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
Ronnie Baruch
Hometown: Tel Aviv, Israel
Undergraduate University & Major: San Jose State University, Business Administration and Human Resources
Extracurricular Activities: Student Bar Association President, Interfaith Council Secretary, Moot Court Board member, London Program, Women's Law Association, International Law Society
Legal Works: NeuroBlade AI - legal intern, Shurat Hadin - legal intern
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I will be moving to Israel to work in the white collar crime department of Barnea Jaffa Lande.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The faculty at Pepperdine provide a personal experience for every single student, a legal education custom-tailored for you.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Relax! With all the preparation for law school often times new students forget to trust themselves and celebrate the fact they are going to law school. I always tell first-year students they need to find time to relax and pursue hobbies during the year. The best way to not burn out is to take it one day at a time.
Nadia Brenden
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada
Undergraduate University & Major: Pepperdine University, Integrated Marketing Communications
Extracurricular Activities: Symposium Editor for Journal for Business, Entrepreneurship and the Law, Palmer Fellow, Research Assistant for Professor Jacob Charles,
Legal Works: Law Clerk for CMG Worldwide
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: Either a career in employment law or in intellectual property specializing in right of publicity.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The people! Pepperine excels at creating opportunities to bring everyone together.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: My advice is to not be afraid to ask for help. Even though we are all really good at looking like we have it all together, none of us know what we are doing and everyone is more than willing to help. We are all in the same boat going through this new chapter of our lives!
Mitchell Brost
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Undergraduate University & Major: Thomas Aquinas College, Classical Liberal Arts
Extracurricular Activities: Law Review, Moot Court, Religious Liberty Clinic, Christian Legal Society
Legal Works: Law Clerk, Advocates for Faith and Freedom (Religious Liberty Non-Profit); Summer Associate at Dykema Gossett in Los Angeles
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to attain a clerkship on a federal circuit court, and then move on to private practice afterwards!
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Everyone here is accomplished and driven, but they all have lives and personalities outside of the classroom. This creates a really diverse and engaging culture to dive into!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Develop relationships with your professors! Not only are they treasure troves of knowledge who can deepen your classroom understanding and give you sage career advice, but they also are incredibly friendly and interesting people! You are likely to make a new friend and mentor for life if you invest your time in office hours!
Ashley Cote
Hometown: Lake Forest, California
Undergraduate University & Major: California Baptist University, Exercise Science
Extracurricular Activities: Lead Articles Editor of Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing, Teaching Fellow, and Launch Week Mentor
Legal Works: Summer Associate at Lehotsky Keller Cohn, Law Clerk for the Pepperdine Legal Aid Clinic, Summer Associate at Brown | Streza in their Tax, Trusts, and Estates Department, Law Clerk for the Pepperdine Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I will be returning to Brown | Streza in their Tax, Trusts, and Estates Department as a first-year associate.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Pepperdine Caruso Law allowed me to grow in my faith while learning about the law. And the beach is my favorite place!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Encounter as many different places, ideas, and people as you can. Pepperdine Caruso Law is unmatched in terms of opportunities to study abroad in locations such as England, Ghana, Washington, DC, and more!
Caden Cutter
Hometown: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Undergraduate University & Major: Loyola Marymount University, History and Political Science
Extracurricular Activities: Trial Team and Student Plaintiffs Bar
Legal Works: Law Clerk at Cutter Law
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to continue fighting for the wellbeing of the poor, sick, and injured as a trial lawyer.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The trial team with Professor Harry Caldwell, the extraordinary community, and my favorite surf spots!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Don’t worry about learning legal concepts before law school. Focus on crushing your LSAT and perfecting your application. Once those are submitted, take some time to do things you've always wanted to do! There will be plenty of work to do once you get here.
Kali de Varennes
kali.devarennes@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Agoura Hills, California
Undergraduate University & Major: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, History
Extracurricular Activities: Associate Editor of Pepperdine Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship, and the Law; Treasurer and Women Lawyers Association Los Angeles Student Liaison of the Women’s Legal Association (2023-2024); Palmer Fellow
Legal Works: Law Clerk for Pepperdine's Office of the General Counsel; Law Clerk for the Law Office of Brian F. Simas – Legal Counsel to the Alcohol Beverage Industry; Judicial Extern to the Honorable Victoria S. Kaufman at the United States Bankruptcy Court Central District of California; Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am interested in transactional/corporate law and eventually want to work as in-house counsel.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: After speaking to Pepperdine alumni, I was drawn to feedback about the faculty's dedication to their students. They place great emphasis on practical training and externship opportunties, which helped me get my externship at the bankruptcy court this summer.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Always prioritize your mental health and well-being, and schedule something you look forward to at least once a week. Find a routine that works for you and try not to compare yourself to what others are doing.
Jonathan Fazio
Hometown: Porter Ranch, California
Undergraduate University & Major: CSUN, Political Science
Extracurricular Activities: President IFC, VP JLSA
Legal Works: Judicial Externship LASC
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to pursue a career in civil litigation.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The faculty's dedication to helping us identify the best legal paths for each of us, connecting us with the right people, and supporting us in finding jobs is something I am truly grateful for and what makes Pepperdine unique.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Realize your reputation is being cultivated everyday amongst everyone- don't take that for granted. When exam season comes, don't forget who you are and who your parents raised you to be- your peers will have lasting impressions about you and learn a lot about how you handle pressure, stress, and competition during exam season... so continue to be kind and help others, even if they are not in your study group.
Joanne Kasem
Hometown: Orange County, California
Undergraduate University & Major: California State University, Long Beach, Business Human Resources
Extracurricular Activities: Dispute Resolution Certificate, Member of Moot Court Board, Research Assistant, 1L Student Mentor
Legal Works: Judicial: Los Angeles County Bar Association's Domestic Violence Project; Judicial Externship; Civil Defense Law Firm
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am working at an employment defense firm and eventually want to transition to in-house counsel.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The faculty and staff are all so kind and willing to help. Everyone wants to see you succeed!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: You don't have to have everything figured out -- enjoy your time in law school, absorb all the information, and take advantage of all the opportunities!
Keanu Mayo
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate University & Major: Pepperdine University, Business Administration
Extracurricular Activities: Representative of American Bar Association, President of Veteran Legal Society Secretary, Events Co-Chair of Children's & Family Legal Society
Legal Works: Clerk for Wilshire Law Firm
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to be a civil litigator.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The incredible atmosphere experienced during my undergraduate experience at Pepperdine's Seaver College encouraged me to attend Pepperdine Caruso Law. The supportive faculty and learning environment are unparalleled.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Take a deep breath and focus on learning how to be the best lawyer you can be!
Justice Nelken
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Undergraduate University & Major: Pepperdine University, Political Science and Secondary Education
Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society, Launch Week Volunteer, Open House Student Panel, and I just got married!
Legal Works: Law clerk at Kenneth Devore & Associates: Insurance defense, trusts and estates
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to work in trusts and estates to help people achieve peace of mind about their lives.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: I only applied to one law school, Pepperdine Caruso Law. I attended Pepperdine's Seaver College and I wanted that same transformational experience for law school. Pepperdine is a family!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Don't neglect yourself -- spiritually, emotionally, or physically!
Harmeeth Nijjar
harmeeth.nijjar@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: San Jose, California
Undergraduate University & Major: University of California, Santa Barbara, International Studies
Extracurricular Activities: General Membership in the First Gen Law Students and the American Constitutional Society
Legal Works: Interned for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and currently running for Oak Park, California Municipal Advisory Council.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I'm very civic-minded. I plan to get involved in local politics or work for a non-profit. A dream of mine is to start a public interest non-profit aimed to register young people and motivate them to vote and to get involved in their communities and the political process.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The supportive faculty recognize that every student is unique, and they celebrate that regardless of whether a student is a legacy or a First Gen.The welcoming and genuine people are what make going to Pepperdine Law one of the best decisions I ever made.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Work hard! Being smart alone isn’t going to cut it, and you have to diligently put in the work everyday in order to succeed and get the most out of the law school experience.
Christian Parham
christian.parham@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Undergraduate University & Major: Pepperdine University, Political Science, Journalism Minor, Certificate in Conflict Management
Extracurricular Activities: Masters in Dispute Resolution; Palmer Center Fellow (Certificate in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Entertainment); Certificate in Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law; Student Mentor; President of Christian Legal Society; Marketing and Communications Chair for the Palmer Center; Diversity Chair for Student Bar Association; Admin Chair of Dispute Resolution Society; Member of Law Student Well-Being Taskforce
Legal Works: In-House Legal Intern at Hubspot, Community Justice Clinic, In-house Legal Intern at Pharmavite
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I hope to work in-house or do government/public interest work!
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: I am a first-generation law student, so the mentorship and opportunities provided by professors are invaluable. They invested in not only my professional development, but also in me as a whole being (beyond just my academics).
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: While academics are incredibly important, what your peers, faculty, and staff will remember most about you is your character and how you treat others. Work hard and be kind to everyone—success will naturally follow!
David Ter-Petrosyan
david.terpetrosyan@pepperdine.edu
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate University & Major: California State University, Northridge. BA, Economics.
Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Vol. 52, Alumni & Sponsorship Editor. Academic Mastery Program, Teaching Fellow. Armenian Law Students Association, President. Federalist Society, Vice-President.
Legal Works: Judicial Extern at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Summer Associate at Dykema Gossett, LLP.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to join a law firm as a business litigation associate.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Every Professor has an open-door policy and they are always willing to go out of their way to help you reach your goals.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Grades are very important—but so is your mental health. Always be sure to take care of yourself and take the time to do things that you enjoy!
AJ Thede
Hometown: Allegan, Mi; Fauché, Haiti.
Undergraduate University & Major: Calvin University; Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Extracurricular Activities: Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Rwanda; London Program; Trial Team; Christian Legal Society,
Legal Works: Summer 2024: Certified law clerk at the District Attorney's office in Orange county. Summer 2023: Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Rwanda, worked with Justice Aimé Summer 2022: Shadowed two attorneys at a small town, private law firm.
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I am thinking about a career as an Orange County DA, but I am open to other opportunities as well.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Aside from the community, my favorite part of Pepperdine is the global perspective. I don't know anywhere else I could have spent 8 months abroad interning in Rwanda, plea bargaining in Uganda, and studying in London, all while keeping up with all my studies!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Come with an open mind, and be prepared to try lots of different things!
Kyle Veazie
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate University & Major: (B.A.) Political Science and (B.S.) Psychology Double Major
Extracurricular Activities: Vice President of the Black Law Student Association
Legal Works: Law Clerk for Gomez Law
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to work as a litigation associate at the Baker Sterchi Cowden Rice law firm in Kansas City.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: I love the immediate proximity to one of California's greatest views!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Take practice exams as much as possible!
Isaac Zwerling
Hometown: Newbury Park, California
Undergraduate University & Major: Westmont College, Economics & Business
Extracurricular Activities: Law Review, Moot Court, Christian Legal Society, Federalist Society
Legal Works: Religious Liberty Clinic, Research Assistant for Emeritus Professor Bob Cochran, Teaching Assistant for Professor Stephen White
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I will be clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after graduation.
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Faculty accessibility is my favorite thing about Pepperdine. The professors have guided me through law school, and I can attribute all of my successes to their dedication!
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: You are at Pepperdine for a reason. Though you are surrounded by many with accomplishments that may seem intimidating, Pepperdine saw something in you for a reason. You can flourish here in a community that genuinely supports you.