Meet Your Student Ambassadors
The Heart of our Community
Pepperdine Caruso Law's student ambassadors represent the heart of our school in different yet profound ways. Student ambassadors are recommended by faculty, staff, and administrators and serve as professional student leaders who connect with prospective students and host law school info sessions. They are leaders in our community, involved, enthusiastic, and having been through this process themselves, are in a unique position to provide insight from their firsthand experience. Pepperdine Caruso Law student ambassadors are a diverse group of academic achievers and represent a broad spectrum of interest areas in legal practice.
Our student ambassadors will share their personal emails to students who attend a virtual info session with them. For questions about the application and admissions process, please contact the admissions office at lawadmis@pepperdine.edu after reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions
Nareh Aghakhanian
nareh.aghakhanian@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate University and Major: University of California at Berkeley, Political Economy and Slavic Languages and Literatures
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Moot Court, Legal Research and Writing Teaching Assistant, Armenian Law Students Association Social Chair, Academic Mastery Program Teaching Fellow
Legal Work: Weitz & Luxenberg Summer Law Clerk
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Caruso School of Law offers students the opportunity to engage in projects that make a tangible real-world impact while developing invaluable skills before graduation. As a member of the Religious Liberty Clinic, I am grateful for the chance to work on real religious liberty cases alongside my peers and outstanding attorneys.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan on working in litigation after law school.
Advice for Future Students: Never lose sight of your goals and be confident.
Caden Benedict
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Undergraduate University and Major: Pepperdine University, Economics
Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society, Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Moot Court, Student Bar Association
Legal Work: Sudreau Global Justice Institute Judicial Extern, Religious Liberty Clinic
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: One of my favorite things about Pepperdine Caruso Law is its missional posture. It’s a law school that aims to provide a world-class education through gifted professors, a culture of viewpoint diversity, and an ethos of purpose. Students continually are prepared to be people of impact who are not just advocates, but also counselors, who use the law as a ministry to help people in some of their most important life moments.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to pursue litigation in constitutional law or compliance or transactional work in entertainment or culture.
Advice for Future Students: Work hard, trust the process, and lean into building relationships with your peers in your year and beyond.
Matthew Conde
Hometown: Glendale, California
Undergraduate University and Major: Seattle University, Business Administration
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Research Assistant, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
Legal Work: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Law Clerk
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Pepperdine’s faculty and staff are wonderful resources for academic, professional, and personal guidance. They are accessible, supportive, and invested in your success, and their mentorship and encouragement make you feel welcomed and empowered throughout your law school journey.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: After Pepperdine Caruso Law, I hope to gain meaningful legal experience with the long-term goal of entering private practice.
Advice for Future Students: Trust the process and be kind to yourself and others. Law school will challenge you, but those are the moments that shape your growth. Embrace each obstacle, learn from it, persevere, and take care of yourself while encouraging others. Each person you meet‚ faculty or classmate‚ offers unique experiences worth learning from, so enjoy the journey together.
Benjamin Dokolas
benjamin.dokolas@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Undergraduate University and Major: Westmont College, Political Science
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Moot Court Board
Legal Work: Klein DeNatale Law Clerk
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: My favorite part of Pepperdine has been the faculty. They are incredibly supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in helping students succeed, with a level of accessibility and consistency that makes a noticeable difference in the overall experience.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am hoping to clerk for a bankruptcy court judge.
Advice for Future Students: Build strong relationships with your professors early on. They are approachable, supportive, and an invaluable resource, so don’t hesitate to reach out and rely on them for guidance throughout your time in law school.
Joshua Finlayson
joshua.finlayson@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Fountain Valley, California
Undergraduate University and Major: Vanguard University, Business Administration
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Student Bar Association 2L Representative, Sudreau Global Justice Institute Prison Project, Moot Court, Christian Legal Society, Federalist Society
Legal Work: Senate Judiciary Committee Law Clerk, Religious Liberty Clinic Participant
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The friendships I've made, the London and Sudreau Global Justice programs, and the school's strong Christian mission.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: Employment Litigation
Advice for Future Students: Work hard, get involved, and enjoy the ride!
Nicole Gendusa
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergraduate University and Major: University of California at Los Angeles, History
Extracurricular Activities: Catholic Law Students Association Founder and President, Pro Bono Program FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance Volunteer, 1L Student Mentor, Real Estate Investment Research Assistant
Legal Work: General Practice Firm (Transactional Focus) Legal Internship
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing is the idylic Pepperdine campus, especially the outdoor patio and the view from the library. Studying there feels calm and refreshing because of how beautiful the surroundings are. It creates a peaceful environment that makes it easier to focus, even during the busiest weeks.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: My plan is to work in real estate law and/or construction law.
Advice for Future Students: Malibu is beautiful—use that to your advantage. Take breaks, walk by the beach, and give yourself permission to breathe. Law school is demanding, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Greta Kastner
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate University and Major: University of Southern California, Classics and Business Administration
Extracurricular Activities: Student Bar Association Community Chair
Legal Work: Collins + Collins LLP Summer Clerk
Favorite Aspect about Pepperdine: I love walking through the halls and seeing all of my best friends! Even during finals week there are plenty of smiling faces. The people and professors breathe life into the law and inspire me to be the best student (and person) every day!
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to work in civil litigation.
Advice for Future Students: Enjoy it! Pepperdine is an amazing place to call home for three years, and those three years go by fast!
Christian Kim
Hometown: Santa Clara, California
Undergraduate University and Major: Wheaton College, English
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Christian Legal Society, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, Advocates for Public Interest Law
Legal Work: Santa Clara County Superior Court Judicial Internship, Public Interest Firm Eviction Defense Internship
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The law school has a uniquely caring and supportive community, both among students and faculty. I can’t count the number of times someone greeted me with a big grin and a hug even when we had only spoken once or twice before.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I would love to do social justice public interest work, especially dealing with immigration or religious issues.
Advice for Future Students: Find your people! Make some friends you really trust, the ones who share your values and always have your back, and enjoy this whirlwind of an experience together with them.
Caroline Lewis
caroline.s.lewis@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
Undergraduate University and Major: University of Mississippi, Psychology
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Moot Court, Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Christian Legal Society, Catholic Law Students Association, Women’s Legal Association, Advocates for Public Interest Law, First Generation Law Student Association
Legal Work: Supreme Court of Uganda Judicial Internship, Pepperdine Disaster Relief Clinic
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: One of my favorite things about Caruso Law is the mentorship. From both professors and fellow students, the advice and support I have received since my first step on campus have been invaluable.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: After law school, I plan to attain a clerkship and work in litigation.
Advice for Future Students: Get to know your classmates! The people here are truly wonderful and getting to know them, both inside and outside the classroom, beneficial. Whether it is studying or grabbing coffee on the weekend, it is so important to have good people surrounding you during law school.
William Melcher
william.melcher@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Woodland Hills, California
Undergraduate University and Major: Arizona State University, Criminology
Extracurricular Activities: Moot Court, Federalist Society, Pepperdine University Phi Alpha Delta Law School Mentor
Legal Work: United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California Legal Extern, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Certified Law Clerk
Favorite Aspect about Pepperdine: Caruso Law is very different compared to most law schools. Despite the naturally competitive environment, every student is truly willing to support one another.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan on pursuing a career in criminal law or plaintiff-side civil litigation.
Advice for Future Students: Enjoy every day on this beautiful campus and make as many
memories as possible.
Simon Newton
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Undergraduate University and Major: Arizona State University, Political Science
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, First Generation Law Student Association Treasurer, Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law Fellow
Legal Work: Pepperdine University Office of the General Counsel Law Clerk
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: I love the supportive environment! No matter who you are or what kind of lawyer you want to be, there is constant encouragement from both faculty and peers.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to get involved in sports, business development, or international law.
Advice for Future Students: Take advantage of the many unique opportunities available and enjoy the chaos that is 1L while it lasts!
Samuel Suard
samuel.suard@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: West Hills, California
Undergraduate University and Major: California State University Northridge, Environmental Science
Extracurricular Activities: Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Moot Court Board, Student Bar Association, Christian Legal Society, Federalist Society, First Generation Law Student Association.
Legal Work: Non-Profit Disaster Relief Clinic, Theta Law Firm, TA Law Group
Favorite Aspect about Pepperdine: My favorite aspect is Pepperdine's strong sense of community and student involvement. There are numerous opportunities to become engaged and build meaningful connections during one’s time at Pepperdine. The clubs, organizations, extracurricular activities, and clinics are all driven by students who are committed to creating positive change.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am deciding between pursuing a career in civil litigation or intellectual property law after taking the California Bar Examination.
Advice for Future Students: Make a concerted effort to network with your peers, professors, and faculty. Building genuine connections can significantly enhance your law school experience and make both academic and personal aspects of life more manageable and enjoyable.
Max Stone
Hometown: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Undergraduate University and Major: Western Washington University, Philosophy and History
Extracurricular Activities: Trial Team, Religious Liberty Clinic, Christian Legal Society
Legal Work: Institute for Justice Dave Kennedy Fellow
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: My favorite things about Pepperdine are the Christian Legal Society and the Dean’s Bible Study. The Christian legal community at Pepperdine Caruso Law is second to none, and it is such a blessing to share in fellowship with that group multiple times a week.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am currently undecided about what I will do after I graduate.
Advice for Future Students: Take law school as an opportunity to excel because of your faith, not in spite of it or without it.