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Chapman Law Alumni
CONNECTION
Issue 1, Volume 1 Summer 2009
DEAN’S REPORT: Chapman Strengthens its
U.S. News & World Report Position
and are on the threshold of Prospective law students,
a move into the top 100 law employers, judges and other
schools.” Among other statis- law professors are taking note
tics reported to U.S. News, that we are building a world
Chapman again increased the class institution that is now
median GPA and LSAT of its recognized as one of the
entering students, reduced the most ideologically diverse
student-faculty ratio to one of law schools in the nation.”
the lowest in the nation, and
Chapman Tax Law
saw a significant increase in
Program Ranks in
The 2010 U.S. News and reputation scores among the
National Top 25!
World Report law school bench and bar.
rankings have been released
and for the second year in “The ranking is recognition of The law school’s tax
a row Chapman has made the significant commitment we program ranked #17 in
a significant move up the have made, and success we the 2010 U.S. News &
rankings. “Based on our have had, in strengthening World Report Law
preliminary review of the the caliber of our students
INSIDE THIS
School Tax Specialty
data,” reported Dean John and faculty and expanding
ISSUE
rankings.
Eastman, “we have strength- the resources available for the
ened our third tier position legal education we provide.
FEATURE: Three New Clinical Programs
Dean’s Report.................1
Launched in ‘08-09
Feature: New
Clinical Programs...........1
Alumni Spotlight.............2
The School of Law introduced popular “Working with Film- non-profit organization com-
Career Service three important new clinics in makers” course. mitted to veterans issues and
Benefits.............................2 the 2008-09 academic year, community service. The clinic
part of a growing roster of In January 2009, Chapman’s has access to satellite offices
Alumni Report................3 clinical programs at the law Military Personnel Law Cen- that will eventually allow
See Clinics, page 4
school. ter launched the AMVETS
Student Spotlight............4 Legal Clinic, a new program
In April 2009, the Entertain- for military service personnel
Chapman Law ment Contracts Law Clinic directed by Kyndra Rotunda, a
LinkedIn............................5 was approved. This unique reserve JAG officer and clini-
Faculty Spotlight.............6
new program allows students cal specialist. The AMVETS
to work directly with enter- Legal Clinic is unlike any
Bar Pass Report..............6
tainment clients and to serve other in the Western United
as production counsel for a States, offering free legal rep-
Class Notes.....................7
feature length motion picture. resentation to veterans, service
The clinic is the brainchild of members and their families
Event Tickler....................8
Director Kathy Heller, an en- and invaluable experience to
tertainment lawyer who devel- students. The program is a
oped the program from her joint effort with AMVETS, a
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Suzanna Adelizi (‘05) &
Page 2
Erin Riley (‘06) Energize Career Center
Suzanna Adelizi (‘05) and leave the practice to give nate a red carpet visit for
Erin Riley (‘06) each serve something back to the law Los Angeles large firm
as Assistant Directors in school she loves. “I recruiters to come talk to
Chapman Law’s Career wanted to be part of some- Chapman students. The
Services Office and each thing exciting happening event included door-to-
bring a passion and energy at Chapman – to help cre- door limousine service for
that is positively electric. ate and grow the Career the recruiters and was one
Working closely with new Services program at this of the most popular and
Director, Jay Levine, important time in the law well-attended in recent
Suzanna and Erin regu- school’s history,” she said. memory.
larly pound the pavement
Suzanna Adelizi in Orange County and Erin came to the Career Erin plans to bring her
beyond to get the word out Services Office in January passion for public interest
about Chapman graduates 2009, after working for law to the Career Service
to area firms. two years in the Children’s Office, helping others land
Law Center of Los Ange- interesting and rewarding
And their energy has been les. She mirrors Suzanna’s jobs that will benefit those
contagious too, as these enthusiasm, noting that a in need locally and in the
former law school room- big plus at Chapman is the broader community.
mates seek to increase law strong support of the law
firm OCI participation and school. “The admin-
make individual place- istration has been
ments by building personal extremely support-
relationships with targeted ive, allowing us to
employers. run with our ideas,”
Erin Riley
she noted. As an ex-
Suzanna joined Chapman ample, Erin and
in April 2008, after work- Suzanna received an
ing for a private criminal “immediate yes” to
defense firm. She chose to their idea to coordi-
Career Services Staff:
Career Service Benefits
Jay Levine, Ph.D.
Director
(714) 628-2593
levine@chapman.edu
Chapman’s Career Services Office (CSO) Symplicity – This is the CSO’s exclu-
Suzanna Adelizi, Esq. offers a number of valuable services to sive online job posting site where attor-
Assistant Director
(714) 628-2517
help alumni as they move forward in their ney and other post-graduate positions are
adelizi@chapman.edu
legal careers. These services are available listed. For help in setting up an account,
whether job searching, seeking advice on please contact Jeffrey Block at (714) 628-
Erin Riley, Esq.
negotiating salaries, looking to make con- 2626 or jblock@chapman.edu.
Assistant Director
tacts with other Chapman colleagues, or PSLawNet – The CSO subscribes to
(714) 628-2648 exploring alternative careers. PSLawNet.org, the exclusive “online
eriley@chapman.edu clearinghouse for law students and
Website – The CSO website at lawyers to connect with public interest
http://www.chapman.edu/ chapman.edu/law/career provides general opportunities and information on public
law/career/ information for active student and alumni interest careers.”
S e e C a r e e r, p a g e 3
job seekers.
C a r e e r, c o n t . f r o m P a g e 2 Page 3
Resource Library – The CSO containing job and networking interviews, as well as resume/cover
provides an assortment of books, opportunities specifically for gradu- letter reviews.
pamphlets, and other literature to ates. Please contact the CSO office Taking it to the Firms – This
help alumni search for jobs. to be added to the distribution list. unique new program brings
Handouts – The CSO publishes a Counseling – Three full-time Chapman professors to firms to give
variety of handouts, available in hard career professionals are available to free lunchtime CLE presentations.
copy in the CSO (soon accessible on meet one-on-one with job seekers for
the website). any career support. This includes Please contact the Career Services
The Classifieds: Alumni Edition search techniques, database training, Office for more information about
– This is a semi-monthly E-bulletin practice area exploration, and mock these alumni career services.
ALUMNI REPORT: New Alumni Board Gives
Your 2009 Alumni
Advisory Board
Strong Voice to Law Graduates
Members:
Suzanna Adelizi '05
With law school alumni two members from each • Career services assis- Kyle Beckley '06
now more than 1,200 graduating class, begin- tance for law graduates Jennifer Bender '07
strong, Chapman Law ning with the inaugural • Low-cost or no-cost Anil Bhartia '08
Jimmy Blalock '09
continues to expand its class of 1998. Members CLE opportunities for
Natasha Buchanan '09
support for graduates were selected by their graduates
Ryan DiMaria '01
in their CLE needs, em- graduating classes and
• Networking opportuni-
ployment searches, and will serve a one year term.
James Dougal '99
ties for graduates, such as
professional networking.
Rick Faulkner ‘04
social events and law
In addition, Chapman has The following are a few of
school LinkedIn presence
Stan Grombchevsky '99
increased efforts to help the projects on which the
• A new online resource
Allison Hahn '04
alumni stay connected School of Law is working
with the school and former to support its alumni: that will provide a law
classmates. graduate networking data- Michael Haubert '03
Donnie Ho '06
• A quarterly alumni base to assist alumni in
Maryalice Kahn '98
In the spring of 2009, finding and referring
newsletter covering recent
Michelle Knowles '00
Assistant Dean of Student business to former class-
developments, profiles,
ABOUT JAYNE TAYLOR KACER
mates(coming soon!)
David Lantzer '02
& Alumni Affairs Jayne events and Class Notes
Kacer coordinated the
creation of a new Alumni Scott Levitt '03
Advisory Board. The Ali McDermott '01
Teresa McQueen '02
Board provides valuable
Jayne Taylor Kacer is the law school’s Assistant
Niyati Shah '08
input regarding career
Dean of Student & Alumni Affairs. A former part-
Andrea Suarez '07
services, bar exam prepa-
ner with Rutan & Tucker, Jayne is a dedicated
ration, and CLE opportu-
Rachel Tallon Reynolds
and passionate leader who works tirelessly to
nities, and assists the law ensure that students and gradu-
school in the selection ates maximize the benefits of their (Pickens) '05
Matt Trosko '98
and planning of alumni Chapman Law experience. She
Lauren Xerxes '99
resources and networking has spearheaded a broad new
opportunities. program offering greater services
and networking opportunities for
The Board is comprised of the Alumni community. To contact a member of
Alumni Advisory Board, see
chapman.edu/law/alumni
Page 4
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Roxana Amini (‘11)
Selected for Africa Film Project
First year law student Roxana Amini proper consumption of “bush meat”
(‘11) was selected to join an elite team (indigenous animals such as monkeys
of 12 Chapman law, film and humani- and other protected species). The sum-
ties students who will create a docu- mer program will result in the creation
mentary film in Cameroon during the of three films, one for each NGO.
summer of 2009. The project is the
second human rights documentary The film project brings Roxana to
film to be made as part of a five year Africa for the third time, as she previ-
program supported by a $1 million ously volunteered at orphanages in
anonymous donation to the University. Ghana and Togo. “When I interviewed
for acceptance into the program, the
In 2008, Chapman law student, Emily Producer probably thought I was psy-
“When I interviewed
Wilkinson (’09) joined law professor cho,” she admitted. “I wanted this so
John Hall as part of the inaugural team badly!”
for acceptance in
that created Giant Steps, a film that doc-
the program, the
umented human rights abuses and the Roxana hopes to work for the State
rebirth of cultural dance in Cambodia. Department’s Office of Children’s
Issues or in the area of international Producer probably
thought I was
Roxana’s project will focus on work by adoption. “That’s the reason I went
psycho. I wanted
the Centre for Environment and Devel- to law school,” she noted.
opment, a non-governmental organiza-
tion (NGO) committed to protecting the this so badly!”
Baka Pygmies, a forest dwelling culture
- Roxana Amini
that is facing a number of threats due to
deforestation, civil rights abuses, illegal
takings of land, and more.
Other participating students will docu-
ment work by an NGO seeking to eradi-
cate child trafficking and another that is
working to educate locals about im-
Clinics, cont. from Page 1
Chapman Law Alumni Connection
service to 200,000 military families at 27 bases in
Editor in Chief David Finley
California and other western states.
Alumni Advisor George Willis (‘98)
Editorial Assistant Sara Gapasin (‘10)
Rounding out the new clinical programs is the Ap-
pellate Tax Advocacy Clinic, which allows students
to participate in actual appellate tax cases through The Chapman Law Alumni Connection is
published quarterly on behalf of the law
school alumni community. For questions,
the Center for Fair Administration of Taxation.
comments or content suggestions, please
contact dfinley@chapman.edu.
For more information about Chapman’s legal clinics,
including details about referring a case or clients,
AMVETS Legal Clinic please see chapman.edu/lawclinics.
Director, Kyndra Rotunda
Get LinkedIn With Chapman Law Alumni
Page 5
By Lauren Xerxes (‘98)
Unlike Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and this number is rising formation: first name, last name, and
and other “social networking” sites, quickly as word spreads about this email address. Choose the “Edit/Pre-
LinkedIn is an online networking site useful resource. view Invitation Text” icon to add a
solely for professionals. LinkedIn is personal note to the invitation before
premised on the idea that you (1) Getting Started sending.
know someone who may help you di- To join LinkedIn, go to linkedin.com
rectly, (2) know someone who knows and follow the steps to add your After you have added your profes-
someone who may help you, (3) can professional profile. When adding sional contacts, you will want to join
help someone else directly, or (4) your profile, those who are in Orange groups. To find or join groups, click
know someone who can help some- County will show up under the geo- on “Groups” (left upper column),
one else. Like the game “Six Degrees graphical area of “the Greater Los then “Find a Group” (yellow icon on
of Kevin Bacon,” studies have found Angeles area.” This will help our Los the right side). There you can search
that professional networking contacts Angeles alumni stay more easily con- thousands of groups to join. Some
are within three degrees, meaning that nected with those in Orange County. groups require membership fees, but
you are only three degrees LinkedIn will notify you before
away from an internal con- you join those groups.
tact within a company, or-
ganization or law firm. Join the Chapman Law
Alumni Group
LinkedIn Benefits Once you are set up on
Chapman alumni will LinkedIn, it is simple to join the
typically prefer to give a Chapman Law Alumni Group.
referral to a fellow gradu- To join, you will conduct a
ate, rather than a stranger group search and then click on
they meet at a Bar func- the icon for Chapman Univer-
tion, and LinkedIn is the sity School of Law Alumni and
perfect request to join that group. After
resource to do this. Many you are admitted to the group
alumni also use LinkedIn (it takes about one day), you
to re-connect with class- may post discussions, an-
mates and to find contacts with nouncements, etc., and it will be elec-
information about legal positions. After adding your profile, invite your tronically distributed to all members
professional contacts to join your net- in the group. You may want to join
With a presence on LinkedIn, work. Some may already be on other groups, such as those affiliated
recruiters, headhunters, and HR LinkedIn. If they are, you will use the with specific professional areas relat-
managers can review your public “Search People” option (top of page, ing to your field of practice. To find
profile. Colleagues can post recom- middle to right) to find that person’s those groups, just do a group search
mendations about your skills and tal- profile, and then click on “Invite of the entity or subject profession.
ents (which you approve before Now.” If they are already on
posting). LinkedIn also offers a LinkedIn, you can scroll over their Job seekers will want to take advan-
“people search” function that helps name, and an icon on the right will tage of the the job search section of
find persons with whom you have lost invite you to “Add to Network.” You LinkedIn, which is self explanatory.
contact. Job search and company will add more contacts as you meet
functions also are available. And, the new individuals in your networking For additional training information,
law school plans to use LinkedIn to efforts. there is a great tutorial site for
spread the word about events and LinkedIn at http://learn.linkedin.com.
CLE opportunities. If your professional contacts are not
on LinkedIn, you may go to “Con-
So far, more than 200 people have tacts” (left upper column), “Add Con-
joined the Chapman University nections” (upper right in the blue
School of Law Alumni Group on region of the page), and input their in-
Page 6
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Ron Steiner
LL.M. Director Goes to Court
As a law professor with a eight-week program, attor- ship program will help me
Ph.D and J.D., Ron Steiner neys will also go solo on at immensely as a law profes-
is a true academic. He has least one jury trial. sor at the J.D. and LL.M.
taught law and political levels.”
science at the undergraduate While working as a TAP
and J.D. levels and teaches attorney, Ron tried and con- Professor Steiner has been
masters level coursework to victed a DUI defendant in part of Chapman University
current LL.M. students. Yet, a six-day jury trial that in- since prior to the launch of
despite having immersed cluded a separate charge of the School of Law in 1995.
himself in the world of aca- brandishing a weapon. He Ron taught political science
demia, Ron is the first to may be the first law profes- at Chapman beginning in
admit that the practical, sor to participate in the TAP 1993, during which time he
“It turns out that my
“nitty gritty” training of program. earned his J.D. at USC,
students were right. My
lawyers has been subsumed followed by a 9th Circuit
by a too academic approach Ron chose to participate in clerkship and three years at
experience in the Trial
to the teaching of law. TAP, as he described it, “as Sidley & Austin. He re-
Attorney Partnership
a challenge from my Prose- turned to Chapman’s Politi-
That is why this professor cutorial Science LL.M. cal Science Department in
program will help me
and Director of Graduate students, who, half-jokingly 2002 and was subsequently
immensely as a law
Studies chose to return to suggested that I needed the named Faculty Member of
the courtroom in the spring trial work.” He added, “In the Year. In 2007, he was
professor at the J.D.
of 2009 to serve as a prose- my big firm experience, I asked by Dean Eastman to
and LL.M. levels.”
cutor as part of the Orange had never done a trial like direct the growing LL.M.
County District Attorney’s this – the whole process, program at the law school.
Trial Attorney Partnership including voir
- Ron Steiner
(“TAP”) program. TAP is dire, witness ex-
designed to give civil litiga- amination, etc. –
tors an opportunity to so this was a great
enhance their trial skills opportunity. And
by handling misdemeanor it turns out that
arraignments, felony prelim- my students were
inary hearings, motions to right. My experi-
suppress evidence, and ence in the Trial
more. Before concluding the Attorney Partner-
Chapman Hits Historic Benchmarks in Bar Pass
Rate and Student-Faculty Ratio
Seventy-seven percent of Chapman’s man also made strong gains in other
first-time takers passed the July 2008 areas, including a 91% pass rate for the
California Bar Examination, which is the top 75% of the class and a 100% pass rate
highest pass rate in the law school’s his- by members of Chapman Law Review.
tory and continues a strong rising trend in
recent years. “The class of 2008 should Recent U.S. News & World Report data
be congratulated for a job well done,” also has confirmed that Chapman’s
said Dean John Eastman. “The results student-faculty ratio dropped below
were not only the highest for a July ex- 10:1, which puts the School of Law in Chapman’s California Bar
amination but for any prior examination the company of some of the best law
in the school’s history,” he noted. Chap- schools in the nation. Pass Rates (July exam)
Page 7
CLASS NOTES and her husband are expecting
their first child in May.
Hunter is a deputy district attor-
ney for Riverside County. After
sitting for the bar exam in July,
Heather Bush (‘99) was promoted Rick Faulkner (‘04) is the Director Meghan will participate in an
to General Counsel for the Indus- of Academic Achievement at internship program with the
try and Facilities Group of Bureau Chapman University School of Office of the Public Defender
Veritas in North America. Bureau Law. for San Diego County.
Veritas is an international testing
and inspection company with its Trent Evans (‘05) opened a solo
North American headquarters in firm, Evans Attorneys, APC, in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida and inter- Newport Beach.
national headquarters in Paris,
France. Mona Naqvi (‘05) has had three
beautiful children since graduat-
Greg Goodrich (‘99) is a Vice Pres- ing from law school: Darius,
ident and Private Client Advisor at Danyal, and Summer.
Wells Fargo Private Bank in New-
port Beach. He is married to Amanda Wagner (‘05) and Miles
Nicole and has two boys, Daniel Fuller (‘05) are married, have a Mona Naqvi (‘05) and Kathryn
(age 4) and Grant (age 2). baby and live in Denver, Colorado.
Casey (‘03)
Amanda is negotiating contracts
Lara J. Haselhoff (Melkonian) ('99) with Boeing and Miles works for
was named a “Rising Star” by Law the Internal Revenue Service.
and Politics Magazine for 2007
and 2008. She works in the Law Carrie Goulding (‘06) is an Ad-
Offices of Otto L. Haselhoff, P.C. in junct Professor of Legal Writing
Santa Monica, where she joins in at Trinity School of Law in Santa
the work-up and trial of major per- Ana where, beginning in the fall of
sonal injury and wrongful death 2009, she will be in charge
cases. (Her cases have resulted in of all legal writing instruction. Hunter Taylor (‘07) and Meghan
over $40 million in awards.) Lara Carrie frequently races in
O’Brien (‘09)
and her husband Otto have two triathlons. She married James
boys, Jacob & Jonas, and live in Banville in December of 2008.
Pacific Palisades.
Jessica Checco Real (‘06), who
Tim Kral (‘99) is a partner with works with the probate court,
Manning & Marder, Kass, Ellrod, recently had a new baby.
Ramirez LLP in downtown Los An-
geles. His practice focuses on the Hunter Taylor (‘07) married
defense of law enforcement offi- Meghan O’Brien (‘09), on January
cers sued in civil rights cases. He 3, 2009 in San Juan Capistrano.
Carrie Goulding (‘06) competed in a
enjoys his free time with his wife,
half-Ironman race in August 2008.
WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU??
Susie, and daughter, Tadyn, and
has volunteered for the past seven
years as a reserve police officer.
Kevin Liebeck (‘02) was named a
Class Notes are a terrific way to track developments of Chap-
2007 Southern California Super man Law classmates – but we need your help to bring these
Lawyer “Rising Star.” Kevin is an pages to life. If you’ve recently changed firms, been promoted,
Associate Attorney at Hodes Mil- made partner, gotten married, had children, or have other an-
man LLP in Irvine. nouncements of interest to law alumni, please send an Email
with a brief description and and we’ll post your news in a fu-
Kathryn Casey (‘03) is a five-year
associate with Jackson DeMarco
ture issue of the Law Alumni Connection.
Tidus & Peckenpaugh. Kathryn Send Class Notes to dfinley@chapman.edu
E VENT T ICKLER
Page 8
Summer Discussion
CLE Series
with Professor Donald Kochan
Alumni Mixer, June 9, 2009, 6:00 Chapman En Banc, October 30,
p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Attallah Piazza on 2009, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Law
Chapman’s main campus (located School Lobby
between Beckman Hall and the Thursday, May 28, 2009, Noon
Leatherby Libraries); RSVP to Chapman En Banc, November 20, Law and Economics and Whether it
Should Matter: The Role of Interdiscipli-
www.chapman.edu/law/rsvp 2009, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Law
nary Studies in Legal Education in a
School Lobby Post(?) Critical Legal Studies World
Alumni Advisory Board Meeting,
July 27, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Bar Admission Ceremony, Thursday, June 4, 2009, Noon
Kennedy Hall, Room 237B; December 3, 2009, 5:30 p.m., ARRRRR MATEY! Piracy and the
Limits of International Law: What Now?
RSVP to chlewis@chapman.edu Memorial Hall, with reception
And Who Should be the Enforcers?
CLE: Journal of Criminal Justice
to follow in law school lobby
Thursday, June 11, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
Symposium - Specialty Courts in Chapman Law SBA/Alumni Golf Jaywalking and Jail: Why Do People
Tournament, January 18, 2010, time Obey Laws? And, When Will the
Criminal Justice: Challenges and Rational Person Violate Them?
Opportunities, August 7, 2009, and place TBA
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Kennedy Thursday, June 18, 2009, Noon
Hall, Room 237; RSVP to Chapman En Banc, January 29, Precedent as the Doggy Bag of Law:
chlewis@chapman.edu 2010, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Law What We Take Home From the
School Lobby Courts and Why We Care
Chapman Law Night at Anaheim Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
Stadium (Angels v. White Sox), So Does an Obama Decision on a
September 11, 2009, 7:05 p.m., Law Be Sure to Attend Our Supreme Court Justice Matter? A
School Lobby Monthly En Banc Mixers Refresher on the Politics of the Supreme
En Banc mixers are informal “happy Court and Confirmation Stories
Chapman En Banc, September 25, hour” gatherings at the law school
Thursday, July 9, 2009, Noon (Ethics CLE)
2009, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Law that bring together alumni, faculty, What is “Virtue” and Does It Have a Role
current students, and special guests in Politics or Judicial Decision-Making?
School Lobby
to mingle and connect. Past guests
have included senior attorneys, Each discussion will be held on the law school’s
Class of 1999 10-year Reunion, judges, philanthropists, community back patio and is worth 1 hour of CLE credit.
October 24, 2009, time and place leaders and business professionals. Please feel free to bring your lunch or dinner.
TBA
Chapman Law Alumni
C O N N E C T I O N
Non-Profit
Organization
One University Drive, Room 310
U.S. POSTAGE
Orange, CA 92866
PAID
Orange, California
Permit No. 58
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
