Karen Jacobsen, ’83 and ’86

Karen Jacobsen (’83 and ’86) has spent over 30 years building a successful legal career handling complex cases like personal injury, premises liability, product liability, and construction defects. Jacobsen co-founded Jacobsen & McElroy in 1998. Previously, she was a partner at Thompson & Heller. Known for her skill and professionalism, Jacobsen has earned an “AV” rating as an attorney and has been named a “Super Lawyer” by her peers.

A Sacramento-native and proud “Double Tiger” of the University of the Pacific, Jacobsen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1983 after earning both volleyball and basketball scholarships. She played on UOP’s nationally-ranked volleyball team before returning to Sacramento to attend McGeorge School of Law. She graduated from law school in 1986 with distinction, earning honors through Order of the Coif and the Traynor Honor Society. While in law school, she also contributed to the Pacific Law Journal as a writer and editor.

Jacobsen remains an active member of the legal community. She served as president of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada in 2010 and led the California Defense Counsel (CDC) in 2016. She also sits on the executive committee of the Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court, which promotes professionalism and civility in the legal field.

In addition to her practice, Jacobsen works as a settlement conference judge, arbitrator, and mediator for several California courts. Her dedication to improving the justice system is crystal clear through her work on court advisory committees.

When she’s not working, Jacobsen enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, cycling, practicing yoga, and traveling. A fun fact about Jacobsen is that she was a standout athlete in high school and was named one of the top 50 all-time prep basketball players in the greater Sacramento area. She continues to live her life with the same commitment and teamwork she showed on the 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. 

Nancy Sheehan, ‘83. Photo credit: Porter Scott.

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law alumna Nancy Sheehan, ‘83, had a 34-year career at Porter Scott. She was a civil rights and employment law litigator.

She earned an undergraduate degree from Long Island University in 1979 and a JD degree from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1983. She joined Porter Scott in 1985 and spent her entire professional career with the firm. She made history as the first woman to be made partner at Porter Scott.

She was honored with admission to several top peer-reviewed organizations for trial lawyers: the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL), and the International Society of Barristers. Nancy was also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and served as the president of its Sacramento Valley Chapter. ABOTA is a national peer-reviewed organization of trial lawyers dedicated to the preservation of the right to trial by jury.

In 2010, she was honored with the ABOTA Sacramento Valley Chapter’s Civility Award for her professionalism in her interactions with counsel and courts. In 2014, she was named the Chapter’s Trial Lawyer of the Year and became the first woman to receive the honor in the award’s 30+ year history.

Sheehan passed away in Nov. 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Her work in the community and her relationships with her clients left a lasting mark. The Sacramento County Bar Association created the “Nancy Sheehan Distinguished Attorney of the Year Award” in her honor.

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. 

A man poses for a photo inside.
Tre Lovell, ’92, represents high-profile clients, winning multi-million-dollar verdicts.

Tre Lovell, ’92, is a highly respected litigator who has earned national recognition for his exceptional achievements in the legal field. He was named as a Lawyer of the Year Finalist by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2016 and recognized as one of the Top 50 Litigation Trailblazers by The National Law Journal. A principal at The Lovell Firm APLC in Los Angeles, his focus on endorsements and copyright has brought him into cases involving high-profile celebrities, including Justin Bieber and Kevin O’Leary.

With over 20 years of experience, his extensive practice includes business law, entertainment, intellectual property, corporate law, employment law, and general civil litigation. He represents high-profile clients and has secured multi-million dollar verdicts, notably representing 144 victims in a $200 million international fraud scheme. He is also admitted to both the California and Nevada Bars.

Lovell earned a BA degree from Pomona College and a JD degree from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1992. Throughout his career, he has been acknowledged among the top of trial attorneys in the U.S., as evidenced by accolades from the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Trial Lawyers Board of Regents.

Lovell’s firm, The Lovell Firm, has handled high-profile cases such as defamation actions against MGM and A&E Networks and a copyright infringement case against 3D Realms. A few high-profile cases Lovell has handled include:

  1. International Manufacturing Concepts, Inc. v. Justin Bieber, et.al., which was a copyright infringement case.
  2. Wynn v. Oprah G. Winfrey, OWN Network, ABC, Disney, which was an idea theft case.
  3. Bucket Social v. Kevin O’Leary, which dealt with negligent endorsement of a ponzi scheme.
  4. Slagle v. A&E Entertainment Network, which concerned defamation surrounding the Happy Face Killer movie.
  5. Martinez v. MGM, et.al., which concerned defamation surrounding the movie America Pimp.

His success earned him the 2014 Litigator Award, a prestigious honor given to fewer than 1 percent of attorneys in the U.S. Lovell also has been recognized as one of the Top Intellectual Property Attorneys by the Daily Journal in 2024.

In addition to his legal prowess, Lovell is also a gold medal national champion and black belt instructor in martial arts, highlighting his dedication to excellence both inside and outside the courtroom. His career continues to inspire, solidifying his place among the top trial attorneys in the nation.

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.

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law is proud to have many alumni who have risen to prominent positions within the corporate world. These professionals engage in a diverse range of activities that include managing business operations, overseeing strategic initiatives, and shaping organizational identity.  

McGeorge alumni have distinguished themselves by excelling in various high-ranking roles within major corporations. Their achievements reflect the rigorous legal and business education they received at McGeorge School of Law, which has equipped them with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and lead in the complex corporate environment. 

McGeorge School of Law campus, 2024.

Below is a list of several distinguished McGeorge alumni who currently hold leadership positions in the corporate sector.  

  • Katherine Baragona, ’90, is Senior Infrastructure Finance Specialist at The World Bank. 
  • Carmen Collar Fernandez, ’98, is Global Legal Head at Deoleo S.A. 
  • Jeremiah Gill, ‘99, is Senior Vice President at Kaiser Permanente 
  • Amparo Iñigo, ’05, is Legal and Compliance Director at Natra. 
  • William Jue, ‘96, is Associate General Counsel at Harley-Davidson Financial Services.  
  • Nora Klug, LLM ‘01, is Group General Counsel at Bosch. 
  • Ron Kolber, ’88, is Global Account Executive at Edged. 
  • Matina Kolokotronis, ’89, is Chief Operating Officer at Sacramento Kings. 
  • Mark Leonard, ’01, is General Counsel at Sunsweet Growers.   
  • Douglas Love, ’95, is President and Chief Executive Officer at Annexon Biosciences. 
  • Kevin O’Keefe, ‘82, is CEO and Founder of LexBlog, Inc.  
  • Jeffrey Paule, ‘75, is Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Disney International. 
  • L. Francisco Marti, ‘88, is Head Legal for the Key Markets at Sanofi Pharmaceuticals.  
  • Iván Morales, ’96 and LLM ’97, is General Counsel at Signaplex. 
  • Rich Mosher, ’95, is Chief Privacy Officer at Roblox. 
  • Carrie Nocella, ’02, is Director of External Affairs at Disneyland Resort. 
  • Andrew Sherman, ‘92, is EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 
  • Michelle Stofan, ’89, is Vice President of Legal Affairs at Garner Products, Inc. 
  • Liza Stone, ’88, is General Counsel at Virgin Hotels. 
  • Pamela Tondreau, ’87, Chairperson of the Board at Energy Recovery, Inc.   
  • Bill Rainey, ’95 is General Counsel at Sycomp. 
  • Kim Wilford, ’94, is Chief Legal Officer at GoFundMe. 
  • Lorraine Wokurka, ‘93, is Assistant General Counsel at Carnival Cruise Lines. 
  • Ruthe Wynne, ‘00, is General Counsel at Jensen Precast.  

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/  

Brian Schall, ’11

Brian Schall, ’11, founded the Schall Law Firm, which focuses on putting clients first and achieving the maximum recovery possible. Since 2017, the firm has helped secure nearly half a billion dollars for investors who have been harmed by securities fraud and corporate malfeasance, including some of the largest settlements in securities fraud cases. Schall aims to give investors a more active role in the litigation process, aiming to reshape how class action cases are handled to better represent all members.

Schall recieved a BA degree from the University of California, Riverside and a JD degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.

Schall’s legal career began with a position working for the Hon. Patrick J. Walsh at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Schall also worked at American Funds, one of the world’s leading controlling shareholders.

Schall later went on to work for Beach Point Capital Management, a multi-billion-dollar fund manager. There, he focused on Dodd-Frank compliance, particularly in complex derivatives. His passion for protecting investor rights led him to then work at Glancy Prongay & Murray, one of the nation’s top securities fraud class action firms. He then later co-founded Goldberg Law PC, where he played a key role in high-profile shareholder class action cases.

One of Schall’s standout achievements came in 2024 when he was part of a plaintiff team that secured an $11 million settlement in a securities fraud case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Now as a principal at the Schall Law Firm, based in Los Angeles, Schall is committed to continuing his work in securities fraud, fighting for investors’ rights and seeking justice for those affected by corporate misconduct. His efforts have helped shape the securities class action field, and he remains dedicated to representing investors and empowering them in the legal 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. 

Michael Bernstein, ’85, is a highly regarded executive with decades of experience in the healthcare sector. Most recently, he served as an Operating Partner at Arsenal Capital Partners, a private equity firm with a focus on industrial and healthcare investments. 

Michael Bernstein, ’85

Bernstein’s professional journey began as Regional Vice President at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, a position he held from 1987 to 1995. He then advanced to become Executive Vice President and President of the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, where he led the organization from 1995 to 2000. Following this, Bernstein worked at Cobalt Corporation as President and later Chief Operating Officer from 2000 to 2003. 

From 2004 to 2007, Bernstein was the CEO of Innovative Health Strategies Inc., where he played a key role in the company’s growth and its successful sale to a private equity firm. He continued his leadership as CEO of Leprechaun LLC from 2008 to 2009 and then as President of CAE Healthcare from 2009 to 2014, where he advanced healthcare simulation technology. 

Bernstein’s transition into private equity began with his role as a Partner at Baird Capital’s U.S. Private Equity Team from 2014 to 2019, where he specialized in healthcare investments. He also served as CEO of MaxHealth from 2020 to 2022, a network of primary care clinics for adults and seniors, before joining Arsenal Capital Partners. 

He holds a JD degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and a BA degree in rhetoric and political science from the University of California, Davis. Bernstein is an active supporter of the McGeorge Virtual Food Pantry and has a personal connection to his alma mater, where he met his wife, Sarah Skebba ’85, on the first day of law school.  

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. 

A man poses for a professional photo.
Dana Fox, ’85, has over 35 years of experience in litigation and is a highly sought after speaker for his expertise.

Dana A. Fox, ’85, is a highly respected trial attorney and partner at Lewis Brisbois’ Los Angeles office, where he co-chairs the firm’s General Liability practice and the Civil Rights and Police Litigation Defense Task Force. With 37 years of legal practice, Fox serves as co-chair of the firm’s General Liability practice and its Civil Rights and Police Litigation Defense Task Force, in addition to being a member of the Crisis Management, Transportation, and National Trial Practice groups. Fox has earned a national reputation as a “go-to” attorney for high-profile, high-exposure cases, including catastrophic accidents, wrongful death, police use of force, and premises liability.

A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and an Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates, Fox consistently delivers defense jury verdicts in some of California’s most challenging cases. His expertise has made him a trusted representative in high-profile litigation, including the Walmart mass shooting in El Paso, the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, and the assault case following a Los Angeles Dodgers game. He also currently represents the movie production company involved in the Alec Baldwin shooting cases.

Fox’s exceptional legal skills have earned him recognition as one of California’s Top 100 Attorneys by the Los Angeles Daily Journal in 2014, 2020, and 2021. He has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2010 to 2022, based on peer evaluations and professional achievements. His reputation as a top-rated attorney in the nation was further solidified when he was appointed a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL), an honor extended to only the most distinguished trial lawyers.

A sought-after speaker, Fox frequently lectures on trial strategies, jury selection, and defending high-exposure cases, sharing his deep legal insight with peers across the country.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Los Angeles in 1982 and a Juris Doctor degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1985.

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.

Dom Marino, ’04

Domenico Marino, ’04, is a McGeorge School of Law alumnus, who practices in the aviation field in Martina Franca, Italy.

1. Domenico, the aviation industry is a very specialized field. How did you become interested in that area of law?

It was actually while I was studying at McGeorge School of Law. I took a class called International Business Transactions with Professor Kojo Yelpaala, and I found that area of law very intriguing. So I went to visit Kojo during office hours and told him that I was thinking of practicing in that field after graduation, and he asked me “For which industry?” I had never thought about that, I had always thought I would work for a firm and serve several industries. But then, it dawned upon me that the industry I am most passionate about is aviation. I then did some research and found that there is a whole body of law around aviation, from accident litigation, to leasing and financing of aircraft, to air service authorization and other regulatory and international treaty issues. It just seemed like a natural fit for me.

2. Please describe some of the legal issues that you have found the most intriguing in the aviation field.

I am a regulatory lawyer because I find that specific area incredibly fascinating and most useful. I worked at the UK Civil Aviation Authority in London for five years (the British equivalent of the US Federal Aviation Administration), and I have supported several aviation authorities around the globe, particularly in the Middle East. Most of my focus is on aviation safety and how the law supports it. There is a very specialized area called safety information protection, and I am one of very few recognized experts in this field. It’s all about building a just culture so that those who commit innocent mistakes are encouraged to report them in order that the regulator can learn from them before an accident happens. I have seen a direct correlation between just culture and good safety records. That’s why this is so near to my heart.

Early in my career, I dealt with air crash litigation and didn’t like it. I believe that my time is of better use to prevent accidents before they happen. I also enjoy treaty negotiation which enables new flights between countries as I believe that connectivity is the gateway to peace and understanding. As the aviation industry faces new challenges such as carbon emission reduction and airspace management, I look forward to working hard to address these too.

3. You live and practice in Italy. What was your pathway from law school at McGeorge School of Law to practice in Italy?

Well my full name is Domenico Carlo Marino, so my Italian ancestry has a lot to do with it. I grew up in an Italian family, and even though I was born and raised in New York, we were very much raised in the Italian tradition. My mother’s father encouraged my love of Italy, as he would bring me back to Italy with him. That’s also where my appreciation of aviation came from. So after working with McGeorge for a couple years after graduation on a California State contract, I got hired by a boutique aviation law firm in Los Angeles called Dwyer, Daly, Brotzen and Bruno.

After a few years I applied for the job at the Civil Aviation Authority in London (at that time Italian citizens could work in London without restrictions), and then I became an independent consultant to aviation authorities in 2016 which is what I’ve been doing ever since. I can be based anywhere in the world, so I chose to come back to Italy and travel as needed from here. I spend a lot of time on planes and in foreign countries, which is something I love about my job. While it is true that law is generally a local profession as in-court practice is dependent on membership of a bar or law society, aviation law is a big exception to this. Many aviation lawyers are members of a bar or law society far away from where they actually practice. So I never let that be a barrier to practicing in Italy or anywhere else. To this day, my only bar admission is California and it has never been an issue.

4. What courses and other activities did you enjoy the most at McGeorge?

I loved my international law courses, both public and private international law, but also international sales of goods, international advocacy and of course international business transactions. But I also liked criminal law and criminal procedure as well, even though I had no interest in practicing in that field. The best activity at McGeorge was the summer in Salzburg, which I did during the summer of 2004. I didn’t really join many other activities because I was also working full time. But I remember those days as one of the best times of my life, and I only wish I appreciated it as much then as I do now.

5. How interested are you in keeping engaged with McGeorge and the broader community of alumni in international practices? What type of content or activities do you think would interest you and other international alumni?

I’m very interested. I’m always happy to connect with other alumni and McGeorge, but I rarely find myself in Sacramento which makes it a bit difficult. Also, it’s hard to plan to attend organized events because my schedule often changes at short notice. I feel like this newsletter fills an important gap for those of us who can’t often attend organized events and find ourselves far from Sacramento. And it’s good to learn about the other alumni who practice internationally, as I feel like it could generate a genuine interest in meeting up again or getting to know new people with similar interests and practice areas.

If you would like to be in touch with Dom, you can reach him at [email protected].

Administrative law judges (ALJs) play a crucial role within the state and federal governments, presiding over administrative disputes independently and impartially.

ALJs are appointed as executive adjudicators for administrative disputes. They operate independently of the agencies involved and are appointed by executive agency heads. ALJs preside over hearings concerning administrative law matters, placing them within the executive branches of the state and federal governments rather than in the judicial branches. ALJs are protected by safeguards analogous to those enjoyed by judicial judges, to ensure impartiality.  Those protections include exemptions from executive agency bonuses and ranking systems.

In their day-to-day work, ALJs perform functions very similar to what judges do in judicial proceedings; they identify and decide factual and legal issues. They possess the authority to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and deliver decisions. Unlike judicial judges in jury trials, ALJs serve as the judge and the factfinder analogous to a judicial judge in a bench trial.  In other words, parties to administrative law members cannot opt for either a judge or jury to make factual determinations; in administrative hearings, ALJs exclusively fulfill this role.

McGeorge School of Law is proud to have 15 alumni currently serving as administrative law judges.

  1. The Hon. Ariel Natalia Aldrich, ‘11, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
  2. The Hon. Teri L. Block, ‘98, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California State Personnel Board.
  3. The Hon. Richard Manuel Clark, ‘90, is an Administrative Law Judge for the U.S. Department of Labor.
  4. The Hon. William S. Colwell, ‘82, is an Associate Chief Administrative Law Judge for the U.S. Department of Labor.
  5. The Hon. Robert G. Kruse, ‘83, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
  6. The Hon. Jay E. Levine, ‘79, is a Federal Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration.
  7. The Hon. Gregory L. Martin, ‘88, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California State Department of Social Services.
  8. The Hon. Jesse David Phillips, ‘05, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California Department of Health Care Services.
  9. The Hon. Paul R. Ramsey, ‘91, is a Chief Administrative Law Judge for the California State Personnel Board.
  10. The Hon. James M. Sobolewski, ‘81, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California State Personnel Board.
  11. The Hon. Teresa Ann Stanley, ‘94, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California Office of Tax Appeals.
  12. The Hon. David W. Thompson, ‘83, is an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.
  13. The Hon. Robert C. Tronvig, ‘75, is a Federal Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings & Appeals.
  14. The Hon. Jacque Douglas Wolfe, ‘93, is a Federal Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration Office.
  15. The Hon. Claire Marie Yazigi, ‘04, is an Administrative Law Judge for the California Office of Administrative Hearings.

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. 

A man poses for a headshot inside.
Jesse Rivera, ’78, has tried upwards of one hundred cases.

Jesse Rivera, ’78, has a career that exemplifies dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to justice. After earning his JD from McGeorge School of Law, Rivera began his legal journey at the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office, where he spent a decade a large number of criminal cases, including serious felonies and homicides. His passion for trial work quickly became evident, as he built a reputation for his expertise in the courtroom.

In 1987, Rivera transitioned to civil litigation at the law firm of Porter, Scott, Weiberg & Delehant, where he further sharpened his trial skills. Since entering private practice, Rivera has become a recognized trial expert, having tried over 100 jury trials, including complex civil rights cases in federal court, construction defect claims, and attorney malfeasance cases. His extensive trial experience has led him to argue before appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and California’s Third and Fifth District Courts of Appeals.

Rivera’s exceptional track record earned him membership in the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates in 2007, where he has held leadership positions both locally and nationally. In addition to his trial work, Rivera is an active member of the Sacramento County Bar Association, the Association of Defense Counsel, and the Cruz Reynoso Bar Association of Sacramento. As a fluent Spanish speaker, Rivera has also served as a guest lecturer at McGeorge School of Law and other institutions, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of legal professionals.

Rivera is now a named partner at minority-owned law firm Rivera Hewitt Paul LLP, which prides itself in offering a workplace that reflects the diversity within California. Jesse Rivera’s career is a testament to the power of a McGeorge education and dedication to justice.

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.