The past several months have been very exciting at the law school. In May, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2013 and we wish them the best of luck as they finish studying for the Bar Examination. We look forward to celebrating with them in December. In other news, we received word from the ABA that Chapman Law received full re-accreditation. We were also honored that Dr. Elie Wiesel held a private question and answer session in April, moderated by Associate Dean Danny Bogart, with our students, faculty and staff.

We hope you're having a wonderful summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon at a Chapman alumni event!

Sincerely,

The law school is proud to welcome four new full-time faculty members to our community. Professor Lan Cao joins the faculty as a Professor of Law from William & Mary Law School. Professor Samuel Ernst was formerly a partner at the national firm of Covington & Burling LLP and joins the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Law. Professor David H. Gibbs was formerly a partner at Bowditch & Dewey LLP in Boston and was a Practitioner in Residence at Suffolk University Law School. Professor Gibbs joins the faculty as an Associate Professor of Practice. We are also pleased to welcome Julie Greenwald Marzouk, Assistant Clinical Professor in the Family Violence Clinic. Professor Marzouk is currently a supervising attorney at the Public Law Center in Santa Ana. Additionally, internationally renowned sports agent Leigh Steinberg and Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., general counsel Eric Roeder will join our community as adjunct faculty members. Learn more.

Antionette Balta ('06) has been assigned to lead Public Law Center's new veterans project, Operation Veterans Re-Entry. The program is dedicated to providing Orange County veterans and their families with free legal assistance to facilitate their re-entry into civilian life.  

 

Sandra Diaz ('06) became the President of the Southern California Region of the nonprofit National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). 

 

Tom Pokladowski ('06), Director of Law, Finance and Business programs at UC Irvine Extension, has been appointed as a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certifying Board for Paralegals. Pokladowski will serve on the board for two years and will be responsible for all aspects of the certification program.  

 

Jake Vollebregt ('08) joined Best & Krieger as a public law associate. Jake previously served as a Captain and Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps where he acted as trial counsel and legal assistance attorney.  

 

Ruby Banipal ('10) recently left her position with Ernst & Young to join DLA Piper's tax practice based in Chicago. Her focus is primarily on private wealth planning (everything from trusts/estates to business/corporate formation, M&A and financial governance). She works with a small group of highly specialized tax attorneys and works on complicated planning/restructuring projects.

 

Michelle Tran ('10) is the new Chair of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Orange County Bar Association, replacing Chapman Law alumna Van Ha ('10).

 

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