Florence J. Luther speaks with McGeorge School of Law students.

At the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, faculty are integral to the institution’s success, shaping the curriculum, nurturing intellectual development, and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals. The impact of its faculty extends far beyond the classroom, influencing both the legal profession and the next generation of lawyers.

This comprehensive list of nearly 300 former full-time faculty members, who taught at McGeorge School of Law between the years 1950 to 2024, highlights the deep and lasting legacy these former educators have left on the institution. Their expertise spans across a wide range of legal disciplines.

These former faculty played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s distinguished reputation and ensuring that McGeorge School of Law remains a leader in legal education.

  1. Harry A. Ackley
  2. The Hon. James R. Adams
  3. Raquel Aldana
  4. Linda C. Allison
  5. C. Eugene Anderson
  6. Robert C. Anderson
  7. Edwin H. Armstrong
  8. Jodi D. Armour
  9. Cecilia Arnold
  10. Robert Harris Aronson
  11. Vigfus A. Asmundson
  12. Robert W. Baker
  13. Nadia Banteka
  14. William C. Barry
  15. Debra L. Bassett
  16. Lorraine K. Bassoff
  17. George Basye
  18. Paul A. Berg
  19. Walter Berka
  20. Don Berger
  21. Victor A. Bertolani
  22. Christopher L. Blakesley
  23. Lindsey Blanchard
  24. Ira M. Bloom
  25. Anne Bloom
  26. Robert D. Brain
  27. R. Douglas Bramhall
  28. Ben Bratman
  29. Cary A. Bricker
  30. William G. Brigance
  31. Henry A. Brown III
  32. Adrienne L. Brungess
  33. Elizabeth G. Bynum
  34. Patricia A. Cain
  35. Fatou K. Camara 
  36. Gerald M. Caplan
  37. Adrian Carpenter
  38. Donald L. Carper
  39. Joyce L. Carrillo
  40. Linda E. Carter
  41. Richard L. Cates
  42. Horace E. Cecchettini
  43. Dr. Robert Chaim
  44. Miriam A. Cherry
  45. Wallace J. Coats
  46. Jack J. Coe Jr.
  47. The Hon. Robert W. Cole
  48. Raymond R. Coletta
  49. Walter D. Cook
  50. Thomas A. Coyne
  51. Carin N. Crain
  52. John E. Cribbet
  53. Daniel Joseph Curtin Jr.
  54. Jerome J. Curtis Jr.
  55. Julie A. Davies
  56. Wylie H. Davis
  57. William Q. De Funiak
  58. Christine Dentino
  59. Eadie Deutsch
  60. Joginder S. (Joe) Dhillon
  61. Robert J. Diepenbrock
  62. John V. Diepenbrock
  63. Matthew P. Downs
  64. Joshua Dressler
  65. The Hon. John J. Dutton
  66. W. David East
  67. Howard E. Engle Jr.
  68. Thomas A. Edmonds
  69. Dr. Thomas Eilmansberger
  70. Arpad Erdei
  71. Hugh A. Evans
  72. Michael Ewer
  73. Glenn A. Fait
  74. Marilyn Finkelman
  75. John A. Fitz Randolph
  76. Marjorie Florestal
  77. William N. Foley
  78. Renee E. Ford
  79. Gretchen Franz
  80. Benjamin D. Frantz
  81. Dave Freeman
  82. Janet Friedman
  83. Kathleen T. Friedrich
  84. Bruno Furst
  85. Alexander Francis Gabor
  86. Fred A. Galves
  87. Glenddalee Garfield (Scully)
  88. Deborah L. Garlin
  89. C. Michael Gianola
  90. Wayne H. Gilbert
  91. Thomas M. Goetzl
  92. The Hon. B. Abbott Goldberg
  93. Col. Melvin Goodweather
  94. Beverly Rubens Gordon
  95. J. Gould
  96. George A. Gould
  97. Joe S. Gray
  98. Charles Files Gray Jr.
  99. Bruno H. Greene 
  100. William S. Gregory

The Hon. James R. Adams teaches a class at McGeorge School of Law.

  1. R. James Groh
  2. Edward C. Halbach Jr.
  3. Carol Miller Hall
  4. Matthew I. Hall
  5. Eileen Hamilton
  6. Dean Eugene Hanson
  7. William H. Hardy
  8. George C. Harris
  9. Megali Havens
  10. Amey Stewart Hempel
  11. David R. Hendrick Jr.
  12. Mary Hennessy
  13. Nathan E. Hill
  14. Joseph M. Hnylka
  15. C. Quince Hopkins
  16. Maj. Mary Hunter
  17. Timothy M. Hurley
  18. Vincent C. Immel
  19. The Hon. Charles W. Johnson
  20. Cyrus A. Johnson
  21. George M. Johnson
  22. Corwin W. Johnson
  23. Warren A. Jones
  24. Ruth Jones
  25. Faye Jones
  26. Francis E. Jones Jr.
  27. Sanford H. Kadish
  28. Nick G. Kalokathis
  29. Kathleen M. Kelly
  30. Charles D. Kelso
  31. Jane Kelso
  32. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
  33. Deborah Graham Kiley
  34. Harold T. King
  35. Edward J. Kionka
  36. John Kirlin
  37. Ralph N. Kleps
  38. John Kolb
  39. Hans-Georg Koppensteiner
  40. Carl Kuchman
  41. Amy L. Landers
  42. Brian K. Landsberg
  43. Dorothy Landsberg
  44. R. Stephen Lapham
  45. Paul Larsen
  46. Daniel J. Lathrope
  47. John H. Laugenour
  48. S. Houston Lay
  49. Robert Le Prohn
  50. Thomas J. Leach
  51. Courtney G. Lee
  52. David J. Leibson
  53. Hiram H. Lesar
  54. Roy R. Levin
  55. Elizabeth K. Lewicki
  56. Hans-Henrik Lidgard
  57. George K. Littlefield
  58. Pierre R. Loiseaux
  59. Richard F. Lucas 
  60. Florence J. Luther
  61. Hether Clash Macfarlane
  62. Ferenc Madl
  63. Thomas Orin Main
  64. David Maleski
  65. Franz Manhardt
  66. Thomas G. Manolakas
  67. Richard L. Montarbo
  68. Margaret H. Marr
  69. Barry S. Martin
  70. Paul Mason
  71. Rothwell B. Mason
  72. Michele McKay-McCoy
  73. Eric McElwain
  74. Rear Adm. James J. McHugh
  75. Dean James R. Merritt
  76. Rudolph H. Michaels
  77. Dean Robert W. Miller
  78. Vernon X. Miller
  79. Irwin D. Miller
  80. David W. Miller
  81. JoEllen L. Mitchell-Lockyer
  82. Terence J. Moore 
  83. John P. Morris
  84. Robin A. Morris (Collin)
  85. Kimberly J. Mueller
  86. Herbert L. Myers
  87. John E. B. Myers
  88. Timothy Naccarato
  89. Richardson W. Nahstoll
  90. Alan C. Nelson
  91. Chester Albert Newland
  92. Allan B. O’Connor
  93. Carol Olson-Ellyson
  94. Robert F. O’Neal
  95. F. Hodge O’Neal
  96. Marianne O’Malley
  97. John Harby Paine
  98. Emily Whelan Parento
  99. Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker
  100. Richard Parnell
Professors Claude Rowher (third from left) and Kojo Yelpaala (fourth from left) speak with students in Northwest Hall.
  1. Stephen J. Paskey
  2. Paul D. Paton
  3. Richard L. Patsey
  4. Sarah Foxman Pattison
  5. Norman Penney
  6. Debra L. Perschbacher
  7. Timothy Peterkin
  8. Bryte M. Peterson
  9. Jill Peterson
  10. Walter J. Pfeil
  11. Sebastian Picasso
  12. Gregory C. Pingree
  13. Sheldon J. Plager
  14. Forrest A. Plant
  15. Robert K. Puglia
  16. Donald R. Prinz
  17. Edward H. Rabin
  18. Warren S. Radler
  19. Emily L. Randon
  20. Sarah E. Redfield
  21. Jan Ellen Rein
  22. Walter A. Reiser Jr.
  23. Donna Reynolds
  24. Frank K. Richardson
  25. William J. Riegger
  26. Lloyd H. Riley
  27. Terence W. Roberts
  28. Terrie L. Robinson
  29. Claude D. Rohwer
  30. John E. Ryan
  31. Jane A. Ryan
  32. John L. Saltonstall Jr.
  33. David T. Sammond
  34. Michael S. Sands
  35. Anthony J. Santoro
  36. The Hon. Gordon D. Schaber
  37. Sabine Schlemmer-Schulte
  38. Milton Lewis Schwartz
  39. Eugene F. Scoles
  40. William R. Scott
  41. Thomas J. Scully
  42. Jed Scully
  43. Glen W. Shellhaas
  44. Richard Shiffrin
  45. John Cary Sims
  46. Gus E. Skarakis
  47. Anthony M. Skrocki
  48. Brian G. Slocum
  49. James F. Smith
  50. The Hon. Armann Snaevarr
  51. Thomas Sponsler
  52. Frank L. Sprague
  53. Edward D. Spurgeon
  54. Ruth J. Squire
  55. Barry J. Stern
  56. Frank H. Stewart
  57. Dennis Stone
  58. A. Kent Summers
  59. John Harold Swan
  60. Mary Swanson
  61. Robert F. Taylor
  62. Joseph E. Taylor
  63. Terry L. Thurbon
  64. Edward J. Tiedemann
  65. Andrew L. Tobia
  66. Luis A. Toro
  67. Frank Trelease
  68. Frederick Tung
  69. Richard Tuttle
  70. Emily Garcia Uhrig
  71. Henn-Juri Uibopuu
  72. Frank J. Vasquez
  73. Felix S. Wahrhaftig
  74. Timothy B. Walker
  75. Marlan C. Walker
  76. Glenn V. Walls
  77. Maureen Watkins
  78. Gregory S. Weber
  79. Robert M. C. Webster
  80. Elizabeth Weeks
  81. Richard V. Wellman
  82. The Hon. William A. White
  83. Michaela M. White
  84. Nicholas L. White
  85. Jana T. Whitegrove
  86. Philip H. Wile
  87. James A. Willett 
  88. Richard A. Williamson
  89. David A. Wilson
  90. Dr. Roland Winkler
  91. Donald H. Wollett
  92. Winton W. Woods
  93. Michael J. Yamaguchi
  94. Leung Yee
  95. Kojo Yelpaala
  96. Paul C. Yuan
  97. Shiwen Zhou

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 contact Assistant Dean of Marketing and Communications, Ashley Golledge, at [email protected].

At the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, our distinguished full-time faculty provides students with unparalleled opportunities to learn from their expertise across diverse fields of law. From international arbitration to criminal justice, environmental law to public policy, our professors bring real-world experience and academic excellence to the classroom, preparing students to excel in their legal careers.

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law campus.
  • Melissa Brown has extensive experience advocating for the rights of the elderly and disabled, with a background in both legal aid and private practice. She co-authored Advising the Elderly or Disabled Client, a widely used legal resource. She is the Director of the Elder and Health Law Clinic. Brown began her employment at McGeorge in 2010.
  • Ederlina Co specializes in reproductive rights and justice. She is the Director of the Prisoner Civil Rights Mediation Clinic. Co began her employment at McGeorge in 2016.
  • Linda Coco focuses on clinical legal education, bankruptcy, and access to justice issues. She is the Director of Legal Clinics. Coco began her employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Michael Colatrella specializes in negotiation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. He is the Inaugural Tracy A. Eglet Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution & Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning. Colatrella began his employment at McGeorge in 2009.
  • Daniel Croxall, ‘08, is an expert on craft beer law, regulatory law, and small business advocacy. He created and currently teaches the world’s first craft beer law class. Croxall began his employment at McGeorge in 2016.
  • Omar Dajani specializes in international law, peacebuilding, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has extensive experience working in diplomacy and conflict resolution in the Middle East and is widely published on the topic. He is the Co-Director of the Global Center for Business and Development and Director of the International Certificate of Concentration. Dajani began his employment at McGeorge in 2003.
  • Frank Gevurtz is an expert in corporate law, securities regulation, and international business transactions. He has authored multiple publications on corporate governance and international business law. Gevurtz began his employment at McGeorge in 1982.
  • Jennifer Harder specializes in water law, environmental law, and administrative law. She serves as Faculty Director for Online Learning and Director of the Water and Environmental Law Concentration. Harder began her employment at McGeorge in 2015.
  • Lindsay Harrington, ‘03, focuses on bar support and academic success, helping law students prepare for the California Bar Exam, after having practiced civil litigation in Sacramento. She serves as Director of Bar Support. Harrington began her employment at McGeorge in 2022.
  • Dominique Hinson specializes in trial advocacy and legal practice, with a focus on developing courtroom skills in law students and is the Associate Director of Trial Advocacy. Hinson began her employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Ron Hochbaum specializes in clinical legal education, social justice, and poverty law, with a focus on homelessness advocacy. He directs the Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic. Hochbaum began his employment at McGeorge in 2021.
  • Pamela Izvănariu specializes in historical, legal, and empirical methodologies to investigate both historical and contemporary questions on law, labor, inequality, and social movements. Izvănariu began her employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Leslie Gielow Jacobs specializes in constitutional law, civil rights, and governance and national security, and serves as the Executive Director of the Capital Center for Law & Policy. Jacobs began her employment at McGeorge in 1993.
  • Andrew Jurs is an expert in evidence law, scientific evidence, and trial advocacy, holding the Robert Eglet Endowed Chair in Evidence Law. Jurs began his employment in 2024.
  • Charles Kaye-Essien specializes in state/local and regional governance, public sector performance management, environmental and social impact assessment, sustainability and resilience management, and global south urbanism and development. Kaye-Essien began his employment at McGeorge in 2023.
  • Clark Kelso is an expert in health law, administrative law, and constitutional law, holding the Gordon D. Schaber Chair in Health Law and Policy. He has held significant positions in California’s government, including the position of State Chief Information Officer. Kelso began his employment at McGeorge in 1986.
  • Larry Levine specializes in tort law, sexual orientation law, and legal ethics, and serves as the Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Levine began his employment at McGeorge in 1985.
  • Steven Macias focuses on legal history, constitutional law, and education law, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities. Macias began his employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Michael Malloy is internationally recognized as an expert in banking law, financial regulation, and international economic law. He has authored several prominent treatises on financial law and regulation. Malloy began his employment at McGeorge in 1996.
  • Christine Manolakas specializes in tax law and international taxation, serving as the Director of the Tax and Business Certificates of Concentration. Manolakas began her employment at McGeorge in 1978.
  • Stephen McCaffrey is a renowned expert in international water law and environmental law, and he received the 2018 Distinguished Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy. McCaffrey began his employment at McGeorge in 1977.
  • Mike Mireles, ‘98, focuses on intellectual property law, particularly patent law and trademark law, and serves as the Director of the Intellectual Property Certificate of Concentration. Mireles began his employment at McGeorge in 2008.
  • Francis J. Mootz III specializes in contract law, legal theory, and rhetoric, with a focus on the intersections between law and classical rhetoric. He served as the 9th Dean of McGeorge School of Law. Mootz began his employment at McGeorge in 2012.
  • Mary-Beth Moylan specializes in election law, politics and government, legal writing, and appellate advocacy. She was a founder of the Global Lawyering Skills (“GLS”) program. Moylan began her employment at McGeorge in 2000.
  • Blake Nordahl specializes in immigration law and supervises the Immigration Law Clinic. He is the past chair of the California State Bar’s Advisory Law Commission for Immigration and Nationality Law. Nordahl began his employment at McGeorge in 2009.
  • Erin O’Neal specializes in public policy, legislative advocacy, and legal writing, and serves as the Director of the Capital Center for Law & Policy, Director of the Kennedy Learning Center, and Director of the Capital Lawyering Concentration. O’Neal began her employment at McGeorge in 2017.
  • Marcie Paolinelli specializes in strategic planning, management analysis, business process improvement, implementation, and change management. Paolinelli began her employment at McGeorge in 2023.
  • Jeff Proske has expertise in a wide range of legal areas involving finance, business combinations, securities offerings, as well as real estate, intellectual property and entertainment, and is currently serving as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Experiential Learning. Proske began his employment at McGeorge in 2009.
  • Reza Rezvani specializes in trial advocacy, legal practice, and litigation skills, and serves as the Director of Trial Advocacy. Rezvani began his employment at McGeorge in 2022.
  • Rachael Salcido specializes in environmental law, natural resources law, and ocean and coastal law. She is the Director of the Water and Environmental Certificate of Concentration. Salcido began her employment at McGeorge in 2003.
  • Omar Yousef Shehabi specializes in public international law, labor law, and international dispute settlement. He is currently a doctoral candidate. Shehabi began his employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Oyango A. Snell specializes in legal, government, and corporate affairs in both the public and private sectors and serves as the Director of Academic Support. Snell began his employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • John Sprankling is an expert in property law, environmental law, and land use, and has authored leading textbooks in these areas. Sprankling began his employment at McGeorge in 1992.
  • Ed Telfeyan, ‘75, specializes in legal writing, appellate advocacy, and trial practice, and co-directs the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution. He is also the Director of the award-winning Moot Court Program. Telfeyan began his employment at McGeorge in 2001.
  • Stephanie Thompson specializes in legal writing, employment law and litigation, as well as Global Lawyering Skills. Thompson began her employment at McGeorge in 2003.
  • Colleen Truden, LLM ’04, had a robust civil litigation practice, clerked for federal and state court judges, served as a municipal court judge, worked as staff counsel for a state agency, and as the district attorney for her jurisdiction. She is currently the Director of the Externship Program. Truden began her employment at McGeorge in 2006.
  • Rachel Van Cleave specializes in criminal procedure, comparative criminal justice, and gender-based violence, and has written extensively on the topic. Cleave began her employment at McGeorge in 2024.
  • Mike Vitiello is an expert in criminal law, sentencing policy, and marijuana law, and has authored numerous publications on these subjects. Vitiello began his employment at McGeorge in 1990.
  • Jason Willis specializes in public policy, organizational change, and public administration, with a focus on transforming public systems for greater effectiveness. Willis began his employment at McGeorge in 2023.
  • Jarrod Wong specializes in international law, arbitration, and dispute resolution, and serves as the Co-Director of the Global Center for Business and Development. Wong began his employment at McGeorge in 2007.

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. 

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. 
  2. The Hon. Debra Kazanjian, ’79, was 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.