Palmer Center Annual Report 2025

Palmer Center Annual Report 2024–25

Caruso School of Law​ Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law o. 310.506.4159​ palmercenter@pepperdine.edu​ law.pepperdine.edu 24255 Pacific Coast Highway​ Malibu, CA 90263

December 16, 2025 Mr. Geoffrey Palmer G. H. Palmer Associates 270 N. Canon Drive Penthouse Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Dear Mr. Palmer, I am pleased to share with you the annual program report for the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law. As you know, the Palmer Center is a crucial part of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. The Palmer Center plays vital roles in our students’ decisions to attend Pepperdine Caruso Law and to develop their interest in business, entertainment, entrepreneurship, finance, real estate and entertainment. Thanks to your support and the work of the Palmer Center, Pepperdine Caruso Law is a leader in Los Angeles and the nation in preparing law students to be excellent, ethical lawyers in these areas of practice.

Under the leadership of Palmer Center Faculty Director Victoria Schwartz, Executive Director David Feingold, and Program Manager Monica Welsh, the Palmer Center continues to thrive. As you will see in the enclosed annual report for the 2024-2025 academic year, Pepperdine Caruso Law continues to strengthen students for lives of great purpose, faithful service, and principled leadership in entrepreneurship and the law through the Palmer Center’s transformative programming. Thank you for your faithful support of Pepperdine Caruso Law and the Palmer Center.

Please let us know if you have questions, ideas, or suggestions to improve this important program.

Sincerely,

Paul Caron​ Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean​ Professor of Law​ Caruso School of Law

2024–25 Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law

Introduction: Behind the Scenes The Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law has steadily progressed toward its intended objectives and goals from when first established in 2000 by the department's founder, Janet E. Kerr, vice chancellor and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Professor Emerita. Over the past eight years, the Palmer Center’s program manager, Monica Welsh, has provided professional expertise and dedication in assisting the executive director David Feingold, to advance the department and the programs. The Palmer Center team includes Welsh’s administrative assistant, Najua Raslan, who supports planning lunch-learn panels, special events, and communications. The student board, fellows, and alumni continue to collaborate, building up their community. Both current and past student boards have recognized the results of their combined effort.

Together with the generous support of the Geoffrey H. Palmer endowment and the encouragement of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, the Palmer Center is a growing network of pay-it-forward alumni (600+), faculty, and staff. The center’s former faculty director, Alan Nissel, and newly named interim faculty director, Victoria Schwartz, together with the Startup Law Clinic’s supervising attorney Sam Wu, all continue to provide students with real-world experiences. Each year the student board is further involved in the quality content and marketing of the certificate program, which has moved the Palmer Center to new heights in recognition among prospective students interested in entrepreneurship and the law.

A.​Special Programs and Initiatives a.​ Entrepreneur Outreach and Community Development Engagement The center has increased momentum in building community through the student board’s increased involvement in connecting alumni and fellows. The board has been instrumental in bringing together panelists to include alumni and their own professional connections for the lunch-hour events. The center is also in collaboration with Pepperdine Caruso School of Law's Employment Task Team. Working together, the center, staff, and team members are creating awareness and recognition of the Palmer Center with the goal of creating internships and jobs for Palmer Fellow graduates. This activity helps ensure that graduates secure a qualified job, which has become of significant importance to the law school’s success in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Sam Wu, the supervising attorney of our Startup Law Clinic, assists in acquiring clients for the clinic. The student board, executive director David Feingold, and faculty with similar interests will collaborate to secure panelists consisting of our alumni for lunch panels and network events.

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b.​ Entrepreneurship Law Practicum Class In the spring semester of 2015, the Entrepreneurship and Capstone Practicum courses were revised and consolidated into one class, the Entrepreneurship Law Practicum. To receive a Palmer Center Certificate in Entrepreneurship and the Law, all Palmer Fellows must either take this course or the Startup Law Clinic.

Local practicing attorneys and entrepreneurs, the majority of whom are Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and Graziadio Business School alumni, teach the practicum.. The course focuses on five real case studies that the students delve into over the semester, and at the same time, offers them the opportunity to grow to these professionals.

c.​ Startup Law Clinic The Startup Clinic is now a seven-year-old initiative that trains law students to serve startups on issues regarding formation, capitalization, corporate governance, user agreements, angel investor financings, and venture capital transactions. The clinic provides guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs in preparation for a startup’s formation and an initial capital investment, as well as in negotiating the legal and business terms of the investment. This initiative provides Pepperdine students with valuable and practical experience in the entrepreneurial and startup sector. Eight students were enrolled in the clinic for the fall 2023 semester, all of whom were Palmer Fellows, who generally are given enrollment preference. The spring 2024 semester enrollment was eight students, seven of whom were Palmer Fellows. Sam Wu, the supervising attorney for the clinic, has managed it since its inception. He is an experienced startup attorney representing technology and emerging growth companies on issues involving corporate formation, corporate governance, corporate financings, mergers and acquisitions, licensing transactions, and initial public offerings. In 2010 he cofounded his current law firm, Innovation Capital Law Group, and has represented companies in more than $5 billion in financings.

d.​Palmer Fellow Preceptor Program The Caruso School of Law has long had a tradition of pairing incoming 1L students with an alumnus in connection with its Preceptor Program, overseen by Alumni Relations. Five years ago we started a program together with Jessie Fahy, then of Alumni Relations, pairing 2L Palmer Fellows with Palmer alumni. We received career and location preferences from each fellow. Then we paired each with a Palmer Center alumnus from the same or a closely related field. Unlike the 1L program, in which assignments are random because incoming 1Ls rarely can state their legal career objectives, Palmer alumni were asked if they wished to be a preceptor to a 2L, and we chose from that career pool. Our purpose is severalfold. One is to better establish a link with alumni to the Palmer Center. The discussions with alumni work to strengthen the bond with both the law school and the Palmer Center. Another is to help Palmer Fellows network with an alumnus in their desired field. Naturally, we also hope that the pairing and relationships may lead to internship and job opportunities.

e.​ Palmer Center Boards i.​

Palmer Center Student Board The Palmer Center Student Board comprises 3L Fellows, who apply and are approved by the prior year’s board and are responsible for short-term strategic planning and supporting the Palmer Center

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management team. Specifically, the board aids in coordinating Palmer Center events and recruitment efforts. One of the more important functions of the board is interviewing and selecting future board members for the following academic year. The center's program is continually being updated, inspired, and driven by its fellows, led by the student board, and it is through their work that the center's mission statement has been created and embodied: "Connecting people and opportunities to prepare today's law students to shape tomorrow's business world."

ii.​

Palmer Center Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law Board of Advisors The JBEL board, composed primarily of Palmer alumni and former JBEL editors, continues to raise JBEL’s prominence and to support the journal financially. Additional information about JBEL is provided in the next section.

f.​ Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law An extension of the Palmer Center, JBEL helps fulfill the center’s mission and vision and increases recognition of the center. JBEL also contributes to the body of legal knowledge in the fields of entrepreneurship, business, and related law by publishing a high-quality and professional legal journal.

i.​

Publication and Developing Online Presence JBEL publishes two print issues each year, also available through commercial legal information services including Westlaw and Pepperdine’s Digital Commons website. JBEL contributes to students’ legal education and strengthens the reputation of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. The journal enhances the Palmer Center’s national presence through its publication and its developing online presence.

ii.​

Board of Advisors The JBEL Board of Advisors is composed primarily of Pepperdine Caruso School of Law alumni who have achieved distinction in business, entrepreneurship, and the law.

JBEL Editorial Board 2024–25 Palmer Fellows*

Editor in Chief Nancy Mouradian

Literary Citation Editors Taylor Heath Emet Mah* Lead Articles Editors Rachel Trauner^ Jesse Frankel*

Managing Editor Mariz Younan

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Note and Comment Editors Paige Baskovich* Josh Kim Symposium Editor Nadia Brenden* Business Editor Emma Goolsby*

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B.​ Palmer Fellows Activities The Palmer Center continues to be student-driven, and fellows feel a sense of ownership and pride in developing events, activities, and strategy for the center. The following are highlights of those activities.

a.​ Palmer Center Panels The Palmer Center hosted several panels in both the fall and spring semesters that featured discussions about various ways attorneys have used their law degrees while finding success in settings ranging from in-house to startups to venture capital firms. i.​

“Careers in Music Law, Grammy, Entertainment Law Initiative” A panel discussion focused on legal careers in the music industry, featuring counsel in business and legal affairs with both in-house and law firm experience. The panelists shared their career paths, reflected on the law school experiences and involvements that proved beneficial—or less so—and offered advice to aspiring music and entertainment attorneys.

Moderator: Tina Rahbari, Palmer Fellow, Caruso School of Law 3L Panelists: Henry W. Root: Senior Partner at Counsel LLP Steven J. Gagliano: Music Business & Intellectual Property Attorney, Sony Music Publishing Brenda Sherry: Executive Director, Music Business Affairs, Disney General Entertainment Content Michael Casco: Counsel, Music Business & Legal Affairs, NBCUniversal Media, LLC

ii.​

“Alternative Careers in the Law” The “Alternative Careers in the Law” panel asked: Are you interested in a nontraditional legal career rather than litigation or government? Are you interested in a career in entertainment, business, or real estate law, or maybe with a startup or an entrepreneur? Five panelists who span the privacy space to finance company founders, described their unique career paths and provided advice for positioning law students in nontraditional law careers.

Moderator: Amy Austin Shane, Palmer Center Student Board Chair Panelists: Deborah Sweeney: President., MyCorporation and VP/GM, Online Acquisitions + Financial Solutions, Deluxe Corporation Ronnie Kadykowski: Business Affairs Executive, United Talent Agency

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Bethany Estrada: Chief Operations Officer, Lucas Horsfall Anthony Depatie: Vice President, Regent, L.P. Gene Barash: Cofounder and Owner, Dog-E-Den iii.​

“Networking 101” In September 2023, the Student Board established a new panel, Networking 101, designed to explore and share diverse approaches to organically building a professional network. This event has since become a valuable opportunity for many fellows and 1Ls to cultivate networking skills, receive encouragement from peers, and achieve success in securing internships and job opportunities.

The panel remains in the program as a crucial guide on networking while in law school and beyond.

Several of our Palmer Center Student Board officers, who had already accepted job offers following their summer internship, also contributed to the presentation, describing how they obtained their internship and how it led to a permanent job offer.

Moderator: Rachel Trauner, Palmer Center Student Board Vice Chair, Caruso School of Law 3L, Horvitz & Levy LLP Panelists: Christian Parhaml, Palmer Center Student Board Communications and Promotions Director, Caruso School of Law 3L, HubSpot Garret Glazier, Palmer Center Student Board Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Technology Director, Caruso School of Law 3L, Felman, Daggenhurst, Toporoff & Spinrad Logan Haller, Palmer Center Student Board Business & Finance Track Director, Caruso School of Law 3L, Baker McKenzie Lauren Finnegan, Palmer Center Student Board Member, Caruso School of Law 3L, Gibson Dunn

iv.​

“In-House Counsel” The In-House Counsel panel explained how to do law from the inside—the alternative practice to legal service, that described the role of general counsel in managing enterprise risk, legal compliance, and strategic transactions, and offered insights into the corporate legal practice.

Moderator: Christian Parhaml, Palmer Center Student Board Communications and Promotions Director Panelists: Caitlyn Peskind: Chief Human Resources Officer, Finance of America Holdings LLC Mark Cortell: Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Marcus & Millichap, Inc. H. Joseph Soleiman: Principal/Chief Legal Officer, Vivo Investments; Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

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Michael J. T. Wilson: General Counsel, CGI+ | Real Estate Investment Strategies Shannon Kelly: General Counsel | Startup Lawyer | Strategic Advisor v.​

“ IPSA Career Panel” IPSA and the Palmer Center welcomed members of the local intellectual property legal community to discuss their practice and identify opportunities for law students to become more involved in the professional sphere of Intellectual Property Law in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Moderator: Jonathan Gereige (JD’ 24), former Palmer Center Fellow Panelists: Bassil Madanat: Founder and Principal Attorney at MAD IP Julia Harris: Senior Business Affairs lead at Wondery, an Amazon Company Brian Hewett: Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon Prime and MGM Moon Heelee: Quinn Emanuel

vi.​ “Law Firm Startups” The Law Firm Startup panel asked panelists:“Had you ever considered starting your own law firm, upon graduation or later?”

The panel discussed how to build the skills and confidence to strike out independently and grow a legal practice from experienced lawyers who had built their own law firms, brick by brick, in entertainment law, real estate finance law, and family law. Panelists started on their own or built up their firms while leveraging legal AI and technology, providing better visibility on firm and lawyer performance.

In the early stages of a startup, a clinic will specialize in representing the startup businesses. Caruso Law students provide valuable and practical experience in the entrepreneurial and startup sector. The Startup Law Clinic at Pepperdine contributes early-stage transactional legal advice to entrepreneurs and startups, primarily in the technology sector. Students are expected to conduct themselves as attorneys, with the primary responsibility to handle all assigned client matters.

Moderator: Alan Nissel, Professor, Caruso School of Law and Palmer Center Faculty Director Panelists: Kelsey Shultz: Principal Attorney, Schulz Entertainment Law, PC Nina Shayan Depatie: Principal Attorney, Shayan Family Law, APC Charles Fradette: Chief Operating Officer, Briefly Legal Support ​ Chris Warne: Founder of Warne Law Firm

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“Torn Between Two Loves: Entrepreneurship and Significant Others” “Torn Between Two Loves” instructed students how to succeed in their business, their entrepreneurial goals, and with their romantic partner. Having it all is not easy. The stresses of

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entrepreneurship, combined with the pressures of a romantic relationship, can be too challenging to manage. Dr. Deborah Hecker offered a time-tested partnership model so attendees can create a successful business and a committed relationship. Success at both work and love is possible.

Speaker: Dr. Deborah Hecker, Counselor Dr. Hecker’s book on the subject, Torn Between Two Loves: How Entrepreneurs Can Successfully Commit To Both Business and Significant Others, may be purchased on Amazon.

viii.​

“Informative Session: Palmer Center Student Board Positions and Roles” During this session, the current board shared details about each position, answered any questions regarding the application process, and offered insights into what it’s like to serve on the board. All interested fellows were encouraged to attend, as the student board helped students explore the opportunities available!

Moderator: Amy Austin Shane, Palmer Center Student Board Chair Panelists: Rachel Trauner: Student Board Vice Chair Christian Parham: Student Board Communications Marketing Director Garret Glazier: Student Board IP, Entertainment, Technology Director Logan Haller: Student Board​Business & Finance Director Eli Adams: Student Board Real Estate Director Lauren Finnegan: General Board Member Stephanie Roseman:​General Board Member Karina Grobman: General Board Member

ix.​

“SELS | Lights, Camera, Lawsuits: Entertainment Litigation” Sports Entertainment Law Society (SELS), organized a panel discussion on entertainment litigation, exploring industry disputes, legal strategies, and how to break into the field as an entertainment litigator.

Moderator: Tina Rahbari, Palmer Fellow Panelists: Emily Birdwhistell: Vice President, Litigation, at NBCUniversal Andrea Gonzalez: Entertainment Litigation Associate at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Michael D. Holtz: Founder, The Holtz Firm. Entertainment Litigation Attorney

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x.​

“Employment Law Panel” Employment law is one of the most lucrative, in-demand legal careers in California.

The panel discussed plaintiff-side and defense work in employment law and described their diverse career paths, providing advice for positioning yourself in an employment law career.

Moderator: Steven M. Schultz: Professor of Employment Law, Caruso School of Law Panelists: Dominic Scarangella: Associate, Lawyers for Justice Chloe Wigulz: Associate Attorney at Jackson Lewis Lindsay Bowden: Associate in Stradling’s Employment Law practice group Alexis R. Sadakane: Labor and Employment Attorney at Snell & Wilmer​

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“11th Annual SEER Symposium” The SEER (Socially, Environmentally, and Ethically Responsible) Symposium explored the next generation of business strategy, focusing on entrepreneurship, values, and innovation.

The 11th annual SEER Symposium explored how tackling system-level challenges required system-level solutions. Today’s most pressing issues were complex, multi-stakeholder challenges with interconnected variables that resisted simple solutions. This year’s speakers and visionary change agents shared how they were driving meaningful, system-wide impact through their work at both local and global levels.

The Palmer Center was an annual cosponsor of the event. Speakers included purpose-driven leaders who encompassed sharing and instilling sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices. Several student pitch presentations for startup companies were also given.

xii.​

“JBEL- Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law” In March 2025 the JBEL Symposium, entitled "Making (and Keeping) Your Mark," focused on intellectual property in the entertainment and fashion industries. The intellectual property issues discussed included trademark battles, influencer deals, and talent negotiations. The symposium consisted of attorneys and industry professionals from various entertainment and fashion companies. The event was organized by the JBEL student editorial board, with Nadia Brenden serving as symposium editor.

Moderator: Nadia Brenden, 3L Caruso School of Law Palmer Fellow Panelists: Nadine Bedwan, Attorney, Citrine Trademark Services Steven Gravotta, Founder, Viral Marketing and Mobile Apps Christiane Kinney, President, P.C., Kinney Law Ronnie Kadykoski, Business Affairs Executive, United Talent Agency Tisha Morris, Founder and Principal Attorney, Legacy Arts Law

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Joshua Lastine, Founder, LAstine Entertainment Law Daniel B. Lifschitz, Entertainment Attorney, Gipson Hoffman Lindsay Meisles, Business Legal Affairs, BMG, Global Media Music Management Company Patrick Reid, Brand Manager, SKIMS Christina Stratton, Virtual Digital Content Creator xiii.​

“Entertainment Dealmaking: The Role of Transactional Lawyers” The event featured a panel discussion on entertainment transactional law, covering dealmaking, contract negotiation, and how to break into the industry as a transactional attorney.

Moderator: Tina Rahbari, Palmer Center third-year Fellow Panelists: David Flanzer: Senior Counsel, Music Business and Legal Affairs at NBCUniversal Arian Tehranian: Vice President, CEO Office at SALXCO Michael Sassounian: Counsel, Physical Production Legal, Netflix

xiv.​ “Startup Law Clinic: Informative Q and A Discussion” The Startup Law Clinic is an initiative designed to train law students to serve entrepreneurs of startups (primarily in the technology sector) with formation, capitalization, corporate governance, user agreements, angel investor financings, and venture capital transactions. Led by experienced startup attorney Sam Wu, the clinic provides free guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs preparing for a startup's formation and initial capital investment as well as in negotiating the legal and business terms of the investment. Wu started his practice in the Corporate and Securities Law Group of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto. In 2010 Wu cofounded Innovation Capital Law Group as the lead partner of the Corporate and Securities Practice Group with offices in Irvine and Palo Alto and is also the creator of TechStartupLawyer.com.

The clinic fills a need in the startup ecosystem for companies navigating the space between formation, user acquisition, seed and angel investor financing, and the first round of venture capital financing. In such cases, cash for legal services is scarce, yet some of the most important decisions and biggest mistakes are made in these early stages. The clinic focuses on helping founders avoid common mistakes in formation and early-stage financings. Many of these errors become extremely costly as the startup grows, making subsequent financings more difficult and expensive.

In the early stages of a startup, the clinic will specialize in representing the startups. Caruso Law students provide valuable and practical experience in the entrepreneurial and startup sector. The clinic contributes early-stage transactional legal advice to entrepreneurs and startups, primarily in the technology sector. Students are expected to conduct themselves as attorneys, with the primary responsibility to handle all assigned client matters.

Moderator Amy Austin Shane, Palmer Center Student Board Chair Panelists: Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

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Sam Wu: Supervising Attorney of the Startup Law Clinic and Adjunct Professor Ian Shane: 3L Palmer Fellow

b.​ Palmer Center Events

i.​ New Fellows Orientation The Palmer Center hosts a New Fellows Orientation at the beginning of each fall semester to introduce new fellows to each other, existing fellows, the Palmer Center staff, and the Palmer Center Student Board. It also facilitates networking with the attending Palmer Center alumni. All Palmer Fellows gathered in celebration to welcome our newest Palmer Fellows and to receive instruction on expectations during the semester.

ii.​ Palmer Center Holiday Celebration Fellows and alumni gathered in person for their annual holiday event at the Tiato Restaurant in Santa Monica, an indoor and outdoor venue and no-host bar, with plenty of hors’ d’oeuvres provided by the center. Attendance included Palmer Center Fellows, faculty, staff, and alumni. Turnout was extraordinary, in part due to the desire of alumni to network in person and the continued growth of graduating fellows. Several alumni and staff members spoke, including a welcome from dean Arnold Barba, chief of staff and associate dean for professional development. The student board prepared short bios and photos of attending alumni to facilitate fellow networking.

iii.​

“Meat” and Greet Barbecue The Meat and Greet Barbecue, our annual spring marketing event for 1L students interested in joining the Palmer Center was held in person on the Caruso School's rear patio. We were again able to have our traditional barbecue luncheon from Wood Ranch. The event included current fellows, and some faculty and staff. The benefits of joining the center were discussed, and the incoming student board was introduced. Turnout was excellent and the event was successful.

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2025 Graduating Class iv.​

Palmer Center Certificate Ceremony The year's celebrations included the academic year-end Certificate Ceremony. Graduating fellows who have satisfied the necessary course requirements formally receive their Palmer Center Certificate for Entrepreneurship and the Law. Associate dean Arnold Barba provided the welcome introduction offering the Invocation. Thirty-two graduating Palmer Fellows received a certificate in the presence of family and friends.

C.​ Launching Palmer Fellows The Palmer Center’s philosophy is to provide strong curricular and cocurricular support to launch fellows toward their desired careers. The center does this in many ways, including its Event Stipend Program, which sends fellows to events such as industry conferences that supplement their education and promote networking. The center pays the event fees, enabling the students to attend.

a.​ Event Stipend Program The Event Stipend Program helps to create a dynamic, nurturing environment for exploring options and cultivating talent while directing and focusing careers. This year, students were either introduced to a conference or proactive in locating a conference directed toward their career choice.

i.​

Institute on Entertainment Law and Business The University of Southern California Gould Institute on Entertainment, Law, and Business held a conference on October 19 for entertainment professionals. Four Palmer Fellows joined powerful industry players for an in-depth examination of the current realities in the entertainment world, legal issues, and the latest business perspectives.

ii.​

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) On November 7–10, one fellow was interested in attending the NAPABA conference on AAPI Legal to network with national figures on important issues on the rights of transgender athletes and

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understanding some of the legal complexities, but also emphasizing the humanity behind the legality. The conference took place on the Indianapolis, Indiana, law school campus to reveal the challenges, opportunities, and constant efforts to create inclusive and diverse environments within legal education. iii.​

Jewish Federation Los Angeles Real Estate and Construction On November 12, one fellow was interested in the Jewish Federation Los Angeles (JFEDLA) Real Estate and Construction event. The JFEDLA acts on shared values to create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world. It cares for the vulnerable by fighting poverty and combating antisemitism. It inspires by fostering Jewish journeys, building bridges, and developing leaders.

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ABA International Law Section Fall Conference From November 13 to15, 2024, on the centenary of the first American Bar Association meeting in London, the United Kingdom, this conference celebrated 100 years of ABA visits to the UK, and compared the interaction between innovation and tradition in law and law practice in the UK and the U., in areas such as class actions and litigation funding, merger control, and regulatory regimes, as well as rules of professional responsibility and the scope of attorney-client privilege.

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Los Angeles Hospitality and Retail Summit Investment strategies, supply and demand dynamics, elevating guest experiences, and market demands were topics featured at this summit. Two fellows joined this event on November 19, 2024, at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

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The USC Institute for Corporate Counsel Three fellows were selected to attend the Institute for Corporate Counsel event, which is a collaboration of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law and the Los Angeles County Bar Association Business Law Section. For more than 40 years, the institute has been the premier annual event at which in-house and outside counsel gather to compare notes, keep abreast of key legal developments, and network with colleagues. The institute is crafted to meet the needs of in-house counsel and those professionals who work with them, including: outside attorneys, accountants, compliance officers, consultants, corporate officers and directors, diversity officers, financial planners. HR professionals, investors, legal administrators, and litigation support professionals.

vii.​ London Sports Law Study Tour Taught by sports law professor Maureen Weston and international sports law attorney and arbitrator Jeff Benz, this unique 2-credit course offers an immersive exploration of the governance structures and legal processes that shape Olympics and international sports. Classroom sessions were held at Pepperdine’s London campus. One fellow attended this study tour.

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viii.​ Music Law #942.01 Intensive Switzerland Campus An in-depth study of music industry contracts, including an examination of common law, the statutory law, and the business considerations that govern the relationships between songwriters, artists, managers, producers, engineers, booking agents, record companies, publishing companies, concert promoters, and tour sponsors. From January 6 to 11, 2024, two fellows attended this intensive program.

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Real Estate Law and Business Forum University of Southern California On February 27, five Palmer Fellows attended the Real Estate Law and Business Forum, hosted by the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. The event focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology are transforming the real estate industry, changing the way we gather and use information. These technological revolutions have an impact on transparency, robust access to information, and how attorneys are expected to advise clients on novel and historical issues. The commercial real estate (CRE) landscape is changing, and with such changes come ethical questions. A featured panel of experts discussed changes in the industry as a result of technology, applications of these technologies, expectations of how professionals in the CRE industry are to use technology, and the ethical dilemmas that have surfaced.

x.​

Intellectual Property Institute Conference, University of Southern California On March 18, six fellows attended the University of Southern California Gould School of Law Intellectual Property Institute Conference for intellectual property (IP) professionals to discuss emerging issues and best practices in copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret, and related fields.

Federal judges, prominent government officials, leading academics, in-house counsel, and top practitioners provided their insights for two days of learning and networking at the beach.

b.​Networking Opportunities i.​ Most Fundable Companies Showcase On September 12 , two fellows attended the Most Fundable Companies event held by the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. The competition, which launched in 2018, uses venture-tested intellectual property branded under TVA and gifted to the Graziadio Business School from an alumnus to evaluate any US-based startup from an investor’s point of view. Out of the startups evaluated between February and September each year, an annual list of companies that are considered by the competition’s review board to be worthy of serious investor consideration are awarded a place on the school’s Most Fundable Companies List. Winners are featured at the award showcase on the Pepperdine campus in Malibu, in the national press every October, and the list is published in Entrepreneur magazine.

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ii. ​ Internships The Palmer Center also helps fellows obtain internships in their desired fields. During the last fiscal year, the Palmer Center assisted fellows in obtaining internships with RTA Investments, Wilshire Skyline, Cox Law Group, and BIZCOUNSEL.

iii. ​ Job Opportunities The Palmer Center also helps Palmer Fellows and Palmer alumni obtain full-time employment after graduation. Thanks to a vibrant legal job market and the efforts of the law school’s Career Development Office, almost all Palmer Fellows received job offers. A number of fellows are pursuing bar passage rather than immediately seeking employment.

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D.​ Disclosure of the Financial Report a.​

Financial Performance of the Endowed Account and its Application Pertaining to Operations and Programs Conducted by the Palmer Center.

This portion of the annual report is prepared and submitted in accordance with the agreement dated January 13, 2006 (the “Agreement”), between Pepperdine University and Geoffrey H. Palmer regarding the endowment of the Palmer Center.

Reports follow on results for fiscal year 2024–25 (the “Report Year”), in the four categories specified in the Agreement: i.​ ii.​ iii.​ iv.​ v.​

Financial Performance of the Endowed Account of the Center for the 2024–25 Fiscal Year Other Application of Funds from the Account to the Operation of the Center Description of Programs Conducted by Palmer Center during Report Year (and application of funds thereto) Conference stipends are provided where students can attend in person for learning enhancement and networking opportunities.

The Data Used and the Calculation Made of the Maximum Payout Amount from the Account for the Then Fiscal Year of the University

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Revenue and Expenditures FY 2025 Exhibit i. Financial Performance of the Endowed Account of the Center for the 2024–2025 Fiscal Year

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Palmer Center Revenues and Expenses (FY25) Accounts Exhibit ii. Other Application of Funds from the Account to the Operation of the Center ACCOUNT

Personnel

EXPENSE

$428,862.42

ITEMIZED COSTS

CATEGORY

$314,324.94 (Split)

Faculty Director (partial), staff, Palmer Center student workers and benefits Startup Law Clinic: Supervising Attorney salary and benefits

$114,537.48

Professional Services

$30,574.10

$5,500.00

Speaker Honorarium Fees (Entrepreneurship Law Practicum Course)

$24,623.99

Professional Catering (New Fellow Orientation, Holiday Party, Meat and Greet BBQ, Networking Mixers) Flowers and Photographer

$450.11

Office Operations (Subscriptions): LinkedIn (1 Accts), Canva, Wall Street Journal

$9,902.57

Student Stipend Awards - Conference Registration Fees

$1,776.01

Travel Airfare (Students) Speaker Lunch Panels (Student Meals)

Travel and Staff Development

$11,678.58

Student Meals

$19,843.39

$19,843.39

Supplies

$706.72

$706.72

Event Supplies (name tags, water bottles, signage, florals, thank you gift for volunteer speakers)

Advertising & Promotion

$0.00

$0.00

Marketing Materials (Signage)

Other Expenses

$5,191.25

$3,816.40

Printing-Palmer Center: postage, copying, telephone, hiring background checks, graduate certificates printed, mail service, web hosting)

$1,374.85 TOTAL EXPENSES

$497,288.37

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

JBEL (Journal Business Entrepreneurship Law): Publishing Print Services

$497,288.37

​

​

​

​

​

Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law | 20

Palmer Center Events (FY25) Exhibit iii. Description Programs Conducted by Palmer Center during Report Year (and application funds thereto) EVENT COSTS (includes meals)

DATE

NAME

LOCATION

08-13-24

Launch Week 1L | Student Organizational Fair

Caruso School Law Patio

0

08-21-24

Palmer Center New Fellow Orientation Dinner

Caruso School Law Atrium

4,397.18

09-12-24

Careers in Music Law

Classroom D/SR-3

1,011.81

09-26-24

MFC Showcase (Most Fundable Companies) | Sponsor

Graziadio Malibu

1,500.00

10-01-24

Alternative Careers in the Law / Pre-lunch Meeting

Classroom D/SR-2

1,001.13

10-24-24

Networking 101

Classroom D

474.16

10-29-24

In-House Counsel

Classroom D/SR-2

957.25

11-21-24

Palmer Center Holiday Party

Tiato Kitchen and Garden

15,963.35

01-30-25

IPSA Career Panel

Classroom D/SR-2

624.70

02-04-25

Law Firm Startups

Classroom D/SR-2

662.58

02-18-25

Classroom D

631.56

Classroom B

327.00

Classroom D

697.55

03-11-25

Torn Between Two Loves: Entrepreneurship & Significant Others Informative Session: Palmer Center Student Board Positions and Roles SELS | Lights, Camera, Lawsuits: Entertainment Litigation (Co-Sponsors) Employment Law Panel

Classroom D

913.19

03-14-25

SEER Symposium Co-Sponsor

2,000.00

03-19-25

"Meat” and Greet BBQ

Parks Project Discovery Center in Culver City CSOL Atrium

4,897.501

03-21-25

JBEL Symposium Co-Sponsor

Classroom D

2,000.00

03-24-25

Entertainment Dealmaking: The Role of Transactional Lawyers New Board Meets Old Board Luncheon

Classroom D

641.87

Classroom SR4

409.76

Caruso Law School Patio

0.00

Classroom B

832.30

04-17-25

Academic Advising Week | Admitted Students Summer Associate Transactional Workshop Student Board Presentation Startup Law Clinic: Informative Q&A Discussion

Classroom B

264.57

05-21-25

Palmer Center Certificate Ceremony

CSOL Atrium

9,772.82

02-20-25 03-10-25

03-24-25 04-11-25 04-15-25

Student Lunch Panel and Events with Meals

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

​

​

​

​

25 FY TOTAL

​

$53,090.48

Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law | 21

Academic Year Student Conference Stipends (FY25) Exhibit iv. Conference stipends are provided where students can attend in person for learning enhancement and networking opportunities.

Date

Students

Conference

USC Gould-BHBA Institute Entertainment Law and Business

10-19-24

Stipend

Hannah Brooke

Hajost Newman

Jordan

Kashani

329.00 329.00 329.00

Parand

Jebraeili

329.00

Matthew

Houlin

329.00

Tina

Rahbari

329.00

Jessica

Cho

255.00

Emet

Mah

255.00

11-(7-10)-2024

(NAPABA) National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention

11-12-2024

Jewish Federation Real Estate and Construction

Yanning

Jiang

50.00

11-(13-15)-24

ABA International Law Section Fall Conference

Nikky

Cherukuthota

720.00

11-19-2024

Los Angeles Hospitality and Retail Summit

Melanie

Ohanian

139.00

Alex

Kaplan

139.00

Melanie

Ohanian

75.00

Lauren

Miller

75.00

Yanning

Jiang

75.00

Tommy

Redell

800.00

Eliana

Sakin

2,103.57

Tina

Rahbari

1,776.01

Ian

Shane

275.00

Katherine

Sirca

275.00

Alexa

Smith

275.00

Ian

Kitts

275.00

Eli

Adams

275.00

Yanning

Jiang

389.00

Shaina

Aswani

389.00

Jarrod

Houseknecht

389.00

Kassie

Brumley

389.00

Aleena

Shad

389.00

Ashley

Pae

389.00

Micah

Rabin

305.00

12-04-2024

USC Institute for Corporate Counsel

2025 Spring

London Sports Law Study Tour

01-(6-11)-2025

Music Law #942.01 Intensive Switzerland Campus

02-27-25

03-18-25

04-14-2025

USC Real Estate Law and Business Forum

USC Intellectual Property Institute

Willem C. Vis Internal Commercial Arbitration Moot Total Student Stipends - FY 2025

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

​

​

​

$12,450.58

​

​

Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law | 22

Exhibit iv. The Data Used and the Calculation Made of the Maximum Payout Amount from the Account for the Then Fiscal Year of the University FY25 Palmer Endowment Total Palmer Endowment: Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law Fair Market Value

$13,244,852

Spendable Endowment Payout

$​ 549,946

Payout as Percentage of FMV

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

​

4.15%

​

​

​

​

Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law | 23

Appendix Palmer Center Student Board 2024 – 25

Amy Austin Shane Chair

Eli Adams Real Estate Director

Rachel Trauner Vice Chair

Lauren Finnegan General Board Member

Christin Parham Communications Marketing Director

Stephanie Roseman General Board Member

Garret Glazier Intellectual Property Entertainment Technology Director

Karina Grobman General Board Member

Logan Haller Business and Finance Director

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law​​

​

​

​

​

​

Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law | 24