University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
May 31, 2025
20 25
THE ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Standard Bearer
Regents of the University
President of the University
Commencement Speaker
Dean of the School of Law
Vice Presidents of the University
Faculty of the School of Law
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Public Administration and Public Policy
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Science in Law
Candidates for the Degree of Master of Laws
Candidates for the Degree of Doctor of Juridical Science
Candidates for the Degree of Juris Doctor
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium May 31, 2025 11:00 a.m.
Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
PROCESSIONAL
Pomp and Circumstance, Op. 39 No. 1
By Edward Elgar
NATIONAL ANTHEM
J. Clark Kelso, Professor
Bethany Morales Ong
Jeffrey E. Proske, Professor
Jarrod Liang Ping Wong, Professor
INVOCATION
Professor Mary-Beth Moylan
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
INTRODUCTION
Platform Party
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Darrin Lim ‘04 Politicom Law LLP
REMARKS
President Christopher Callahan University of the Pacific
CLASS OF 2025 SPEAKERS
Diego Fernando Ahumada Marmolejo Graduate Programs
Mahima Atul Karia JD Program
PRESENTATION OF THE GRADUATING CLASS
Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
President Christopher Callahan University of the Pacific
BENEDICTION
Professor Mary-Beth Moylan
University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
RECESSIONAL
Grand March from ‘Aida’ By Guiseppe Verdi
ANNOUNCER
J. Clark Kelso, Professor
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Darrin Lim ’04 is the co-founder and partner of Politicom Law LLP, an innovative and leading political compliance law firm based in Sausalito, California.
Lim supports some of the largest corporations throughout the U.S. to efficiently navigate the patchwork of disclosure requirements and laws in campaign finance, lobby disclosure, and governmental ethics Lim brings a technologydriven and client centric focus to political compliance, which distinguishes Politicom Law.
Lim is very active with the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL). He previously served on the organization’s board and has co-chaired several conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada. He was the recipient of COGEL’s 2021 Outstanding Service Award
Lim graduated from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 2004, where he was the class speaker for the evening division. He has been a passionate supporter of McGeorge School of Law and its students. He is a founding member of the McGeorge Diversity Alumni Board and served as its chair from 2022-2024 In 2022, Lim was the keynote speaker at McGeorge’s Unity Celebration More recently, he was among the inaugural honorees to receive the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law Alumni of Honor Award in 2024.
Lim began his career as a television news reporter and anchor He was also the communications director for a California state legislator while attending McGeorge School of Law
Lim and his husband, Jim Wayand, are the proud dads to their two young children.
HONORS & AWARDS
JD Program
VALEDICTORIAN AWARDS
Logan William Bambino
Full-Time Day Division
Sharon Rose Witkin
Part-Time Evening Division
SALUTATORIAN AWARDS
Joshua Khouri
Full-Time Day Division
Alexander Mather Leshnick
Part-Time Evening Division
OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR AWARDS
Graduates recognized for outstanding scholarship and academic achievement
Sunny Frances Gorba
Full-Time Day Division
Griffith Ryan-Roberts
Part-Time Evening Division
OUTSTANDING SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Award recognizing overall scholastic accomplishment to one student in each division of the graduating class
Logan William Bambino
Full-Time Day Division
Sharon Rose Witkin
Part-Time Evening Division
OUTSTANDING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Graduates recognized for remarkable contributions to the McGeorge community
Julia Pauline López
Kara Lindsey Anderson
Full-Time Day Division
Carrie Rene Adams Hayes
Part-Time Evening Division
HONORS & AWARDS
JD Program
ALI-CLE SCHOLARSHIP & LEADERSHIP AWARD
In recognition of graduates who best represent a combination of scholarship and leadership qualities embodied by the American Law Institute.
Isabelle Patricia Carmichael
Matthew Nunag Brooks
Full-Time Day Division
Jensen Blaine
Part-Time Evening Division
OUTSTANDING STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
In recognition of the graduates who have given the most significant service to the McGeorge community
Andrew Page McGowan
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon
Mahima Atul Karia
Full-Time Day Division
Michael Craig Kennedy
Sarah T. Young-Tripp
Part-Time Evening Division
OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD
Graduates recognized for having gone above and beyond their role to work as a proponent of diversity and inclusion of the graduating class. Awardees are seen as leaders who support diversity and inclusivity in their work at the University of the Pacific and the larger community.
Valentina Martinez-Rodriguez
Yanin Peaches Ortega
Full-Time Day Division
Matthew Viviano Muñoz
Part-Time Evening Division
HONORS & AWARDS
JD Program
TRAYNOR SOCIETY
Graduates whose grades during any two academic years qualified them for the Dean’s Honor List are named members of the Traynor Society, named in honor of the late Honorable Roger J. Traynor, former Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.
Sibel Noelle Akyol
Stanislav Dean Allen
Kara Lindsey Anderson
Victoria Lorena Badillo
Sabina Bagdasarova
Logan William Bambino
Molly Catherine Biron
Jensen Blaine
Matthew Nunag Brooks
Adarsh Jashwin Chandra
Nicholus Adam Peterson Clinkenbeard
Michael Olin Coyne
Diana Josefa Crow
Marino Che Dominguez
Winnie Clara Ellerman
William R Finkle
Patrick B Fortelka
Sunny Frances Gorba
Payton Nicole Hart
Carrie Rene Adams Hayes
Joshua Noe Interiano
Joshua Khouri
Ilkun Kim
Mark Randall Kramer
Iryna Kulba-Verezub
Peyton Kwalwasser
James S Largent
Miranda A Lee
Alexander Mather Leshnick
Julia Pauline López
Lydia Hope Maldonado
Madeline Banks McHenry
Kevin Christopher Moore
Kelsi Anne Morris
Dominic Ernest Moscatello
Matthew Viviano Muñoz
Kendall Shea Mutz
Devon Cable Nelson
Emily C. Nelson
India Hylander Neville
Brandon D. Rizotto
Ryan Joseph Rodriguez
Miguel Angel Romero Ochoa
Griffith Ryan-Roberts
Emily Elizabeth Sabillon
Zachary Schiffer
Sydney Renee Schreiner
Gabrielle Ann G Sison
Robert Joseph Smith
Daisy Tinoco
Alyssa Danielle Wagner
Mariah Ashley Wayne
Myles S. White
Christopher Herbert Tellier Wikler
Sharon Rose Witkin
HONORS & AWARDS
JD Program
THE ORDER OF BARRISTERS
Students elected to the National Honor Society, whose purpose is to encourage excellence in oral and written advocacy.
Stanislav Dean Allen
Sabina Bagdasarova
Matthew Nunag Brooks
Marino Che Dominguez
Alexander Mather Leshnick
Julia Pauline López
Lydia Hope Maldonado
Ryan Joseph Rodriguez
Miguel Angel Romero Ochoa
Zachary Schiffer
APPELLATEADVOCATEOFTHEYEAR
RyanJosephRodriguez
HONORS & AWARDS
JD Program
MCGEORGE COMMENDATION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
McGeorge School of Law recognizes graduates who work on behalf of others in legal or community service as they earn their law degrees.
GOLD
150 Volunteer Hours
Kaleigh J Adams
Drashti M. Patel
Citlali Benerisa Perez
SILVER
100 Volunteer Hours
Aliyah A Sipra
BRONZE
50 Volunteer Hours
Taeyoon Kong Kim
MELISSA C. BROWN LEGAL CLINIC HONORS
Graduates who dedicated significant pro bono time to meet the legal needs of their clients beyond experiential learning curriculum requirements
Zachary Alexander Byrne
James N Chuong
Katherine Kieu Duong
Jaime Giang
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon
Diksha Jagga
Taeyoon Kong Kim
Iryna Kulba-Verezub
Julia Pauline López
Wendy Martinez
Bret Frederick McLaughlin
Robert Joseph Smith
Avneet Uppal
HONORS & AWARDS
Graduate Programs
MPA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Awarded to the MPA student with the highest GPA, with a minimum mandatory GPA requirement of 3 5
Natalie Mildred Coconubo-Leiser
MPP AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Awarded to the MPP student with the highest GPA, with a minimum mandatory GPA requirement of 3.5.
Savanah R. Greenwood and Breanna Shontel Lugaro
LLM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
In recognition of the LLM graduates who most successfully demonstrated excellence in scholastic achievement; consideration was also given to criteria such as honors the graduates received and the graduates’ participation in activities that exemplify the highest academic and individual achievements during their LLM studies.
Theresa Anna Hackl
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
This award recognizes the graduate student who has dedicated the most significant service and contributed meaningfully to the McGeorge community
Tatiana Bagrii
MSL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
In recognition of the MSL student with the highest GPA, with a minimum mandatory GPA requirement of 3.5.
Lynn Sager Sullivan
JSD AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
In recognition of the JSD student with the highest GPA, with a minimum mandatory GPA requirement of 3 5
Deji
Jayeoba
SERVICE
UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC LAW REVIEW
The following graduates constitute Volume 56 of the University of the Pacific Law Review and are responsible for its publication Appointment to the University of the Pacific Law Review is one of the highest honors bestowed upon law students
Editor-in-Chief
Kara Lindsey Anderson
Chief Managing Editor
Zachary Alexander Byrne
Chief Articles & Symposium Editor
Taeyoon Kong Kim
Chief Technical Editor
Joshua Noe Interiano
Primary Legislation Editors
Logan William Bambino
Sarah Elayne Bridges
Peyton Kwalwasser
Brandon D. Rizotto
Destiny Renee Snyder
Primary Articles & Symposium Editors
Kaleigh J. Adams
David Paul Bonemeyer
Jose Antonio Chavez
Maria F Martinez
Juliea N Pascznk
Chief Legislation Editor
Griffith Ryan-Roberts
Chief Comment Editor
Sunny Frances Gorba
Chief Production Editor
Khalil J. Ferguson
Primary Managing Editors
Jose Antonio Chavez
Diana Josefa Crow
William R. Finkle
Megan Andrea Halliday
Daisy Tinoco
Primary Production Editors
Victoria Lorena Badillo
Robert Joseph Smith
SERVICE
MOCK TRIAL TEAM MEMBERS
Stanislav Dean Allen
Elise Renée Bold
Matthew Nunag Brooks
Tera Lynn Cafro
Isabelle Patricia Carmichael
Adarsh Jashwin Chandra
Rishamai O. Gonzales
Jasdeep Kaur Hothi
Julia Pauline López
Lydia Hope Maldonado
Bhupinder Kaur Mann
Miguel Angel Romero Ochoa
Destiny Renee Snyder
MOOT COURT HONORS BOARD MEMBERS
Nathan Jeremiah Arianeh
Sabina Bagdasarova
Molly Catherine Biron
Michael Olin Coyne
Marino Che Dominguez
Ryan John Esnaashari
Khalil J Ferguson
Patrick B Fortelka
Sunny Frances Gorba
Michael Craig Kennedy
Ilkun Kim
James S Largent
Alexander Mather Leshnick
Rachel Nicole Lucchini
Selenne Martinez
Citlali Benerisa Perez
Ryan Joseph Rodriguez
Emily Elizabeth Sabillon
Zachary Schiffer
Aliyah A. Sipra
Mariah Ashley Wayne
Christopher Herbert Tellier Wikler
CLIENT INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING COMPETITION
TEAM MEMBERS
Sarah Elayne Bridges
Erica Alvarez Ramos
NEGOTIATION TEAM MEMBERS
Carrie Rene Adams Hayes
GLOBAL LAWYERING SKILLS TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Sabina Bagdasarova
Sarah Elayne Bridges
Michael Olin Coyne
Julia Pauline López
Emily Elizabeth Sabillon
2024-2025 STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon President
Sarah Elayne Bridges Vice President, Day Division
Tatiana Bagrii
Masters Representative
Robert Joseph Smith
Third-Year Day Program Representative
CONCENTRATIONS
JD Program
BUSINESS CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Kaleigh J. Adams
Victoria Lorena Badillo
Christian Raul Boche
Diana Josefa Crow
Katherine Kieu Duong
Khalil J Ferguson
Guneet Singh Gill
Marcos A. Guevara
Megan Andrea Halliday
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon
Carrie Rene Adams Hayes
Debra Elaine Jaeger
Diksha Jagga
Mahima Atul Karia
Iryna Kulba-Verezub
Shannon Rose McInnes
Bret Frederick McLaughlin
Thomas Jay Michel
Emily C. Nelson
Drashti M. Patel
Lauren L. Reed
Robert Joseph Smith
Myles S White
CAPITAL LAWYERING CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Kara Lindsey Anderson
Ashley Marie Bliss
Sarah Elayne Bridges
Diana Josefa Crow
Zachary John Dunkhase
Khalil J. Ferguson
Taylor Marie Gonsalves
Garen M. Kazanjian
Kevin Christopher Moore
Bailey Sue Morrell
Maritza Ortiz-Urrutia
Citlali Benerisa Perez
Hailee Olivia-Marie Rice
Mattieu James Wagha
Griffith Ryan-Roberts
Destiny Renee Snyder
Myles S. White
ELDER & HEALTH CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Diksha Jagga
Bret Frederick McLaughlin
Avneet Uppal
CONCENTRATIONS
JD Program
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Jaime Giang
Joshua Noe Interiano
Joshua Khouri
Alexander Mather Leshnick
Shannon Rose McInnes
Kendall Shea Mutz
Lauren L. Reed
Sydney Renee Schreiner
Simran Kaur Sekhon
Alyssa Danielle Wagner
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Winnie Clara Ellerman
Maria F. Martinez
Joseph Patrick Murphy
TAX CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Kaleigh J. Adams
Victoria Lorena Badillo
Katherine Kieu Duong
Guneet Singh Gill
Marcos A Guevara
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon
Debra Elaine Jaeger
Diksha Jagga
Iryna Kulba-Verezub
Rachel Nicole Lucchini
Thomas Jay Michel
Emily C Nelson
Robert Joseph Smith
CONCENTRATIONS
JD Program
TRIAL & APPELLATE ADVOCACY CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Sibel Noelle Akyol
Matthew Nunag Brooks
Tera Lynn Cafro
Adarsh Jashwin Chandra
Winnie Clara Ellerman
Hallie Christine Gifford
Natalie Rose Gonzales
Rishamai O. Gonzales
Payton Nicole Hart
Jasdeep Kaur Hothi
Kelly Kristine Lafaye
Lydia Hope Maldonado
Bhupinder Kaur Mann
Matthew Viviano Muñoz
Devon Cable Nelson
Perla Mireya Ornelas-Perez
Erica Alvarez Ramos
Miguel Angel Romero Ochoa
Emily Elizabeth Sabillon
Sarah T Young-Tripp
WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATE OF CONCENTRATION
Selenne Martinez
Bailey Sue Morrell
Dominic Ernest Moscatello
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded December 13, 2024
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Sonja Katarina Eschenburg
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW
Nicolas J Gauthier
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW GOVERNMENT LAW AND POLICY
Alexandra Rossanna Rodríguez
Jamaal Kokayi Valentine
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS U.S. LAW & POLICY
Anna Avdalian
Taiane de Oliveira Clark
Samet Uyar
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES
Deji Jayeoba
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded December 13, 2024
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF JURIS DOCTOR
Logan William Bambino **†
Robert Matthew Bell
Hallie Christine Gifford
Jacob J. Goldman
Payton Nicole Hart *
Garen M Kazanjian
Tara Mariah Lucero
Madeline Banks McHenry **
Bret Frederick McLaughlin *
Amy Nicole McLean
Natalia M Osorio-Elizondo *
Miguel Angel Romero Ochoa **†
Alexander Josef Wendler
Jason R. Williamson
Sharon Rose Witkin **†
Sarah T. Young-Tripp *
† The Order of the Coif ** With Great Distinction * With Distinction
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded May 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Kristyn Amy Bitz
Abayomi Brownfield
Natalie Mildred Coconubo-Leiser
Madicyn Natassja Gust
Elijah David Meyers
Jarrett Thomas Moore
Oluchi Jennifer Njoku
Davor Andrew Skaric
My Linh Tran
Andrew Charles Ray Vonwal
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC POLICY
Savanah R Greenwood
Breanna Shontel Lugaro
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW
Eric Ramon Enriquez
Bradley Lavin
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW BUSINESS LAW
Alexa Francis Lumb-Edwards
Robert W Jackson Jr
Amber Jaeger
Lavenia Caroline Kotobalavu
Mai N Mai
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW
GOVERNMENT LAW AND POLICY
Miranda Burnett
Laura Crabtree
Lisa Nichole Fanopoulos
Anmol Prakash
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded May 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Kathryn R Boren
Rachel Gagnon
Jennifer Lee Wallace Sanders
Lynn Sager Sullivan
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS TRANSNATIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICE
Diego Fernando Ahumada Marmolejo
Tatiana Bagrii
Askar Imashevich Elebesov
Antonia Sophie Hörmann
Theresa Anna Hackl
Sadikshya Lamichhane
Lara Neuhauser
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS U.S. LAW & POLICY
Navjeet Kaur Atwal
Aliaksei Franchuk
Rene Wilfredo Nunez Castro Habib Rahmani
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES
Joy Odoyo Ajayi
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded May 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF JURIS DOCTOR
Kaleigh J Adams
Sibel Noelle Akyol **
Stanislav Dean Allen *
Kara Lindsey Anderson **
Nathan Jeremiah Arianeh
Victoria Lorena Badillo *
Sabina Bagdasarova **†
Molly Catherine Biron *
Jensen Blaine **
Ashley Marie Bliss
Christian Raul Boche
Elise Renée Bold
David Paul Bonemeyer *
Sarah Elayne Bridges
Matthew Nunag Brooks *
Zachary Alexander Byrne *
Tera Lynn Cafro *
Isabelle Patricia Carmichael
Adarsh Jashwin Chandra *
Jose Antonio Chavez
James N. Chuong *
Melanie L. Clement *
Nicholus Adam Peterson Clinkenbeard **
Juan J. Contreras *
Michael Olin Coyne **†
Diana Josefa Crow *
Tristin Kaur Dhaliwal
Marino Che Dominguez *
Zachary John Dunkhase
Katherine Kieu Duong
Winnie Clara Ellerman *
Whitney Tyler-Mae Ellis
Ryan John Esnaashari
Khalil J. Ferguson *
William R. Finkle **
Eduardo Flores-Covarrubias *
Patrick B Fortelka **†
Jaime Giang
Guneet Singh Gill
Natalie Rose Gonzales
Rishamai O. Gonzales *
Sunny Frances Gorba **†
Marcos A Guevara
Megan Andrea Halliday
Sweet Jane Kathleen Hammon
Monique Marie Hasbun Mejia
Carrie Rene Adams Hayes *
Jasdeep Kaur Hothi
Joshua Noe Interiano *
Stephan Jacobo-Martinez *
Debra Elaine Jaeger
Diksha Jagga
Amit John *
Mahima Atul Karia
Michael Craig Kennedy
Joshua Khouri **†
Ilkun Kim **
Taeyoon Kong Kim
Mark Randall Kramer **
Iryna Kulba-Verezub *
† The Order of the Coif ** With Great Distinction * With Distinction
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded May 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF JURIS DOCTOR
Peyton Kwalwasser **
Kelly Kristine Lafaye *
James S. Largent *
Allen Andrew Leavitt
Miranda A. Lee *
Alexander Mather Leshnick **†
Billie Anne Lisonbee *
Julia Pauline López **†
Rachel Nicole Lucchini
Alexsander Madera Ubiedo
Lydia Hope Maldonado *
Bhupinder Kaur Mann
Maria F Martinez
Selenne Martinez
Valentina Martinez-Rodriguez
Andrew Page McGowan
Shannon Rose McInnes
Chanel Antoinette Mendoza
Thomas Jay Michel *
Kevin Christopher Moore *
Bailey Sue Morrell
Kelsi Anne Morris *
Dominic Ernest Moscatello *
Lindy Munoz
Matthew Viviano Muñoz *
Joseph Patrick Murphy
Jackson Scott Murrell
Kendall Shea Mutz *
Devon Cable Nelson **
Emily C. Nelson *
India Hylander Neville * Golnaz Norowzi
Jacob Martin Olmos
Perla Mireya Ornelas-Perez
Yanin Peaches Ortega
Maritza Ortiz-Urrutia
Tara Paris
Juliea N Pascznk
Jessenia Carolina Pastran
Drashti M. Patel
Citlali Benerisa Perez
Lauren L. Reed
Hailee Olivia-Marie Rice
Brandon D Rizotto **†
Brian Patrick Robbins
Ryan Joseph Rodriguez **†
Griffith Ryan-Roberts **
Emily Elizabeth Sabillon **†
Kate Loren V Sarmiento
Zachary Schiffer **†
Sydney Renee Schreiner **
Simran Kaur Sekhon
Aliyah A. Sipra
Gabrielle Ann G. Sison *
Robert Joseph Smith **
Destiny Renee Snyder
Natalie A. Solveson
Sena Denice Stefan
Daisy Tinoco **
Avneet Uppal
† The Order of the Coif ** With Great Distinction * With Distinction
CLASS OF 2025
Awarded May 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF JURIS DOCTOR
Megan M Upshaw
Alec John Van Eenennaam
Josuel Vasquez-Guzman *
Mattieu James Wagha
Alyssa Danielle Wagner **
Mariah Ashley Wayne **
Myles S White *
Christopher Herbert Tellier Wikler **†
† The Order of the Coif ** With Great Distinction * With Distinction
CLASS OF 2025
To be awarded August 17, 2025
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Diego Armando Verduzco
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW
Monea Ahlyse Jennings
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW
WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Nancy Ann Beecher
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STUDIES
Marguerite De Chaisemartin
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF JURIS DOCTOR
Taylor Marie Gonsalves
Wendy Martinez
Erica Alvarez Ramos
Haley M Simpson
† The Order of the Coif ** With Great Distinction * With Distinction
MCGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW
DEAN
Michael Hunter Schwartz
PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR
Daniel Croxall Full-Time Faculty
Romboud Rahmanian Part-Time Faculty
James Mayer MPA and MPP Faculty
Christopher Mercado MSL Faculty
FACULTY
Melissa C. Brown
Ederlina Co
Linda Coco
Michael Colatrella, Jr.
Daniel Croxall
Omar M. Dajani
Franklin A. Gevurtz
Jennifer L. Harder
Lindsay Harrington
Dominique Hinson
Ron Hochbaum
Pamela Izvanariu
Leslie Gielow Jacobs
Andrew Jurs
Charles Kaye-Essien
J. Clark Kelso
Lawrence C. Levine
Steven Macias
Michael P. Malloy
Christine Manolakas
Stephen C. McCaffrey
Michael S. Mireles
Francis J. Mootz, III
Mary-Beth Moylan
Blake C Nordahl
Erin O’Neal
Marcie Paolinelli
Jeffrey E. Proske
Reza Rezvani
Rachael E. Salcido
Michael Hunter Schwartz
Omar Yousef Shehabi
Oyango Snell
John G. Sprankling
Edward H. Telfeyan
Stephanie J Thompson
Colleen Truden
Rachel Van Cleave
Michael Vitiello
James Wirrell
Jarrod Liang Ping Wong
MCGEORGE SCHOOL OF LAW
EMERITUS FACULTY
Cary Bricker
Linda E. Carter
Raymond R. Coletta
Thomas Coyne
Julie A. Davies
George A. Gould
Warren A. Jones
John J Kirlin
Brian K. Landsberg
Dorothy S. Landsberg
Thomas J. Leach
Hether Macfarlane
John E. B. Myers
Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker
Claude D Rohwer
John Cary Sims
Kojo Yelpaala
ANNA ROSE FISCHER
MCGEORGE STAFF
MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Colleen Truden
ADMINISTRATION
Leah D. Adams
Linda Coco
Daniel Croxall
Casandra J Fernandez
Ashley M. Golledge
Leslie Gielow Jacobs
Clémence Kucera
Lawrence C Levine
Marcie Paolinelli
Jeffrey E. Proske
Michael Hunter Schwartz
Michael Vitiello
James R. Wirrell
UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC SACRAMENTO CAMPUS STAFF OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sam Faghihnia
2025 MCGEORGE STUDENT GIVING PROGRAM
The Student Giving Program leaves a legacy at the law school and instills a sense of philanthropy among the students. This section is sponsored by the McGeorge School of Law Alumni Association in appreciation of the generosity of the following members of the Class of 2025.
SIBEL NOELLE AKYOL
"Dear Mommy and Baba, Thank you for your support and love that you have provided through my law school journey. I appreciate all of your sacrifices that have made my dreams possible. Love, Sibel"
KRISTYN AMY BITZ
“Thank you to my family, friends, and mentors for believing in me, encouraging me, and guiding me during my time at McGeorge School of Law. I am forever grateful for your unwavering support.”
ASHLEY MARIE BLISS
“Thank you so much to my friends and family who loved and supported me through this journey. Mom, Dad, and Nicole, I could not have done this without you I'm beyond grateful and love you all so much!”
ELISE RENÉE BOLD
“Mom & Dad, thank you for paving the way for me to succeed Tati Tati & Mami Mami, you ' re my inspiration Andrew, Lexi, Kristen, Mikey, Robert, Izzy & Alex I love you Max, you are my greatest joy ”
SARAH ELAYNE BRIDGES
“Thanks to my friends and family, who have supported, loved, and cared for me through these past three years. Through our shared laughs, tears, and memories, I have achieved my biggest dreams.”
TERA LYNN CAFRO
"To Dad (Carmen), Mom (Lisa), siblings, grandma, professors and mentors, friends, mock trial team and coaches, and especially my fiancé Theo thank you for your unwavering support and belief in me. "
MICHAEL OLIN COYNE
“Hi mom!”
2025 MCGEORGE STUDENT GIVING PROGRAM
DIANA JOSEFA CROW
“Josh, Alex, and Gavin, thank you for the unwavering love and encouragement you have shown me every day, I could not have made it through law school without you!”
LISA NICHOLE FANOPOULOS
"Hi, Mom & Dad. Thank you for giving Nicholas & I your work ethic & perseverance to do what is right. Those attributes have allowed us to accomplish what we have so far & what we have yet to do."
WILLIAM R. FINKLE
"Here's to the Class of 2025, esteemed professors, our illustrious dean, Admissions, and my supporters near and far. I hold you close to my grateful heart As Elle Woods said, ‘WE DID IT!!!’”
SWEET JANE KATHLEEN HAMMON
“A law degree may only list one person on the diploma, but what I have learned is that it truly takes a village Thank you to my family, friends, and all the people who helped me achieve my dream.”
PAYTON NICOLE HART
“Thank you mom, dad, Garrett, and Blake. I couldn’t have done it without your love and support. We did it! I love you to the moon and back!”
DEBRA ELAINE JAEGER
“To my amazing husband: thank you for always being supportive of my crazy ideas, and thank you for putting up with me through these insane last three years We made it!”
MONEA AHLYSE JENNINGS
“Thank you for your love, prayers, and sacrifices I made it here because of you Thank you for supporting and believing in me I carry your strength with me always I love you more than words can say ”
MAHIMA ATUL KARIA
“Law school: survived Friendships: golden Sleep: TBD Thanks to everyone who got me here especially caffeine & moral support from miles away. Now let’s go change the world (or at least pass the bar)!”
2025 MCGEORGE STUDENT GIVING PROGRAM
MICHAEL CRAIG KENNEDY
"To My Incredible Mother, I couldn't say which of us will be prouder as I walk across the stage today, but I can say with certainty that I wouldn't be here today without you. Love always, Your Son"
JAMES S. LARGENT
“Thank you to my wife, Martha, and my children, James, Sophia, and Elle, for supporting me and standing by me these past 3 years of law school. I could not have done it without your support! Love, Daddy”
BHUPINDER KAUR MANN
MATTHEW VIVIANO MUÑOZ
“I'm dedicating my JD to my late mom; thank you for giving me my sense of justice Special thank you to Darlene, Andrea, Anthony, Bri, Nick, & my McGeorge friends for the support these last four years. ”
KENDALL SHEA MUTZ
"To Paul - for being my sunshine and constant supporter. To my parents - for getting me this far and never being more than a phone call away. To Charlie - for being my best friend. THANK YOU <3"
DEVON CABLE NELSON
“Law school has both challenged and shaped me into the advocate I am proud to be today! This milestone means the world to me, and I could not have done it without my people <3”
MARITZA ORTIZ-URRUTIA
“Muchas gracias a mi Mamá, Papá, Carli, Alondra, Lalo, y Nala por todo el amor y apoyo Ni lo pudiera de ver hecho sin ustedes.”
JESSENIA CAROLINA PASTRAN
“Thank you to my amazing family and boyfriend for your support these last three years. I couldn't have done it without your patience, kindness, and love. This is our degree! I love you!”
2025 MCGEORGE STUDENT GIVING PROGRAM
CITLALI BENERISA PEREZ
“To my incredible family: Your unwavering support, love, and belief in me made this journey possible I couldn’t have done it without you. This is OUR law degree. ¡Muchas gracias, los amo!”
HAILEE OLIVIA-MARIE RICE
“Thank you to my family and friends for your love, support, and guidance. Travis, your unwavering belief in me meant everything I couldn’t have done this without you all by my side!”
ALEXANDRA ROSSANNA RODRÍGUEZ
“Thank you to my family for your support & myself for never giving up I carried Abuelita Mayra’s words ‘When you grow up, you will accomplish anything you want, and no one will stop you ’ She was right ”
RYAN JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ
“To my parents, Joe and Danielle, I would not be here today without you Thank you for supporting me throughout this journey. This one is for you both.”
GRIFFITH RYAN-ROBERTS
“Thank you to my family for being so supportive during these last four years. Especially thank you to Sam, because I would not be here if you had not pushed me to do it. I love and appreciate you all!”
SYDNEY RENEE SCHREINER
“To my Mom and Dad, my fiancé Joe, Zach, my grandparents, and all of my family and friends THANK YOU! Your love and support mean the world to me, and I could not have accomplished this without you!”
DESTINY RENEE SNYDER
“Precious family and friends, there are no words to properly convey the gratitude I have for you To share this journey and this day with you is one of the greatest privileges of my life. Thank you. ”
NATALIE A. SOLVESON
"’La luz vino a pesar de los puñales.’ After 3 long years, it is finally over. Thanks to my friends, family, and mentors who helped me live my dream. I could not have done this without your support.”
2025 MCGEORGE STUDENT GIVING PROGRAM
ALYSSA DANIELLE WAGNER
"Endless thanks to my family, but especially to Jackson your love, sacrifices, support, and belief in me made this possible. I share this achievement with you. -Alyssa Wagner"
CHRISTOPHER HERBERT TELLIER WIKLER
"Thank you Mom, Dad, Katie, Robert and all the fam & friends for your love and encouragement on my journey. ‘Not honesty alone, but the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive,’ - Benny Cardozo."
A THREE-CITY UNIVERSITY
The University of the Pacific’s presence in three unique California cities offers students a wider breadth of educational programs, as well as internship, outreach, and interprofessional education opportunities. Graduates can avail themselves of further graduate education and continuing professional education programs to keep skills relevant and succeed in an ever-evolving society
SACRAMENTO CAMPUS
The beautiful tree-lined Sacramento Campus provides a focused learning environment with ties to the power and influence of one of the nation’s most important state capitals. Anchored by the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, the campus offers graduate programs in law, public policy, and public administration The campus is also home to the School of Health Sciences and Benerd College, which offer graduate programs in clinical nutrition, education, nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and social work
McGeorge’s innovative legal clinics provide high-quality pro bono representation to underserved members of the community, with students consistently achieving notable successes for their clients. The school operates seven specialized clinics in Sacramento, focusing on bankruptcy, elder and health law, homeless advocacy, immigration, indigent client representation, legislative and public policy, and prisoner civil rights mediation
The California Victims Resource Center (CVRC) is also located on the Sacramento Campus. The CVRC staff and the McGeorge students provide legal information and tailored resource referrals to victims and their families, victim service providers, and other victim advocates.
SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS
Pacific’s high-tech San Francisco Campus thrives in the South of Market (SoMa) district in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Home to the nationally renowned Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, the campus also offers graduate programs in data science, music therapy, and audiology. Dental and audiology clinics and numerous healthcare outreach efforts provide quality dental and audiology services each year for people of all ages, many of whom may not otherwise receive care.
STOCKTON CAMPUS
Pacific’s largest campus serves nearly 5,000 students and is located in the heart of California’s Central Valley. Old and new brick buildings reminiscent of East Coast Ivy League schools are surrounded by lush green spaces, vibrant rose gardens and majestic trees. Renowned for its idyllic beauty, breadth of academic programs, and vibrant campus life, the Stockton Campus is home to undergraduate, graduate and professional programs that prepare students for successful futures
HISTORY
McGeorge School of Law began as a one-room night school in downtown Sacramento in 1924 when it was founded as the Sacramento College of Law Verne Adrian McGeorge was the founding dean and professor of law In 1929, the Board of Trustees renamed the school McGeorge College of Law in honor of its founder
Succeeding McGeorge, Russell Harris was dean from 1930-1933. Gilford Rowland was dean from 1933-1937. Lawrence Dorety was dean from 1937 until the school closed during WWII. The school reopened in 1946 under Dean John Swan. In 1957, Gordon D. Schaber became dean of McGeorge College of Law. He served as dean until 1991 That same year, the law school moved to its permanent home in a vacant well-baby clinic at the corner of 33rd Street and Fifth Avenue in the Oak Park neighborhood
The school won full accreditation from the State Bar of California in 1964. McGeorge affiliated with the University of the Pacific in 1966 and began offering day classes the following year. The merger with Pacific paved the way for ABA accreditation (1968) and an explosive growth in enrollment the following decade.
McGeorge is part of Pacific’s Sacramento Campus, a 14-acre, 28-building complex with 30 classrooms, a courtroom, a student center, student apartments, community legal services offices, and the lecture hall. The McGeorge Legal Studies Center opened in 2011 and houses the Gordon D. Schaber Law Library.
A leader in the study of international law, McGeorge established a presence in Europe in 1974. Anthony M. Kennedy, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, taught each summer at the school’s International Legal Studies Program in Salzburg, Austria Justice Kennedy is McGeorge’s longest serving faculty member, having taught Constitutional Law and Comparative Free Speech from 1965 to 2019.
Dean Gerald Caplan succeeded Schaber in 1991 and served as dean until 2002. Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker became the eighth dean of McGeorge, serving from 2002-2012. Francis J. Mootz III, formerly of UNLV's William Boyd School of Law, became the ninth dean of McGeorge Mootz served as dean from 2012-2017
Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz, who previously served as the dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, joined McGeorge as its 10th dean in 2017. Under Dean Schwartz’s leadership, McGeorge School of Law received one of the largest gifts in the history of U.S. legal education in 2021. Robert T. Eglet, ’88, and his law partner and wife, Tracy A. Eglet, committed to giving $25 million to the law school in support of the school’s advocacy center and scholarships dedicated to first-generation students
McGeorge School of Law celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2024. The school’s centennial anniversary stands as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and excellence in law as well as McGeorge’s ability to adapt, grow, and shape the future of legal education.
COMMENCEMENT TRADITIONS
THE ORDER OF THE
COIF
The Order of the Coif is a national society for law students that recognizes academic excellence and promotes legal scholarship. The award of the chapter of The Order of the Coif signifies that the school of law maintains scholarship and academic standards of particularly high quality The McGeorge Chapter was chartered in 1982 Chapters have been awarded to 88 of the 197 law schools accredited by the American Bar Association Candidates for the Juris Doctor Degree who have been elected to membership are designated by the “†” symbol
For graduates or candidates for the Juris Doctor degree who are elected to The Order of the Coif, as part of their d i li h di i l hi if i h d h i b d
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MACE
Originally a weapon used in medieval warfare, the mace evolved by the 12th century into a symbolic device used on ceremonial occasions and borne before monarchs, mayors, and parliaments. The mace, as an academic symbol, dates back to the 15th century at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The use of maces as symbols of academic authority spread to other universities in the British Isles and, from there, to America
Robert E. Burns, Pacific president from 1946 to 1971, asked Stuart Devlin, an internationally known London silver designer, to create the University of the Pacific’s mace. It was commissioned in recognition of the university’s transition from a college to a university and was first used at a Founders Day ceremony on March 6, 1966. Constructed entirely of silver with a gold-plated seal of the university on its head, the mace weighs 15 pounds and is approximately four feet long It was a gift from Mrs Winifred Olson Raney, a regent of the university The mace is displayed at all official university functions, including Commencement and Convocation It is traditionally carried by the chair of the Academic Council or a faculty member to symbolize the role of the faculty in university governance.
COMMENCEMENT TRADITIONS
SIGNIFICANCE OF ACADEMIC REGALIA
Distinctive academic dress can be traced back to the universities of the Middle Ages when university students and faculty wore the robes of the clergy. Today, three ranks of degrees are distinguished through variations in the robes, which also indicate the discipline and the university that awarded the degree
In the United States, gowns generally are black The color of the edging of the hood, and occasionally the color of the facing and crossbars on the gown, indicate the field of learning in which the degree is awarded. The colors of the lining of the hood are those of the institution awarding the degree. An individual’s degree is revealed by the type of gown and the width of the edging on the hood.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CORDS
Gold & Purple Day & Evening Valedictorians
Solid Orange & Black… Honors & Awards Committee Award Recipients
Entwined Black & Orange… Members of the University of the Pacific Law Review
Entwined Red
Silver Accel
Solid Green
Entwined Gol
