Meet the Diversity and Belonging Team
Chalak Richards - Dean of Students, Diversity, and Belonging
Chalak Richards is a justice advocate. She earned her J.D. at Pepperdine University School of Law in 2012 and B.A. from Spelman College. Dean Richards currently serves as Dean of Students, Diversity and Belonging. She was recently appointed to the State Bar of California's Council on Access and Fairness and the Ms. JD Board of Directors. She is dedicated to bringing diversity, equity, inclusion and a true sense of ownership and belonging to the law. She previously served as Assistant Dean of Career Development, Executive Director of the Parris Institute for Professional Excellence, and inaugural Assistant Dean of Student Life, Diversity and Belonging.
Before working at Pepperdine Law, Dean Richards worked as an immigration attorney for several years. She was named in 2016 and 2017 as a “Top 100 Lawyer in Las Vegas” for her outstanding work and has won numerous Advocacy and Trial awards.
While a law student, Dean Richards was an award-winning member of the Trial Advocacy and Moot Court teams, Western Regional Chair of the National Black Law Students Association, and participated in many volunteer activities in the community. Prior to law school, Dean Richards worked with Urban Promise, a non-profit organization supporting the academic and spiritual development of five to ten year-old children and mentoring teenagers in high-risk communities.
Phone: 310.506.4623
chalak.richards@pepperdine.edu
Kristin Lyming - Manager, Event
Kristin Lyming is the Diversity and Strategic Initiatives Event Coordinator at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. She received her Master and Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and her certificate as a Certified Quality Event Planner from the Management and Strategy Institute.
Before joining the Pepperdine family, Kristin was the Regional Manager of a social sports company in Miami, Florida and has worked at the University level for over 10 years in coaching and leadership development. She is passionate about organizing events that improve relationships, enhance training development, build strong partnerships, and promote working together within our communities. She is dedicated to maintaining a reputation of reliability, accountability, performance excellence, and leading by example.
In the Office of Diversity and Belonging, Kristin’s role is to provide strategic development of diverse vendors and suppliers. She has a strong contribution to Caruso Law’s mission and strategic plan by coordinating a diverse array of high-quality events which help students explore and identify their purpose in the legal profession, enhance Caruso Law’s reputation, and introduce new speakers to the Caruso Law community.
Phone: 310.506.4954
kristin.lyming@pepperdine.edu