Southwestern Law School: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Southwestern Law School, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, stands as a cornerstone of innovative legal education. With a history spanning over a century, it has established itself as an institution committed to providing students with a diverse and inclusive learning environment. From its early days, Southwestern encouraged the enrollment of women and minorities, fostering a tradition of trailblazers in the legal profession and beyond. Today, its alumni network extends across the United States and into 26 foreign countries, comprising leaders in various fields, including elected office, law firms, corporations, and public interest organizations.

Super Lawyers Recognition

Southwestern Law School's alumni have consistently been recognized for their professional achievements and peer recognition. In 2023, Southwestern boasted the second-highest representation on the Southern California Super Lawyers List, with 11 alumni featured in the Top 100. Furthermore, the school ranked second for the most alumni on the '23 Southern California Super Lawyers Top 50 Women list. Super Lawyers, published annually by Thomson Reuters, employs a rigorous selection process that includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations across more than 70 practice areas.

Notable Super Lawyers Alumni

Several Southwestern alumni have achieved significant recognition as Super Lawyers:

Brian J. Panish '84: Honored as the #1 attorney on the '24 Southern California Super Lawyers list.
J. Bernard Alexander III ‘96
Arash Homampour ‘92

These alumni exemplify the high standards of legal practice fostered by Southwestern Law School.

Judicial Appointments and Public Service

Southwestern Law School has a strong tradition of producing graduates who serve in the judiciary and other public service roles. Numerous alumni have been appointed to judgeships at various levels of government.

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Recent Judicial Appointments

Hon. William Abramson ’96: Appointed as a Judge in the Plumas Conty Superior Court.
Hon. Edwin P. Chau ’92: Appointed as a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge.
Jeffrey R. Erickson ’88: Appointed to serve as judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Hon. Leslie Gutierrez ’10: Appointed as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge.
Hon. Heather Hocter ’06: Appointed as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge.
Hon. Fritzgerald Javellana ’09: Appointed as a Sutter County Superior Court Judge.
Joseph Ho Jin Kang ’97: Appointed to serve as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court.
Hon. Karen Joynt ’99: Appointed as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge.
Hon. Keenan Perkins ’04: Appointed as a judge in the Kern County Superior Court.
Geraldine Wong-Williams ’05: Appointed as a San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge.
Hon. Jacob Yim ’98: Appointed as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Hon. Timothy Weiner ’00: Appointed as the Supervising Judge of the Southwest District of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Other Notable Public Servants

Asantewa Olatunji ’75: Appointed by Mayor Karen Bass to the L.A. Cultural Affairs Commission.
Patricia D. Cafferata ’89: Elected to the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Board of Directors.

These appointments highlight the significant contributions of Southwestern alumni to the administration of justice and public policy.

Leadership in Legal Organizations

Southwestern alumni frequently assume leadership positions in prominent legal organizations, shaping the direction of the legal profession.

Bar Associations

Alice Salvo ’80: Elected President of the National Italian American Bar Association.
Amanda Moghaddam ’11: Elected incoming President of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association.
April Zonnis ’13: Appointed as the Co-Chair of the Family Law Executive Committee for the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
Michele B. Anderson ’90: Named a trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Other Legal Organizations

Peter J. Woo ’09: Appointed as Board Chairperson and President of the Asian American Insurance Network (AAIN).

These leadership roles demonstrate the influence and expertise of Southwestern alumni within the legal community.

Accomplishments in Law Firms

Many Southwestern graduates have excelled in private practice, achieving success in various legal specialties and rising to leadership positions within their firms.

New Partners and Promotions

Gohar Abelian Class of 2017: Abelian Law Firm, APC.
Nicholas E. Agnew, Jr. '74: Joined Judicate West.
Yasha Ahoubim Class of 2018: Law Offices of Yasha Ahoubim.
Ryan W. Anderson Class of 2001: Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.
Greg Aslanian Class of 2009: Trust Law Partners LLP.
Nir Asseraf Class of 2010: Asseraf Law, PC.
Mindy S. Bae Class of 2014: Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP.
Reagan E. Boyce ’06: Named partner at Chamblee Ryan P.C.
Charles K. Chineduh ’10: Joined Maynard, Cooper & Gale, LLP as partner.
Daniel A. Cooper ’07: Celebrated the one- year anniversary of opening his law firm Cooper & Huber LLP.
David Downing ’11: Promoted to partner at Pearlman, Brown & Wax.
Julee Fritsch Earley ’05: Promoted to partner at Tyson & Mendes.
Manny S. Mukkar ’11: Named partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.
Chantal Renta ’17: Elevated to partner at Fox Rothschild.
Joshua H. Zonnis ’13: Promoted to partner at Summers Levine & Kretzmer, LLP.
Monica C. Mazzei ’02: Joined Buchalter as shareholder and chair of the newly launched law practice group.
Benjamin C. Lau ’11: Elevated to principal at Jackson Lewis P.C.
Humphrey ’13: Promoted as partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP.
Wellman '13: Elected partner at Venable LLP.
Kira N. Teshima Conlon ’12: Launched an all-BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) led law firm called the SOMOS Group.
Lucy A. Vartanian ’13: Named partner at Hahn & Hahn.
Jillian R. Weinstein ’09: Elected partner at O’Melveny & Myers LPP.
Gerry E. Gelfound ’13: Joined Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP as partner.

Lateral Moves

Andrew J. Kramer ’91: Joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a partner.
Laurel Loomis Rimon ’93: Joined Jenner & Block LLP as a partner.
Jeffrey K. Joyner ’95: Joined Glaser Weil as a partner.
Ebony Randolph ’18: Joined Spencer Fane’s Santa Monica office as an associate.
Sharis Rostamlou ’22: Joined Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman as an associate.

These achievements reflect the strong legal foundation and practical skills that Southwestern Law School provides to its students.

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Corporate Counsel and Business Leadership

Southwestern alumni also make significant contributions to the business world, serving as general counsel for multinational corporations and holding leadership positions in various industries.

Michelle Chamberlain ’07: Appointed Vice President of External Relations at the Salk Institute.
Richard Levine ’97: Appointed President of Distribution at Herring Networks.
Linda D. Tolbert ’96: Named Executive Medical Director for Washington Permanente Medical Group in Seattle.
Lakeesha T. Jemerson ’07: Promoted to Managing Attorney of The Hartford insurance company's Orange County Workers' Compensation in-house firm.

These alumni demonstrate the versatility of a Southwestern legal education and its applicability to a wide range of professional fields.

Accomplishments in the Arts and Media

Southwestern Law School has also produced alumni who have achieved success in the arts and media, showcasing the diverse talents and interests of its graduates.

Sam Kozhaya ’01: Won an Emmy for his work on the Best Drama Series winner Les Gouttes de Dieux (Drops of God).
Tara J. Sattler ’11: Named to Variety’s Legal Impact Report.
Camille M. Vasquez '10: Joined NBC as a legal analyst.
Brooke Ferri ’10: Co-wrote and co-directed the show Adanza.

Authors and Publications

Southwestern alumni frequently contribute to legal scholarship and public discourse through their writing and publications.

Geoff Berman ’85: Published the 6th edition of his book, General Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors: The ABCs of ABCs.
A. Marco Turk ’60: Published his book Bridging the Cyprus Divide-Reflections of An Accidental Peacebuilder.
Edward M. Gesine Bullock-Prado ’96: Published her new book, My Vermont Table: Recipes for All (Six) Seasons.
Orlando N. Ortega-Medina ’91: Published a legal thriller, The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants.
Richard T. Williamson: Is an American non-fiction writer who has written books and articles on asset protection, estate planning, and capital gains tax planning.

Recognition and Awards

Southwestern alumni are regularly recognized for their achievements and contributions to their respective fields.

Robert C. Brandt ’76: Was awarded The Spencer Brandeis Award for 2022 by The Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section.
Vicki M. Roberts ’83: Received an esteemed "Honorable Mention" for her original poem, Antietam, in the 2022 Society of Classical Poets International Poetry Competition.
Barry Kurtz ’73: Was selected for the Los Angeles Business Journal Inside the Valley’s “200 Most Influential” list.
Richard Leiter ’83: Was named the Marvin & Virginia Schmid Foundation Professor of Law at University of Nebraska College of Law.
Anh Nguyen Stenzel ’07: Was named one of Top 10 Industry Disruptors by LA Weekly.
Daniel Horowitz: In 2014 Horowitz was named a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers.
Patricia Brum ’13: Was selected for inclusion in LA Times Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Magazine.

Notable Alumni from EduRank List

EduRank provides a list of notable alumni from Southwestern Law School, highlighting individuals who have achieved prominence in various fields.

Actors and Media Personalities

Jerry O'Connell: Actor and TV show host known for roles in "Sliders," "Stand by Me," and "Crossing Jordan."
Marcia Clark: Prosecutor, author, and television correspondent, best known for the O. J. Simpson murder case.
Stefanie Schaeffer: Defense attorney and television presenter, winner of "The Apprentice: Los Angeles."
Fulvio Cecere: Film actor, television actor, film director, actor

Politicians and Public Servants

Tom Bradley: The 38th Mayor of Los Angeles.
Howard W. Hunter: The 14th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Gordon H. Smith: United States Senator from the state of Oregon.
Ira Reiner: Los Angeles City Attorney and Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Edward Ross Roybal: Latino American to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council.
Jim Gibbons: 28th Governor of Nevada.
Matt Fong: 30th California State Treasurer.
Ed Chau: Jurist and politician who served in the California State Assembly.
Robert Philibosian: Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Julian C. Dixon: Member of the United States House of Representatives.
Lori Lipman Brown: Politician and activist from the state of Nevada.
Denise Moreno Ducheny: Former California State Senator.
George N. Zenovich: Politician and jurist.

Legal Professionals

Gloria Allred: Attorney known for taking high-profile and often controversial cases.
Daniel Horowitz: Defense attorney who has represented several high-profile clients.
Murray Chotiner: Political strategist, attorney, government official, and close associate and friend of President Richard Nixon
Stanley Mosk: Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court.
Otis D. Wright II: United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
William John Cox: Public interest lawyer and author.
Keith Fink: American attorney, author, and academic.
Ronald S.W. Lew: United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Richard Thomas Williamson: American non-fiction writer who has written books and articles on asset protection, estate planning, and capital gains tax planning.
Larraine Segil: South African-born entrepreneur, attorney, advisor, lecturer, author, board member and urban farmer.

Other Notable Figures

Donald Sterling: Attorney and businessman who was the owner of the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers.
Elaine Brown: Prison activist, writer, singer, and former Black Panther Party chairwoman.
Gisela Colón: International contemporary artist.
Charles C. Bernstein: Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona.

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