2021 class notes Scott Adamson (JD 1988) joined Arent Fox LLP as a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles corporate and securities practice.
Ashleigh Aitken (JD 2002) announced her candidacy for mayor of Anaheim, Calif. Aitken is a former federal prosecutor, and is of counsel at Aitken Aitken Cohn. Christopher Aitken (JD 1996) a partner with Aitken, Aitken, and Cohn, led a case to settle for over $11 million, which involved the California GOP and a man paralyzed in a 2016 car crash. Jeffrey Baglio (JD 1993), managing partner of DLA Piper’s San Diego offices, was named a 2021 BTI M&A Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group.
Matthew Benedetto (JD 2007) joined the board of Los Angeles-based legal aid organization Bet Tzedek.
Hon. Timothy M. Casserly (JD 1981) joined Judicate West as a neutral. Jessica Chu (JD 2013) was named partner at Allen Matkins’ Los Angeles office, where she is a member of the firm’s Corporate, Tax, and Joint Ventures groups.
Gary Davidson (JD 1986), a partner at Miami-based global law firm Diaz Reus, is the new chair of the International Litigation and Arbitration Certification Committee of the Florida Bar. Mandana Dayani (BA 2003, JD 2007) was named COO of Archewell, a cultural change organization founded by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
E. Carlos Dominguez (JD 2005) was appointed to serve as a judge in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
Alex Dumas (JD 2015) was named director, employment and litigation at Sony Music Entertainment in New York. Dumas is a member of the USC Gould Alumni Association’s New York committee. Amber Finch (JD 2002) was elected to the American College of Coverage Counsel, described as “an invitation-only organization of senior lawyers dedicated to advancing the efficient resolution of insurance coverage disputes and enhancing the quality of the practice of insurance law.” A partner in insurance & risk management at Reed Smith LLP, Finch also received Corporate Counsel’s 2021 Women, Influence and Power in Law Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion–Law Firm. Mark Foster (BA 1995, JD 1995), a partner in the Orange County office of Snell and Wilmer LLP, was named in The Best Lawyers in America 2022. Katie Garcia (JD 2020) was one of 16 fellows selected for the 2021 Law Program of the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). Nicole Gates (JD 2013) was promoted to Senior Corporate Counsel at Dr. Seuss Enterprises, LP. Gates is a member of the USC Gould Alumni Association’s San Diego committee.
Daniel Glassman (JD 1995) joined K&L Gates LLP’s Orange County office as partner. He is a member of the firm’s Complex Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice group. Justin Goldstein (JD 1998) partner and chair of Sklar Kirsh’s Litigation Practice Group, was named to the Los Angeles Times’ LA500, which recognizes “the most influential, most powerful, and most impactful business professionals in the region.” Jorge Gonzalez (JD 1981) joined the faculty at People’s College of Law in Los Angeles, teaching criminal law.
Samantha Delbick (JD 2020) was named Deputy City Attorney in the criminal branch at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. Samuel Djanhanbani (MBT 2014, JD 2020) co-authored LA Lawyer’s May 2021 cover story, “Taxing the Terminator.”
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Elizabeth Gonzalez (BA 1999, JD 2009) testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on student loan bankruptcy reform. In addition to her role as directing attorney for the Consumer Unit at the Public Law Center, Gonzalez is a lecturer at the law school, teaching consumer law.
