court.   
  1. The Hon. Daniel A. Flores, ‘01, is a San Francisco County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Timothy F. Freer, ‘87, is a Riverside County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Sallie Gaines, ‘80, is a judge for the Phoenix Municipal Court in Arizona.  
  1. The Hon. David V. George, ‘74, is a judge for the Sitka Superior Court in Alaska.  
  1. The Hon. John M. Gerrard, ‘81, is a senior judge for the U.S. District Court in Nebraska.  
  1. The Hon. Jennifer Lee Giuliani, ‘92, is a Kings County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. L. Stephen Gizzi, ‘02, is a Solano County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Richard Glasson, ‘78, is a judge for the Tahoe Justice Court in Nevada.   
  1. The Hon. Susan Nolan Green, ‘95, is a judge for Sutter County Superior Court.  
  1. The Hon. Tom W. Gregory, ‘94, is a judge for the Ninth Judical District Court in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Christian R. Gullon, ‘92, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Gregory F. Haas (Ret.), ‘75, was a California Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. James W. Hardesty (Ret.), ‘75, was a justice for the Supreme Court of Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Pierre A. Hascheff, ‘82, is a judge for the Reno Justice Court, Justices of the Peace in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Timothy S. Healy, ‘00, is a Calaveras County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Philip H. Heithecker, ‘92, is a Butte County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Carol L. Henson, ‘92, is an Orange County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Eric L. Heryford, ‘92, is a Trinity County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Stuart L. Hing, ‘85, is an Alameda County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Joyce D. Hinrichs, ‘83, is a Humboldt County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Mark E. Hood, ‘87, is a Monterey County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Tara Libbey Howard, ‘94, is a Tulare County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Elizabeth Humphreys, ‘81, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Gary A. Ingle (Ret.), ‘76, was a Kern County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Valli Israels, ‘94, is a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. David L. Johnson, ‘06, is a Third District Juvenile Court judge in Utah. 
  1. The Hon. Gary M. Johnson, ‘95, is a Tulare County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Susan Holland Johnson, ‘85, is a judge for the Eighth Judical District Court in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. David M. Jones, ‘92, is an Eighth Judicial District Court judge in Nevada. 
  1. The Hon. Allan F. Jose, ‘98, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Jon N. Kapetan, ‘89, is a Fresno County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Robert J. Kearney, ‘91, is a San Diego County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Pamela P. King (Ret.), ‘77, was a San Bernadino County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. William H. Kockenmeister, ‘79, is the chief judge for the Bishop Paiute Indian Tribal Court.  
  1. The Hon. Barbara A. Kronlund, ‘89, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. John W. Lawrence, ‘94, is a Siskiyou County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Herbert I. Levy, ‘77, was a Fresno County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Kristina B. Lindquist, ‘07, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Sharon A. Lueras, ‘88, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. William A. Maddox, ‘77, is a senior judge for the First Judicial District Court in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Kazuharu Makino, ‘76, is an Orange County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Steven C. Malone, ‘88, is a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. James V. Mancuso, ‘75, is a senior justice for the Sparks Township Justice Court.  
  1. The Hon. John A. Manglona, ‘88, is a justice for the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
  1. The Hon. Erin B. Marston (Ret.), ‘85, is an Anchorage Superior Court judge in Alaska.  
  1. The Hon. David C. Mathias, ‘94, is a Tulare County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Samuel T. McAdam, ‘96, is a Yolo County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Mark A. McCannon, ‘96, is an Alameda County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Linda A. McFadden, ‘87, is a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Julie A. McManus (Ret.), ‘85, was a Nevada County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Richard D. Meyer, ‘78, is an Alpine County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Robin M. Miller Sloan, ‘86, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. David Moranda, ‘80, is a Merced County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Tamara L. Mosbarger, ‘86, is a Butte County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. David A. Nesbett, ‘98, is a Third District Superior Court judge in Alaska.  
  1. The Hon. Matthew G. Newman (Ret.), ‘85, was a La Paz County Superior Court judge in Arizona.   
  1. The Hon. John D. Oglesby, ‘81, is a Kern County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Sally F. Olsen (Ret.), ‘85, was a Kitsap County Superior Court in Washington.   
  1. The Hon. Christopher S. Pallone, ‘03, is a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Jamie L. Pesce, ‘04, is an El Dorado County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Danielle K. Pieper, ‘03, is an Eighth Judicial District Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Victor N. Pippins, Jr., ‘07, is a San Diego County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Satnam S. Rattu, ‘07, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Michael J. Reinhart, ‘83, is a Kings County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Paul K. Richardson, ‘80, is a Yolo County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Katherine M. Rigby, ‘10, is a Madera County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Timothy P. Roberts, ‘87, is a Monterey County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Ronald Robie, ‘67, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Jay E. Robinson, ‘84, is a judge for the City of Dallas Municipal Court in Texas.  
  1. The Hon. Kevin S. Rosenberg, ‘94, is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. James T. Russell, ‘74, is a First Judicial District Court judge in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Dana Makoto Sabraw, ‘85, is the chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. 
  1. The Hon. Steven R. Sanders, ‘83, is a San Benito County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Michael A. Savage (Ret.), ‘86, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Ernest W. Sawtelle, ‘91, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Sabrina M. Schneweis-Coe, ‘99, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Bernard J. Schwartz, ‘86, is a Riverside County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Arthur Scotland, ‘74, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. W. Stephen Scott (Ret.), ‘76, was a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Kevin M. Seibert, ‘85, is a Tuolumne County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Kenneth L. Shapero (Ret.), ‘77, was a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Dana B. Simonds, ‘85, is a Sonoma County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Gilbert A. Smith, Jr., ‘86, is a Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court judge in Florida.  
  1. The Hon. John R. Soldati, ‘98, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Bryan K. Stainfield, ‘86, is a Kern County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Mitchell I. Steinhart, ‘83, is a New Jersey Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Carrie M. Stephens, ‘90, is a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Dylan M. Sullivan (Ret.), ‘97, was an El Dorado County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Julie A. Swain, ‘96, is an Orange County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Gregory A. Syren, ‘85, is an Alameda County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. D. Tyler Tharpe, ‘85, is a Fresno County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. B. Scott Thomsen, ‘88, is a Nevada County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Michelle Tong, ‘01, is a San Francisco County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Yolanda V. Torres, ‘01, is an Orange County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Jennifer O. Trimble, ‘02, is a Merced County Superior Court judge.   
  1. The Hon. Antony C. Ufland, ‘91, is an Orange County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Phillip R. Urie, ‘81, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge. 
  1. The Hon. Xapuri B. Villapudua, ‘95, is the assistant presiding judge for the San Joaquin County Superior Court.  
  1. The Hon. Catherine M. Voelker, ‘04, is a Ventura County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Sim von Kalinowski, ‘80, is a San Diego County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Gerald D. Waite, ‘77, is a judge for the City of Lebanon Municipal Court in Oregon. 
  1. The Hon. Egan K. Walker, ‘91, is a Second Judicial District Court judge in Nevada. 
  1. The Hon. Frederick N. Wapner (Ret.), ‘75, was a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Sharon J. Waters (Ret.), ‘81, was a Riverside County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Robert T. Waters, ‘98, is a San Joaquin County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Thomas Weathers, ‘93, is an associate justice of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Supreme Court. 
  1. The Hon. Laurel E. White, ‘88, is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Jerry A. Wiese II, ‘94, is the chief judge for the Eight Judicial District Court in Nevada.  
  1. The Hon. Gerrit W. Wood (Ret.), ‘79, was a Sacramento County Superior Court judge.  
  1. The Hon. Scott R. L. Young, ‘04, is the assistant presiding judge for the Napa County Superior Court.  

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.  

Disclaimer: If you believe you should be featured in this blog but are not, it’s possible your information wasn’t up-to-date in our records. Please update your details in the alumni directory by filling out the form: https://mcgeorge.wufoo.com/forms/z1ytl8b20dz7e78/   

Randall Miller, ’84

Randall Miller, ’84, has more than 35 years’ experience as a litigator focusing on defending and counseling professionals, corporations, directors, officers, and insurers. A legal malpractice specialist and principal at Miller Law Associates in downtown Los Angeles, he represents attorneys facing State Bar charges and was involved in the John Eastman election interference case. 

Miller was recognized for his expertise by the Daily Journal in 2024 when he was named one of the Top 30 Professional Responsibility Lawyers in California.

Miller has extensive litigation and trial experience in state and federal courts in a broad variety of matters. His legal malpractice cases have included matters arising out of intellectual property, patent, bankruptcy, class action, family law, personal injury, products liability, and trusts and estates, and virtually every form of commercial transaction. He has been retained by law firms ranging from sole practitioners to multi-national firms.

Miller represents financial professionals and businesses in matters ranging from suitability and selling away, to churning, breach of fiduciary duty, and conflicts. He has broad appellate experience, with 12 published State and Federal decisions and numerous non-published opinions. He regularly handles private and industry arbitrations, as well as attorney ethics counseling, fee disputes and arbitrations, risk management/loss prevention, insurance coverage and underwriting, and claim monitoring.

Prior to founding Miller Law Associates in 2009, Miller was an equity partner at the national law firm of Sedgwick, Detert, where he was founder and Chair of the Professional Liability Group in its Los Angeles office, and before that, Managing Partner of Long & Levit’s Los Angeles Office.

Miller has been named to the list of Southern California Super Lawyers every year since 2004. In addition, since 2010, Miller has served as the Chair of the California State Bar Committee on Professional Liability Insurance, which oversees the State-Bar sponsored lawyers E&O insurance program, administered by Marsh and underwritten through Arch; he has been a member since 2005. Furthermore, he is one of a handful of lawyers chosen to represent California superior and appellate court judges and justices before the Commission of Judicial Performance, the entity charged with enforcing California’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York and the University of California, Davis in 1980 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1984. In 2011, he was certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in Legal Malpractice Law. 

Miller remains involved with his alma matter by serving on McGeorge’s Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

Reinhard von Hennigs, LLM ‘98, is a distinguished alumnus known for his impressive accomplishments in corporate and international law. He is a licensed attorney in both Germany and the United States (North Carolina), and he has also been admitted as a Foreign Law Consultant in Georgia.

Reinhard is the chairman and founder of BridgehouseLaw, an international law firm with European roots that operates with a full-service approach through multi-jurisdictional teams. His firm primarily assists foreign companies entering the U.S. market and supports U.S. companies seeking success in Europe. 

Reinhard von Hennigs, LLM ‘98

His practice areas include international business transactions, incorporations in both the U.S. and Germany, Foreign Direct Investment advisory, startup consultations, immigration, business visas, and dual citizenship applications. 

In addition to his legal practice, Reinhard serves as the Honorary Consul of Germany in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of approximately 35 German consuls in the U.S. In this role, he fosters diplomatic relations and cultural exchange between Germany and the local community.

Reinhard has significantly impacted the business realm by facilitating the entry of over 300 companies into the U.S. market through FDI, helping foreign businesses navigate the complexities of establishing a presence in the country, which in turn contributes to the U.S. economy. 

Reinhard has published three books, with three more in progress — two of which are set for release this fall. His works include “Morning Musings: 100 Reflections on Global Business and Law,” covering topics such as immigration, trademarks, tax, trade wars, data protection, and Brexit. He also authored “Family Protocol: Family Charter – Family Constitution,” providing insights from his unique perspective as a dual citizen familiar with the laws of both Germany and the United States. 

Reinhard von Hennigs earned a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Boston and a LLM degree in International Law and Legal Studies from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. 

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

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Stuart Somach, ’79

Stuart Somach, ’79, has had a remarkable career in water law that spans over 40 years. He is one of the most respected water law attorneys in the nation. He is a shareholder at Somach Simmons & Dunn.

Throughout his career, Somach has worked on various water law issues, from litigating in both U.S. and California Supreme Courts, testifying before the U.S. Congress on water issues, and briefing the president at the White House.

In the past decade, Somach represented the Central Arizona Project and offered legal guidance on Colorado River matters. He was also appointed by the State of Arizona to represent the State of Arizona in negotiations that established the current operation of the Colorado River, and he was retained by the Arizona Power Authority to assist with the allocation of Hoover power within the state.

In addition to his work in Arizona, Somach represents the State of Texas as Attorney of Record in an Original Action Texas brought against the State of New Mexico in the United States Supreme Court dealing with the 1938 Rio Grande Compact.

Somach’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year from 2004-2024 and was recently named the Best Lawyers® 2025 Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Sacramento. He also received the Will S. Green Award from the Northern California Water Association in 2022 for devoting his life to the promotion and advancement of irrigation and regional sustainability in the Sacramento Valley.

Somach earned a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in 1970 and a JD degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1979. Somach developed his expertise in water law in law school and with tenures at the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior. After helping to shape water policy in Washington, D.C., he returned to California and established the law firm of Somach Simmons & Dunn in 1991.

Over the years, he has influenced nearly every facet of water law and reclamation law in California and the Western United States. His work has included transactional activities, litigation, and shaping new policies through his participation in the legislative process.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.  

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

Bruce Scheidt, ‘91

Bruce Scheidt, ‘91, is a skilled litigator who represents both private and public clients in federal and state courts, handling cases at the trial and appellate levels as well as in arbitration proceedings.

He is the manager of Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard’s labor and employment practice group and represents private entities in commercial litigation. In addition, he serves as general counsel for local businesses, and represents lending institutions in lender liability lawsuits, debt collection actions, and bankruptcy proceedings.

Scheidt represents private and public sector clients in all areas of employment and labor law, including defending employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability accommodation, and whistleblower lawsuits, negotiating executive employment agreements, and representing employers in collective bargaining.

Scheidt joined the adjunct faculty at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in spring 2024 and teaches a course on the Legal Profession.

Scheidt has had many accomplishments throughout his career, including several multi-million-dollar settlements and judgements. Notably, he won a $9 million judgment for a lender in a commercial litigation dispute and a $4.1 million settlement payment for a manufacturing company in a joint venture and trade secret lawsuit.

In addition to Scheidt’s numerous successful case outcomes, he has also received many awards. Some awards include: Lawyer of the Year in Sacramento in 2022 and 2025. He has also been named as a Top Lawyer by the Sacramento Magazine (2016-2023), Northern California Super Lawyer (2004, 2008, 2010-2024), Preeminent AV-peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell, Centennial Fellow awarded by Sacramento County Bar Foundation on the 100th Anniversary of Sacramento County Bar Association for Professional Achievements and Civic Involvement, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation Business Organizations, Labor and Employment Litigation (2017-2025), and Best of the Bar by the Sacramento Business Journal (2015, 2017, 2019).

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni. 

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary. 

Ruthe Catolico Ashley, ‘88, is a leading advocate for diversity in the legal profession, currently serving as the Chair of the California Legal Pathways Collaborative (CLPC). Founded in 2010, CLPC supports high school law academies by introducing students to law and law-related careers through a comprehensive three-year curriculum. Ashley’s initiative engages 22 high school law academies, fostering a new generation of legal professionals. 

Ashley’s commitment to diversity began during her tenure on the State Bar of California’s Board of Governors, where she chaired the Diversity Pipeline Task Force in 2007. This pivotal task force launched the first Judicial Diversity Summit, marking a significant step toward enhancing judicial diversity in California. Furthermore, she established the Council on Access and Fairness with the State Bar, aimed at promoting equity within the legal profession.  

Ruthe Ashley, ’88 at the 2023 Alumni Association Board of Directors retreat.

In addition, Ashley was the first President/CEO of CaliforniaALL and the Founder/Executive Director of California LAW Pathways — two non-profit organizations dedicated to diversifying the legal profession through educational initiatives. McGeorge School of Law joined California LAW Pathways as one of the program’s institutional partners in 2021. 

Ashley’s first career was as a nurse and nursing professor. Ashley became a lawyer at 41 in 1988. She practiced as a litigator for 15 years before returning to her alma mater, McGeorge School of Law, as the Assistant Dean for Career Services from 2001-2008. Recognizing the need for greater diversity in legal and financial services, she created the role of Chief Diversity Officer for CalPERS. Her extensive leadership experience includes serving as past president of the Asian Pacific Bar of Sacramento, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and Legal Services of Northern California. She has also chaired the Women of Color Committee for the Commission on Women and led the Council on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Educational Pipeline. 

Ashley’s influence extends nationally as she chaired the ABA’s Public Education Committee, overseeing programs such as the National Civics and Law Academy and Law Day. She is currently active with the ABA’s Fund for Justice and Education, the Retirement Fund Board, and the Law Library of Congress. In a significant legislative achievement, Ashley collaborated with the California Legislature to incorporate diversity and inclusion language into the State Bar’s 2018 Fee Bill, further solidifying her commitment to equity in the legal field. 

A dedicated supporter of McGeorge School of Law, Ashley serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and is actively involved with the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. Her efforts have been recognized through numerous awards, including the ABA’s prestigious Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award in 2020, the NAPABA Trailblazer Award, and the Inaugural Excellence in Civics Engagement Award from the California Lawyers Association. 

Now retired, Ashley devotes her time to promoting diversity in the legal profession while enjoying world travel.  

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni. 

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.