Parris Institute Report
Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
A Parris Institute Report
August 2024
Carrol and R. Rex Parris
Carrol and R. Rex Parris gifted the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law $1 million toward the establishment of the Parris Institute for Professional Excellence in 2014. The institute was endowed in 2019 with the intention of preparing students for a rapidly changing legal environment and challenging them to emerge as leaders in the professional world.
The 2023–2024 academic year marked Arnold Barba’s second year leading the institute. During this time, we introduced new speakers, restructured the professional development course, and enhanced the quality of our most popular events. Notably, we saw an increase in student participation in lunchtime events, which exposed them to a broader range of ideas and perspectives than ever before. This year has provided valuable insights, and we eagerly anticipate continued growth and innovation within the institute.
Professional Formation Course
As highlighted in our previous report, we successfully consolidated all three sections into a single professional formation class. This integration proved highly beneficial, enhancing the course’s effectiveness and efficiency. By streamlining this aspect of our programming, our team was able to allocate more time and resources to other growth initiatives within the institute.
Fall 2023 Classes
How to Read and Brief Cases
Law School Fundamentals
Outlining
Introduction to the Career Development Office and Preceptor Program
Knowing Thyself and Introduction to Practice Areas
Professional Legal Résumés
Communicating Professionally
Understanding Professional Cover Letters
Interviewing Professionally
Professional Ethics
Introduction to the Core Concepts of Lawyering and Key Lawyering Skills
Understanding the Role of Attorney as Fiduciary
Understanding the Role of Attorney as Negotiator
Spring 2024 Lunch Panels and Presentations
Pursuit of Professional Excellence in Law School: How to Network Successfully Using Social Media
Leadership Skills for Winning in Work and Life: A Conversation with Tom Lewis
Professional Communication Panel: How to Communicate Effectively and Professionally
Pursuit of Professional Excellence in Law School: How to Succeed at Your Summer Job American Board of Trial Advocates Civility Matters in the Practice of Law
We continued to collaborate with the Career Development Office, engaged alumni panels, and invited representatives from pertinent organizations to enrich the learning experience. This year, we were particularly pleased to host Tom Lewis, a distinguished author, who delivered an insightful talk on leadership skills applicable in both professional and personal contexts. We also introduced a new panel featuring Alex Wheeler, partner at Parris Law Firm, which focused on professional communication in law school and the legal profession. This session emerged as a standout, resonating strongly with many of our students and becoming one of the most well-received discussions of the year. Building on the success of these enhancements, we are committed to maintaining the special lecturer/panel format and further expanding the scope of our offerings to support our students’ professional development.
Changes in Workshops and Events
This year, we sponsored a variety of events to actively engage our upper-year students, carefully curating each to foster the development of professional skills across diverse areas.
Our Resilience Event took a new direction by featuring an all-alumni panel, a departure from previous formats. The professionals shared invaluable insights, offering our students a wealth of wisdom on overcoming challenges and bouncing back from adversity. Scheduled shortly after the release of 1L grades, this event remains a cornerstone of our institute, providing critical support and guidance during a pivotal time for our students.
Additionally, we revamped our headshot/LinkedIn workshop to enhance its impact. This year we hired an external photographer and conducted the photo sessions in our Trial Courtroom. This approach elevated the quality of the headshots, giving them a distinct and professional appearance tailored specifically to the legal field. Overall, these events have been integral in equipping our students with the necessary tools, both tangible and intangible, to thrive in their future careers, reinforcing our commitment to their ongoing professional development.
Parris Awards
On April 4, 2024, we celebrated the 10th annual Parris Awards ceremony, an event that has become our most anticipated and well-attended occasion. This year’s ceremony lived up to its reputation, drawing an enthusiastic audience and creating an electric atmosphere.
Evan T. Carthen 1L Award for Inspirational Leadership
Section A
Eleanor Olsen
Section B
Isaac Zwerling
Section C
Ashley Pae
Excellence in Professionalism
Ava Rezaee
Harrison Meads
Excellence in Service
Mason Folse
Excellence in Peacemaking
Carolyn Deal
Excellence in Courage
Rachel Robson
Excellence in Leadership
Sophie Nelson
Excellence in Character
Jacob Neill
Aria Aghalarpour
Pepperdine Award
Phillip Allevato
As part of the tradition, we continued to include several professor awards, recognizing the outstanding contributions of our faculty alongside those of our exceptional students. The energy and prestige of the event provide the perfect backdrop for honoring both groups, fostering a sense of communal achievement and celebration.
A highlight this year was the attendance of one of our Preceptors of the Year, Charles Melcombe (’15, JD ’18), who traveled across the country to join us in person. His presence added a special touch to the ceremony, underscoring the event’s significance and far-reaching impact.
The Preceptor of the Year Award was awarded to Caruso Law alumnus Charlie Melcombe
The Staff Impact Award was awarded to Allyse Wesolowski
The 1L Professor of the Year was awarded to professors Michael Helfand and Trey Childress
The 2L/3L Professor of the Year was awarded to professor Ahmed Taha
The evening was marked by a powerful sense of excitement and celebration, reinforcing the Parris Awards ceremony’s status as a foundation of our community’s recognition and appreciation efforts.
Parris Endowment
2023 Events
August 14–18
September 22
September 28
November 3
Launch Week
Practice Area Alumni Panel
LinkedIn Interactive Workshop and Headshots
Wellness and the Practice of Law
2024 Events
January 18
January 26
February 11
February 16
March 22
April 4
Resilience and Grit: A 1L Guide
How to Network Successfully Using Social Media
Tom Lewis: Leadership Skills for Winning in Work and Life
Panel: How to Communicate Effectively and Professionally
ABOTA: Civility Matters in the Practice of Law
10th Annual Parris Awards
Looking Ahead
In the upcoming school year, we plan to continue to tailor our functions to the needs of our students. The Professional Formation course will continue to be held on one day with all three sections. To maximize impact and efficiency, we will hold more morning class sessions featuring engaging panel discussions in the spring semester rather than lunch events. While we will see Bailey Greenberg step into a new role outside of the law school, Arnold Barba and Allyse Wesolowski are dedicated to advancing the institute’s mission.
We are deeply grateful to you for your unwavering support of Pepperdine Caruso Law. Your partnership has empowered us to develop future leaders in the legal profession who inspire others to lead lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
“Freely ye received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
