Arnold Barba Joins Pepperdine Caruso Law Deans' Suite

Arnold Barba joined Pepperdine Caruso School of Law as assistant dean of professional formation, chief of staff, and director of the Parris Institute for Professional Excellence on August 1, 2022.  Barba filled the role of chief of staff previously occupied by University Vice President Danny DeWalt, and the role of director of the Parris Institute previously occupied by Dean Chalak Richards.  Barba has taught civil trial preparation and settlement at the law school to upper division students since 2009 as an adjunct professor of law. 

Immediately prior to joining the Deans' Suite at Caruso Law, Barba served as a litigation partner at the boutique firm of LimNexus, LLP, where he focused his trial practice on complex business litigation, catastrophic tort defense, and insurance recovery.

Barba served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. He earned his B.A. and J.D. from UCLA where he was awarded the Corpus Juris Secundum Award for earning his section’s highest grade in criminal law.  He was named the alumnus of the year by the La Raza Law Student Association in 2004. Barba was also a judicial extern in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and an associate at Morrison & Foerster, Brown Winfield & Cazoneri, and Anderson Kill. 

Barba is happily married to his law school sweetheart, Claudia, who enjoys an estate planning practice in Thousand Oaks, California.  They have three daughters in college: Natalia and Gabriela and Sofia, identical twins. He enjoys teaching theology, creative writing, and salsa dancing with his wife.

Dean Paul Caron said, “We are thrilled to welcome Arnold to the Pepperdine Caruso Law family.  His deep commitment to our mission has been evident since he began teaching here in 2009.  Arnold left a thriving law practice in Los Angeles because he feels called to join us in this special place at this important time in our school’s history.”

Barba said, “My love for the Christian mission, scholarship, teaching, and the pursuit of  professional excellence impelled me to join the Pepperdine Caruso family.  I am more than thrilled and beyond grateful to serve here.”