Meet Your Student Ambassadors
The Heart of our Community
Pepperdine Law's student ambassadors represent the heart of our school in different yet profound ways. Student ambassadors are recommended by the Student Life Office 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 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.
Tyler Brown, 3L
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Undergraduate University and Major: The University of Texas at Austin / B.A., International Relations & Global Studies (with Honors); Asian Cultures and Languages; Plan II Honors
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine OUTLaw (President); Pepperdine Law Review (Note and Comment Editor); Pepperdine Interschool Moot Court Team (Member); Research Assistant; Student Mentor; Participant of Pepperdine's London Program and Pepperdine's D.C. Program.
Legal Work: United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Judicial Intern to the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer); Crowell & Moring, LLP (Summer Associate)
Plans after graduation: I have accepted a post-graduate offer at Crowell & Moring, LLP as an associate in the Washington, D.C. office.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: My favorite thing about Pepperdine Law is the variety of opportunities it provides its students. Here, at Pepperdine, students can take their learning outside the classroom, by participating in Pepperdine's D.C. or international programs, earning course credit in one of Pepperdine's ten clinics, or attending events like the Justice Bus. During my 2L year at Pepperdine Law, I participated in the London Program and D.C. Program. In the London Program, I took courses on international dispute resolution, toured international courts, and competed in a British moot court competition at the Royal Courts of Justice. In the D.C. Program, I spent the weekdays working full-time as a legal extern at a lobbying firm, where I learned the ins and outs of Washington, D.C.; and I spent the evenings taking relevant classes on lawyering in the nation's capital and touring some of D.C.'s famous sights. I have also had the opportunity to travel around the country with Pepperdine's moot court team to compete against other law schools and practice my oral advocacy in a professional setting.
Advice for future law students: Surround yourself with people who will support you. Law school is tough, so you will need to be in a community that actively helps you succeed. When choosing which law school to attend, you not only want a school with first-rate professors and courses, but also a school where the students and professors are genuinely happy and encourage one another. Fortunately, you can find all of that here, at Pepperdine Law!
Daniel De Cecco, 3L
Hometown: Cheyenne / Green River, WY
Undergraduate University and Major: University of Wyoming, Business Economics & International Studies
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Criminal Legal Society, Interfaith Student Council, International Justice Mission
Legal Work: Denver District Attorney's Office, U.S. District Court (Central District of California), Colorado Attorney General's Office
Plans after graduation: Become a prosecutor in Colorado
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: It is more than a law school. At Pepperdine, you become part of a loving family.
Advice for future law students: Take advantage of externships, clinics, and practicums to get incredible real-world legal experience and find a career you will love!
Sarah George
Hometown: Chatham, Virginia
Undergraduate University and Major: Truman State University (Kirksville, Missouri); Spanish
Pepperdine Law Extra Curricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review, Legal Research & Writing Teacher's Assistant, Pepperdine Running & Storytelling Society
Legal Work: Judicial extern, Los Angeles Immigration Courts, Department of Justice, Fisher Phillips
Plans after graduation: Work at Fisher Phillips in Los Angeles for one year then clerk with the Honorable André Birotte, Jr. in the Central District of California
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: THE PEOPLE. I came into Law School thinking I didn't need any new friends. I have amazing friends from work and undergrad and high school, so I thought I was good; however, I have made some of the most incredible, lifelong friends here at Pepperdine.
Advice for future law students: Pick a school where you will be supported by the faculty, the staff, the alum, and other students. Law school can be challenging enough on its own, so having a community to support you through it will make all the difference.
Hannah Grabinski, 1L
Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa
Undergraduate University and Major: Wheaton College (IL); Major in Business/Economics and Minor in International Relations
Pepperdine Law Extra Curricular Activities: Christian Legal Society, Advocates for Public Interest Law
Legal Work: I worked as a Legal Assistant for Peddicord Wharton, LLP in West Des Moines over my breaks throughout undergrad.
Plans after graduation: I would ideally start my career in Criminal/Public Interest Law and eventually make my way into working for a non-profit that deals with international development.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The people. The law school environment here is unlike any other school. I know if I ever needed anything from fellow classmates or professors they would have my back, and it creates a very special, tight-knit community.
Advice for future law students: Never be afraid to ask for help. No one understands how to play the game of law school without assistance from others. When work and stress are overwhelming, always remember what motivated you to come here!
Sarah Hamill, 3L
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate University and Major: Point Loma Nazarene University; Major: International Development Studies; Minor: Psychology
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Moot Court team; Law Review; Christian Legal Society; Advocates for Public Interest; Community Justice Clinic
Legal Work: 1L Summer- Global Justice Program: Externed for a justice on the Court of Appeals in Kampala, Uganda as well as helped with the prison projects and conferences put on by Pepperdine and the Ugandan Judiciary. 2L summer- worked at the California Attorney General's Office in San Diego in the Criminal Appeals section. I had the amazing opportunity to argue twice at the California Court of Appeals as well as write briefs to the court.
Plans after graduation: I have accepted a post-graduate fellowship position at an appellate firm called Horvitz & Levy LLP.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The community. The professors, faculty, and staff. The people here are incredible. Your classmates want the best for you and the professors and staff will go to bat for you and support you in all your endeavors.
Advice for future law students: Avoid comparison. Law school is competitive and it is easy to get lost comparing yourself to others. But you are on your own track. So do your best and let others do theirs.
Christopher Hickman, 3L
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Undergraduate University and Major: B.S, in Psychology from Clemson University
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: President, Black Law Students Association; Intern, Pepperdine University Athletic Department
Legal Work: Personal Injury, Sports (Contract) Law, Construction (Contract) Law,
Plans after graduation: Take and pass the bar anything beyond this, your guess is as good as mine.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The people to be completely honest. I felt welcomed
Advice for future law students: Find your group of friends, study with them, lean on them when you are struggling and be a shoulder for them when they need you to be. Law school is trying at some points as you will get frustrated, annoyed, and disheveled, so surround yourself with good people who will make you smile and remind you that you are here for a reason!
Ava Jahanvash, 3L
Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
Undergraduate University and Major: University of La Verne, Economics and Political Science
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Student Bar Association (President), Trial Team, Trial Advocacy Board, Student Mentor
Legal Work: I work at a family law firm in Beverly Hills, California and I continue to work there
through the school year.
Plans after graduation: I plan to practice family law either in LA or in Orange County.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The community. I have been lucky to meet and share this experience with some wonderful people. The community here is so supportive and caring.
Advice for future law students: Enjoy the ride. It will be stressful and crazy at times, but remember to enjoy this time and make the most of every moment.
Hanna Jokovsky, 2L
Hometown: Davis, CA
Undergraduate University and Major: University of Southern California, Double Major in History & International Relations; Minor in Korean Studies
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Law Review, Staff Member; Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA); IP Student Association (IPSA)
Legal Work: Judicial Extern at the US District Court for the Central District of California (Summer 2018)
Plans after graduation: I will be a summer associate at Morrison & Foerster in LA next summer. I hope to work at MoFo as an IP litigation associate after graduation.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The faculty, hands down. All of them are committed to helping students succeed. They actively engage students during lectures, encourage students to attend office hours, and host dinners at their homes. It has been easy and natural forging mentorships with the faculty, and they are some of my largest inspirations.
Advice for future law students: Law school teaches students a whole new way of thinking. No matter what you studied in college or how much you've been exposed to the legal profession, all students are on the same playing field when they begin 1L. So don't be nervous coming into law school—everyone is in the same boat!
Austin Jones, 3L
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate University and Major: The University of Texas at Austin, Class of 2013 - B.A. in Geography, Minor in History
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Pepperdine Law Review - Associate Editor; Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship & the Law - Palmer Fellow; Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution - Certificate Candidate
Legal Work: 1L Summer - Judicial Extern for U.S. District Judge Robert Junell, Western District of Texas; 2L Summer - Summer Law Clerk at Germer, PLLC in Austin, Texas (six weeks) and Summer Law Clerk at Fee, Smith, Sharp & Vitullo, LLP in Dallas, Texas (six weeks)
Plans after graduation: I will join Germer, PLLC in its Austin office as an Associate, where I will work with the Litigation and Administrative Law practice groups.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: The people! The faculty and staff go above-and-beyond to provide every student with a first-class legal education. Aside from being ranked as some of the best in the country, the professors at Pepperdine Law truly care about the success of their students. Pepperdine professors regularly invite their classes over for dinner to get to know students outside the classroom. Having gone to a large university for my undergraduate degree (Hook 'em!), I am continually amazed when Pepperdine professors know me by name.
Advice for future law students: My advice for future law students is to reach out to experienced lawyers, new lawyers, and current law students. I think it is extremely helpful to talk with folks at all stages of their legal career. Also, I would highly recommend visiting every law school you are considering. Even if a law school looks great on paper, you want to make sure you're going to enjoy the culture of the school.
Matthew Myatt, 3L
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate University and Major: Pepperdine University (#AYO). Political Science & Sociology; Minor in Hispanic Studies.
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society (President); Law Review (Literary Citation Editor); Moot Court Team; Teaching Assistant, Legal Research and Writing; National Latino Law Student Association; Micro-Enterprise Program; Restoration and Justice Clinic.
Legal Work: Sudreau Global Justice Program (Uganda); Human Rights Project (LA); Honorable Otis D. Wright II (LA); U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (D.C.); California Attorney General's Office, Criminal Division (LA).
Plans after graduation: I am currently applying for Fellowships abroad and hope to later become a federal prosecutor.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: My favorite thing about Pepperdine Law is the faculty and community because they celebrate all students. Each person is met where they are at, yet challenged to be the best version of themselves.
Advice for future law students: Find what you love and know your story. You will get the hang of law school (eventually), but when you are passionate about something and know how you've gotten to where you are, your self-awareness will speak volumes.
Analise Nuxoll, 3L
Hometown: Laguna Hills, CA
Undergraduate University and Major: Westmont College; political science major
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Christian Legal Society, Advocates for Public Interest Law, Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary, Washington D.C. Externship Semester
Legal Work: Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, Ventura County Public Defender's Office, Northern Virginia Capital Defender Office
Plans after graduation: My goal is to become a public defender, and eventually a capital defender.
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: My favorite thing about Pepperdine Law is the community. This hasn't been a place for me to just get my JD and leave, but instead, a place where I've gotten involved and made some wonderful friends and memories.
Advice for future law students: Find a law school that fits "your vibe." I knew Pepperdine was right for me after visiting campus and seeing how warm and friendly the student body and faculty were.
Lavinia Osilesi, 3L
Hometown: Chatsworth, CA
Undergraduate University and Major: UC San Diego: Political Theory
Pepperdine Law Extracurricular Activities: Law Review, Moot Court, Legal Research & Writing Teaching Assistant, Bar Exam Workshop Teaching Fellow, Research Assistant
Legal Work: 1L Summer: Law Clerk at Los Angeles District Attorney; 2L Summer: Summer Associate at Reed Smith LLP
Plans after graduation: I will join as an Associate at Reed Smith LLP
Favorite thing about Pepperdine Law: I love how kind the people are and that everyone is willing to assist others to pursue their goals.
Advice for future law students: Strive to maintain a life in balance.
Daniel Schmidt, 2L
Hometown: Derwood, Maryland
Undergraduate University and Major: BA, History, Furman University (Greenville, SC), 2004
Pepperdine 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 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.