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 welcome prospective students to campus and lead law school tours. They are leaders in the law 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 give out their personal emails to students who visit campus and attend a tour 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.
Nick Archibald, 1L
Hometown: Rescue, California
Undergraduate University & Major: University of California, Davis - History and Political Science
Extracurricular Activities: International Law Society, Dispute Resolution Society
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: To gain legal experience in California before passing the MBE and aiding international clients in development and human rights litigation on the East Coast
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The friendly student atmosphere and the feeling of being part of a family. All the professors, deans, and staff are taking care of you and are passionate about your success.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Come in to law school with an open mind. Learning a new method of learning can be uncomfortable and a little scary. Work with your professors and advisors and I promise you will get it faster than you think. Your future clients will thank you for the hard work and dedication you put in now to become the best public servant you can be!
Jemuel Gascon, 2L
Hometown: Fresno, California
Undergraduate University & Major: California State University Fresno- Chemistry
Pepperdine Caruso Law Extracurricular Activities: Student Bar Association (SBA) Treasurer, Dispute Resolution Law Journal, Student Mentor
Legal Works: United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California Law Clerk, Criminal Division San Joaquin College of Law: New American Legal Clinic Summer Internship, Nonprofit Immigration Law Clinic
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: Passing the bar and working at a firm or in-house counsel
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The people
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: No matter what happens, everything will be alright.
Derek Kliewer, 1L
Hometown: Fresno, California
Undergraduate University & Major: Fresno Pacific University- Biblical & Religious Studies
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Dispute Resolution Society; Criminal Law Society
Legal Works: Judicial Externship for the Federal District Court in the Eastern District of California
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I plan to pass the CA Bar and work with an NGO or Human Rights organization
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: My favorite things about the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law are the professors and community, and the view's not bad.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: "Lawyers stand next to people at the most vulnerable times of their lives." - President Jim Gash. Remember why you want to come to law school in the first place and use that to motivate you and propel you during the late nights and long hours of studying. Go to your professor's office hours and make time for fun outside of school!
Troy Kramer, 2L
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Undergraduate University and Major: Pepperdine University - Economics
Pepperdine Caruso Law Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society, Journal of Business Entrepreneurship and the Law (JBEL)
Plans after graduation: I want to practice civil litigation and real estate law and hope to own my own law firm one day
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Caruso Law: The community. Pepperdine is an incredible group of students, professors, and faculty members who really make it feel like home. I know I can rely on my friends and mentors when I need something and always feel secure being in this tight-knit community.
Advice for future law students: Law school isn't as scary as everyone says it is. As long as you do the work and hold yourself accountable, you're going to be just fine!
Chase Lambert, 2L
Hometown: Mahaska, Kansas
Undergraduate University & Major: Kansas State University - Finance and Entrepreneurship Dual major; Economics minor
Pepperdine Caruso Law Extracurricular Activities: Federalist Society Executive Board, International Law Society, Student Ambassador, Palmer Fellow
Legal Works: Disaster Recovery Clinic and In-House General Counsel legal intern at Reserve
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: Corporate In-House Counsel
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The location and community.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Come in with an open mind, do your readings during 1L, and find something to do for at least an hour other than law school on a daily basis.
Jonathan Maseng
Hometown: New York, New York
Undergraduate University & Major: The City College of New York - English
Extracurricular Activities: Sports and Entertainment Law Society; Jewish Law Students Association
Legal Works: I'll be externing this summer for a judge on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: To pass the bar and practice law in Los Angeles
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: The amazing people in my class and the unforgettable sunsets. Law school isn't easy, but it's a lot more enjoyable with a beautiful environment and people who support you
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Keep an open mind about what you want to do with your degree. There are so many possibilities and there's so much opportunity to gain exposure to different areas of the law.
Daniel Schmidt, 3L
Hometown: Derwood, Maryland
Undergraduate University and Major: Furman University - History
Pepperdine Caruso Law Extracurricular Activities: Vice President, Veterans Legal Society
Legal Work: Externed in the Western District of Texas and worked for the Travis County, Texas prosecutor's office.
Plans after graduation: I plan on moving to Texas and getting a job in the field of labor and employment law.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Caruso Law: The faculty, staff and your fellow students are all truly invested in your success. Professors are available out of class to help you understand the topics covered in class or for other reasons, such as recommendations, advice, or general conversation. The Pepperdine community is truly engaged in the lives of its students and wants the best for all law students.
Advice for future law students: READ ahead of class -- come as prepared as possible to each and every class and be ready, willing and eager to answer any question your professor might ask.
Kelly Vollmer, 3L
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Undergraduate University & Major: University of Florida, Journalism. Go Gators.
Pepperdine Caruso Law Extracurricular Activities:Trial Team, Global Justice Program, Spanish Club, IJM Chapter President, Christian Legal Society, Criminal Legal Society, Student Mentor, Student Ambassador, carrel owner, free food beneficiary
Legal Works: Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Ventura County Public Defender's Office, Ventura's County Veteran's Court
Plans after Pepperdine Law: Pass the Bar
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: Proximity to beauty: Both the mountainous coastline and daily encounters with people doing purposeful work.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: 10/10 would recommend an hour of outdoor play a day. Even during finals. Especially during finals.
Rebecca Voth, 1L
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
Undergraduate University & Major: Baylor University - University Scholar
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society; Spanish Club
Plans after Pepperdine Caruso Law: I hope to work for the State Department or an NGO such as International Justice Mission focusing on international human rights
Favorite Thing about Pepperdine: My favorite thing about the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is the community! The professors and students truly care about one another and support one another.
Advice for future Pepperdine Caruso Law Students: Before coming in the fall, spend some time with family and friends who remind you who you are and your purpose so that you can be grounded and prepared to face the challenges of the first semester of law school.